David Somerville

David Somerville was an actor and singer who was best known as leader of the doo-wop group the Diamonds, famous for their 1957 hit “Little Darlin’.”

The Canadian vocal quartet was discovered by legendary Cleveland disc jockey Dr. Bill Randle, who led them to a recording contract with Mercury Records in 1956. They gathered 15 Top 40 hits between 1956 and 1961, including “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” “The Stroll” and “Silhouettes.” Somerville was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1984.

Also an actor, he took drama classes from Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy, and appeared in a small role in the first season of the sci-fi series. Additionally, Somerville had parts in the television series Gomer Pyle: USMC, McCloud, The Amazing Spider-Man, Quincy, M.E. and The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.

He also co-wrote the theme song for the 1980s' ABC series The Fall Guy, called “The (Ballad of the) Unknown Stuntman,” along with the show’s creator, Glen A. Larson. Starring Lee Majors (who sang the theme), Douglas Barr and Heather Thomas, the action-adventure show followed a film stunt performer who moonlit as a bounty hunter. He had a role in a 1981 episode of the show as well.

Somerville died July 14, 2015, in Santa Barbara, California. He was 81.