Covers – Barbara Ann

The Regents were an American doo-wop vocal group formed in 1958. Comprising Guy Villari, Sal Cuomo, Chuck Fassert, Tony Gravagna, and Don Jacobucci, the group gained fame with their hit single “Barbara Ann,” written by Chuck Fassert’s brother, Fred Fassert. Released in 1961 on the Gee label, the song reached No.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Despite their initial success, The Regents faced challenges, including label disputes and lineup changes. While “Barbara Ann” remains their most well-known song, The Regents hold a place in the history of doo-wop and early rock music.

The Beach Boys later recorded a well-known cover of “Barbara Ann” in 1965. The Beach Boys’ version is more popular and features lead vocals by Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean along with Brian Wilson. Torrence is not credited on the album, but Carl Wilson is heard saying “Thanks, Dean” at the song’s conclusion.

It was included on their album “Beach Boys’ Party!” and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Beach Boys’ rendition brought a surf rock vibe to the song and is often associated with their signature harmonies. The Who recorded “Barbara Ann” on the Ready Steady Who EP in 1966.

The song was performed live on 27 July 1977 in rehearsals at Shepperton Studios for the film The Kids Are Alright with Keith Moon on vocals. Moon, a massive Beach Boys fan but a notoriously limited singer, plays and sings much to the delight of his fellow band members. Jan and Dean recorded the song in 1962,

Martin Circus, a French band recorded it as “Marylène”, with French lyrics in 1975, Blind Guardian, a German power metal band covered the tune on thier 1989 Follow the Blind album, and ApologetiX, an American Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania covered the song on their Grace Period album as

“Baa! We’re Lambs” in 2002. The song was parodied as “Bomb Iran” by various musicians, including Vince Vance and the Valiants, during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis