SectionsTeen heartthrob turned teacher
Education priority for former recording artist
Bridget Rapp
Issue date: 10/20/09 Section: Features
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Luke, who is head of the marketing department at Missouri State, had a career as a recording artist that lasted from 1958 to 1964 and consisted of many accomplishments. He wrote and recorded the song "Susie Darlin'" which was a top-five hit in the United States and the number one hit in Hawaii for six months.
He appeared on the Perry Como show and played with the Everly Brothers on many occasions. He also appeared on The Dick Clark 'Show 13 times.
Luke's recording career began while he was attending high school in Hawaii and continued as he attended Pepperdine University near Hollywood.
"I enjoyed every moment of that while never dropping out of school [high school and college]," Luke said. "I couldn't go on long tours, but on the weekends I was either in Australia or Canada or somewhere doing a show and it was very difficult working two full-time jobs."
However, juggling these responsibilities paid off, because he was able to pay for his education, a car and some other gifts for his mom.
"I will always be grateful to my parents who truly suffered to make sure that they could buy a guitar and put me through one of the best college preparatory schools in the world," Luke said.
'Susie Darlin'' becomes a hit
Living in Hawaii from about 7th grade until graduation, Luke attended Punahou School, a college preparatory academy.
Despite his heavy load of school work, he still managed to continue his involvement in music, becoming extremely influenced by the Hawaiian music.
When Punahou held a talent show, Luke, who was a junior at the time, played a song he wrote titled "Susie Darlin'." Backstage after the show, he said he got an offer to record his song.
"We recorded the song in an apartment on a portable tape recorder," Luke said. "We overdubbed the song seven times. Believe me, it took a long time."
Though the recording took awhile, it soon paid off, Luke said.
"[The song] rocketed to number one for six months in Hawaii," he said.
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