`ALLEY OOP' SONG TURNS 40 TODAY (JUL. 11)

`ALLEY OOP' SONG TURNS 40 TODAY (JUL. 11)

NASHVILLE (Wireless Flash) -- You'll fall off your dinosaur at this news: Today (Jul. 11) marks the 40th anniversary of the caveman pop song, "Alley Oop." On July 11, 1960, the tune hit No. 1 on the pop charts. The song might never have been recorded if singer and co-producer Gary Paxton hadn't stopped for gas in the Mojave desert, and heard gas station attendant Dallas Frazier singing a tune he wrote based on the "Alley Oop" comic strip. Paxton arranged and sang the song under the band name Hollywood Argyles, which was inspired by Argyle Street in Hollywood. Although "Alley Oop" was the Argyles only hit, Paxton also produced the "Monster Mash." These days, he's semi- retired and occasionally produces Christian music in Nashville.