"C" Groups
The
Cadillacs
This
vocal quintet initially called the Carnations, was formed in
1953 in New York City, New York, and consisted of Earl Carroll
(b: Nov. 2, 1937) LaVerne Drake, Bobby Phillips, Johnny
Willingham and James Clark. The Cadillac's debut single
"Gloria", was released by Josie Records in July of
1954. Clark and Willingham were then replaced by Earl Wade and
Charles Brooks. With Earl Carroll's energetic lead vocals in "Speedo" in 1956 was a big hit for them. The Cadillacs
recorded other great songs; "Peek-A-Boo", "Please
Mr. Johnson," and also performed in one movie "Go,
Johnny, Go" in 1959. Earl Carroll left the group in 1958 to
join the Coasters but the remaining members persevered. In
recent years Earl Carroll has re-formed the Cadillacs.
The Channels
The
Channels never having a succession of hits, are among the most
popular Doo-Wop groups from the East Coast. The group consisting
of Larry Hampden, Billy Morris and Edward Doulphin are the
beginning members of the Channels formed in 1955. Their best
known hit "The Closer You Are" was written by Earl
Michael Lewis a lead vocalist who joined the Channels after
leaving the group the Lotharios. Later releases such as;
"The Gleam In Your Eye" and "I Really Love
You" never received recognition although classic Doo-Wop
tunes.
The Chantels
Although
starting in the late 50's, the Chantels consisting of Arlene
Smith, Sonia Goring, Lois Harris, Jakie Landry, and Rene Minus
were signed to Golner's End record label in the early summer of
1957. The Chantel's first single "He's Gone," was
released in August 1957. In December 1958, the Chantels
released the Arlene Smith composition "Maybe" by late
winter it reached number 14 on the Pop charts and number 2 on
the R & B charts. In March of 1958 another song "Every
Night (I Pray)" recorded by the Chantels reached 38 on the
Pop charts and 16 on the R & B charts. By 1959, Arlene Smith
decided to go solo and Lois Harris went to college to pursue a
nursing career. The Chantels were one of the first female groups
of the rock n' roll era to have an album released under their
own names. In
1973 Arlene Smith reformed the Chantels with new members Barbara
Murray and Pauline Moore and did some oldies shows.
The Charms
This
Cincinnati consisting of Otis Williams, Richard Parker, Donald
Peak, Joe Penn, and Roland Bradley first recorded in "Rockin"
in 1953. The next year they recorded "Hearts Of Stone"
that was number one on the R & B charts for about ten weeks.
This song remains one of the most lasting of Doo-Wop recordings.
Several other recordings are among their hits; "ling, Ting,
Tong," "Two Hearts," "Ivory Tower," and "United," all reaching
the top ten in the R & B charts.
The Chords
The
original members of the Chords were brothers Carl & Claude
Feaster, Jimmy Keyes, Floyd McRae, William Edwards and pianist
Rupert Branker all from the Bronx, New York. Their first release
a 45 containing a remake of the Patty Page hit "Cross Over
The Bridge on the flip side was one of their own songs "Sh-Boom"
which became a rock n' roll classic. "Sh-Boom" took
the USA by storm, it rose to the US Top 10. Since another
group was already using the name Chords, the group changed their
name to the Chordcats. They tried to regain their moster hit
success with a tune titled "Zippety-Zum without any success. The
Chords probably were the first R & B group to appear
television nationwide.
The
Cleftones
The
Cleftones emerged from Jamaica High School in Queens, New York.
The original members consisted of Berman Patterson, Herb Cox,
Warren Corbin, Charlie James, and Buzzy McClain. Their first
recording, "You Baby You", released by the Goldner Gee Label in
1955 and an instant success on the East coast and in Detroit. In
March of 1956 they released, on the Gee Label, "Little Girl Of
Mine" and the flip side, "You're Driving Me Mad". They had
another national hit in 1956 titled "Can't We Be Sweethearts"
written by Herb Cox & Berman Patterson. Gee Records claimed a
quarter of a million in sales in the first two weeks for "Can't
We Be Sweethearts. However, the Cleftones are best remembered
for their 1961 hit, "Heart and Soul".
The Clovers
The
Clovers music career began in Washington D.C. in the post war
forties, however their music blossomed in 1951 with the release
of "Don't You Know I Love You" on the Atlantic Label written by
A. Nugetre. Later the same you with the release of "Fool, Fool,
Fool / "Needless" which was a R & B smash with over 600,000
sales. In early 1952 the Clovers again reached record sales with
"One Mint Julep" / "Middle Of The Night". By 1953 with the
release of "Crawlin" / "Yes It's You" the Clovers were one of
the top recording acts in the country. 1954 saw the release of
"Little Mama"/ "Lovey Dovey" and Clovers were named the top ten
money makers by Billboard magazine. In 1956 the Clovers release
"Devil Or Angel" / "Hey Doll Baby" which its sales provide their
record label Atlantic its biggest sales month in its history.
The Clovers go on the create more outstanding doo-wop classics
as: "Love Love Love", "Your Tender Lips", From The Bottom Of My
Heart", "Bring Me Love", "Love Potion # 9".
The Coasters
The
Coasters began in Oakland California in 1945 consisting of two
brothers William & Ray Richards and a friend Ty Terell. In
1946 they moved to Los Angeles and added bass player Bobby Nunn.
At this time the group was named the Robins. The Robins had
several successful hits with "Riot In Cell Block No.
9," "Framed," and "Smokey Jo's
Cafe". By 1957 the group members included the Richard
brothers, Ty Terell, Billy Gunn and Leon Hughes, they renamed
themselves the Coasters. They recorded "Searchin" and
it went to number 1 on the Pop charts the same year. The next
record to chart was "Yakety Yak" which was number 1 in
1958. The next year "Charlie Brown" was number 2 on
the Pop charts and "Poison Ivy" went to number 7. The
Coasters are notorious for their wise cracking and comical
vocals and among the first black singing groups to have their
music called rock n' roll.
The Crests
The
Crests formed in 1956 consisting of Johnny Maestro, Harold
Torres, Talmadge Gough, J.T. Carter, and Patricia Van Dross.
Their first hit "16 Candles" has become one of Doo-Wop
most enduring classics. "16 Candles reached number 2 in the
Billboard charts and paved the way for "Six Nights A
Week," "The Angels," "Step By Step"
which were pop successes in their own right. Johnny Maestro
decided to go solo in 1960, and the remaining members carried on
with James Ancrum replacing Maestro.
The Crows
One
of the first Doo-Wop groups discovered at The Apollo Theatre in
1952. Their one and only hit "Gee" cut in 1953
reaching number 14 on the Pop charts and number 2 on the R &
B charts in 1954. They went on to record about 6 45s between
1952 and 1954. The group disbanded shortly after recording
"Gee".
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