This tribute to the falsetto singers of the doo-wop era lived up to its name by entering the American charts at No.18… with a bullet.

It did even better in Pete Wingfield’s native country, reaching no.7 in the UK singles chart in 1975, aided no doubt by the huge popularity of 1950s-referencing sitcom Happy Days.

It would be his only hit, and is sometimes seen as something of a pastiche, but it’s not – it’s a note-perfect hommage. The vocals, presumably all by Wingfield, span the doo wop range of bass to falsetto and the sax solo, when it comes in, is simply sublime. I’d love to know who played it.

Wingfield was a lifelong devotee of American R&B and soul, and a student of the sound. And for a one-hit wonder he had a stellar career, spanning songwriting, session work and production.

As well as playing with Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, BB King, The Everly Brothers, The Hollies, The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, he also produced (and played on) the debut Dexy’s album.

Wingfield began as a music journalist, founding a fanzine to indulge his passion for soul music when he was in his teens.

At Sussex University he formed a blues band called Jellybread with fellow students – and a teacher – before joining British soul band Olympic Runners, while still writing about music for Melody Maker and Let It Rock.

In the early Seventies he was a successful session musician, appearing on dozens of albums by Lightnin’ Slim, Memphis Slim, Graham Bond and Nazareth.

After his solitary hit he continued playing live and in the studio with a who’s who of Seventies musicians: Al Stewart, Maggie Bell, Freddie King, Lindisfarne, Edwin Starr, Bonnie Tyler, Richard & Linda Thompson, Billy Fury and Lonnie Donegan.

He produced the Dexy’s’ debut album Searching For The Young Soul Rebels, a meticulous recreation of vintage soul, and albums by The Proclaimers and Kane Gang.

Wingfield also wrote songs for Olivia Newton-John and Patti Labelle.