Society of Seven

The Society of Seven in a promotional print material, c. 1970s

The Society of Seven (SOS) is a musical group that performs a variety show of the same name. Based in Hawaii, it was formed in 1969 from the pop group known as the Fabulous Echoes, which originated in Hong Kong in the early 1960s.[1] The group mainly performed at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki in Hawaii, and has toured Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major cities in the West Coast of the United States.[2] Its original members were Tony Ruivivar, Bert Sagum, Don Gay, Terry Lucido, Roberto Nievera, Stan Robertson, and Danny Ruivivar.[1]

The troupe performs a variety of songs (particularly Broadway showtunes), comedy sketches, and celebrity impersonations. It has also recorded for several national and local record labels, although record sales were primarily in Hawaii record stores and as souvenirs at the group's performances—in that context, the group's hits include "Walk Away," "99.8" and "I'll Love You Through It All." The SOS released a number of records in Asia, recording with the Hong Kong–based Diamond Records. Their version of "A Little Bit of Soap" was No. 1 for 32 weeks on the Hong Kong charts, as well as being a hit in neighboring countries. That started a string of hits, and they had a double hit with "Dancing on the Moon" and "Sunshine" (a ballad written by Diamond Music co-director Frances da Silva-Kirk and Vic Cristobal).

  1. ^ a b Berger, John (March 12, 1999). "The Waikiki act is 30 years old and can still be trusted for fun". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  2. ^ "PH balladeer Bert Nievera passes away at 81". The Manila Times. March 28, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.