Sitcoms that launched music careers - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SBTB Geek · 12-11-2003, 03:26 AM

I don't think "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" launched Will Smith's career, he was already a famous rap star before the sitcom debuted. IMO, it launched Tatyana Ali's career. If I remember correctly, there were a few episodes in which she sang. After the show was cancelled she released her debut album, Kiss The Sky, and had two modest hits, "Daydreamin'," and "Boy You Knock Me Out" with Will Smith.

I also disagree about "Sister, Sister" starting off, or "launching" Marques Houston's singing career, as someone has already stated, he was already in Immature.

I've heard Cree Summer's old album, it was quite good actually. It was produced by Lenny Kravitz, who was with Summer's co-star, Lisa Bonet.

BrooklynGuy, I don't know why, but whenever you mention the Olsen twins as singers, I get offended. I'm not a musician, but simply being a fan of music is enough to be offended when someone calls "Brother For Sale" actual music. In reality, it's just two tone-deaf girls talking over a cheap record. And the album was NOT a success, despite all the hype around them, it only sold 300,000 copies. It's more than what Justin Guarini sold, but it still doesn't qualify as a success.

AtlantaBravesFan29 · 12-11-2003, 10:01 AM

Vicki Lawrence from the Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family had a million selling number 1 record in 1973 with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia"

Also in answer to the one about the Partridge Family,I read that Shirley Jones sang backup with David on their songs and that the rest was done by studio musicians and singers.

In addition,Florence Henderson and Shirley Jones were already well established singers before they became sitcom stars.

I would also add to the list since she later starred in a sitcom herself,Doris Day.

Dean Winchester · 12-16-2003, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
BrooklynGuy, I don't know why, but whenever you mention the Olsen twins as singers, I get offended. I'm not a musician, but simply being a fan of music is enough to be offended when someone calls "Brother For Sale" actual music. In reality, it's just two tone-deaf girls talking over a cheap record. And the album was NOT a success, despite all the hype around them, it only sold 300,000 copies. It's more than what Justin Guarini sold, but it still doesn't qualify as a success.

true true, but when you think about it, 300,000 is quite impressive considering they were like 5 or 6 when the album came out and I don't think very many teens or adults (or even adolescents) were buying the cd to enjoy for themselves. So it was a hit considering their age and market

treky · 12-16-2003, 05:31 AM

Penny Marshal & Cindy Williams recorded an ALBUM (yes, an [I]entire album[/I ]

during the run of "Laverne & Shirley" called-what else?-"Laverne & Shirley sing".
Wonder how long it took to come up with that title?

tvje · 12-16-2003, 10:20 PM

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air effect on Will Smith's career is actully the opposite of what we are talking about. Will Smith was already an established rap star, the show launched his acting career.

Jenya · 12-17-2003, 02:19 PM

Believe it or not, William Shatner recorded a few albums. Two of them were in the 1970's, and the most recent one was with Leonard Nemoy in 1997. Unfortunately, they all bombed.

The Modfather · 12-17-2003, 02:30 PM

Screech (Dustin Diamond) from Saved by the Bell has a band now.

The Modfather · 12-17-2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenya
Believe it or not, William Shatner recorded a few albums. Two of them were in the 1970's, and the most recent one was with Leonard Nemoy in 1997. Unfortunately, they all bombed.

Did Lenoard Nemoy sing in it?!?!

Jenya · 12-17-2003, 02:31 PM

Also, if I'm not mistaken, a few cast members from The Dukes of Hazzard made a successful Country music career .

Jenya · 12-17-2003, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Colonel Juke "N" Jive
Did Lenoard Nemoy sing in it?!?!

I think he did sing a few songs on that 1997 album.

jayman75 · 12-17-2003, 04:37 PM

Both Tom Wopat and John Schneider from Dukes of Hazzard have had fairly successful singing careers.

Shelly Fabares played the daughter on The Donna Reed Show. She sang the song "Johnny Angel" back in the 1950s or 60s. She had a follow-up hit after that, that connected to the first song (if I recall right).

Jenya · 12-17-2003, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayman75
Both Tom Wopat and John Schneider from Dukes of Hazzard have had fairly successful singing careers.

Didn't the guy who played Cooter (Ben Jones was his name I think), had a singing career after the show as well?

Sal · 12-21-2003, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by treky

And, David Cassidy was the only member of "The Partrige family" who actually sang. The actual music was done by some studio musicans.

Wrong. Shirley Jones also sang on the "Partridge Family" records although David Cassidy sang lead. Listen to "I Think I Love You" and you'll hear her in the background. Speaking of which, did you know that Danny Bonaduce recorded a solo album while making the series? I'll have to check the name of it but its true!

...and of course, you have to include "The Monkees". The show, and the band that resulted from it, were so successful that Screen Gems immediately rushed "The Partridge Family" into production hoping that lightning would strike twice. Needless to say, it did!

Sal · 12-21-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by treky

Desi Arnez was already established as a band leader when "I Love Lucy" debuted, but he recored a version of the show's theme on a record in 1953, and sang it on the show once.

Andy Griffith recorded his shows theme for a record album in the early 60s called "Music From THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" (or something like that)

Andy Griffith also recorded comedy albums during the 1950s which made him a household name and led to success on Broadway and TV. One of his routines was called "What It Was, Was Football" which hit #1 in parts of the US.

You also mentioned Desi Arnaz but you also have to remember Desi Jr. He was in a band called Dino, Desi, & Billy (Dino was Dean Martin Jr.) which had a few hits in the late 1960s around the time that he appeared on "Here's Lucy".

phoebe7165 · 12-21-2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenya
Didn't the guy who played Cooter (Ben Jones was his name I think), had a singing career after the show as well?

Jenya, I'm not sure if Ben Jones had a singing career, but after Dukes, he had a political career. I think he was a congressman, or a senator, or something like that, but I don't know for what state.

12-16-2003, 05:31 AM	#19
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Penny Marshal & Cindy Williams recorded an ALBUM (yes, an [I]entire album[/I ] during the run of "Laverne & Shirley" called-what else?-"Laverne & Shirley sing". Wonder how long it took to come up with that title?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

12-16-2003, 10:20 PM	#20
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air effect on Will Smith's career is actully the opposite of what we are talking about. Will Smith was already an established rap star, the show launched his acting career.
	__________________ tvje

12-17-2003, 04:37 PM	#26
jayman75 I Love the 80s! Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2000 Location: THE GREAT UNITED STATES Posts: 3,809	Both Tom Wopat and John Schneider from Dukes of Hazzard have had fairly successful singing careers. Shelly Fabares played the daughter on The Donna Reed Show. She sang the song "Johnny Angel" back in the 1950s or 60s. She had a follow-up hit after that, that connected to the first song (if I recall right).
	__________________ A fan of quality, classic television comedies and holiday specials... The Wonder Years,The Golden Girls,Burns and Allen, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Are You Being Served?, Family Guy, South Park, Designing Women, Dallas, The Facts of Life, Roseanne, Will and Grace, The Twilight Zone, Original Scooby-Doo, Murphy Brown, The Big Bang Theory... Talk to me about one of these shows, and I'm all yours...

12-11-2003, 03:26 AM	#16
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	I don't think "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" launched Will Smith's career, he was already a famous rap star before the sitcom debuted. IMO, it launched Tatyana Ali's career. If I remember correctly, there were a few episodes in which she sang. After the show was cancelled she released her debut album, Kiss The Sky, and had two modest hits, "Daydreamin'," and "Boy You Knock Me Out" with Will Smith. I also disagree about "Sister, Sister" starting off, or "launching" Marques Houston's singing career, as someone has already stated, he was already in Immature. I've heard Cree Summer's old album, it was quite good actually. It was produced by Lenny Kravitz, who was with Summer's co-star, Lisa Bonet. BrooklynGuy, I don't know why, but whenever you mention the Olsen twins as singers, I get offended. I'm not a musician, but simply being a fan of music is enough to be offended when someone calls "Brother For Sale" actual music. In reality, it's just two tone-deaf girls talking over a cheap record. And the album was NOT a success, despite all the hype around them, it only sold 300,000 copies. It's more than what Justin Guarini sold, but it still doesn't qualify as a success.

12-11-2003, 10:01 AM	#17
AtlantaBravesFan29 Atlanta Braves Fan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2002 Location: Pleasanton,TX--40 Miles South Of San Antonio Posts: 1,859	Vicki Lawrence from the Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family had a million selling number 1 record in 1973 with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" Also in answer to the one about the Partridge Family,I read that Shirley Jones sang backup with David on their songs and that the rest was done by studio musicians and singers. In addition,Florence Henderson and Shirley Jones were already well established singers before they became sitcom stars. I would also add to the list since she later starred in a sitcom herself,Doris Day.

12-17-2003, 02:19 PM	#21
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Believe it or not, William Shatner recorded a few albums. Two of them were in the 1970's, and the most recent one was with Leonard Nemoy in 1997. Unfortunately, they all bombed.

12-17-2003, 02:30 PM	#22
The Modfather It Sure Does Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 12, 2003 Location: canada Posts: 21,149	Screech (Dustin Diamond) from Saved by the Bell has a band now.

12-17-2003, 02:31 PM	#24
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Also, if I'm not mistaken, a few cast members from *The Dukes of Hazzard* made a successful Country music career .