The 1950’s Fabulous Foursome!
This
is
a
fan
site
of
the
original
Diamonds
of
the
1950s.
All
hailing
from
Canada,
they
made
their
way
to
the
U.
S.,
and
with
their
songs
and
energy,
endeared
themselves
to
their fans forever.
John
Felten
-
John
was
born
in
California
in
1934.
He
joined
the
Diamonds
in
late
1958
as
a
replacement
for
original
bass
singer,
Bill
Reed.
His
voice
had
a
edge
and
more
of
a
classic
bass
sound,
as
opposed
to
Bill’s
which
was
smooth
and
darker.
The
difference
was
noticeable,
but
it
did
bring
a
different character to the sound of the group.
John
sang
with
the
Diamonds
through
most
of
the
60s
until
the
group
was
not
performing
any
more.
He
attempted
to
launch
a
new
version
of
the
group
in
1973,
but
he
had
to
secure
the
permission
of
the
group's
longtime
manager,
Nathan
Goodman.
Felten
led
one
of
two
touring
Diamonds
group
into
the
Eighties,
and
was
working
on
a
new
album
at
the
time
of
his
death.
One
of
the
musicians
John
hired
was
Gary
Owens,
who
is
now
the
owner
and
baritone
singer
of
the
current,
and legal, version of the Diamonds.
On
May
18,
1982,
John
and
his
wife,
along
with
the
pilot
and
his
wife,
were
killed
in
a
small
plane
accident
en
route
from
Reno,
Nevada,
to
Grants Pass, Oregon where Felten lived. The plane hit Mount Shasta in California.
John shown here with the Diamonds. John is seated in front. Click on photo for larger view.
(Sorry, I don’t know why Mike Douglas is holding a gun to John’s head)
