The Chords although somewhat lost were not forgotten, as Jimmy Keyes (the first tenor) continued to perform even after the loss of The Chords lead singer Carl Feaster. When Jimmy suggested to the original second tenor (Buddy McRae) to continue performing with the group, the idea was rejected, as Buddy had other business ventures. Over the years there were a number of vocalists who appeared with Mr. Keyes under the Chords banner, and as any Bronxite into music of the 50's could attest to, Jimmy's door was always open.

As a young music student, I was no exception. Although I considered myself primarily a Jazz enthusiast, there was something about "Sh-Boom" that captured me. Was it the progressive harmony, or the influence of the piano player's arrangements? Yes, Ruppert was known to be a Jazz pianist, and the sounds of the voices heard on the steps of Morris High from groups like the "Mellows" and "The Teen Toppers" (later known as The Chords) was the beginning of a thing called Rock and Roll! Shortly after the passing of Mr. Keyes,

I (Larry Gadson) was contacted by The Chords manager and asked if I would like to sing with the group. How could I refuse? During a break at my very first rehearsal, I had a conversation with Coby Knight (baritone and lead singer) who had already been with the group for many years. I questioned why the group was not working more often and had not recorded in so many years. He supposed it was the lack of good management. We agreed the group should record. Twenty years later in 2007, we rerecorded Sh-Boom on an independent label (Key Sound Records).

This Ep. titled "In Mint Condition" consisted of three of The Chords originals (More More More, Hold Me Baby, Sh-Boom) and a remake of The Teenagers-Why Do Fools Fall In Love, Love Me By Name by Lesley Gore, and the classic, The Way You Look Tonight. The same year Disney released the movie "Cars" which also featured Sh-Boom. This is not surprising because this song has been featured in more than a dozen featured films over the years.

Some of these are:

Cars (2006) (writer: "Sh-Boom")
Mona Lisa Smile (2003) (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)")
Hearts in Atlantis (2001) (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream" (1954))
An American Rhapsody (2001) (writer: "Sh-Booom, Life Could Be a Dream" (1954))
... aka Amerikai rapszódia (Hungary)
Liberty Heights (1999) (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)")
"From the Earth to the Moon" (2 episodes, 1998)
That's All There Is (1998)
TV episode (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)")
We Interrupt This Program (1998)
TV episode (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)")
Dream with the Fishes (1997) (writer: "Sh-Boom")
Sugartime (1995) (TV) (writer: "Sh-Boom")
I.Q. (1994) ("SH-BOOM (LIFE COULD BE A DREAM)")
The Sum of Us (1994) (writer: "Sh-Boom")
Foreign Student (1994) (writer: "Sh-boom") ... aka L'étudiant étranger (France)
The Mambo Kings (1992) (writer: "Sh-Boom") aka Les mambo kings (France)
The Super (1991) (writer: "Sh-Boom")
Cry-Baby (1990) (writer: "SH BOOM")
Road House (1989) (writer: "Sh-Boom")
Housekeeping (1987) (writer: "SH-BOOM (LIFE COULD BE A DREAM)")
Clue (1985) ("Sh-Boom") ... aka Clue: The Movie (USA: poster title)
My American Cousin (1985) (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)")
... aka Mon cousin américain (Canada: French title: TV title)
A Special Olivia Newton-John (1976) (TV) (writer: "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)")
The Chords have been making music for more than half a century.
Over the years the personnel may change, but the sound remains "The Chords".