About The Song
The year was 1963 and one of the biggest hit records across America, was the Cascades “Rhythm Of The Rain.” There was not a bigger record in 63’ than this song, especially in mid-America where pop ballads with harmony and melody made it a sure bet million seller.
The story of the Cascades is a fascinating one. It all begins in 1960 when a group of guys were all serving in the U S Navy based in San Diego, Calif. They were all shipmates aboard the USS Jason. The three swabbies included Dave Wilson (Los Angeles, Calif.), John Gummoe (Cleveland, Ohio), and Len Green (San Diego, Calif.). While on board the ship, the three would get together and practice singing in the form of the Everly Brothers, the Four Freshmen, and the Crew Cuts. Upon leaving the Navy, the three friends would start their own band named the ‘Thundernotes.’ Green took over lead guitar duties, Gummoe on keyboards, bass and vibes, with Wilson on drums. Soon, Dave Stevens and Dave Szabo joined the group. At the same time, Eddy Snyder joined the group replacing Len Green who was headed back to school. Their sound was heavily influenced by the Beach Boys, who were actually influenced by the Four Freshmen. Because of their strong vocal abilities, they drew the attention of California’s Valiant Records, which was a sun label for Warner Brothers Records. Valiant Records thought the group’s name was too dated, so a new name was created for them: The Cascades.
The newly named Cascades saw their first release on Valiant with “There’s A Reason/Second Chance” (Valiant 6021). It came out in the summer of 1962. The record became a regional hit on the West Coast, giving Valiant more hope for the band as a potential chart maker. They re-entered the studio in November of 1962 and recorded their second record for Valiant. It was the recording that they are best remembered for, “Rhythm of The Rain/Let Me Be” (Valiant 6026). Helping the group on creating the sound for “Rhythm Of The Rain,” Valiant Records hired the entire Wrecking Crew studio musicians team. The Wrecking Crew were unquestionably the best studio musicians in the business and who also backed the Beach Boys on ALL of their records.
In early 1963, the record first broke out in Milwaukee, Wis., then swept across the nation and become #1 on the Billboard charts. Soon it was selling like crazy across Europe and the Far East. It was no surprise that it broke out in a Midwest market, as the sound of “Rhythm on The Rain,” fit the Midwest radio playlist so well. It was time for the Cascades to hit the road. Their popularity in the Midwest was second to none, so when the Cascades pulled into Hatfield to play the famed Hollyhock ballroom in April of 1963, it was a BIG deal. It didn’t hurt that “Rhythm of The Rain” was still hot on the charts, especially around Minnesota. On this tour they played such other ballrooms as the Surf in Clear Lake, Iowa, The Laramar in Ft. Dodge, Iowa and the Roof Garden Ballroom at Lake Okoboji, Iowa. This was just a few of the venues at which they performed.
Video
Lyric
Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I’ve been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone againThe only girl I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know that when she left that day
Along with her she took my heartRain, please, tell me now does that seem fair
For her to steal my heart away when she don’t care?
I can’t love another when my hearts somewhere far awayThe only girl I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know that when she left that day
Along with her she took my heartRain won’t you tell her that I love her so
Please, ask the sun to set her heart aglow
Rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to growListen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I’ve been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone againOh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter patter, pitter patter
Oh, oh, oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter patter, pitter patter