Gary Anderson, born in Florida but raised in Virginia, embarked on a musical journey that would shape his destiny. As a youth, he sang in his church choir, developing his vocal talents. Later, in high school, he joined a vocal group called The Turks, performing in the Norfolk area. Frank Guida, the owner of a record shop in Norfolk and founder of Legrand Records, took notice of Anderson's remarkable abilities and invited him to record a song called "New Orleans" in his studio.
Guida, who deemed Anderson's given name too plain, was inspired by a poster he had seen in a delicatessen promoting government bonds, emblazoned with the bold letters "Buy U.S. Bonds!" He thought this name would be perfect for a singer, and thus "Gary U.S. Bonds" was born. "New Orleans" proved to be a massive hit, swiftly reaching the top ten. Bonds' follow-up song, a remake of Daddy G and the Church Street Five's "A Night With Daddy G," was recorded with the original group and titled "Quarter to Three." This energetic and infectious production surpassed the success of "New Orleans," claiming the #1 spot in the summer of 1961 and solidifying its place as Bonds' signature song.
The year 1961 saw three more top-ten hits, but unfortunately, this marked the pinnacle of Bonds' career. Although he continued to record and perform for the next 20 years, occasionally writing songs for other artists, none of his subsequent records achieved chart success. In the early 1980s, his career experienced a resurgence when rock legend Bruce Springsteen began incorporating "Quarter to Three" as his encore song in concerts. Bonds restarted his recording and touring endeavors, even managing to crack the Top 40 charts in the mid-'80s. He continues to perform to this day, his legacy as Gary U.S. Bonds cemented in the annals of music history.
