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The Four Preps

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Vocalists

The Resume

    (1956-1969)
    Born in Los Angeles, California
    Original line-up:
    Bruce Belland, lead vocals (October 22, 1936- )
    Ed Cobb, bass (February 28, 1938-September 19, 1999)
    Marv Ingram, tenor (July 29, 1938-March 7, 1999)
    Glen A. Larson, baritone (January 3, 1937-November 14, 2014)
    Recorded the singles ’26 Miles (Santa Catalina)’ (1958), ‘Big Man’ (1958), ‘Lazy Summer Night’ (1958), ‘Down by the Station’ (1959), ‘Got A Girl’ (1959) and ‘More Money for You and Me’ (1961)
    Cameo appearance in the film ‘Gidget’ (1959)

Why they might be annoying:

    Their last chart hit, ‘A Letter to the Beatles,’ attempted to cash in on Beatlemania, but the single had to be pulled from record stores after three weeks for using part of the song ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ without permission.
    Their crew cuts and button-down sweaters image became increasingly passé.
    Despite the deaths of the other three original members, Belland has continued leading a ‘New Four Preps’ on the oldies circuit.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They were students together at Hollywood High School and were signed to Capitol Records after a label executive saw them perform at a school talent show.
    Their two biggest singles, ’26 Miles’ (#2 on the Billboard Top 40) and ‘Big Man’ (#3), were co-written by Belland and Larson.
    Cobb would write the songs ‘Every Little Bit Hurts’ for Brenda Holloway, ‘Dirty Water’ for the Standells and ‘Tainted Love’ for Gloria Jones (later a big hit for Soft Cell).
    Glen Larson became a TV producer, creating the shows Battlestar Galactica, Magnum, P.I., ‘The Fall Guy’ and Knight Rider.
    Brian Wilson cited their harmonies as an important influence on the Beach Boys’ sound.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying