The Cleftones

The Cleftones were an American vocal group formed in 1955, who were then called The Silvertones at Junior High School 40 in Jamaica, Queens, New York City.

Performing their version of "Gee" resulted in making the Independent Party popular and winning the school elections.

The group began performing locally as "The Silvertones" in a variety of neighborhood concerts, such as at Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp in Queens.

The hit song "Gee" was originally produced by "gruff music industry legend" George Goldner, who also signed the group, now renamed "The Cleftones", to a recording contract in 1955.

[1] In 1961 they reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Heart and Soul," a rearrangement of the 1938 song of the same name (a Number #1 by Larry Clinton and his orchestra, with Bea Wain on vocals).