The Cascades

The Cascades were an American vocal group best known for their hit single "Rhythm of the Rain" in 1963.

In 1960, the Silver Strands were a group of United States Navy personnel serving on the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) based in San Diego, California. They recruited John Gummoe, and left the Navy to become The Thundernotes.

At this point, the group's membership consolidated as John Gummoe (born John Claude Gummoe, August 2, 1938, Cleveland, Ohio) (lead vocals), Eddie SnyderDavid Szabo (keyboardist), Dave Stevens (bassist), and Dave Wilsondrummer). (guitar), (

The group then started to get more interested in vocal harmony, influenced by the Beach Boys. They recorded demos which ended up with Phil Spector at Valiant Records, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers, who signed them up and also changed their name to The Cascades – supposedly inspired by a nearby box of detergent. Their first release, "There's A Reason", became a small regional hit, and, in summer 1962, they went to Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles and recorded a song which Gummoe had written in his Navy days while on watch during a thunderstorm. The musicians on the recording included the "Wrecking Crew" - Hal Blaine on drums, Carol Kaye on bass and Glen Campbell on guitar - and it was arranged by Perry Botkin. "Rhythm of the Rain" was issued in November 1962. It rose to #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1963, and became a major hit in over 80 countries.

The Cascades continued to record, producing an album and several further singles, including the follow-up "The Last Leaf", but none matched the charm or success of their big hit. The group did continue to receive major radio airplay in their hometown, San Diego. The Cascades' cover version of Bob Lind's "Truly Julie's Blues" received spins on KCBQ and KGB in 1966, and their song "Maybe The Rain Will Fall" did fairly well on San Diego radio charts in the summer of 1969. The group stayed active for some years, playing local San Diego clubs like The Cinnamon Cinder, and at other times, touring widely. John Gummoe left the group in 1967 to pursue a solo career and later formed the band Kentucky Express. A compilation CD of the Cascades’ best moments was issued in 1999.

One key player in the band, the saxophonist, Dr. Ron Lynch, is now working as a drama director and teacher at The Bear Creek School in Redmond, Washington. Szabo and Snyder continued on in music.