Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – April 27, 2025
The music of Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers played an integral role in making Rock & Roll mainstream. Their third hit record to make the charts in 1956, “I Promise To Remember,” solidified their presence in the music of the day.
However, “I Promise To Remember” was actually a cover of the original recording by Jimmy and the Juniors. Despite the fact that the “Jimmy” in the group co-wrote it, Mercury Records declined to promote it.
Sixteen years later, in 1972, the song appeared on the B-side of a smash Top 10 hit by a new group Jimmy had formed.
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Our featured Jimmy was born in 1940 and hailed from Manhattan in New York City. He was a funk, R&B and soul singer/songwriter who excelled on the saxophone.
In late 1966, he made his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Hey Leroy, Your Mama’s Callin’ You.” It would peak at the #31 position in the winter of 1967.
In the 70s, with group in tow, he released several successful albums and singles, peaking commercially in 1972 with the release of their album “It’s Just Begun.”
The album featured two hit singles: the title track and a novelty tune that became quite popular in the US, hitting #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track stayed on the chart for 14 weeks and on June 30, 1972, received a gold disc award from the RIAA for sales of a million copies.
The tune became the group’s signature song featuring lively instrumentation, and humorous lyrics.
Backed with a funky version of “I Promise To Remember,” here is The Jimmy Castor Bunch as they celebrate the instincts and primal nature of the “Troglodyte (Cave Man),” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of the song: Click here.
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
