March 28, 2024

Teen hit it big with ‘Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ song

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Q: Would you know what happened to Brian Hyland? He had several hit songs, including “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” and “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?” We were classmates in Woodhaven, N.Y. — H.R., Stroudsburg, Pa.

A: Teen idol Brian Hyland was born in November 1943 in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens, N.Y. He was only 16 in 1960 when he scored his first and only No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.” Two years later he had success with “Sealed With a Kiss,” which reached No. 3 on the charts.

The popularity of a teen idol is usually very short-lived, as it was for Hyland. In 1977, he moved to New Orleans, where he continues to make music, record songs and tour, often with his son, Bodi. He did not record “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor?” Lonnie Donegan released that song in 1959.

Some super trivia: Brian Hyland is a cousin by marriage to the late Louis Feinberg, better known as Larry Fine of the Three Stooges.

Q: I have a child’s chair that is stamped “American Seating Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.” Can you tell me anything about the chair and how old it is? — D.B., Owosso, Mich.

A: I can tell you about the company, but nothing about your chair. American Seating was originally founded in 1886 as Grand Rapids School Furniture. The company was the first to introduce a combined student desk and chair unit. Thanks to the success of its initial product, the company was able to expand and move into other major markets. In 1912, it provided seating for Fenway Park in Boston.

Today, American Seating continues to manufacture seating for outdoor sports stadiums, indoor arenas and any other place where people need to sit. Call the company’s main office at (616) 732-6600; someone there may be able to help identify your chair.

Did you know ... Paul Newman thought his first Hollywood film, “The Silver Chalice” (1954), was so bad that when the movie was broadcast on television in 1966, he took out a magazine advertisement urging people not to watch it.

Q: I was born June 25, 1941. I have always been told that this was a special date and one to be celebrated. I have no idea what the special occurrence is. Do you? — J.T.S., Kerrville, Texas

A: On your birth date, Finland declared war on the Soviet Union. I’m not sure that is cause for celebration. You celebrate your birthday along with many well-known individuals, including George Orwell (1903), June Lockhart (1925), Carly Simon (1945) and George Michael (1963). A long list of events occurred in history on June 25, but none stands out and cries for attention, other than your birthday, of course.

Q: I saw a made-for-TV movie, “The Magic of Ordinary Days.” Skeet Ulrich played the role of the farmer. What do you know about him? Is he related to Robert Ulrich? — B.S. Greenfield, Ill.

A: Skeet’s birth name is Bryan Ray Trout; he was born in January 1970 in Lynchburg, Va. His parents divorced while he was only a child. His mother later married D.K. Ulrich, who was involved with NASCAR and appeared in the TV movie “Daytona 500” (1979).

While playing in Little League baseball, Bryan’s coach gave him the nickname “Skeeter” because he was small, like a mosquito. He later shortened it to “Skeet.” He has appeared in nearly two dozen big-screen and TV movies; he’s also appeared in many TV series. He is not related to actor Robert Urich (1946-2002). Super trivia: Skeet Ulrich is the nephew of NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. 64106.