The Penguins
ListenEarth Angel · 1954
The Penguins — “Earth Angel,” 1954.
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1954 · Dootone Records
Hey Senorita / Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)
“Earth Angel” began its life on record as the other side of “Hey Senorita.” Cut in a Los Angeles garage studio, Cleve Duncan’s pleading lead became the performance that listeners kept requesting. [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0115 |
|---|---|
| Artist | The Penguins |
| Release | 1954 · United States |
| Label | Dootone Records · 348 |
| Format | 10-inch shellac disc · 78 rpm |
| Issue | U.S. commercial issue · red labels |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | E/E− |
Release history and significance
Duncan recalled meeting Curtis Williams after singing at the California Club in 1953. Williams thought Duncan’s voice suited “Earth Angel”; Duncan remembered reshaping the melody to make it his own. That recollection captures the song as something worked out between singers before it became a familiar standard. [1]
The Penguins recorded at Ted Brinson’s garage studio behind his South Los Angeles home. “Hey Senorita” was intended as the leading side, but radio exposure made “Earth Angel” the attraction. By January 1955 it had reached number one on the R&B chart and also crossed into the pop top ten. [1]
The Dootone 348 disc presents the two songs in their original pairing. This is the red-label ten-inch 78 rpm issue. [2]
Market context
Discogs records sales for the red-label Dootone 348 reference edition from US$4.50 to US$94.59, with a median of US$17.47, as listed on 13 September 2026. The latest recorded sale was 14 December 2025. [2]
Physical Description
A ten-inch shellac disc with red Dootone labels. “Hey Senorita” is paired with “Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)” under catalogue number 348. [2]
Condition
Visually graded E/E−, with a glossy surface and labels described as NM−.
Provenance
Acquired directly from Chris Hood on 15 June 2026.
Sources
- Tim Ryan, “Earth Angel” still flying high, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 14 September 2001. Interview with Cleve Duncan about the song and recording.
- Discogs, The Penguins, release 3078382. Red-label Dootone 348 reference edition, coupling and sales history.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.