The Rip Chords are known for their 1964 million-seller smash hit "Hey Little Cobra" and their chart hits "Three Window Coupe," "Here I Stand," "Gone," "409" and "Red Hot Roadster" from the Beach Movie "A Swingin' Summer." Produced by the team of Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston,who also performed on the recordings. As a matter of fact, it was Bruce and Terry's voices that propelled "Hey Little Cobra" to the top of the charts! The 60's Rip Chords started out with Phil Stewart and Ernie Bringas,who originally called themselves,"The Opposites", soon to be changed to "The Rip Chords". Their first hit as The Rip Chords, "Here I Stand" was a chart success and laid the ground work for more hits to come.Rich Rotkin and Arnie Marcus were brought into the band as Ernie was preparing to go to Seminary School. Although Phil, Ernie, Richie and Arnie were photographed together,and spent some time together in the studio,all personal appearances were done by Phil, Rich and Arnie, who performed their hits thousands of times in front of millions of fans across the country. Ernie did return to the band to record,but did not take to the road, as a condition of his seminary studies. The original band disbanded in 1965. Today, The Rip Chords include Original Touring/Recording Members, Richie Rotkin & Arnie Marcus, along with Mitch Schecter, Freddy Brog, Bobby Scammell, Tony Tuttle and Amy Lynne. The band travels the U.S.A., pleasing audiences wherever they perform, sharing stages with Beach Boy Al Jardine,Peter Noone,Ron Dante,The Box Tops,Mickey Dolenz,1910 Fruitgum Co.,The Dovells,among many others. The Rip Chords currently have 2 CD's out on the COLLECTABLES RECORDS label called, "SHUT 'EM DOWN.AGAIN",(2005) and "THE RIP CHORDS.NOW!",(2008). A CD called "COBRA BEACH" was released Summer of 2009 on the Home Room Records/RFM Music labeland the song "HOT ROD HOLIDAY" has been included on the 2009 CD's called "CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA" on Collectables Records, and "A ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS"" on Spectra Records. A New CD Called "THE BEST OF THE RIP CHORDS.TODAY!!" was released by SPECTRA RECORDS on their "Spectra Heritage" label in 2010.(www.spectraheritage.com).The classic Columbia Rip Chords albums are available through Sundazed and Collectables Records as well. Look for THE RIP CHORDS in your town soon!
