The Blue Jays, featuring Leon Peels, Had a Billboard chart hit in 1961, that peaked at number 31. If you were in Los Angeles, it was irrelevant because the song was played more than that number would indicate, and it reached much higher on many local charts anyway. The Blue Jays shown to the right, left to right,were Leonard Davidson, Bass, originally from Pennsylvania, Alex Manigo, second tenor from Santa Monica, Van Richardson, first tenor, also from Santa Monica, and Leon Peels, lead, originally from Arkansas and then living in Venice, California. Peels and Manigo wrote Lover's Island sitting on the beach in sunny Southern California. They met Werly Fairburn who owned Milestone records, and he was interested in a group, and after hearing the Blue Jays, was interested in their group! Fairburn had cut many records of his own, and with Milestone, had produced a hit with the Paradons called "Diamonds and Pearls." He thought that the Blue Jays were good enough to have the next hit record for his label. He booked them into the Master Records studio in Hollywood, and they cut Lover's Island along with a song they didn't write for the flip, "You're Gonna Cry." It didn't take long to get the record to the DJ's in southern California, as back then, they were easier to talk to, and the process of getting a record played was much less complicated. They ended up with airplay all over the country, but did not appear on shows outside California. Needing a follow-up, Peels wrote "Tears Are Falling" influenced by events in his own life, and the Blue Jays were back into the studio to record and release their second record. It didn't hit the national charts, but did very well on the west coast. Stations like KRLA and KFWB had it in their top 20 lists, and it made a list on WNHC in New Haven, CT. More singles followed, but no chart action of note did. The Blue Jays broke up and Fairburn took Peels with him to Whirlybird records, a new label with Werly's name in mind. Backed with a different group called the Hi Tensions, he was on two records. "A Casual Kiss", was another west coast record that had local chart action, but did not break nationally. Soon after, Leon Peels' son passed away, and he no longer was interested in singing. Leon Peels high flying tenor was unmistakable and amazing.