Waldo T. "Wally" Holmes (October 27, 1928 – September 1, 2021) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the writer of the hit song "Rock the Boat" that was originally a hit for The Hues Corporation. His composition "I Got Caught Dancing Again" appears on the album Falling in Love by Rachelle Ann Go.
Background In 1968, Holmes was a trumpeter and songwriter residing in Los Angeles. A friend of his that he surfed with was St. Clair Lee who he would later work with in the music business.The Wall Street Journal April 2, 2014 Anatomy of a Song: 'Rock The Boat' By Marc Myers At that time Holmes was a school teacher.The Independent Monday June 13, 2011 Obituaries St Clair Lee: Baritone singer with The Hues Corporation, of 'Rock The Boat' fame by Pierre Perrone
Music career Holmes formed a soul pop group in 1968 called Brothers and Sisters that featured his friend Lee as lead singer. He planned to book them in Las Vegas clubs with an eight piece backing group. The group would break up due to a wrong combination of singers. On Lee's suggestion they formed another group. In 1969, a trio called Children of Howard Hughes was formed and they played the Circus Circus in Vegas. Later they became The Hues Corporation.The Wall Street Journal April 2, 2014 Anatomy of a Song: 'Rock The Boat' By Marc Myers
Holmes wrote their biggest hit "Rock the Boat" and then another song "I Caught Your Act".Billboard February 26, 1977 Page 75 General News, Soul Source
It was reported in the February 1975 edition of Billboard magazine that he was signed to Famous Music and even though he was going to be involved in other assignments for Famous Music, he was going to retain his position as executive producer and writer for The Hues Corporation.Billboard February 15, 1975 Page 6 Holmes Signs Pact With Famous Music
Compositions (selective)
"Hold The High Ground", "Lookin' Around" appears on The Inrhodes - (single) - "Hold The High Ground" / "Lookin' Around" - Dunhill D-4055 (1966) "Lookin' Around" co-written with Marjorie Brooks 45cat The Inrhodes - Hold The High Ground / Lookin' Around - Dunhill - USA - D-4055 "Try And Stop Me" appears on The Inrhodes - (single) - "Try And Stop Me" / "Lookin' Around" - RCA Victor D-4078 (1967) 45cat The Inrhodes - Try And Stop Me / Lookin' Around - RCA Victor - Canada - D-4078 "Boy Meets Girl" appears on Chico Holiday - (single) – "Now I Taste The Tears" / "Boy Meets Girl" - Shamley – S 44018 (1969) Discogs Chico Holiday – Now I Taste The Tears / Boy Meets Girl "Hello, Hello, Hello" appears on Misty Moore - (single) - "Hello, Hello, Hello" / "Wherefore And Why" - Pzazz 036 (1969) 45cat Misty Moore - Hello, Hello, Hello / Wherefore And Why - Pzazz - USA - 036 "Off My Cloud" appears on The Hues Corporation - (single)- "Freedom For The Stallion" / "Off My Cloud" - RCA Victor – 74-0900 (1973) Discogs Hues Corporation, The – Freedom For The Stallion "Rock the Boat" appears on The Hues Corporation - (single) - "Rock the Boat" / "All Goin' Down Together" - RCA Victor – APBO-0232 (1974) Discogs Hues Corporation, The – Rock The Boat / All Goin' Down Together "I Caught Your Act", "Natural Find" appears on The Hues Corporation - (single) - "I Caught Your Act" / "Natural Find" - Warner Bros. / Curb WBS 8334 (1977) 45cat The Hues Corporation - I Caught Your Act / Natural Find - Warner Bros. / Curb - USA - WBS 8334
Later years Holmes was the director of the Sweet and Hot Music Festival in 2008 Argonaught Online The Sweet & Hot returns Posted August 28, 2008 by The Argonaut in News - Features and the 2011 event that was held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel.89.3KPCC August 28, 2011 Sweet and Hot Music Festival brings jazz, classic pop songwriting to LA by Brian Watt
He was the leader of the traditional jazz group Yankee Wailers from Santa Monica that have played together in venues during 1988 and 2014.Los Angeles Times September 6, 1988 L.A. Classic Jazz Fest Greets New Generation Charles Champlin Times Arts EditorSLO Jazz Festival February and March 2014 Central Coast Jazz Calendar Santa Barbara Jazz Society presents the Yankee Wailers Sunday, March 30, 2014Scott Yanow, Jazz Historian and Journalist website Festival Reviews - Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival 2010 and singer-songwriter Ruby Fradkin.The Rose Leaf Ragtime club Ruby Fradkin Features and Reviews My First Festival! By Ruby FradkinReno Gazette Journal October 17, 2014 5 questions with singer-songwriter Ruby Fradkin Mike Sion The Yankee Wailers play every year at the Sweet & Hot Music Festival.Argonaut Online September 8, 2004 by rahnepistor in News - Features
One of the furthest reaches his song "Rock the Boat" has made has been on the Australian series, Playschool, in a program theme about water.ABC Theme Notes Water - ABC
Holmes died in Los Angeles, California on September 1, 2021, at the age of 92.Wally Holmes: Evangelist, Composer, Producer, Jazz Man
References
External links Songs by Waldo Holmes