The “Golden Hits Of The 50s” 

ISLANDERS   

“THE ENCHANTED SEA“

(Frank Metis, RANDY STARR)    

Mayflower 16

No. 15    November 16, 1959

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The Islanders were longtime New York Yankees organist Frank Metis (keyboards, accordion) and New

York dentist Dr. Warren Nadel (guitar, whistles),  who for a few years was teen idol in-the wings

RANDY STARR.

gh.

Ever wonder what your dentist thinks about when he’s yankin’ teeth outa your face?   What do these

certified pain inducers do to maintain their cool while you slop about in that contraption with the

sidecar spittoon?  For near a decade, sill­ foot tall and big Dr. Warren Nadel, an extractor with a thirty

five  year history, dreamed up film fluff for Elvis.  “Open wide, he’d said with authority.”  Adam and evil

la, Ia, Ia, da, da..,” he’d think to himself.   Bizz, bizz went the drill.   “That’s kinda catchy,” he’d mumble

in the dungeon-like  recesses of his professional mind.  Bizz, bizz. “Nice beat yes.”

.ss

Near a dozen of Dr. Nadel’s musical  creations made appearances  in Elvis’ flicks.  “Kissin’ Cousins” and

“Almost in Love” most  readily came to mind when the good doctor took time away from his pleasurable

pursuit to speak of  his cloaked past.  There was also “Could I Fall in Love” in Double Trouble (1967),

“Dayton” in Paradise. Hawaiian Style (1966) and “Who Needs Money”  and  “The Girl I Never Loved”

in Clambake in 1967 in  addition  to the Elvis connection–and songs dashed for Jackie Wilson, George

Hamilton IV, and the Kingston Trio; Connie Francis, Kay Starr, and Connie Smith.  Nadel also has the

distinction of being a “One Hit Wonder”, not once but twice and both times using a fabricated name.

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Born in the Bronx, July 2, 1930, Warren took five years of violin lessons when he was just a tyke. while

working towards his D.D.S. at Columbia Dental School, he had started singing and writing folk songs.

After  graduation Warren  served  with the Air Force for two  years earning the rank of Captain.  Upon

his discharge he walked into Republic Music with “Heaven High”, a calypso that Nadel felt had the feel

of suecess about it.  Republic’s Dick Wolf thought  so to and brought Warren to the music publishing

company’s owner, swingin ‘and swayin’ Sammy Kaye.   Sammy thought the kid had something about

him that would make little girls shake and formed Dale Records, just to issue two of Warren’s tunes.

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“After School” sounded like Sonny James’ hot item, “Young Love”.  “That was the idea,” says Dr. Nadel

in an exclusive interview with this writer.  “Oh, not intentional; but Sonny James was the sound of that

time.  It was initially just a demonstration  thing, but they felt it was good enough so it was put out as

my first record.”

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The Board of Ethics branch of the America Dential Association “advised” Warren not to use his

professional name.  In compliance Nadel appeared on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and toured

with Buddy Knox, Charlie Gracie and Frankie Avalon as “Randy Starr”.  “I really didn’t like the idea of

being a performer then.   I was just interested in writing.  I was afraid that performing would take too

much time away from my practice.”    “After School” charted (Billboard “Top Pop”: #37, 1957).  JOY

LAYNE, of “Your Wild Heart” flash-fame covered it.  A few more soured teen dream singles were issued

by Dale (“Double Date” and “Sweet Talk and Sugar Kisses”), but nothing much sold that well.

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In 1959, Warren met up with an accordionist named FrankMetis.   Together they recorded erotic

instrumentals like “The Enchanted Sea” as the Islanders and once again the dental doc was involved in

a “One-Hit Wonder”.  “The Islanders was a studio-only orchestra.  I played guitar  [sometimes added

guitar work was provided by Tony Mottola or AI Caiola] and did the whistling,” says the good doc.  “See,

when I got out of the service I was about to open my practice, but I decided to go on a boat cruise first.

The two strangers that were assigned to the state room I had booked were Frank Metis and as it

happened Eddie Layton.  Eddie, who has longtime been the New York  Yankees organist,  was then a

name recording artist with Mercury Records.”

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While cruising the oceans the three-some got talking music and Metis and Nadel came up with some

ideas for some exotic tunes in the style of Martin Denny’s chart-buster “Quiet Village”.  “The Enchanted

Sea” would be the lone hit (Billboard: #15/1959) for the Volkwein brothers’ Mayflower label and the

Islanders only find of buried treasure.  “The band never toured under that name and we were

‘forbidden’ to do any advertising.”  Excitedly, Warren adds:   “We were named to both Cashbox‘s ‘Best

Pop Studio Orchestra” list and as one of Billboard’s ‘Most Promising Instrumental Groups” for that

1959.  Santo & Johnny, Martin Denny, BILL JUSTIS, and Chet Atkins did record some of our songs.”

An impossible to fine long play and three  follow-up 45s with teasing names like “Blue Rain”, “Tramp

Streamer”, and “Forbidden Island” sank from sight in shallow waters.

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Frank Metis went on to become an arranger and did charts for George Shearing and DAVE BRUBECK.

The doctor claims a few more “Randy Starr” singles were created during the early ’60s.  During  all of

these extracurricular  activities Warren continued his dental practice.  Warren has not returned to sing

professionally and kept his dental practice in Manhattan until the mid’90s.