- In 1959 he was booked for a show left vacant by the airplane-crash death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson Sr., alias The Big Bopper. His piano player for this gig was Robert Zimmerman--the future Bob Dylan.
- His favorite songs are "You've Got Your Troubles" by The Fortunes, "Handle With Care" by The Traveling Wilburys, "True Love Ways" by Buddy Holly, "Up On Cripple Creek" by The Band, "I Will" by The Beatles, "That's All Right" by Elvis Presley, "Rock N Roll Is King" by Electric Light Orchestra, "Every Day I Have To Cry" by Dusty Springfield, "Hats Off To Larry" by Del Shannon and "On A Night Like This" by Bob Dylan. (Source: BBC Radio 2 "Tracks of My Years").
- One of the better teen idols of the late '50s and early '60s, with a voice that many have compared to that of Buddy Holly. He had a sizable string of hits between 1960 and 1967 for Liberty Records, including "Take Good Care of My Baby", "Run to Him" (both co-written by Carole King), "Rubber Ball", "Devil or Angel", "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes", "Stayin' In", "More Than I Can Say" and "Come Back When You Grow Up".
- His father was a violinist and piano player
- On 5/2/2012 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
- Of Norwegian and Finnish descent.
- As of February 2004 he was living in St. Cloud, MN, and had been for many years.
- His father was a chef and up to the age of 13 he was going to follow in his footsteps.
- Owns a British MG car.
- He dislikes seafood.
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