Gus Backus – born Donald Backus on September 12, 1937, in Long Island, New York
– was a schlager singer and actor who started his career in the U.S. but
achieved his biggest success in Germany. His musical career began when he was
drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In
March 1957, he joined the racially mixed doo wop group the Del-Vikings after
they had already scored their first hit, “Come Go with Me”. He appeared on their
next hit, “Whispering Bells”, and sang lead on “Cool Shake” before he was
transferred to Germany. His career as a schlag...