Please don’t call Alan O’Day a one hit wonder.

He is largely known for his 1977 solo hit Undercover Angel. However, the quirky singer-songwriter was also responsible for writing some classic 70’s AM Gold that others have recorded.

O’Day was born in Hollywood in 1940. Both of his parents worked in the newspaper industry. Alan was drawn to music and performing, influenced by his father’s large record collection. In 1960, he was in a group called The Renes. They performed both original material and covers at venues around Southern California. In 1965, he was a member of a trio: Alan, Bob and Denny. They played in nightclubs in the Pasadena area. They even performed on the Ed Sullivan Show, but that was the pinnacle of their success.

The 1970s he made a name for himself as a songwriter. In 1971, Bobby Sherman had a hit with The Drum (#7 Canada, #29 Billboard, #6 CKOC, #14 CHUM). In 1973, Climax, w/Sonny Gerasci were the first to record Rock and Roll Heaven. It did not chart, but still worth a listen.

1974 was a breakthrough year for Alan O’Day, as he would have three of his songs reach the Billboard Top 40:

• Rock and Roll Heaven – Righteous Brothers (#4 Canada, #3 Billboard, #16 CKOC, #5 CHUM)
• Train of Thought – Cher (#18 Canada, #27 Billboard, #11 CKOC, #22 CHUM)
• Angie Baby – Helen Reddy (#3 Canada, #1 on Billboard (#7 CKOC, #2 CHUM)

It was after this success as a songwriter that O’ Day was given his chance as a singer. Despite being banned by some stations, Undercover Angel was released and would become a major hit during the summer of 1977. While it would reach #1 on Billboard, it would stall at #2 on CKOC’s All Hit 40. It stayed there for three consecutive weeks. It was kept out of the top spot by Shaun Cassidy’s remake of Da Doo Ron Ron. On CHUM, it also peaked at #2.

Over the years, other artists who have recorded his songs include Dobie Gray, Anne Murray, and The Fifth Dimension. In 1985, he also wrote the theme song for the TV show Muppet Babies.

Doesn’t sound like a one hit wonder to me.

Sadly, in 2013, he passed away at the age of 72 of brain cancer.

In this interview, originally broadcast on Oldies Without Borders in 2010, Alan O’Day and I talked about his music, his songwriting, and why the label of “one hit wonder,” doesn’t really apply to him. We also touched on what the song Angie Baby is about. Or not.

It was a fun and enjoyable interview. Just what you’d expect when two only children get together for a conversation.

Interview Copyright Peter J. Maurin, The Vinyl Professor. Published under Creative Commons License: Attribution/Non Commercial Use.