Classic Pop Icons

Donna Loren is best known as a star of the 1960s Beach Party movies and as the Dr Pepper girl, but she has been in showbusiness since the mid-50s, releasing her first single “I Think It’s Almost Christmas Time” in 1957 (as Donna Zukor) and appearing on radio and television shows, including The Mickey Mouse Club, throughout the 1950s. She continued to release singles during the late 1950s and early 1960s, including “Hands Off”, “I’m So Lonely” and “If You Loved Me”, but her big break came in 1963 when she began to receive national exposure as the “Dr Pepper Girl.” Over several years, Donna made hundreds of appearances on radio, in print, on television and at live events to promote the soft drink.

Donna Loren Dr Pepper commercial

After touring with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars, Donna became the featured female vocalist on the classic pop show Shindig! Here’s Donna on Shindig! in 1964 performing a great version of “Rock Me In The Cradle” and a duet with Bobby Sherman on “Casting My Spell”:

During 1964-65, Donna appeared in four Beach Party movies alongside Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon – “Muscle Beach Party” (1964), “Bikini Beach” (1964), “Pajama Party” (1964) and “Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965). Here she is singing “It Only Hurts When I Cry” from “Beach Blanket Bingo”:

Donna also also found time to release more than two dozen singles and perform singing and acting roles in iconic shows such as “The Monkees”, “Batman”, “Milton Berle”, “Dr Kildare”, “Red Skelton” and “Gomer Pyle.”

Donna with Batman co-star Burt Ward (left) and Milton Berle (right)

Here’s Donna singing “The Way Of Love” on the Red Skelton Hour.

In 1968, Donna got married and gave up the entertainment business to raise her family. She returned to recording in the early 1980s, including some tracks with James Burton and the TCB Band, who had backed Elvis Presley throughout the 1970s. Most of the material remained unreleased until the 2009 CD “Magic: The 80s Collection.” Donna remarried in 1995 and moved to Hawaii where she launched her ADASA Hawaii fashion business.

The album “The Very Best of Donna Loren” was released in 2001, featuring 19 tracks, including those from her 1965 LP “Donna Loren Sings songs from Beach Blanket Bingo.”

In 2009, Donna returned to performing, starting with a great remake of her 1965 “Beach Blanket Bingo” song “It Only Hurts When I Cry.” At the same time she released the “Magic: The 80s Collection” CD. This was followed up in 2010 by the album “Love It Away”, which featured seven songs penned by Donna, as well as some excellent covers. Her laidback, acoustic version of Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” is particularly appealing.

Donna’s latest release is the EP “Donna Does Elvis in Hawaii”, which came out in November 2010. The EP features four songs previously recorded by Elvis Presley – “Merry Christmas Baby”, “Loving You”, “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” and “One Night.” The latter was recorded with Elvis’ TCB band in the early 1980s.

Here’s the Classic Pop Icons interview with Donna Loren.

CPI – Thanks for talking to us Donna. What prompted you to make a return to the music world after such a long hiatus?

Donna – On August 14 2008, full moon divine light rushed through me and I began to write songs. By September 2009 I had laid down all my vocal and keyboard trax in LA. Two months passed and I sweetened with Bob Glaub and Wrecking Crew member Carol Kay (with whom I worked with starting at the ripe old age of 14). They added their mastery of bass. During the mixing I added vocal backgrounds and synthesizer. All this was done in Hawaii via Skype.

CPI – Going back to the early days. You were the featured female vocalist on the popular 1960s television show Shindig! Is there a special moment or performance that stands out in your mind from that show?

Donna – The very idea that I was surrounded by the creme de la creme of talent at all times. Leon Russell, newly revived by Elton John and ready to receive an award at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as Darlene Love who was in the Blossoms, cast member. I too was a cast member. So was Glen Campbell, James Burton, Russ Titelman, Billy Preston, Bobby Sherman, Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. Then there’s the genius and passion of producer Jack Good! God Bless JG.

CPI – You are perhaps best known for your appearances in the Beach Party movies in the mid-60s. How did your role in these films come about and were they as fun to do as they looked? Donna – Dr Pepper placed me in “Muscle Beach Party” due to the very broad campaign concept they had when they contracted me for 7 yrs to capture the Teen market. It worked. When Al Simms, the music director, heard my jingle he asked me to sing with Dick Dale and that’s how our duet Muscle Bustle, co-written by Brian Wilson came about. The film was written and co-produced by the pres of the ad agency representing Dr Pepper.

Donna & Dick Dale in “Muscle Beach Party”

CPI – You had acting roles on two of the most iconic 1960s television shows, “The Monkees” and “Batman”. Do you have any stories you can share about those experiences?

Donna – The Monkees was genius, the work of Don Kirshner who just passed away. Davy was definitely a casanova. Adam ‘Batman’ West was a very sweet and gentle man. Cesar Romero who played The Joker in my episode, “The Joker Goes to School”, blew my mind when he pulled out his mini oxygen mask from a green lunch box he carried around with him.

CPI – In the early 1980s, you recorded with James Burton and the rest of Elvis’ TCB Band. Your vocal is excellent on the recently released “One Night.” How did the session come about and do you have any plans to work with those guys again?

Donna – I’ve known James since I was 8 years old when we use to perform on a live radio show called Squeakin’ Deacon. He arranged for his fellow musicians to back me up in the studio during a tough time in my life. Recording became my therapy while I was separating from my first husband. James was a real friend. We have not crossed paths since he moved back to his native Baton Rouge.

CPI – Your latest album “Love It Away” highlights your talent as a songwriter. Do you have a favourite song of those you wrote? Donna – The title song “Love It Away” always touches my heart. “We Are Woman” is my anthem.

CPI – Last November saw the release of your EP “Donna Does Elvis in Hawaii”. What was it that attracted you to these songs?

Donna – Elvis and Hawaii go hand in hand so when I knew I was leaving Hawaii where I have lived for 15 years I turned to my Elvis songbook to find a way to express my feelings. For weeks tears flowed and when I discovered “Loving You” my heart began to heal. Going into the studio with Hawaiian Legend Sonny Lim and his brother-in-law Wailau sealed the deal. Their slack key guitar, ukulele and bass formed the tracks. It was a live performance captured by Palm Records Studio CEO Charles Brotman, who also played ukulele on “Teddy Bear” live with vocal.

CPI – Before leaving the topic of Elvis, I’ve heard that he wanted to meet you when you were performing on Shindig! but that you didn’t go. Can you tell us what happened and whether you regret not meeting him?

Donna – I’m currently writing my autobiography and saving that for the book.

CPI – Finally, do you have plans to make further recordings now your passion for music has been rekindled?

Donna – I love recording. Once I moved to LA in late September 2010, my friend Walter Egan generously sang a duet with me of his song Magnet and Steel. Possibly it will be released this year sometime.

CPI – Thank you for your time Donna and best of luck with your future plans.

Let’s close with Donna’s great Bob Dylan cover from her album “Love It Away”.

“Donna Loren “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”

You can purchase Donna Loren’s music directly from the Donna Loren website or if you prefer via the following online retailers:

Title
Love It Away (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Magic – The 80s Collection (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Very Best Of Donna Loren (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	N/A	Buy Now
Donna Does Elvis in Hawaii (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now