#14: Break Away From That Boy by the Newbeats
City: Regina, SK
Radio Station: CJME
Peak Month: February 1965
Peak Position in Regina ~ #1
Peak Position in Vancouver ~ #8
Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 ~ #40
YouTube: “Break Away (from That Boy)”
Lyrics: “Break Away (from That Boy)”
The Newbeats were a vocal trio formed in 1964 with the lead vocalist Larry Henley. As children, brothers Dean Mathis (born in 1939 in Hahira, Georgia) and Mark Mathis (born in 1942 in Hahira, Georgia), were taught to play guitar by their mother. They subsequently learned to play piano, bass guitar, and drums. They both played in a band at Bremen High School, in Bremen, Georgia. After finishing their public education, they decided on a career in the music industry. At the age of 17, Dean Mathis joined Paul Howard’s Western swing band in 1956 as pianist. Next, Dean joined Dale Hawkins’ band, where brother Mark soon joined as a bass player. They stayed with Dale Hawkins’ band for two years, including on the 1957 Top 30 hit single “Susie Q”.