Gary "U.S." Bonds

Gary "U.S." Bonds

Gary "U.S." Bonds is an American rock and rhythm and blues singer and songwriter from Jacksonville, Florida, born Gary Anderson in 1939. He begins singing publicly in church and with The Turks while living in Norfolk, Virginia in the 1950s.

Early recordings and name change

He joins producer Frank Guida’s Legrand label, where Guida changes his stage name to U.S. Bonds in the hope that it sounds like a public service announcement for government bond sales and gets more radio play. He later becomes known as Gary U.S. Bonds.

Hit records

Bonds’ first hit is New Orleans. That is followed by Not Me, which later becomes a hit for The Orlons, and then by his only number one single, Quarter to Three, in 1961. Other early-1960s hits include School Is Out, Dear Lady Twist and Twist, Twist, Senora. Quarter to Three appears on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Later career

In a 1963 European tour, he headlines above The Beatles. After a quieter period, he has a career revival in the early 1980s through collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt and the E Street Band. Later hits include This Little Girl, Jolé Blon and Out Of Work. He continues to release albums intermittently and remains associated with the nostalgia concert circuit.

Recognition and other work

Bonds is nominated for the Country Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year award and is honoured by the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. He is also an accomplished golfer and takes part in celebrity PGA events. In 2006, he is inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

Associated acts

His recorded work is also linked with The Louisiana Gator Boys.