This was a bit too poppy and fluffy for my taste. Oh well.
The Cuff Links was a collection of studio musicians organized by songwriters Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, who had previously written the hit song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini". All of the vocal parts on "Tracy" were provided by Ron Dante, a session singer who also sang lead on The Archies' "Sugar Sugar", which, for the record, I love to bits. (The Archies had two charting singles on the CHUM chart, so they won't be featured here.)
"Tracy" reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 in the UK, and #1 nationally in Canada. A seven-member band of Cuff Links was put together to tour; Dante didn't go with them, as he had accepted a solo recording contract from Don Kirshner, the creator of The Archies musical group. He apparently wasn't able to receive his royalties for his work with The Cuff Links until having had "a personal confrontation" at co-writer Vance's office.
Two subsequent singles by The Cuff Links reached the lower parts of the charts but didn't get airplay in Toronto. They released their last single in 1975. In 1999, Michael "Valentine" Ubriaco obtained the right to tour under The Cuff Links name; the resulting band was touring until at least 2016.
Created February 16, 2026.