Mark Edward Dinning, known professionally as Mark Dinning, was born on August 17, 1933, near Drury, Grant County, Oklahoma. He grew up in a musically inclined family and initially focused on country music after learning to play electric guitar. His breakthrough came with the song "Teen Angel," written by his sister Jean and her husband Red Surrey, which was released in December 1959. Despite initial radio boycotts due to its morbid content, the single reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1960, selling over 3.5 million copies and earning a gold record certification. Following this success, Mark Dinning released three more singles that charted in the Hot 100 but did not match the impact of "Teen Angel". His contract with MGM Records ended in 1963 after producing 16 singles and two albums. After this, he continued to perform with his brother Ace in clubs across the southern United States. His hit "Teen Angel" was featured in the soundtrack of the 1973 film American Graffiti. Mark Dinning passed away on March 22, 1986, following a heart attack after a performance in Jefferson City, Missouri.
