Vince Vance & the Valiants
Vince Vance & the Valiants are an American country pop, rock and roll and novelty musical group from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The title character Vince Vance is portrayed by Andy Stone, the only permanent member of the group. He was born Andrew John Franichevich Jr. The remainder of the Valiants (or, if female, Valiantettes) are rotating musicians.
Vince Vance & the Valiants | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Country Adult contemporary |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Labels | Malaco Waldoxy |
| Website | http://www.vincevance.com/ |
| Members | Vince Vance Kate Karlin (Haygood) Gerra Adkins Chrislynn Lee Lisa Layne Terry Bayless |
| Past members | Dana (D White) Wakefield James Viator Kenny "Krud" (aka "Little Richard") Brandt Tom "Speedo Ray Earle" Hanson Joe "Benny da Gut" Mullane M.D. Kenny Mac Elroy Tom "Johnny Dream" Campbell Dale "Frankie Smutz" Smith Buck Fudge Pheno Barbatelli, Moose George "da Mouse" Matranga Duke Cherry Turkey Bordello Peaches Tomata Lou Beverly "Valerie Vance" Warren Sid "The Professor" Arroyo The HOOD Phil "Tchopatoulis" Phistry Jack "Uncle Meat" Damone Dave Duffy Buzzy Beano Max Nova Mark LeBlanc Billy "Silver" Smith Keith "Savage Lizard" Crappell C. "Luke Strange" Gunnstaks "Spike" Fike Richard Heath Nick "Lil' Nicky Vance" Manousos Raymond Blanchard Rick Wiedeman Dean "Dino Marshallini / Little Richard" Marshall Troy Powers T-Bird Tony King Darrin Fair (Little Darren Vance) Joe Mansir (Joe Joe Click) Kirk Rekop (Ray Ray) Doc Gardner Tommy Tucker Mike Boyd, plus numerous Road Crew road warriors, including but not limited to Jim Capfer, Carl "Jr." Lindsey, Louis Lecamu, Terry Mills, "Mr." Norman Smith, Glen Himmaugh, "Sir" Stephen Godfrey, Cindy Peel, Eddie, Kevin "Man with no Brainy" Hayney, Donnie "The Con", Will "Tallhead" Ryan, Mad Dog, Jimmy Mashberg, and the original roadie, Joe Dennis et al. |
The group's most sustained hit record, and one that is uncharacteristic of their usual stylings, is the country ballad "All I Want for Christmas Is You",[1] which charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts on six separate occasions in the 1990s. As a novelty band, their best-known record was their 1980 version of the parody song "Bomb Iran", which narrowly missed the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.[2]
Vince is famous for his ability to play multiple instruments, and his intense demand of his fellow performers. Vince once fired a keyboard player mid-set and took over duties for the remainder of the set. The keyboard player left the show and took a bus home.
On November 20, 2010, Vince Vance was surprised during his performance at a "Louisiana Legends" fundraiser at New Orleans Rock'n Bowl venue, with induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding career, including the Christmas icon "All I Want for Christmas is You" and his most current "I Am New Orleans".[3]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| All I Want for Christmas Is You |
|
| I Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans |
|
| Tamale Wagon |
|
| We Don't Run |
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Bubbling | |||
| 1980 | "Bomb Iran" | — | 101 | single only (Paid Records) |
| 1989 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (original release) | — | — | single only (Valiant Records) |
| 1993 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (rerelease) | 55 | — | All I Want for Christmas Is You (Waldoxy Records) |
| 1994 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (re-entry) | 52 | — | |
| 1995 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (re-entry) | 52 | — | |
| 1996 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (re-entry) | 49 | — | |
| 1997 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (re-entry) | 43 | — | |
| 1999 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (re-entry) | 31 | — | |
| 2006 | "I Am New Orleans" | — | — | I Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans (Waldoxy Records) |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | Steve Dunning |
References
- Birchmeier, Jason. "Vince Vance biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- Vince Vance looks back at 40 colorful years with the Valiants, Nola.com
- "Louisiana Music Hall of Fame - VINCE VANCE". Louisianamusichalloffame.org. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
