Third Rail

Biography

Third Rail is a name shared by several musical acts, but the most prominent is The Third Rail, an American pop/rock group active in the 1960s. Formed by studio musicians Arthur Resnick, his wife Kris Resnick, and Joey Levine, the group emerged from New York's vibrant Brill Building songwriting scene. Arthur Resnick was already an established songwriter, having penned classics like 'Under the Boardwalk' for The Drifters and 'Good Lovin'' for The Rascals, while Levine was a teenage musician gaining experience in local bands. The trio's collaboration resulted in a blend of catchy pop melodies and sophisticated songwriting, culminating in their 1967 single 'Run Run Run,' which reached No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the release of their only album, 'Id Music,' on Epic Records.

Despite their studio prowess, The Third Rail performed live only once, in Cincinnati, focusing instead on recording and songwriting. After releasing a handful of singles, the group disbanded in 1968. Joey Levine went on to achieve further fame as the voice behind the Ohio Express hit 'Yummy Yummy Yummy,' while all three members continued to write songs for the Kasenetz & Katz production team, contributing to the bubblegum pop movement of the late 1960s. The Third Rail's legacy lies in their seamless fusion of pop sensibility and studio craftsmanship, as well as their influence on the sound of late-60s American pop.

Fun Facts

• The Third Rail performed live only once, in Cincinnati, despite being a recording-focused group.
• Arthur Resnick wrote several major pop hits before forming Third Rail, including 'Under the Boardwalk' and 'Good Lovin''.
• After Third Rail disbanded, all three members became prolific songwriters for the Kasenetz & Katz bubblegum pop production team.
• Joey Levine, the group's teenage vocalist, later became the voice of the Ohio Express hit 'Yummy Yummy Yummy.'

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Brill Building Songwriters - Arthur Resnick was influenced by the collaborative and competitive environment of the Brill Building, which shaped his approach to pop songwriting. (Under the Boardwalk, Good Lovin') [early 1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Arthur Resnick - Co-founder and songwriter; collaborated on all Third Rail recordings. (Id Music (album), Run Run Run (single)) [1966-1968]
• Kris Resnick - Vocalist and co-writer; contributed to the group's harmonies and songwriting. (Id Music (album), various singles) [1966-1968]
• Joey Levine - Lead vocalist and co-writer; later known for work with Ohio Express. (Id Music (album), Run Run Run (single)) [1966-1968]

Artists Influenced

• Ohio Express - Joey Levine's work with Third Rail led directly to his role as lead vocalist for Ohio Express, shaping their bubblegum pop sound. (Yummy Yummy Yummy) [late 1960s]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Velvet ends (Velvet ends)
2. Starlight Stroll (Starlight Stroll)
3. Where the wind once was (Where the wind once was)
4. Whispered secrets (Whispered secrets)
5. The wind the time (The wind the time)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz