Composer and lyricist Gene Allan has two landmarks in his career, one of which was co-writing singer Bobby Vinton's favorite song Mr. Lonely, a hit several times over. He was also part of the group of songwriters brought in to concoct material for the Archies, resulting in Sugar and Spice, a much lesser smash than Sugar Sugar and most likely nobody's favorite song. The '60s was Allan's era; he was among a group of young songwriters that were hired by producer Don Kirshner to write for his publishing house. Allan's co-workers in the early '60s included Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Carole King, Andy Kim, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil, and Barry Mann.

Ron Dante was the basic head of the Archies, and Allan helped him stir up Sugar and Spice as well as later mush, such as the grabby Hold on to Lovin' and the inquisitive Who's Gonna Love Me?, the latter effort also involving the talents of songwriter Jeff Barry. In 1965, Vinton recorded Mr. Lonely, one of the few famous songs associated with this crooner that he didn't write all on his own. The song enjoyed periods of popularity on hit parades throughout the world, especially Japan, and also enjoys an unending series of revivals. The Lettermen ushered in the disco era with a 1970 cover version, also a hit. The radio program entitled Jet Stream later picked up the song for its theme, and artists such as the Glenn Miller big band and vocalist Buddy Greco have serenaded Mr. Lonely. Allan also wrote several other songs with Vinton, including Her Name Is Love and Where Were You All of My Life?

Between the Archies and Vinton, this writer may have acquired a reputation for low-brow, sappy material. Perhaps not only he but Archies honcho Dante had higher aspirations, judging from some of their lesser-known work. The pair of collaborators wrote the lyrics and music to Billy, a musical that was presented on Broadway in the mid-'60s. Sheldon Glassman adopted the show's book from an already existing publication, but this time around a comic book was not the inspiration. The show was "suggested" by Herman Melville's short story, "Billy Budd." And it flopped -- the public seems to prefer Sugar and Spice. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi