Bruce Channel - Definition and Overview

Bruce Channel (born November 28 1940) was a One-hit wonder.

Bruce was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He performed on the Louisiana Hayride radio show. He joined up with harmonica-player Delbert McClinton singing country music. Bruce wrote "Hey Baby" in 1959, together with Margaret Cobb, and had been performing it for two years before recording it in for Forth Worth producer Bill Smith. It was originally released on Bill Smith's label, but as it started to sell well, it was distributed by Smash. It became no 1 in the UK and USA in 1962. They toured Europe and were supported at one gig by The Beatles who were then still unknown. John Lennon was fascinated by Delbert's harminica and asked Delbert to teach him to play. The harmonica break in "Hey Baby" not only inspired John harmonica playing on "Love Me do" and later records, but the harmonica break on Frank Ifield's "I Remember You" (1962).

The key to the appeal of "Hey Baby" is the sustained first note, with a rhythmic shuffle in the background.

This had previously occurred on a recent hit "Sherry" (1962) by The Four Seasons, and was later to recur on a Beatles song "I Should Have Known Better" (on A Hard Day's Night 1964).

Delbert McClinton went on to write songs that were recorded by Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris. Bruce Channel's only other top 20 recording was 1968's "Keep On". The song "Hey Baby" is on John Lennon's jukebox.