1960s / 60s Ad For Royal Crown Cola With Teen Idols Dino Desi and Billy
Here's the story behind that group now known as Ricci, Desi and Billy. Ricci Martin, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Billy Hinsche were old friends, who grew up together in Beverly Hills, California. Their common bond was the music they made. Ricci, Desi & Billy is their newly formed musical group featuring original material as well as the songs of 60's musical teen sensations Dino, Desi & Billy (Desi & Billy's former group). Though this is a new configuration of the original band, the last names remain the same - Martin, Arnaz and Hinsche. The idea for this group came at a benefit for the late Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys, which was held at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. Desi and Billy performed a song which Desi had written called "My Old friend" in honor of their friend and partner Dean Paul Martin (Dino) who died in a plane crash while flying for the California National Guard in 1987. Ricci performed his hit single, "Stop, Look Around" from his critically acclaimed album "Beached", co-produced by Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche. There was such a powerful, magical feeling that night, that Ricci, Desi and Billy decided to form a trio.