- Born
- Height5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- New York-born Brian Hyland had his first hit when he was 16 years old with the novelty song "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", which went to #1 in 1960. Some minor hits followed over the next few years until he hit it big again in 1962 with the teenage lament "Sealed With a Kiss". A few years later he had another respectable hit with "The Joker Went Wild". In 1970 he and fellow rocker Del Shannon collaborated on Hyland's remake of an old hit by The Impressions, "Gypsy Woman", and it not only shot up to #3 on the pop charts but got him some respectable critical reviews, also. A few years later his old hit "Sealed With a Kiss" was re-released in Great Britain and cracked the Top Ten.
- IMDb mini biography by: frankfob2@yahoo.com - Born November 12, 1943, in Woodhaven, Queens, NYC, Brian Hyland had his first hit recording when he was age 16, the novelty song "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", which, in 1960, rose to #1 US Pop. In 1962, he hit the charts with "Ginny Come Lately"(#21 US Pop) followed by his standard signature hit "Sealed With A Kiss"Kiss"(#3 US Pop). In 1964, he recorded a landmark album,"Country Meets Folk", using electric guitars to back up such folk standards as " If I Had A Hammer". This occurred two years before Bob Dylan shocked the folk world by "going electric" at The "1966 Newport Jazz Festival". Later Pop and R n R hits included "The Joker Went Wild"(#20,1966) and a re make of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions' 1961 hit, "Gypsy Woman" (#33, 1970). In recent years, in addition to recording and personal appearances, Brian has entered the field of TV production. He has been credited as coordinating producer for the highly acclaimed HBO Documentaries, " The Brooklyn Dodgers'- Ghosts Of Flatbush" (2007). "The Curse of The Bambino"(2003), "Legendary (Boxing) Nights", (2003), as well as many others, in all fields of sports.
- IMDb mini biography by: efffee@aol.com
- Contrary to popular belief, his #1 1960 hit, "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", was not written about a teenage girl's first day at the beach in a bikini. The songwriter wrote it after watching his two-year-old daughter playing at the beach in her bathing suit.
- Producer of the acclaimed HBO TV documentary Brooklyn Dodgers: The Ghosts of Flatbush (2007).
- In 1963 featured the electric guitar on his "Country Meets Folk " album, two years before Bob Dylan's famed folk rock synthesis at "The Newport Jazz Festival".
- In 1963 Brian played electrical guitar on his cover of "If I Had A Hammer" .The recording was played on NYC radio by a late night DJ at faster speed. Listerners were asked to call and identify the singer for a prize. At that late hour, one did. based on the distinct sound of the guitar.
- Sang in the choir at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church.
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