The Original Blue Notes
Story
In Tribute to our friends
Roosevelt Brodie & Franklin Peaker
by Charlie Horner
Roosevelt Brodie, second tenor and founding member
of the original Blue Notes died Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at the age of 75.
His close friend Franklin "Brother" Peaker Jr., the Blue Notes' original lead,
died November 2006 at the age of 71. While most people attribute the name Blue Notes to the 1970's group of
Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass, it was Roosevelt Brodie, Franklin
Peaker, Bernard Williams, Jesse Gillis, and Sam Salley (or Sally) that
first formed the group back in the mid 1950's and made some of its most
memorable recordings. As I first interviewed and got to know the
original Blue Notes almost thirty years ago, it's time that I told their
story.
The Blue Notes started as a street corner
group around 23rd & Diamond Streets in North Philadelphia around 1954.
They'd hang out and sing at the Morlan Recreation Center, home also to the
Royal Angels the group that Richard Barrett started with. The group was originally
called the Teardrops. The Teardrops originally consisted of Franklin Peaker (tenor lead),
Bernard Williams (tenor), Roosevelt Brodie (baritone), Samuel Sally (second
tenor) and Jesse Gillis (bass). Tom Gibson was also an early member. Tommy Floyd was the group's first
guitarist but he left prior to the group's recording and was replaced by
Albert "Sonny" Forrest.
A major source of inspiration for black youth
in Philadelphia in the late 1940's and early 1950's was a radio program on
WPEN-AM called the Parisian Tailor Kiddie Hour. Kiddie Hour was an on
air amateur contest that gave rise to many Philly R&B groups. Franklin
Peaker performed on the Kiddie Hour as a duet with his sister. Though
the Kiddie Hour went off the air in 1952, there have always been persistent
rumors that the Blue Notes evolved out of a Parisian Tailor Kiddie Hour
group called Robert Reed and the Orients. "That's not true," Franklin
Peaker once told Charlie Horner. "But our guitarist, Tommy Floyd had
been with Robert Reed & the Orients, so I guess that's where the rumor
started."
By 1956, the group
had changed its name to the Blue Notes, taken from the old Blue Note Lounge
on Ridge Avenue. The group traveled to New York City and entered the
Apollo Theater's weekly Wednesday night amateur contest, winning five
straight times. In the audience at the Apollo was Benny Burleigh, a
songwriter and manager who had the Blue Notes sign a management contract
with them. Burleigh also signed up another Apollo amateur night
performer, fifteen-year-old Annie Alford (also called Ann Ford), who is believed to be the
sister of Four Knights' lead Gene Alford.
The Blue Notes, ca. 1956
(Photo courtesy of Roosevelt Brodie)
Burleigh got the Blue Notes a contract with
Josie Records, a subsidiary of Jubilee. Jubilee
already had the Cadillacs who were selling well and was looking for more
vocal groups. The Blue Notes recall Burleigh taking them to Bell Sound
for their first recordings.
Josie released "If You Love Me" b/w
"There's Something In Your Eyes Eloise" (a Benny Burleigh composition) in
September 1956. "If You Love Me" featured the soaring tenor lead of
Franklin Peaker. "If You Love Me" was originally based on the French
song "Hymne a l'amour" by Edith Piaf but was first done by Vera Lynn in 1952
and later by Kay Starr in 1954. The Blue Notes' version sold well on the East Coast, particularly
in New York and Philadelphia, but it did not chart nationally. Signing
with the Shaw Agency, the Blue Notes began touring constantly. They
sang up and down the East Coast with occasional gigs in Canada and Bermuda.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
The Blue Notes' next session took place in 1957. The group recorded
"Retribution Blues" backed with the Ravens-influenced "Wagon Wheels" (led by bass, Jesse Gillis).
Also recorded was a fabulous Franklin Peaker led ballad written by Bennie
Burleigh called "If It's Our Destiny." The song was not released until
years later on a CD.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Bennie Burleigh also had the Blue Notes back other artists on
their recordings. Todd Randall seems to have been a country influenced
singer doing rock & roll for Josie. Vocal harmony fans would
not have an interest in "With This Pen" (released in early 1957) had it not
been for the unbelievable background supplied by the Blue Notes.
Franklin Peaker's supportive tenor is clearly one of the highlights of the
recording. Todd is probably the same Todd Randall that recorded for
the Glory label in 1959.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Since Benny Burleigh also managed Annie Alford, it was only
natural that he used the Blue Notes to back her on recordings. The
Blue Notes recalled backing Annie Alford on record but were less clear on
which recordings. Annie's first recording was "It's Heavenly" on the
Groove label in October 1956. "It's Heavenly" was first written and
copyrighted by Benny Burleigh back in 1944. To our ears, we believe we
can hear Franklin Peaker's tenor and Jesse Gillis' bass among the strong
vocal group backup.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
When RCA Victor discontinued the Groove label
in January 1957, they moved Annie Alford to the Vik label. "Temporarily
Blue" also has a strong uncredited vocal group that is probably the Blue
Notes, but we can't be sure. In addition, Annie Alford recorded the
Bennie Burleigh composition, "The Fool" for Apollo in
early 1959. This record also has strong vocal group background that
may or may not be the Blue Notes. By that time Bennie Burleigh had
founded the Eagle label to record a singer he also discovered at the
Apollo amateur hour, Sy Palmer. He also recorded on Eagle, acts
he was managing, like Bill
Harris and the Continentals.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Here's a Youtube of Ann Ford's "The Fool." See if you
think the Blue Notes are doing the background.
By December 1957, the Blue Notes were back at the Apollo
Theater on a show billed as presenting past amateur show winners. The
show was headlined by the Cadillacs.
(Courtesy of Bernard Williams)
Throughout 1958, the Blue Notes worked
regularly but did not record.
Sometime in 1958,
Roosevelt Brodie was drafted. Bernard Williams brought a young Harold
Melvin into the group. Bernard was younger than the other Blue Notes and
had attended Simon Gratz High School with Melvin. Harold had been singing
with a vocal group called the Charmagnes while in school.
“The decision to leave
my school buddies and join the Blue Notes was a big one, but it paid off,”
Harold Melvin told Frederick Douglas Murphy of Black Stars magazine.
“The Blue Notes taught me everything about harmonizing and professionalism
on stage.”
Early in 1960, the Blue
Notes signed with Phil Passon as a manager. Passon owned a sandwich shop at
1753 North 21st Street in North Philadelphia. He bought the Blue
Notes new uniforms and got the gigs.
(Courtesy of
Bernard Williams)
(Courtesy of
Bernard Williams)
Passon recorded one
record by the Blue Notes, released on his own Lost label. The song
was another masterpiece, “She Is Mine,” which had been written sometime
earlier by Bernard Williams in about thirty minutes. Again, “Brother”
Peaker did a superb job on the high tenor lead. We've included a
YouTube below.
“She Is Mine” on the
Lost label wasn’t given much promotion and failed to sell. It sold a
little better in 1963, when it was purchased and reissued on the Instant
Action label.
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Later in 1960’ Roosevelt
Brodie returned from the service and rejoined the Blue Notes. Harold Melvin
stayed and the Blue Notes became a five man group.
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
While singing at
Philly’s famed Uptown Theater, the Blue Notes were introduced to bandleader
Doc Bagby. Bagby was no stranger to the Philadelphia music scene. He’d
been performing and recording as an organist and bandleader for years. In
addition Doc Bagby had at one time been head of A&R for Gotham Records.
He wrote the song “Rock The Joint” for Jimmy Preston, one of the songs that
inspired “Rock Around The Clock.” Bagby was also part owner of Red Top
records.
Doc Bagby signed the
Blue Notes to a recording contract with Val-Ue Records. Val-Ue
was a joint venture between Felix Valdera, Doc Bagby and Eddie Hart. It was
operated out of Felix’s Paramount Record Store at1519 South Street, across
the street from the Royal Theater.
In September 1960,
Val-Ue released the Blue Notes’ My Hero.” “My Hero” was adapted from
the 1908 operetta, “The Chocolate Soldier”.
By November 1960, “My Hero” was #19 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles list.
Not only did “My Hero” quickly
become the Blue Notes’ first national chart record, Franklin Peaker’s tenor
lead became a yardstick by which other groups with tenor leads came to
measure their vocal abilities. The flip was an up tempo tune written by
Bernard Williams called “A Good Woman.”
Blue Notes Bio
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
By the end of 1960, Val-Ue released the Blue Notes’ versions of
Christmas songs, “O Holy Night” (Frank Peaker lead) and “Winter Wonderland.”
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(Courtesy of Bernard Williams)
Early in 1961, the Blue
Notes recorded “Blue Star,” “Devoted To You,” “Pucker Your Lips” and “Is
There A Doctor In the House.” None were released by Val-Ue at the
time since the label was having financial issues and soon shut down.
“Blue Star” was leased
or sold to Gotham records who added strings to it and released it on
their Twentieth Century subsidiary in April of 1961. The
remaining Blue Notes Val-Ue sides were transferred to Doc Bagby’s
Red Top label who would later reissue “My Hero” on Red Top and Jalynne.
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
By the Fall of 1961, Jesse Gillis left the group. He began singing bass for
the Fortune Tellers who recorded for Sheryl (“School Prom”) and
Atlantic (“Marry Her Joe”) in 1962. The remaining Blue Notes
initially tried to add a new fifth member. Alphonso Howell of the
Sensations recalled one show at the Uptown Theater in late 1961 that had
former Turbans' lead Al Banks singing with the Blue Notes. For
a short time, Billy Paul (who’d later reach fame with “Me And Mrs. Jones”)
sang with the Blue Notes. Others recall
Bunny Sigler singing with them. Eventually, the Blue Notes continued
as a quartet. Doc Bagby and Eddie Hart (minus Felix Valdera) recorded the
four Blue Notes (Williams, Peaker, Brodie, Melvin) for their new label,
Gamut. Four sides were recorded but only “Shrimp Boats” b/w “My Heart
Cries For You” were released. The record did not sell well.
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
The same four Blue Notes
(Peaker, Williams, Brodie and Melvin) recorded “WPLJ” backed with the
Bernard Williams composition “While I’m Away” for the 3 Sons label in
1962.
(From
the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Throughout the early
1960’s the Blue Notes continued performing but did not record as a group.
Harold Melvin left the group and the group then became a trio.
(Photo
courtesy of Bernard Williams)
Franklin Peaker did some
overdubbing work for Cameo-Parkway. His voice was added to recordings by
Chubby Checker, the Orlons, Johnny Maestro and the Tymes. His is the high
tenor voice heard on Johnny Greco’s “Rocket Ride” (Pageant label).
When things slowed up
and no gigs were in sight in 1965, Harold Melvin asked for and was given
permission to keep singing under the Blue notes’ name. Melvin assembled a
new “Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes” group, consisting of himself and former
members of the group, the Chordsteppers, John Adkins, Larry Parks and
Bernard Wilson. Richard Barrett recorded this group on the Landa
label (“Get Out” b/w “You May Not Love Me” in 1965.
Meanwhile, Franklin
Peaker and Bernard Williams were doing background recordings for Weldon
McDougal, Johnny Styles and Luther Randolph’s Harthon label when the
three decided to reactivated the original Blue Notes. “Needless To Say” on
Harthon was listed as by Bernard Williams and the Original Blue
Notes. The voices on the record are actually, Bernard Williams, Franklin
Peaker, Roosevelt Brodie, Weldon McDougal and Weldon’s wife, Vivian
McDougal. “Needless To Say” is now a “Northern Soul” classic. This same
group also backed Eddie Holman on “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” b/w “Never Let
Me Go” (Parkway) and other recordings.
The original Blue Notes
continued singing until about 1971. Throughout most of that time there were
a trio (Bernard Williams, Franklin Peaker, Roosevelt Brodie).
Forefront
left to right: Franklin Peaker and Roosevelt Brodie
Photo taken at private party by Charlie Horner, 1981
Roosevelt
Brodie (middle) and Franklin Peaker (right)
Photo taken at private party by Charlie Horner, 1981
Of course, by the 1970’s
Harold Melvin and his Blue Notes (including Teddy Pendergrass) found fame
with Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records, but we’ll hold that
for a later article.
The last time any of the
original Blue Notes sang in public was at Richard Barrett’s memorial service
in September of 2006. At that time they backed Bunny Sigler in an acappella
rendition of “My Hero.”
Original Blue
Notes surround Bunny Sigler (center) to sing
"My Hero" at Richard Barrett's memorial service.
(Photo taken by Pamela Horner)
Of the early Blue Notes,
Jesse Gillis passed away in the early 1970’s. Franklin “Brother” Peaker was
struck by an automobile while walking home from Roosevelt Brodie’s home one
rainy evening. He died a few days later on November 15, 2006. Roosevelt
Brodie passed away from complications of diabetes on July 13, 2010. Harold
Melvin died of a stroke on March 24, 1997.
Such is the story of the
original Blue Notes. The story lives on through songs like "My Hero,"
"If You Love Me," and "She Is Mine."
Blue Notes 45 RPM
Discography
As the Blue Notes
Josie 800 If You Love Me
There’s Something In Your Eyes Eloise
Josie 823 Retribution Blues
Wagon Wheels
As Todd Randall & the Blue Notes
Josie 814 With This Pen
Letters
As Annie Alford (uncreditted backup)
Groove 0172 It’s Heavenly
Give Up And Tell
Vik 0288 Temporarily Blue
Easy Easy Baby
As Ann Ford (possibly the Blue Notes uncredited backup)
Apollo 532 The Fool
Can’t You Tell
As the Blue Notes
Lost 104 She Is Mine
The Letter
Val-Ue 213 My Hero
A Good Woman
Val-Ue 215 O Holy Night
Winter Wonderland
20th Century 1213 Blue Star
Pucker Your Lips
Gamut 100 My Heart Cries For You
Shrimp Boats
3 Sons 103 While I’m Away
WPLJ
As Bernard Williams & the Original Blue Notes
Harthon 136 Needless To Say
Focused On You
Uncreditted Backup (Overdubbing) by Franklin Peaker
Johnny Greco
Pageant 602 Rocket Ride
Why Don’t Y’ Love Me
Chubby Checker, the Orlons, the Tymes and Johnny Maestro
Unknown titles on Cameo-Parkway labels
Uncreditted Backup at Harthon records
Eddie Holman
Parkway 157 Why Do Fools fall In Love
Never Let Me Go
Eddie Holman and Other Harthon Artists
Unknown titles
Later issuing of earlier material on 45
Red Top 132 Blue Star (without strings)
Is There A Doctor In The House
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