Keith McCormack

Keith McCormack (October 19, 1940 – April 10, 2015) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter.

McCormack was born in Dalhart, Texas, but was raised in Plainview. He sang and played guitar for the Patio Kids, the Rock 'n' Rollers, the Leen Teens and, finally, the String-A-Longs with Aubrey deCordova and Richard Stephens from 1956 until 1965. The Leen Teens were managed by Norman Petty, who later renamed them the String-A-Longs, and in 1960 they had their biggest hit with "Wheels", which reached number 3.^[1]

McCormack co-wrote "Sugar Shack" with his aunt Fay Voss, which was recorded by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs and sold over one million copies in the United States in 1963. It was the biggest selling song of the year^[2] and spent five weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from October 12 until November 9, 1963. He also co-wrote their follow-up single, "Daisy Petal Pickin'", which reached #15 on the Billboard chart^[3] and #5 in Australia.^[4]

He died of a stroke in Springfield, Missouri on April 10, 2015. He was 74.^[5]

References

1. "Up Close with Keith McCormack and Aubrey deCordova of the Legendary String-A-Longs". 2004-01-06. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
2. "Billboard Top 100 - 1963". Retrieved 2008-06-20.
3. Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, "Daisy Petal Pickin'" Billboard Chart Position Retrieved July 21, 2014
4. Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, "Daisy Petal Pickin'" Australia Chart Position Retrieved July 21, 2014
5. http://www.myplainview.com/news/article_ca716bb8-e22c-11e4-95b9-1fa1cb6d4d32.html