"Shirley" is a song originally released by John Fred and the Playboys in December 1958 by Montel Records. It was the band's debut single and reached number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1959.[1] The song became an international hit in 1982 when it was covered by Shakin' Stevens, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
John Fred and the Playboys version
"Shirley" was recorded at Cosimo Matassa's recording studios in New Orleans when John Fred was just 17 years old, after local dance promoter in Baton Rouge, Sam Montalbano was impressed by the band.[3][4]Fats Domino's backing band helped out on the recording as Domino recorded "Whole Lotta Lovin'" prior to John Fred and the Playboys' recording session.[5] The success of the song led Fred to appear on Alan Freed's New York show The Big Beat.[6] The single might have been more successful had Fred not turned down the opportunity to appear on American Bandstand to instead play for his high school basketball team.[7]
