Brooke Martin
The 1958 doo-wop hit 16 Candles was performed by The Crests, a late 1950s group discovered singing in the New York City Subway. The song, written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent, was The Crests' first release on Coed Records and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The group's lineup changed over the years, but one of its lead singers, Johnny Maestro, went on to enjoy a long career with The Brooklyn Bridge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the group | The Crests |
| Year the group was discovered | 1956 |
| Genre | Doo-wop |
| Year "16 Candles" was released | 1958 |
| Writers of "16 Candles" | Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent |
| Peak position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart | No. 2 |
| Peak position on the US R&B chart | No. 4 |
| Peak position in Canada | No. 5 |
| Singer of "16 Candles" | Johnny Maestro |
| Year of singer's death | 2013 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Crests were discovered in 1956 while singing in the New York City Subway
- Candles was written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent
- The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
- The song has been covered by groups such as Sha Na Na and The Jackson 5
- Singer Johnny Maestro, who performed the song with The Crests, died in 2013
The Crests were discovered in 1956 while singing in the New York City Subway
The Crests, an American doo-wop group, were discovered in 1956 while singing in the New York City Subway. The group was formed in the mid-1950s by J.T. Carter, a bass vocalist, and consisted of African American, Puerto Rican, and Italian American individuals, making them one of the earliest interracial vocal ensembles in the history of America.
The Crests were discovered by the wife of orchestra leader Al Browne, who heard them singing in the subway. Browne connected the group with Joyce Records, where they recorded their first two songs, "My Juanita" and "Sweetest One". The latter became their first charted release in 1957. The group went on to record two more singles for Joyce Records before one of their original members, Patricia Van Dross, left in 1958 to finish her education.
The Crests then signed with COED Records and released their next single, ""16 Candles,"" which became a hit. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 4 on the US R&B chart, where it remained for 21 weeks in 1959. "16 Candles" also appeared in several Hollywood films, including a titular role in the 1984 movie "Sixteen Candles."
Following the success of "16 Candles," The Crests continued to actively chart with songs like ""Six Nights a Week,"" "The Angels Listened In," and "Step By Step." They also became regular performers on television shows for teens, such as American Bandstand and The Dick Clark Show, which helped build their appeal beyond the music industry.
Despite facing changes in their lineup and the emergence of newer musical styles, The Crests continued to record and tour across the country. The group went through multiple cycles of dissolution and reformation, with J.T. Carter being the last surviving original member until his passing in 2025.
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16 Candles was written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent
"16 Candles" is a song performed by the Crests, a New York doo-wop group. It was written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent and released in 1958 on Coed Records. Dixon and Khent were songwriting partners, and "16 Candles" was a sentimental birthday ballad about a boy in love with his "teenage queen" on her 16th birthday. The song was originally titled "21 Candles", but the group suggested changing the age to 16 to better suit their younger audience.
The song was a huge success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 4 on the US R&B chart for 21 weeks in 1959. It also charted in Canada, reaching No. 5. The song has since been covered by several artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, whose version peaked at No. 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1986. The Jackson 5 also covered the song for their album, "Maybe Tomorrow".
"16 Candles" has also appeared in several Hollywood films, including as a typical doo-wop song in the 1973 movie "American Graffiti". The song's title was borrowed for the 1984 coming-of-age film "Sixteen Candles", directed by John Hughes, and it was re-recorded by The Stray Cats for the movie's soundtrack. The song's writers, Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent, were thus able to create a lasting impact on both the music and film industries, with their song "16 Candles" becoming a recognised and beloved classic.
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The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
The song "16 Candles" was performed by the Crests, a late-1950s doo-wop group. The single, released in 1958, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While "16 Candles" claimed the second spot, "Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price was No. 1.
"16 Candles" was written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent and released on Coed Records. The song was a national hit and has since appeared on numerous compilation albums. It has also been covered by several other artists, including Sha Na Na, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Jackson 5.
The Crests were one of the first interracial singing groups, with singer Johnny Maestro as the lead vocalist. The group was discovered in 1956 while singing in the New York City Subway. They connected with Joyce Records and released their first two songs, "My Juanita" and "Sweetest One," charting with the latter in 1957.
After releasing a few more singles for Joyce Records, Patricia Van Dross left the group in 1958. The Crests then signed with Coed Records and released "16 Candles," which became a massive success. The song's popularity endures, as evidenced by its appearance in several Hollywood productions, including the 1973 movie "American Graffiti" and the 1984 film "Sixteen Candles," which took its title from the song.
Following their success with "16 Candles," the Crests continued to tour and perform. However, they struggled to replicate the same level of success with their subsequent releases, such as "Flower of Love," which only reached No. 79 on the charts. Despite this, the group and its members, including Johnny Maestro, who pursued a long career with The Brooklyn Bridge, left a lasting legacy in the music industry.
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The song has been covered by groups such as Sha Na Na and The Jackson 5
"16 Candles" is a song originally performed by The Crests, a late 1950s doo-wop group. It was written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent and released in 1958 on Coed Records. The song was a commercial success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 4 on the US R&B chart for 21 weeks in 1959. Since its release, "16 Candles" has been covered by several artists and featured in various media.
One notable cover of "16 Candles" is by the group Sha Na Na. Sha Na Na is known for their doo-wop and rock and roll style, and their version of "16 Candles" has contributed to the song's enduring popularity. Additionally, The Jackson 5, the renowned American family band, covered "16 Candles" for their album "Maybe Tomorrow." This cover has been re-released multiple times, including on their greatest hits albums. The Jackson 5's rendition has further solidified the song's impact and longevity.
The song has also been featured in Hollywood productions, including the 1973 movie "American Graffiti," where it exemplified the doo-wop genre. In 1984, the John Hughes film "Sixteen Candles" took its title from The Crests' song and featured a cover by The Stray Cats. This integration of the song into the film's soundtrack and title further elevated its cultural significance.
Beyond the original version by The Crests and the covers by Sha Na Na and The Jackson 5, other artists have also recorded their renditions of "16 Candles." Jerry Lee Lewis's cover peaked at No. 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1986. Additionally, Phish performed a unique version of the song during their New Year's run in 1996.
The impact of "16 Candles" extends beyond its musical success. With appearances in films and various cover versions, the song has become a part of popular culture. The original performers, The Crests, have left a lasting mark on the music industry, and their interracial makeup was groundbreaking for its time. The song's longevity and continued appeal are a testament to its catchiness and the talent of the artists who have interpreted it over the years.
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Singer Johnny Maestro, who performed the song with The Crests, died in 2013
The song "16 Candles" was performed by the Crests, an American doo-wop group formed by bass vocalist J.T. Carter in the mid-1950s. The group was one of the earliest racially mixed doo-wop groups, consisting of three African American members (one female), one Puerto Rican, and one Italian American. Their most popular song, "16 Candles," rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959, selling over one million copies and achieving gold disc status.
Johnny Maestro, the lead vocalist for the Crests, was an American pop singer. He joined the group in 1956 when he was just 17 years old. In addition to "16 Candles," Maestro also recorded other hits with the Crests, such as "Step By Step," "The Angels Listened In," and "Trouble In Paradise." After leaving the Crests in the early 1960s, Maestro briefly performed as a solo singer before joining The Del-Satins in 1968.
Johnny Maestro, who performed "16 Candles" with The Crests, passed away in 2010 at the age of 70 due to kidney cancer. He had kept his illness hidden from the public and his last performance was in January 2010, just nine weeks before his death. Maestro was honoured by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in 2012, and a section of Mason and Midland Avenue in Staten Island was renamed "Johnny Maestro Way" in his honour in 2011.
Maestro was recognised not only for his powerful vocals but also for his kindness and dedication to his craft. Veteran radio host, author, and music historian Bruce "Cousin Brucie" Morrow described Maestro as "one of the nicest, most sincere perfectionists in music." Despite his success and acclaim, Maestro remained humble, stating that performing was about "treating the music with great respect." His influence extended beyond his music, as he was also recognised for his humanitarian efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "16 Candles" was performed by the Crests.
The song was written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent.
Johnny Maestro was the lead singer of the Crests.
