Stanford Ernest Farmington Jr was born a Christmas baby on Dec. 25, 1955 in Southern California. His father. Stanford Sr., was the founder, artistic director and conductor of the Golden Wing Philharmonic orchestra. His mother, Opal, sang with big band orchestras before she was married. His brother, Warren, teaches music at Oak Crest College. He also has a sister, Celeste, who is blind.
Growing up, Ernest studied classical piano and violin. He can read music. He sang with the boys’ choir at church and the school chorus. He graduated from high school at age 17 with the intention of following in his father’s footsteps. However, in college he fell under the spell of rock and roll. Ernest taught himself to play guitar and formed a rock band with his classmates. After one year of academics, Ernest dropped out of college and, with his band, played dive bars in Los Angeles. The band recorded a couple of flop singles.
One night Jarvis Lycowitz, a music promoter, saw the band play. The group sounded terrible, but Jarvis felt the lead singer had the looks and charisma for teen idol stardom. Under Jarvis’ management, Ernest quit the band, changed his name to “Sandy Fairfax,” and signed a deal with SuperTonic Records. When Sandy was 18 years old, he was cast in his own TV vehicle, Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth. The show and his records were smash hits.
After the show was cancelled in 1979, Sandy married actress Rebecca (Becka) Lynn Harden. His son, Stanford Ernest Farmington III, aka Chip, was born in 1981, followed by a daughter, Robin Joy Farmington, in 1983. Sandy played with the hard rock band Shipwreck from 1986 to 1988, also the year of his divorce.
He is now dating Cinnamon Lovett, professional dancer and owner/instructor of the Dance Delight Studio in Northridge, Calif. He also quit drinking and his reconnecting with his estranged family.
In 1993 Sandy made his first public appearance in years, a guest spot at the Swinging Sixties Beatles fan convention in Indiana. Since then, he has made several TV and concert appearances as he restarts his performing career and solves crimes along the way.
Sandy Fairfax Discography
All records except Sessions and Black Wave originally released on the SuperTonic label
Sincerely Yours, Sandy. “Girl of My Dreams”/“Spark of Love” 1975
Soda Shoppe. “Cuddle Close”/“Sweet As Can Be” 1976
Walk In The Park. “Weeping Willow”/“Every Jack Has His Jill” 1976
Stars In My Eyes. “Little Bunny Bright Eyes”/“Didn’t I See You Looking (at Another Boy)” 1977
Dancin’ Sandy. “Meet Me At The Disco”/“Swing To The Beat” 1977
Sandy Sings Live For You (concert album) 1977
Knight In Shining Armor. “Tell Me True (I Love You)”/ “Tomboy In Pink Ribbons” 1978
Sandy Rings In The Holidays. “Mistletoe Kiss”/“Sugar Plums and You” 1978
Castles In The Air. “Moonbeam Melinda”/“The Picture In The Locket” 1979
Sandy’s Tastiest Treats (greatest hits) 1980
Peanut Butter And Jam Sessions (independent label) 1985
Black Wave (with the band Shipwreck) 1988
Movies And Television
Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth (live action TV series) 1975-1979
Buddy Brave And The Suspicious Spy (movie) 1975
Buddy Brave And the Dangerous Demon (movie) 1976
The Secret Files Of Buddy Brave (animated TV series) 1979-1980
Charlie’s Angels (guest appearance) 1980
Fantasy Island (guest appearance) 1983
The Love Boat (guest appearance) 1985
Off Kelter (guest appearance) 1993
Uncle Albert’s Farmhouse (guest appearance) 1993
Raise The Stakes (game show contestant) 1993
Miss North Pole Scholarship Pageant (emcee) 1993
Live performances
with the Mercy Marvels Beatles tribute band 1993
SS Zodiac cruise liner (live concerts) 1993