As a member of THE DOVELLS, Mark Stevens was a big part of the rock and roll explosion of the 1960s with solid gold hits such as “THE BRISTOL STOMP”, “THE HULLY GULLY”, “YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN”, “DO THE NEW CONTINENTAL” AND “BRISTOL TWISTING ANNIE.”
A unique performer that takes his experience as a member of THE DOVELLS, Mark brings it all with him as he enjoys singing some originals and some of his friends’ music with just the right amount of love and affection. Every song Mark sings has memories of the original artist and the time spent on the road.
The Dovells made their mark as the kings of early 1960’s dance records! The group formed in 1957 singing at local school functions. They began as the Brooktones, their name being taken from their educational institution in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Overbrook High School.
“Bristol Stomp” spent the better part of the summer of 1961 doing nothing, and then it broke out of the Midwest. On September 11th “The Bristol Stomp” gained enough momentum to go national and by October 23rd was the number two seller in America according to Billboard and the number one seller according to Cash Box “Bristol Stomp” also reached number seven on the R&B chart.
In 1974 the Dovells charted with a rockin’ dance record. It was “Dancin’ in the Street,” from the Martha and the Vandellas hit of 1964. The Event release was picking up national action (number 105) when European parent company Polydor stepped in and fired Event’s promo people, leaving the group with a record the deejays couldn’t play because the record honchos weren’t supplying 45’s to the stores.
The group continued to perform until a gig at Hershey’s Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania, when Arnie gave his two-week’s notice. Mark and Jerry continued the group without skipping a beat, having band members filling in on vocals and developing a Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis-styled stage act to go with their million-selling hits. The approach enabled them to work 16 weeks a year in Las Vegas!
Jerry and Mark continue to perform nationally and internationally appearing & performing with
President Bill Clinton at the inaugural ball and other presidential events.
The Dovells today are one of the top musical comedy acts around!
