Don "Sugarcane" Harris and Dewey Terry were pioneering rock and roll innovators who shaped the sound of 1950s American music through their work with Specialty Records. The Pasadena-based duo, who began collaborating in 1957, brought inventive instrumentation and songwriting to the label's roster, with Don's distinctive electric violin work and both members' proficiency on guitar and keyboards creating a distinctive sonic palette that influenced countless artists.
Though Don and Dewey never achieved chart success as performers, their songwriting legacy proved enduring and far-reaching. They penned several tracks that became standards for other artists: "I'm Leaving It Up to You" became a #1 hit for Dale & Grace (1963), while "Farmer John" reached #19 for The Premiers (1964). Their compositions "Big Boy Pete," "Koko Joe," and "Justine" became staples for The Righteous Brothers, whose early sound drew heavily from Don and Dewey's template. The duo's innovative approach to arrangement and instrumentation established a blueprint for vocal group dynamics that resonated throughout the era, cementing their influence as essential architects of early rock and roll.