From Singer-Boy to Renaissance Man & The Golden Age of Vocal Harmonies

Media Path Podcast

Bruce Belland’s new book is called Icons, Idols and Idiots of Hollywood: My Adventures in America’s First Boy Band and boy, did he have adventures! Bruce founded The Four Preps while still in Hollywood High School. They became Ricky Nelson’s backup band, co-starred in Gidget and The Adventures of Ozzy & Harriet and went on to score massive hits with 26 Miles Across The Sea, Big Man, and Down By The Station.

In his book and on this episode, Bruce’s storytelling is engaging and enlightening. He shares teen idol road stories, his Disneyland dream date with Annette Funicello (that devolved into a nauseous nightmare) his day on the set of a TV special with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney and Louis Armstrong, exactly why a wholesome boy singer would include in his book a chapter titled, One Dead Junkie and a Masturbating Monkey, how the love and wisdom of his minister father and sharp witted mother fortified his remarkable journey, and the powerfully poignant night of President Kennedy’s assassination when The Preps gave voice to heartbreak at Ohio State University.

Through it all, Bruce remains a student. He confides what he learned from Gene Kelly, Ozzy Nelson and George Burns and just how he embraces the blessing of encountering someone who knows more than you and opening yourself up to new lessons.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Killers of the Flower Moon, in theaters and Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe, a doc series on Prime.

Path Points of Interest:

Bruce Belland

Icons, Idols, and Idiots of Hollywood: My Adventures in America's First Boy Band by Bruce Belland

The Edsel Show

The Four Preps on Wikipedia

Killers of the Flower Moon - In Theaters

Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe