The Ad Libs

The Ad Libs are an American soul musical group from Bayonne, New Jersey. Formed in 1964, the group consisted of Hugh Harris, Danny Austin, Dave Watt, Norman Donegan and Mary Ann Thomas. Their breakthrough came with the release of "The Boy from New York City" in December 1964, a single written by George Davis and John T. Taylor. The song peaked at number 8 on the US Hot 100 in March 1965. Following this success, they released "He Ain't No Angel", which reached number 100 in 1965. Despite subsequent singles failing to chart, their contract with Red Bird Records was not renewed. In 1969, The Ad Libs achieved a final R&B chart hit with "Giving Up", peaking at number 34 on the US Billboard R&B chart. They continued recording into the early 1980s but never replicated the success of their debut single. Several members of The Beach Boys, including Brian Wilson, were inspired by "The Boy from New York City", leading to the creation of "Good Vibrations". Cover versions of their hit song by Darts in 1978 and The Manhattan Transfer in 1981 brought it back to the charts. Mary Ann Thomas died of pancreatic cancer. Dave Watt passed away on December 5, 2008; Danny Austin in 2016; Norman Donegan in December 2022.

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