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GAYNEL HODGE -
piano entertainer
Gaynel Hodge has been a singer, songwriter,
pianist and entertainer most of his life. Born in Los Angeles,
California on January 4, l937, Gaynel grew up in a musical environment.
Having a mother who sang and played piano, and several relatives
who were in show business certainly helped.
At an early age, Gaynel and his brother, Alex, were singing
and playing in Sunday school and in the chorus at Nevin Avenue
Elementary School. By the time Gaynel was ll and Alex was l3,
they were members of an up-and-coming vocal group, The Flamingos,
and were winning many talent contests in and around the City
of Los Angeles.
From this vocal group came many super groups of the Fifties:
Richard Berry (Louie, Louie) - The Flairs; Cornell Gunther -
The Coasters; Curtis Williams - The Penguins; Alex Hodge - The
Platters, and Gaynel Hodge - The Hollywood Flames and The Turks.
Gaynel, Curtis Williams and Jesse Belvin cowrote the smash hit
of the 50's, "Earth Angel." Jesse Belvin, Gaynel and
George Matola went on to write "Goodnight My Love" in
l957, which song was used as the closing theme song on American
Band Stand for several years.
Gaynel went to work for numerous record companies, and eventually
worked under Robert "'Bumps'" Blackwell and along with
Herb Alpert and Lou Adler.
Gaynel assisted in producing such great artists as Sam Cooke,
Lou Rawls, and The Olympics. Gaynel appeared on recordings such
as ""Alley Oop"" and "Poppa Oom Mow
Mow."
Gaynel"s efforts have definitely made a contribution to
music of the 50"s through the 90"s. Gaynel performs
as a single musician or as a band leader, and will cater to any
audience.
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