11 Facts About Dave Appell

David Appell was an American musician, arranger and record producer born in Philadelphia.

Dave Appell is associated mainly with the Cameo-Parkway record label, in whose history he played a substantial part.

Dave Appell started working as an arranger for several United States Navy big bands in the mid-1940s during his service in World War II, including Jimmie Lunceford's black orchestra.

Dave Appell later arranged for dance orchestras, including Benny Carter and Earl "Fatha" Hines.

Dave Appell recorded for a while on Decca Records as the Dave Appell Four, until Paul Cohen of Decca suggested he change the group name to the Applejacks.

Dave Appell became a publisher, joining ASCAP in 1955, collaborating with Max Freedman.

Dave Appell appeared prominently in the 1956 Alan Freed film, Don't Knock the Rock, and worked for a while as the studio band and music director on the Ernie Kovacs TV and radio shows in Philadelphia.

Dave Appell did background vocals, session work as a guitarist, engineering, arranging and producing.

Dave Appell wrote an instrumental song called "The Mexican Hat Rock", a jumped-up version of the old "Mexican Hat Dance", that he had his studio band record.

Dave Appell went on to become the leader of Cameo-Parkway's house band, backing such artists as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, The Dovells, Dee Dee Sharp and The Orlons.

Dave Appell was survived by his children Roz Appell Purdy, Lynda Appell and granddaughter Sara Millett.