In the last blog about The Miracles and Smokey Robinson, I got a request from a Victoria, who asked to read about The Heartbeats/Shep and The Limelites, The Paragons, and The Jesters. Request granted, here you go Victoria!
THE HEARTBEATS/SHEP AND THE LIMELITES
The Heartbeats were formed in the mid fifties and were best known for the song "A Thousand Miles Away". The group first called The Hearts, but changed their naame after a girl group started using the same name. The group got signed to deal shortly after James 'Shep' Sheppard, joined the group. They recorded "A Thousand Miles Away" in 1957, the song went to #53. The group recorded ten more songs, including "I won't Be A Fool Any More", "Down On My Knees", and "People Are Talking".
The group broke up in 1959, and Shep went on to start a new group called Shane Sheppard and The Limelites, but quickly changed the name to Shep and The Limelites.
Their first record was an answer song to The Hearbeats' "A Thousand Miles Away" called "Daddy's Home".
The Members of the group at this time were Shep, Clarence Bassett, Charles Baskerville. The group started recording for Hull Records in 1960. "Daddy's Home" went to #2. It was later covered by Jermaine Jackson in 1972. Later songs didn't do as well, but were popular. There was a story going around that Shep was in love with a woman who left him and moved to Houston, and that most of the songs he wrote were for her.
Kahl Music sued Shep because "Daddy's Home" sounded so much like "A Thousand Miles Away", Shep wrote both songs. Kahl Music lost the case, but the effects of the case caused the group to split. Bassett joined The Flamingos and Baskerville joined one of the Drifters groups. Shep tried to re-form the group with no success. Shep soon died. There are a number of stories of how Shep died but none have been confirmed. One story was that he was beaten and robbed, and left to die in his car, another story was that he was shot while sitting in his car, and the last was that he had a heart attack . It is for sure that Shep did die January 24, 1970. There was no further information.
THE PARAGONS
The Paragons were a rocksteady group from Kingston, Jamaica. The members of the groups were Garth "Tyrone" Evans, Bob Andy, Junior Menz and Leroy Stamp. Thier most famous song was "The Tide Is High".
The group was influenced by the doo-wop music of the time, and used their tight harmony to create a soulful sound. In 1964 the group caught the attention of Duke Reid and cut a number of singles on his Treasure Isle record label.
After some success Bob Andy quit the group and The Paragons quit their soulful sound and became the most popular rocksteady act in Jamaica. Fights over money caused the group to break-up in 1970. There is not alot of information on the group after that.
The biggest recording however came from a compilation album called "The Paragons Meet The Jesters". This album featured street corner harmony batttles and vocal duels. This album is considered the first rock & roll compilation album ever released.
THE JESTERS
Like so many of the doo-wop groups of the 50's and 60's The Jesters were a doo-wop group based in New York City. They were students at Cooper Junior High School in Harlem who graduated from singing under an elevated train station near 120th Street to the amateur night at the Apollo Theater. They were discovered by Paul Winley who signed them to his Winley Records label. Their first three singles were arranged by Winley's friend and collaborator Davey Clowney, better known as Dave "Baby" Cortez. The three singles barely made the charts, but made the group became popular in and around New York. With a different line-up The Jesters reached #110 on the charts with a cover of The Diablos' "The Wind", backed by a song called "Sally Green". They had two lesser singles "That How It Goes" /"Tutti Frutti" in 1960, and "Uncle Henry's Basement"/"Come Let Me Show You", in 1961.
It was Winley who concived the idea of the compilation album with their brother group The Paragons. "The Paragons Meet The Jesters", 1959. The album was a success with the two groups having vocal battles, they carried this idea into a live show which made the show and the album the most successful doo-wop compilation of all times.
The Jesters slowly drifted apart, but there have been different versions of the group appearing in doo-wop shows over the years.
I would like to thank Victoria for her request. I would like to see more request from some more of you. This is a labor of love! As you can see I don't talk about the sadder side of the arist. I talk about the music and the connectios that help create todays music and artist.
In the near future I'll talk about some of the great producers and arrangers like Buck Ram and Leiber and Stoller, etc. This will bring us back to Smokey one more time.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Re-visit The Miracles/Smokey Robinson
It is impossible to talk about todays music without talking about the contributions of Smokey Robinson!! It is said that almost everyone who made it at Motown owes an huge debt to Smokey. Every act at Motown sang a song either written by, or arranged by Smokey. Smokey never wrote a song for Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye, but even they sang a Smokey song.
One of Smokey's songs created a whole new genre of easy listening evening radio programs. The song was "Quiet Storm" and radio stations around the country created programs for lovers in the early evening using "Quiet Storm" as their theme.
I think Smokey songs were so popular becasue everyone could understand what he was feeling with just a few simple words and phrases.
Over the years Smokey has won every award possible, but I think the greatest tribute to his understanding of the human heart is in the number of artist that covered his songs. To give you an idea of how many covers there were, I'll give you a small list of some of the songs that were covered.
The Rolling Stones covered "Going To A GoGo", Michael McDonald covered "I Second That Emotion",along with Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Manhattan Transfer, and The Temptations. "Oh Be My Love" was covered by Barbara Lewis and Barbara McNair."I Like It Like That" was covered by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. "Who's Lovin You was covered by Archie Bell & The Drells and En Vogue. With hundreds of songs to choose from there was somrthing for everybody.
I have been a Smokey fan since the beginning of his career, and I'm still amazed at how many was he could find tell a woman how much he loved her.
If there are any Smokey fans out there please comments, and pass this blog along to your friends.
One of Smokey's songs created a whole new genre of easy listening evening radio programs. The song was "Quiet Storm" and radio stations around the country created programs for lovers in the early evening using "Quiet Storm" as their theme.
I think Smokey songs were so popular becasue everyone could understand what he was feeling with just a few simple words and phrases.
Over the years Smokey has won every award possible, but I think the greatest tribute to his understanding of the human heart is in the number of artist that covered his songs. To give you an idea of how many covers there were, I'll give you a small list of some of the songs that were covered.
The Rolling Stones covered "Going To A GoGo", Michael McDonald covered "I Second That Emotion",along with Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Manhattan Transfer, and The Temptations. "Oh Be My Love" was covered by Barbara Lewis and Barbara McNair."I Like It Like That" was covered by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. "Who's Lovin You was covered by Archie Bell & The Drells and En Vogue. With hundreds of songs to choose from there was somrthing for everybody.
I have been a Smokey fan since the beginning of his career, and I'm still amazed at how many was he could find tell a woman how much he loved her.
If there are any Smokey fans out there please comments, and pass this blog along to your friends.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Miracles/Smokey Robinson
The Miracles had a following that included people who just loved good music, and some of the worlds greatest artist. In their 19 year stay on the music charts The Miracles recorded in multiple genres of music, including Do-wop, soul, disco, and R&B. The group charted over 50 hits and had 26 songs reach the top ten on the Billboard R&B charts, including 4 number ones. On the Billboard Hot 100 list The Miracles had 16 songs in the top 20, with 7 in the top ten.
The group was started by two friends from Detroit, William "Smokey" Robinson, and Ronnie White. The two made friends in the fifth grade and soon started singing together. There are two stories as to how Smokey got his name. One is he got the name because of his love of cowboy movies, the other is he got the name because of his smokey green eyes. No matter how he got the name, he is now a worldwide star! The first group was a do-wop group called The Five Chimes in 1955 at Northern High School. The first group members were: Smokey Robinson, Ronnie White, Pete Moore, Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. Within six months Dawson and Grice had been replaced by cousins Emerson and Bobby Rogers. The group now called themselves The Matadors. Bobby Rogers and Smokey were born on the same day (February 19, 1940) at the same hospital in Detroit, but did not meet until they were fifteen years old.
Emerson Rogers was drafted in 1956 and was replaced by his sister Claudette Rogers who later married Smokey in November 1959.
Marv Tarplin was added as a gitarist in 1958. Tarplin had originally been the accompanist for The Primettes, later to become The Supremes!
In 1958 The Matadors auditioned for Jackie Wilson's manager,who turned the group down. He felt that their make up was to similar to The Platters. While leaving the audition they met Wilson's head song writer Berry Gordy. Gordy liked the group and soon became the groups manager. Gordy and Smokey (the groups main song writer) worked together to improve Smokey's writing skills.
Gordy and a colleague Billy Davis had written a song called "Got A Job" as an answer to the song by The Silhouettes called "Get A Job". The group recorded the song and Gordy arranged a deal for the group to sign with End Records. They changed their name to The Miracles becaused The Matadors sounded to masculine for a group with a female member. Gordy became the groups main outside collaborator and he and Smokey wrote another song called "Bad Girl". Issued on Chess Records, "Bad Girl" became the group's first national hit.
Frustrated by low income due to the group's practice of selling their masters to various labels, Smokey suggested that Gordy start his own label. In 1959 Gordy, founded Tamla Records, which became MOTOWN. Gordy signed The Miracles as his first act. By 1961 Smokey was Vice President.
"Shop Around" backed by "Who's Lovin You" (1960) was the group's first hit under the Motown label. "Shop Around" reached #1 on national R&B charts, and the first to sell over a million copies for the Miracles. The Miracles were the first Motown group to perform on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, on December 27, 1960. "Shop Around was followed by so many more hits that they became a national sensation.
During this period The Miracles were the most popular group at Motown. The Miracles made paved the way for the rest of Motown's recording artist.
Gordy put together a tour of all the Motown acts called The Motown Revue. The Miracles were the stars of the tour. The Miracles influenced artist outside of Motown, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, first and The Zombies. A true tribute to the popularity of The Miracles music is the fact the their songs have been covered in every genre including, Jazz, Country & Western, Reggae, Hip Hop, Rock, Pop, as well as R&B and soul.
In the early days, Smokey was working behind scenes and doing most of the songwriting for most of the acts at Motown. Smokey tutored most of the groups at Motown, including The Supremes and The Temptations. By the time most of the groups at Motown had their hit, The Miracles already had a greatest hits album, "Greatest Hits From The Beginning".
Smokey, White, Rogers,Tarplin, and Moore all wrote songs for other groups at Motown. They wrote for Mary Wells, The Temptations, The Contours, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, and Brenda Holloway.
During the first Motown Revue, Smokey caught the Flu and could not sing, forcing Claudette to take his place as lead. Pete Moore was drafted and was gone for over a year. Smokey and Claudette wanted to start a family, but the life of touring caused Claudette to have several miscarrages, so in early 1964, Claudette retired from touring with the group. However she still continued to record with the group. With the exception of some early albums there are no official pictures of Claudette with the group, which lead some new comers to the Miracles to believe that Claudette was not really part of the group, but just a backup singer.
The Miracles were popular all over the world and had request to be the opening act on everybodies tour.
In 1965 The Miracles changed their name to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, but were listed on their 45's as The Miracles until 1967. The group sang "Come Spy With Me" in 1967 for a 2oth Century Fox film of the same name. In 1968 the group gave a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth.
In 1966 and 1967 the group had multiple hits with "Come Round here", " I second That Emotion", and "More Love". Even though there was a slight declind in their ratings the group still was making hits. In 1968 they hit the charts with, "If You Can Want", "Yester Love", and "Special Occasion" and again in 1969 with "Here I Go Again" and " Baby Baby Don't Cry".
Wanting to be home more and needing to concentrate on being vice president of Motown, Smokey started making plans to go solo. Smokey stayed with the group for two more years. In 1970 the goup was given it's own ABC television special, The Smokey Robinson Show, which stared The Miracles and guest starred The Temptation, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder.
In 1971 after scoring a hit with "I Don't Blame You At All", Smokey announced that he would be leaving The Miracles. The group started on a six month farewell tour. During the tour the group released the last album with Smokey, "Flying High" with the lead single " We've Come To Far To End It Now".
Smokey made his last performance with the group at The Carter Barron, in Washington, DC.
Smokey introduced the new lead of the group Billy Griffin, on national television on NBC's Midnight Special. Billy Griffin's brother Donald replaced Marv Tarplin as the group's guitarist.
The Miracles had a few big hits after Smokey left but never again would they reach their old heights.
Over the years The Miracles recieved almost every award there is, but in 1987 Smokey was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo act. This move caused a lot controversy, and hurt the feelings the of members of the group. The original Miracles were not inducted nor were the 70's version. Smokey and many of the Motown alums were upset by this move.
Smokey still preforms his solo act and has united with the members of the group from time to time. Smokey has a catelog of music that will last for generations. It seems that just when you think Smokey is finished a new group of music lovers discover him.
We'll re-visit the Miracles and Smokey again to show all of the connections that were created by this talented man and his group.
The group was started by two friends from Detroit, William "Smokey" Robinson, and Ronnie White. The two made friends in the fifth grade and soon started singing together. There are two stories as to how Smokey got his name. One is he got the name because of his love of cowboy movies, the other is he got the name because of his smokey green eyes. No matter how he got the name, he is now a worldwide star! The first group was a do-wop group called The Five Chimes in 1955 at Northern High School. The first group members were: Smokey Robinson, Ronnie White, Pete Moore, Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. Within six months Dawson and Grice had been replaced by cousins Emerson and Bobby Rogers. The group now called themselves The Matadors. Bobby Rogers and Smokey were born on the same day (February 19, 1940) at the same hospital in Detroit, but did not meet until they were fifteen years old.
Emerson Rogers was drafted in 1956 and was replaced by his sister Claudette Rogers who later married Smokey in November 1959.
Marv Tarplin was added as a gitarist in 1958. Tarplin had originally been the accompanist for The Primettes, later to become The Supremes!
In 1958 The Matadors auditioned for Jackie Wilson's manager,who turned the group down. He felt that their make up was to similar to The Platters. While leaving the audition they met Wilson's head song writer Berry Gordy. Gordy liked the group and soon became the groups manager. Gordy and Smokey (the groups main song writer) worked together to improve Smokey's writing skills.
Gordy and a colleague Billy Davis had written a song called "Got A Job" as an answer to the song by The Silhouettes called "Get A Job". The group recorded the song and Gordy arranged a deal for the group to sign with End Records. They changed their name to The Miracles becaused The Matadors sounded to masculine for a group with a female member. Gordy became the groups main outside collaborator and he and Smokey wrote another song called "Bad Girl". Issued on Chess Records, "Bad Girl" became the group's first national hit.
Frustrated by low income due to the group's practice of selling their masters to various labels, Smokey suggested that Gordy start his own label. In 1959 Gordy, founded Tamla Records, which became MOTOWN. Gordy signed The Miracles as his first act. By 1961 Smokey was Vice President.
"Shop Around" backed by "Who's Lovin You" (1960) was the group's first hit under the Motown label. "Shop Around" reached #1 on national R&B charts, and the first to sell over a million copies for the Miracles. The Miracles were the first Motown group to perform on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, on December 27, 1960. "Shop Around was followed by so many more hits that they became a national sensation.
During this period The Miracles were the most popular group at Motown. The Miracles made paved the way for the rest of Motown's recording artist.
Gordy put together a tour of all the Motown acts called The Motown Revue. The Miracles were the stars of the tour. The Miracles influenced artist outside of Motown, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, first and The Zombies. A true tribute to the popularity of The Miracles music is the fact the their songs have been covered in every genre including, Jazz, Country & Western, Reggae, Hip Hop, Rock, Pop, as well as R&B and soul.
In the early days, Smokey was working behind scenes and doing most of the songwriting for most of the acts at Motown. Smokey tutored most of the groups at Motown, including The Supremes and The Temptations. By the time most of the groups at Motown had their hit, The Miracles already had a greatest hits album, "Greatest Hits From The Beginning".
Smokey, White, Rogers,Tarplin, and Moore all wrote songs for other groups at Motown. They wrote for Mary Wells, The Temptations, The Contours, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, and Brenda Holloway.
During the first Motown Revue, Smokey caught the Flu and could not sing, forcing Claudette to take his place as lead. Pete Moore was drafted and was gone for over a year. Smokey and Claudette wanted to start a family, but the life of touring caused Claudette to have several miscarrages, so in early 1964, Claudette retired from touring with the group. However she still continued to record with the group. With the exception of some early albums there are no official pictures of Claudette with the group, which lead some new comers to the Miracles to believe that Claudette was not really part of the group, but just a backup singer.
The Miracles were popular all over the world and had request to be the opening act on everybodies tour.
In 1965 The Miracles changed their name to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, but were listed on their 45's as The Miracles until 1967. The group sang "Come Spy With Me" in 1967 for a 2oth Century Fox film of the same name. In 1968 the group gave a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth.
In 1966 and 1967 the group had multiple hits with "Come Round here", " I second That Emotion", and "More Love". Even though there was a slight declind in their ratings the group still was making hits. In 1968 they hit the charts with, "If You Can Want", "Yester Love", and "Special Occasion" and again in 1969 with "Here I Go Again" and " Baby Baby Don't Cry".
Wanting to be home more and needing to concentrate on being vice president of Motown, Smokey started making plans to go solo. Smokey stayed with the group for two more years. In 1970 the goup was given it's own ABC television special, The Smokey Robinson Show, which stared The Miracles and guest starred The Temptation, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder.
In 1971 after scoring a hit with "I Don't Blame You At All", Smokey announced that he would be leaving The Miracles. The group started on a six month farewell tour. During the tour the group released the last album with Smokey, "Flying High" with the lead single " We've Come To Far To End It Now".
Smokey made his last performance with the group at The Carter Barron, in Washington, DC.
Smokey introduced the new lead of the group Billy Griffin, on national television on NBC's Midnight Special. Billy Griffin's brother Donald replaced Marv Tarplin as the group's guitarist.
The Miracles had a few big hits after Smokey left but never again would they reach their old heights.
Over the years The Miracles recieved almost every award there is, but in 1987 Smokey was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo act. This move caused a lot controversy, and hurt the feelings the of members of the group. The original Miracles were not inducted nor were the 70's version. Smokey and many of the Motown alums were upset by this move.
Smokey still preforms his solo act and has united with the members of the group from time to time. Smokey has a catelog of music that will last for generations. It seems that just when you think Smokey is finished a new group of music lovers discover him.
We'll re-visit the Miracles and Smokey again to show all of the connections that were created by this talented man and his group.
Nolan Strong and The Diablos
Nolan Strong and The Diablos were a do-wop group formed in 1954.
Nolan Strong was born in 1934 and passed in 1977. Strong's smoth voice was influenced by Clyde McPhatter and Strong's voice in turn influenced Smokey Robinson. The original group consisted of Nolan Strong (lead singer), Juan Guitierrez (tenor), Willie Hunter (baritone), Quentin Eubanks (bass), Bob "Chico" Edwards (guitar). The Diablos recorded for Fortune Records a local label in Detroit. The group released a handful of 45's. "Adios My Desert Heart" a cha cha number was the groups first recording, their biggest hit however was "The Wind", recorded in 1954 and covered later by The Jesters. Most of their records were local hits in Detroit. In the sixties most of the group's records were credited only to Strong.
One of Strong's biggest problems was that he sounded so much like Smokey Robinson. Even though he came first, Strong was looked at as a Smokey wanna be, by people that didn't know the real story. Smokey has said many times over the years that Nolan Strong was a great influence on him and was one of his favorite singers.
Next up is The Miracles, a group that has out lasted mosted of the other groups from their era.
Please leave comments or request. Just click on comments and write what you have to say, write your name in the body of comment and then click anomymous if you don't want to join one of the listed groups.
Nolan Strong was born in 1934 and passed in 1977. Strong's smoth voice was influenced by Clyde McPhatter and Strong's voice in turn influenced Smokey Robinson. The original group consisted of Nolan Strong (lead singer), Juan Guitierrez (tenor), Willie Hunter (baritone), Quentin Eubanks (bass), Bob "Chico" Edwards (guitar). The Diablos recorded for Fortune Records a local label in Detroit. The group released a handful of 45's. "Adios My Desert Heart" a cha cha number was the groups first recording, their biggest hit however was "The Wind", recorded in 1954 and covered later by The Jesters. Most of their records were local hits in Detroit. In the sixties most of the group's records were credited only to Strong.
One of Strong's biggest problems was that he sounded so much like Smokey Robinson. Even though he came first, Strong was looked at as a Smokey wanna be, by people that didn't know the real story. Smokey has said many times over the years that Nolan Strong was a great influence on him and was one of his favorite singers.
Next up is The Miracles, a group that has out lasted mosted of the other groups from their era.
Please leave comments or request. Just click on comments and write what you have to say, write your name in the body of comment and then click anomymous if you don't want to join one of the listed groups.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers
First of all HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's talk about a group that had an huge impact on Do-Wop and music in general for a long time. The group is Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers.
Frankie Lymon was born and raised in Harlem and was surrounded by music since birth. Lymon's father was a truck driver and his mother was a maid. Lymon's father (Howard), sang with a gospel group called The Harlemaires. As youngsters Lymon and his brothers, Lewis and Howie, sang with The Harlemaires Jr.
When Lymon was 12 years old, he heard a group call The Coupe DeVilles. This group had been formed by Jimmy Merchant. The group was a mix group in that there were two African Americans, Jimmy Merchant,and Sherman Garnes, and two Puerto Ricans, lead singer, Hermwn Santiago, and Joe Negroni. The group had gone through afew names before becoming The Teenagers. They were The Coupe DeVilles, The Ermines, and the Premiers.
Lymon became friends with the lead singer Herman Santiago and soon became a member of the group. A friend of Lymon's gave the group $500.00 to get them started.
In 1955 a neighbor gave the group some love letters in hopes that the letters would inspire a love song. Merchant and Santiago turned one letter into a song called " Why Do Birds Sing So Gay". With Lymon's input the song became "Why Do Fools Fall In Love". The song and the group impressed Richard Barrett, a singer with a group called the Valentines. Barrett got the group an audition with producer George Golder. On the day of the audition, lead singer Santiago was unavaiable, so Lymon took the lead.
Golder signed the group to Glee Records and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" became their first single in January 1956. The single hit #6 on Billboard pop charts, and topped Billboard's R&B charts for five weeks. In the next year five other songs made the top ten charts, they were, "I Want You To Be My Girl", " I Promise To Rember", Who Can Explain", "Out In The Cold", and "The ABC"s Of Love".
With release of their second single the group became Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers. In 1956 an album "The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon" was released.
While the group was on tour in Europe the group broke apart. For some reason Golder started pushing Lymon as a solo act. Golder gave Lymon solo spots in the show. Lymon was doing a solo act with pre-recorded tapes as back-up. The last recording credited to Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers was "Goody Goody". The recording was really Lymon singing solo with studio singers as back-up. By September of 1957 Lymon had no connection with The Teenagers.
As a solo act Lymon's success was limited. Lymon was moved to Roulette Records. In July 1957 on an episode of Alan Freed's live ABC TV show The "Big Beat", Lymon sparked a scandal by dancing with a white teenage girl. This caused a back-lash amoung Southern TV stations owners and The Big Beat was canceled which almost killed Freed's career, and put Lymon career on hold.
Lymon voice changed which caused his sales to drop. Lymon started singing in a falsetto voice and kept trying to get his career back track. Lymon's highest charting record of this period was Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One". Lymon fell deeper into his addiction and was unable to work. Morris Levy took over Roulette in 1961 and ended Roulette's contract with Lymon. Lymon entered rehab. at this time.
After losing Lymon The Teenagers went through a long list of replacements. but never regained their success. At one time the group had a young lady named Pearl McKinnon, singing Lymon parts. nothing worked.
In 1961 Lymon and The Teenagers re-united without success.
Off and On over the years Lymon recorded and performed his old songs but could never find the majic again.
Lymon died at his grandmother's house in 1968 at the age of 25, what a lost!
Although their period of success was brief, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers' string of hits were highly influential on the rock and R&B performers who followed them. It is said that Lymon's high pitched voice was the predecessor to the girl group sound. Other groups that claimed that Lymon influenced them include: Ronnie Spector, The Chantels, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Len Barry, and The Beach Boys. Without a doubt the most visable evidence of Lymon's influence is seen in a group that became know world wide and it's lead singer became loved by millions, The Jackson 5, and Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next up Nolan Strong and The Diablos. This is the group that gave Smokey his inspiration.
Please leave comments.
Let's talk about a group that had an huge impact on Do-Wop and music in general for a long time. The group is Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers.
Frankie Lymon was born and raised in Harlem and was surrounded by music since birth. Lymon's father was a truck driver and his mother was a maid. Lymon's father (Howard), sang with a gospel group called The Harlemaires. As youngsters Lymon and his brothers, Lewis and Howie, sang with The Harlemaires Jr.
When Lymon was 12 years old, he heard a group call The Coupe DeVilles. This group had been formed by Jimmy Merchant. The group was a mix group in that there were two African Americans, Jimmy Merchant,and Sherman Garnes, and two Puerto Ricans, lead singer, Hermwn Santiago, and Joe Negroni. The group had gone through afew names before becoming The Teenagers. They were The Coupe DeVilles, The Ermines, and the Premiers.
Lymon became friends with the lead singer Herman Santiago and soon became a member of the group. A friend of Lymon's gave the group $500.00 to get them started.
In 1955 a neighbor gave the group some love letters in hopes that the letters would inspire a love song. Merchant and Santiago turned one letter into a song called " Why Do Birds Sing So Gay". With Lymon's input the song became "Why Do Fools Fall In Love". The song and the group impressed Richard Barrett, a singer with a group called the Valentines. Barrett got the group an audition with producer George Golder. On the day of the audition, lead singer Santiago was unavaiable, so Lymon took the lead.
Golder signed the group to Glee Records and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" became their first single in January 1956. The single hit #6 on Billboard pop charts, and topped Billboard's R&B charts for five weeks. In the next year five other songs made the top ten charts, they were, "I Want You To Be My Girl", " I Promise To Rember", Who Can Explain", "Out In The Cold", and "The ABC"s Of Love".
With release of their second single the group became Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers. In 1956 an album "The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon" was released.
While the group was on tour in Europe the group broke apart. For some reason Golder started pushing Lymon as a solo act. Golder gave Lymon solo spots in the show. Lymon was doing a solo act with pre-recorded tapes as back-up. The last recording credited to Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers was "Goody Goody". The recording was really Lymon singing solo with studio singers as back-up. By September of 1957 Lymon had no connection with The Teenagers.
As a solo act Lymon's success was limited. Lymon was moved to Roulette Records. In July 1957 on an episode of Alan Freed's live ABC TV show The "Big Beat", Lymon sparked a scandal by dancing with a white teenage girl. This caused a back-lash amoung Southern TV stations owners and The Big Beat was canceled which almost killed Freed's career, and put Lymon career on hold.
Lymon voice changed which caused his sales to drop. Lymon started singing in a falsetto voice and kept trying to get his career back track. Lymon's highest charting record of this period was Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One". Lymon fell deeper into his addiction and was unable to work. Morris Levy took over Roulette in 1961 and ended Roulette's contract with Lymon. Lymon entered rehab. at this time.
After losing Lymon The Teenagers went through a long list of replacements. but never regained their success. At one time the group had a young lady named Pearl McKinnon, singing Lymon parts. nothing worked.
In 1961 Lymon and The Teenagers re-united without success.
Off and On over the years Lymon recorded and performed his old songs but could never find the majic again.
Lymon died at his grandmother's house in 1968 at the age of 25, what a lost!
Although their period of success was brief, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers' string of hits were highly influential on the rock and R&B performers who followed them. It is said that Lymon's high pitched voice was the predecessor to the girl group sound. Other groups that claimed that Lymon influenced them include: Ronnie Spector, The Chantels, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Len Barry, and The Beach Boys. Without a doubt the most visable evidence of Lymon's influence is seen in a group that became know world wide and it's lead singer became loved by millions, The Jackson 5, and Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next up Nolan Strong and The Diablos. This is the group that gave Smokey his inspiration.
Please leave comments.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Platters and Buck Ram
It is impossible to talk about The Platters with out talking about Buck Ram! Born Samuel Ram to Jewish parents, it has been said that the history of rock & roll could not be written without including Buck Ram. Ram was one of the top five song writers for BMI in it's first fifty years. Ram wrote, arranged, and produced for various artist, like The Coasters, The Drifters, Ike & Tina Turner, Ike Cole, Duke Ellington, Glen Miller, Ella Fitzgerald and others. The connection between Ram and future groups and future music runs from Ram through The Coasters and The Drifters to Leiber and Stoller. Ram started adding singers to groups to define a sound which is how Leiber and Stoller operated with their arrangements.
Ram is mostly remembered for his association with The Platters, whom he signed to a contract in 1953. Ram was working as a talent manager, A&R man for a dance band when Tony Williams, the brother of one of clients auditioned for him. Ram was looking for someone to sing the songs he had written and found the voice he was looking for in Tony Williams. Ram built The Platters around Williams. Ram arranged and produced all recordings by The Platters after they signed with Mercury Records, until his death. Ram also wrote their biggest hits including, "Only You (And You Alone)", "The Great Pretender", "Magic Touch",and "Twilight Time".
When Mercury announced that it would release "Only You" on their purple"race music" label Ram insisted that the records be relabeled stating that The Platters had worked to hard to have their market limited by a record label. Mercury agreed and the records were released on Mercury's regular label, thereby making The Platters one of the first cross-over artist.
As a follow-up to "Only You" Ram wrote "The Great Pretender" in a hotel washroom. "The Great Pretender" was anumber 4 hit for Freddie Mercury in 1987. Ram had no idea who Freddie Mercury was, but was thrilled that his songs was on the charts again, he laughed all the way to the bank. Ram also wrote "Twilight Time" and "Chew Chew Chew Your Bubble Gum" with Ella Fitzgerald.
Ram was involved in a controversy about the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas". Ram claims that he wrote the song and then talked about it two songwriters that he hardly knew, and that they took credit for the song until he forced them to give him credit. On Bing Crosby's recording of the song the credits are listed as Kent, Gannon, and Ram.
No matter what else Ram did in his life, his greatest success was The Platters.
THE PLATTERS
The Platters were a group formed in Los Angeles in the early 50's. They were managed by Ralph Bass and signed to Federal Records, where they had little success. The original group included, Alex Hodge, Cronell Gunther David Lynch, Joe Jefferson, Gaynel Hodge, and Herb Reed.
After signing with Ram, the group went through several changes before finding the mix that put them on the charts. The winning combination was Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor.
The Platters didn't chart at first, but a great touring group and were so successful that the The Penguins asked Ram to manage them as well. Mercury Records agreed to sign both groups. Sadly The Penguins never had a hit with Mercury Records.
Believe it or not Ram had to be talked into recording "Only You' by Tony Williams and Jean Bennett. Released in 1955 the song became the groups first top ten hit, and stayed on the charts for seven weeks. Their follow-up "The Great Pretender" went to number one and stayed on the charts for 11 weeks. In 1956 The Platters were in the first major motion picture based around rock & roll, Rock Around the Clock. They sang "Only You" and "The Great Pretender".
The Platters unique vocal style hit a nerve in America, and a string of hits followed. "I'm Sorry" (#11), "He's Mine" (#23) in 1957, "Enchanted" (#12) in 1959 and "The Majic Touch" (#4) in 1956. The Platters also found a way of making old hits new, with standards like, "My Prayer", "Twilight Time", "Harbor Lights", "If I Didn't Care" and Jerome Kerns, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". Kerns' widow expressed concern the that her late husband's song would be turned into a rock & roll song. It topped both American and British charts.
This hit making group stayed together until 1960, when trouble started creeping in.
As a group The Platters began to have some problems with their public. In 1959 four members of the group were arrestd in Cincinnati, on drug and prostitution charges. No one was convicted of the charges, but their professional reputation was seriously damaged and US radio stations started removing their song from their play list, forcing the group to book thenselves in Europe. During that time Tony Williams left the group for a solo career and was replaced by Sonny Turner. Mercury Records refused to issue any Platters records that did not have Tony Williams on lead. This action caused a law suite between Ram and Mercury Records. Mercury released only Williams lead records until The Platters contract expired.
From this point on it seems that there was always a law suit going on and a new group of Platters being formed. In 1966 The Platters had a small hit with "I Love You 1,000 Times". However they would never have the success of the Tony Williams group. It seems That every member of the group formed a group of Platters. There were so many groups of Platters that some were named for the lead of the group, like Herb Reed's Platters.
It is My opinion that The Platters were the classiest Do-Wop group ever!
There is not a lot of information about Tony Williams after he left The Platters, but if you listen to him sing "My Prayer" you can hear the power and control that he had with a song. His solo csreer should have compared with Jackis Wilson's, but it never did.
I would love to hear form readers in the comment section. Just click on the comment section and type in what you want to say including your name, then click anonymous to post your comments
Ram is mostly remembered for his association with The Platters, whom he signed to a contract in 1953. Ram was working as a talent manager, A&R man for a dance band when Tony Williams, the brother of one of clients auditioned for him. Ram was looking for someone to sing the songs he had written and found the voice he was looking for in Tony Williams. Ram built The Platters around Williams. Ram arranged and produced all recordings by The Platters after they signed with Mercury Records, until his death. Ram also wrote their biggest hits including, "Only You (And You Alone)", "The Great Pretender", "Magic Touch",and "Twilight Time".
When Mercury announced that it would release "Only You" on their purple"race music" label Ram insisted that the records be relabeled stating that The Platters had worked to hard to have their market limited by a record label. Mercury agreed and the records were released on Mercury's regular label, thereby making The Platters one of the first cross-over artist.
As a follow-up to "Only You" Ram wrote "The Great Pretender" in a hotel washroom. "The Great Pretender" was anumber 4 hit for Freddie Mercury in 1987. Ram had no idea who Freddie Mercury was, but was thrilled that his songs was on the charts again, he laughed all the way to the bank. Ram also wrote "Twilight Time" and "Chew Chew Chew Your Bubble Gum" with Ella Fitzgerald.
Ram was involved in a controversy about the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas". Ram claims that he wrote the song and then talked about it two songwriters that he hardly knew, and that they took credit for the song until he forced them to give him credit. On Bing Crosby's recording of the song the credits are listed as Kent, Gannon, and Ram.
No matter what else Ram did in his life, his greatest success was The Platters.
THE PLATTERS
The Platters were a group formed in Los Angeles in the early 50's. They were managed by Ralph Bass and signed to Federal Records, where they had little success. The original group included, Alex Hodge, Cronell Gunther David Lynch, Joe Jefferson, Gaynel Hodge, and Herb Reed.
After signing with Ram, the group went through several changes before finding the mix that put them on the charts. The winning combination was Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor.
The Platters didn't chart at first, but a great touring group and were so successful that the The Penguins asked Ram to manage them as well. Mercury Records agreed to sign both groups. Sadly The Penguins never had a hit with Mercury Records.
Believe it or not Ram had to be talked into recording "Only You' by Tony Williams and Jean Bennett. Released in 1955 the song became the groups first top ten hit, and stayed on the charts for seven weeks. Their follow-up "The Great Pretender" went to number one and stayed on the charts for 11 weeks. In 1956 The Platters were in the first major motion picture based around rock & roll, Rock Around the Clock. They sang "Only You" and "The Great Pretender".
The Platters unique vocal style hit a nerve in America, and a string of hits followed. "I'm Sorry" (#11), "He's Mine" (#23) in 1957, "Enchanted" (#12) in 1959 and "The Majic Touch" (#4) in 1956. The Platters also found a way of making old hits new, with standards like, "My Prayer", "Twilight Time", "Harbor Lights", "If I Didn't Care" and Jerome Kerns, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". Kerns' widow expressed concern the that her late husband's song would be turned into a rock & roll song. It topped both American and British charts.
This hit making group stayed together until 1960, when trouble started creeping in.
As a group The Platters began to have some problems with their public. In 1959 four members of the group were arrestd in Cincinnati, on drug and prostitution charges. No one was convicted of the charges, but their professional reputation was seriously damaged and US radio stations started removing their song from their play list, forcing the group to book thenselves in Europe. During that time Tony Williams left the group for a solo career and was replaced by Sonny Turner. Mercury Records refused to issue any Platters records that did not have Tony Williams on lead. This action caused a law suite between Ram and Mercury Records. Mercury released only Williams lead records until The Platters contract expired.
From this point on it seems that there was always a law suit going on and a new group of Platters being formed. In 1966 The Platters had a small hit with "I Love You 1,000 Times". However they would never have the success of the Tony Williams group. It seems That every member of the group formed a group of Platters. There were so many groups of Platters that some were named for the lead of the group, like Herb Reed's Platters.
It is My opinion that The Platters were the classiest Do-Wop group ever!
There is not a lot of information about Tony Williams after he left The Platters, but if you listen to him sing "My Prayer" you can hear the power and control that he had with a song. His solo csreer should have compared with Jackis Wilson's, but it never did.
I would love to hear form readers in the comment section. Just click on the comment section and type in what you want to say including your name, then click anonymous to post your comments
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Re-visit The Drifters
As promised we're going to go back and look at the great lead singers of The Drifters. I must admit that while researching the group I found some things that even surprised me.
Let's start with Clyde McPhatter. McPhatter joined a gospel group called the Mount Lebanon Singers. In 1950 McPhatter joined Billy Ward's Dominoes, and can be heard on the hit "Sixty Minute Man". McPhatter recorded a number of songs with the group including, "Have Mercy Baby".
McPhatter left the Dominoes in 1953 and signed with Atlantic Records and formed a new group called the Drifters. The first version of this group recorded, "Money Honey", "Such A Night", "Honey Love", "Whatcha Gonna Do", and the classic "White Christmas", with Bill Pinkney on bass.
In 1954 McPhatter was drafted, but was able to record with the group because he was stationed in the US. When McPhatter returned from the military he found that there was no room for him in the group, so he decided to start his solo career. McPhatter teamed with Ruth Brown for his first hit, "Loved Has Joined Us Together". Over the next few years McPhatter recorded several songs without a hit. A song written by Brook Benton, "A Lovers Question", went to #6 in 1958. McPhatter released "Lover Please" that same year. Afew of McPhatter's song charted high in the UK.
McPhatter singed with MGM and released another string songs including, "I Told myself A Lie", "Think Me A Kiss", and "TaTa".
In 1960 McPhatter left the US and spent time in England where he was back by a UK band called ICE. McPhatter returned to the states and soon died of heart failure.
McPhatter complained over the years about how his replacement in The Dominoes (Jackie Wilson) was having a better solo career than he was.
Next in line is Bill Pinkney. Pinkney was part of the first group of Drifters, with Andrew and Gerhart Thrasher and bass singer Willie Ferbie. On The Drifters first recording "Money Honey", Pinkney a natural baritone sang first tenor. Willie Ferbie left the group and Pinkney then moved to bass, and can be heard on the classic White Christmas. The Drifters version of "White Christmas" was scorned at first, but the more it was played the more it caught on, and fifty years later it is still one of the top selling Christmas songs of all times.
Pinkney was in and out of the group over the next few years, he did not record with the group when they recorded "Fools Fall In Love", and "Drip Drop".
Pinkney later formed a new group of Drifters called The Original Drifters and toured with the group over the years.
Next up is Ben E. King. King started his career using his given name Benjamin Earl Nelson. In 1958 King joined a do-wop group called The Five Crowns. That same year the manager of The Drifters (George Tredwell) fired the members of The Drifters and hired The Five Crowns as the new Drifters. King only recorded 10 songs with the group, including "There Goes My Baby", which was co-written by King.
King left the group in 1960 after being refused a raise by Tredwell.
King's first hit was "Spanish Harlem" in 1961 followed by "Stand By Me". "Stand By Me" was written by King along with Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. King had a fantastic career and is still touring at this time.
There was not a lot of information on Rudy Lewis. Lewis was the lead for The Drifters from 1960 until 1964. Sometimes switching off with Johnny Moore. Lewis lead on "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Please Stay", "On Broadway", and "Up On The Roof". It seems that Lewis' biggest problem was folling Ben E. King as lead of The Drifters. Lewis died May 20, 1964, the night before a recording session. Johnny Moore took the lead at the session and The Drifters moved on.
Johnny Moore joined The Drifters in 1955 at age 21. He was drafted and forced to leave the group; upon returning he recorder as a solo act under the name of Johnny Darrow. He rejoined the group and became lead singer in 1964. Johnny Moore toured with a number of Drifters group over the years. Moore even moved to the UK with a group of Drifters in the 1970's. Moore stayed with the group until his death in 1998.
Last and by no means least is Charlie Thomas. Thomas was a member of The Five Crowns with Ben E. King when they were hired to be the new Drifters. Charlie Thomas' biggest song was "Sweets For My Sweets".
While doing my research I found some great connections. The first connection is Leiber and Stoller who were song writers and producrs who signed to the Atlantic label, but were allowed to write and produce for other labels. Leiber and Stoller wrote and produced songs for the likes of Elvis, The Coasters, and The Drifters. It seems that the duo had a majic touch for making hits, no matter who they worked with.
The second connection is the Drinkard Singers. Leiber and Stoller took a female gospel group that included Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, Sissy Houston, and at times Judy Clay and made them an important part of the Drifters success.
Leiber and Stoller arranged some of The Drifters songs so that The Drifters sang in unison on a note that was in harmony with the harmony of The Drinkards Singers. This arrangement kept The Drifters on the charts for years.
As time goes on we will visit Leiber and Stoller many times as we look at groups that were touched by the pair.
If there are any groups that you would like to hear about, please leave request in the comments section of this blog.
Let's start with Clyde McPhatter. McPhatter joined a gospel group called the Mount Lebanon Singers. In 1950 McPhatter joined Billy Ward's Dominoes, and can be heard on the hit "Sixty Minute Man". McPhatter recorded a number of songs with the group including, "Have Mercy Baby".
McPhatter left the Dominoes in 1953 and signed with Atlantic Records and formed a new group called the Drifters. The first version of this group recorded, "Money Honey", "Such A Night", "Honey Love", "Whatcha Gonna Do", and the classic "White Christmas", with Bill Pinkney on bass.
In 1954 McPhatter was drafted, but was able to record with the group because he was stationed in the US. When McPhatter returned from the military he found that there was no room for him in the group, so he decided to start his solo career. McPhatter teamed with Ruth Brown for his first hit, "Loved Has Joined Us Together". Over the next few years McPhatter recorded several songs without a hit. A song written by Brook Benton, "A Lovers Question", went to #6 in 1958. McPhatter released "Lover Please" that same year. Afew of McPhatter's song charted high in the UK.
McPhatter singed with MGM and released another string songs including, "I Told myself A Lie", "Think Me A Kiss", and "TaTa".
In 1960 McPhatter left the US and spent time in England where he was back by a UK band called ICE. McPhatter returned to the states and soon died of heart failure.
McPhatter complained over the years about how his replacement in The Dominoes (Jackie Wilson) was having a better solo career than he was.
Next in line is Bill Pinkney. Pinkney was part of the first group of Drifters, with Andrew and Gerhart Thrasher and bass singer Willie Ferbie. On The Drifters first recording "Money Honey", Pinkney a natural baritone sang first tenor. Willie Ferbie left the group and Pinkney then moved to bass, and can be heard on the classic White Christmas. The Drifters version of "White Christmas" was scorned at first, but the more it was played the more it caught on, and fifty years later it is still one of the top selling Christmas songs of all times.
Pinkney was in and out of the group over the next few years, he did not record with the group when they recorded "Fools Fall In Love", and "Drip Drop".
Pinkney later formed a new group of Drifters called The Original Drifters and toured with the group over the years.
Next up is Ben E. King. King started his career using his given name Benjamin Earl Nelson. In 1958 King joined a do-wop group called The Five Crowns. That same year the manager of The Drifters (George Tredwell) fired the members of The Drifters and hired The Five Crowns as the new Drifters. King only recorded 10 songs with the group, including "There Goes My Baby", which was co-written by King.
King left the group in 1960 after being refused a raise by Tredwell.
King's first hit was "Spanish Harlem" in 1961 followed by "Stand By Me". "Stand By Me" was written by King along with Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. King had a fantastic career and is still touring at this time.
There was not a lot of information on Rudy Lewis. Lewis was the lead for The Drifters from 1960 until 1964. Sometimes switching off with Johnny Moore. Lewis lead on "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Please Stay", "On Broadway", and "Up On The Roof". It seems that Lewis' biggest problem was folling Ben E. King as lead of The Drifters. Lewis died May 20, 1964, the night before a recording session. Johnny Moore took the lead at the session and The Drifters moved on.
Johnny Moore joined The Drifters in 1955 at age 21. He was drafted and forced to leave the group; upon returning he recorder as a solo act under the name of Johnny Darrow. He rejoined the group and became lead singer in 1964. Johnny Moore toured with a number of Drifters group over the years. Moore even moved to the UK with a group of Drifters in the 1970's. Moore stayed with the group until his death in 1998.
Last and by no means least is Charlie Thomas. Thomas was a member of The Five Crowns with Ben E. King when they were hired to be the new Drifters. Charlie Thomas' biggest song was "Sweets For My Sweets".
While doing my research I found some great connections. The first connection is Leiber and Stoller who were song writers and producrs who signed to the Atlantic label, but were allowed to write and produce for other labels. Leiber and Stoller wrote and produced songs for the likes of Elvis, The Coasters, and The Drifters. It seems that the duo had a majic touch for making hits, no matter who they worked with.
The second connection is the Drinkard Singers. Leiber and Stoller took a female gospel group that included Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, Sissy Houston, and at times Judy Clay and made them an important part of the Drifters success.
Leiber and Stoller arranged some of The Drifters songs so that The Drifters sang in unison on a note that was in harmony with the harmony of The Drinkards Singers. This arrangement kept The Drifters on the charts for years.
As time goes on we will visit Leiber and Stoller many times as we look at groups that were touched by the pair.
If there are any groups that you would like to hear about, please leave request in the comments section of this blog.
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