The Charioteers
The Charioteers | |
---|---|
Origin | Columbia |
Past members | Wilfred "Billy" Williams (lead tenor) Edward Jackson (second tenor) Ira Williams (baritone) Howard Daniel (vocal) Herbert Dickerson (vocal) Peter Leubers (vocal) John Harewood (vocal) Jimmy Sherman (piano) |
The Charioteers were an American gospel and pop vocal group from 1930 to 1957.
History
The Charioteers were put together in 1930 by Professor Howard Daniel at Wilberforce University, in Wilberforce, Ohio. They originally called themselves the Harmony Four. Later they changed the name to the Charioteers, from the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot",[1] a favorite in the group's repertoire, which they eventually recorded in 1939. Starting with gospel music, the group expanded its repertoire to include popular songs. Their first break came after they won the Ohio State Quartet contest in 1931; soon after, they were engaged to perform on the Cincinnati radio station WLW. They stayed with the station for over two years, until another radio series brought them to New York City.
They signed their first recording contract, with
In 1941 they sang in 1404 performances
The group's leader, Wilfred "Billy" Williams (1910–1972), a recording member for 14 years, left the Charioteers and formed a new group, the Billy Williams Quartet, in the early 1950s. The rest of the Charioteers also left Columbia in 1950 and drifted through five labels over the next seven years.
The Charioteers released 75 single recordings over 22 years. Their last recording was "The Candles", for MGM Records, in 1957.
Hit recordings
Their solo hits include "
Awards
The Charioteers were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
Discography
Selected albums
Year | Title | Genre | Label |
---|---|---|---|
1957 | The Charioteers | Gospel | Harmony |
1949 | Sweet & Low | Gospel/Popular | Columbia |
Charting singles
Year | Single | US Pop[7][8] |
---|---|---|
1940 | "So Long" | 23 |
1945 | "Don't Forget Tonight Tomorrow" (Frank Sinatra and the Charioteers) |
9 |
1946 | "On the Boardwalk (In Atlantic City)" | 12 |
1947 | " Open the Door, Richard "
|
6 |
"Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep)" | 16 | |
1948 | "What Did He Say?" | 21 |
"Ooh! Look-a-There, Ain't She Pretty?" | 20 | |
"Now Is the Hour (Māori Farewell Song)" (Buddy Clark and the Charioteers) |
6 | |
1949 | "A Kiss and a Rose" | 19 |
References
- ISBN 0-634-09978-7
- ISBN 0-313-31055-6.
- ^ Ewen, David (1958). Complete Book of the American Musical Theater. Holt. p. 87. ASIN B0006AWA7K.
- ^ "Hellzapoppin – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB".
- ^ NBC: Kraft Music Hall
- ISBN 1-56159-176-9.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories: 1890–1954. Record Research.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1994). Pop Hits: 1940–1954. Record Research.