Kirby Stone Four

The Kirby Stone Four were an American vocal ensemble popular in the 1950s and early 1960s.^[1]

Founded by Kirby Stone in the years after World War II, the group began performing in the New York-area clubs. They won slots on local television, including The Ed Sullivan Show,^[1] and soon after signed to Columbia Records. Several LPs followed, including Baubles, Bangles and Beads; their version of the song "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" became a hit in the U.S. in 1958, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[2] The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award.^[3] On the strength of the single, the album reached No. 13 on the Billboard 200.^[3]

Among the backing musicians featured on Kirby Stone Four albums were Jimmy Carroll's orchestra, the Kai Winding Quartet, Alvino Rey, Shelly Manne, and Al Klink.^[1] Their style — which melded swing jazz, vocalese, and early rock and roll — was referred to as "The Go Sound".^[3] They made many appearances on U.S. television shows such as The Judy Garland Show and The Dean Martin Show into the mid-1960s. By that time their sound was taken over by the Ray Conniff Orchestra and Singers. In 1966, they recorded a rock & roll album with The Tokens as the United States Double Quartet. During this time Stone directed several TV variety shows.

Some of their output has been re-released on CD by Collectables Records.