The Diamonds 1961-1969 (part 2)

The Diamonds worked until the beginning of 1969 - doing club dates and concerts - when lead voice Jim Malone and Tenor Evan Fisher called it a day and formed a duo - "Fisher and Malone"(see the Fisher and Malone page).

Mike Douglas recruited fellow Canadian Harry Harding - a friend of Bill Reed's - and new lead singer Danny Rankin. Harry Harding was a strong tenor from Toronto. Rankin was introduced to the group by The Diamonds' musical conductor and guitarist Greg Moore. The group performed hits of the day, the comedy routines that had been so popular in the clubs and The Diamonds big records from the fifties and early sixties.

1967 was also the year in which bass singer John Felten departed the group. Mike Douglas recalls that The Diamonds were performing in Ceasar's Palace with Sarah Vaughn at the time. John's last gig coincided with an unsuccessful attempt by Evil Knieivel to jump over the outdoor fountain on his mototcycle. Unfortunately Knievel only succeeded in crashing into the wall. .

Canadian Glenn Stetson replaced the retiring John Felten. John went to Los Angeles to further his career in recording - mainly doing commercials and voice over work. John had been with The Diamonds for nine years. Stetson came from Hamilton, Ontario and would have an association with The Diamonds that would last well into the late 1980s. Glen had a variety of commitments and sometimes took leave of absence from the group until all commitments were finalised.

In 1970, The Diamonds toured Japan and the Far East. On the tour, Harding and Stetson were replaced by Don Weir and Steve Morrow respectively. Don Weir would later go on to record the songs "You Win Some, You Lose Some" and "They"

Danny Rankin's career as a member of the Diamonds came to an abrupt halt - In Jacksonville Florida - in the middle of an engagemnent, Danny walked out on the group without notice..

During the period 1965-1970 there were no record releases

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Above: Don Weir

Above - The Diamonds -1968.
Clockwise from top: Mike Douglas, Glenn Stetson, Harry Harding, Danny Rankin

The Diamonds 1970 - Tour of Japan and the far east

Clockwise from top left: Mike Douglas, Steve Morrow, Danny Rankin, Don Weir.