We need your help! Can you identify these
Unknown Vocal Groups?
In the
course of serious research into any subject, there are always mysteries that
sometimes never get answered. We have a number of photographs of vocal
groups that we know nothing about. If you are visiting our website, odds
are you have more than a passing interest in group harmony. Please help us
unravel these mysteries and give credit to these groups before they are lost
forever in the vastness of time.
If you know
anything about any of these groups, please email us at
CUH@att.net
Unknown Group #001 (North Philadelphia, 1955)
Unknown
group #001 is special to us because their image graces the Classic Urban
Harmony LLC logo. The group represents to us all of the uncredited singers
who gave their hearts and souls to give us harmony, yet are now in danger of
being forgotten forever. We found the photo in Philadelphia along with a 78
RPM acetate containing two of the finest mid-fifties R&B group sides we’ve
ever heard.
The reverse
of the photo lists Howard McCall of the 1400 block of North Corlies St.
(North Philadelphia). Note the poster in the photo that states “King
Bowling Club Presents Tuesday Night Dances opening Tuesday November 15,
1955, starring Mel Melvin’s Orchestra and Viola Craig, Barber’s Building,
???? Oxford Street.”
Mel
Melvin’s Orchestra can be partially seen in the background. Mel Melvin was
a Philadelphia bandleader as early as 1944. His band at one point in 1949
contained such jazz greats as the Heath Brothers (Al on drums, Percy on bass
and Jimmy on alto sax), Bill Barron (tenor sax) and John Coltrane (tenor
sax). Later, jazz pianist great Kenny Barron got his start as a teenager in
Mel Melvin’s band, but that was probably a year or two after this photo was
taken.
Update:
We're getting closer to identifying Unknown Vocal Group #1 thanks to some
fine detective work by Smitty of the vocal group, Quiet Storm. Keep up
the great work, Smitty!
Unknown Group
#002 (Hollywood, 1955) IDENTIFIED!
This one
should be easier. We believe this group was in an unidentified 1955 film,
done by Universal Pictures. Any ideas as to who the group is or what the
film could be?
IDENTIFIED: Bill Proctor
emailed to tell us that this is a previously unknown photo of Charlie
Fugua's Ink Spots. Greg Centimore confirmed. From left to right
are: Harold Jackson; Essex Scott; Jimmy Holmes; Charlie Fuqua.
The film these Ink Spots did in 1955 was a two song short film of "If I
Didn't Care" (led by Holmes) and "Shanty In Old Shanty Town" (led by Scott).
The short was simply titled "The Ink Spots." In addition to being a
member of the original Ink Spots, Charlie Fuqua was an uncle to Harvey
Fuqua, lead of the Moonglows.
Unknown Group
#003 (Philadelphia, Year unknown)
We know the
name of this group – Jack & the Beanstalks. We also know they’re
from Philadelphia or the surrounding area. Does anyone know who’s in the
group? What area of the city they’re from? Did they ever record?
What did they sound like?
Again, if
you know anything about any of these groups, please email us at
CUH@att.net
We’ll be posting more unknown groups in the weeks to come.
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2008 European Road Trip: Deep River Quartet & Golden
Gate Quartet