The Clovers
The Clovers | |
---|---|
doo wop | |
Years active | 1946–present |
Labels | Atlantic, United Artists |
Members |
|
Past members | John "Buddy" Bailey Harold Lucas Charlie White Matthew McQuater Bill Harris Billy Mitchell Thomas Woods Billy Shelton John Phillip Charles R. Stevens James "Toy" Walton Robert Russell Roosevelt "Tippie" Hubbard Nathaniel Bouknight Peggy Winley Mills Ann Winley Jimmy Taylor Daniel "Steep" Abbott Juan Hawkins Johnny Mason William Rawlings Antwan Drayton Prentiss Floyd Tye Lovell |
The Clovers are an American
History
1946 to 1960
The group was formed at
The Clovers continued to record with Bailey and Mitchell now sharing lead vocal duties. The single "Blue Velvet" / "If You Love Me" was released in February 1955.[15] In April the group recorded four tracks; two from that session, "Nip Sip" / "If I Could Be Loved By You", were released in August and entered the top 20 of the R&B chart in September 1955.[16] "Devil or Angel" was released in January 1956[17] and entered the top five of the R&B chart in February.[18] Their next release, "Love, Love, Love" (recorded March 1956), charted in the R&B top ten of June and reached the top 50 of the national chart in August.[19][20] In April 1957 Quincy Jones arranged five tracks for the group, of which two—"So Young" and "I I I Love You"—were released as a double A-sided single (Atlantic 1139), while "Pretty Pretty Eyes", "Baby Darling" and "Shakin'" were not issued.[21][22] Krefetz left Atlantic and formed Poplar Records in June 1957. The Clovers' Atlantic contract expired in July 1957[23] and Krefetz signed Mitchell in September as a solo artist to his Poplar label. In February 1958 Krefetz confirmed that Mitchell would continue recording with The Clovers as well as pursuing his solo career on Poplar.[2] Krefetz signed The Clovers to Poplar Records in May 1958.[24] Poplar was purchased by United Artists Records in 1959.[25] The Clovers, now part of the United Artists' roster of acts, entered the studio for their first UA recording session in June 1959,[25] which resulted in the July release of "Love Potion No. 9" featuring Billy Mitchell on lead vocals. "Love Potion No. 9" (written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) became the biggest hit of their career, peaking at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of November 1959.[26]
1961 to present
In 1961 their United Artists contract expired and they moved to Winley Records.[25] The label was started in 1956[27] by Paul Winley, brother of The Clovers' bass Harold Winley. Paul Winley had written songs for the group (before their move to his label), Big Joe Turner and Ruth Brown.[28] Winley Records had also released songs featuring the former Clovers' vocalist Charlie White, "Nobody's Fault But Mine" / "Dearest To Me" (1958). However, their sojourn on Winley Records didn't prove successful, and they disbanded in 1961.[1]
The break-up resulted in the creation of two new groups. John "Buddy" Bailey continued recording for Winley Records, releasing in 1961 "They're Rockin Down the Street"/"Be My Baby" credited to The Fabulous Clovers featuring Bailey.
The Searchers' remake of "Love Potion No. 9", released at the end of 1964,[29] became a US top-five hit in January 1965 and revitalized interest in the original recording by The Clovers.[30] Tracks from the Winley and Porwin catalog (including a re-recorded version of "Love Potion No. 9" with Buddy Bailey on lead) were licensed to Pickwick International Records (a UK budget label), which released the album The Original Love Potion No. 9 by The Clovers. In April 1965 Bailey and Lucas entered the recording studio with Robert Russell (bass) and Jimmy Taylor (tenor), which resulted in the release of "He Sure Could Hypnotize" / "Poor Baby" on Port Records. The record met with little success and Lucas and Bailey disbanded the project that year.[2]
John Bailey formed a group and re-recorded "Devil or Angel" and "Love Potion No. 9", both released as singles on Lana Records in 1965 and credited to The Clovers.[2][31] Lucas and Russell brought back Tippie Hubbard and Toy Walton and added a fifth member, Al Fox. In 1966[2] the group recorded four tracks as "Tippie and The Wisemen" for Shrine Records.[32] That same year Tippie and The Wisemen changed their name to The Clovers. Harold Winley started a group in 1968 with Bobby Adams, Johnny Taylor and Ray Loper, recording for Josie Records, releasing "Try My Lovin' On You" / "Sweet Side of a Soulful Woman" in 1968 credited to The Clovers.[23]
Robert Russell died in 1969 and Lucas invited John Bowie to join.[33] In October 1975 Lucas, Tippie Hubbard, Toy Walton and Bowie released a disco track, "Bump Jive", on Aladdin Records credited to The Clovers. Shortly after the recording Walton died and Johnny Mason was invited to join the Lucas group. Harold Winley joined Jimmy Nabbie's Ink Spots in 1976, remaining with them until the formation of The Original Clovers featuring Harold Winley in 2009.[34] Steve Charles joined the Lucas group in 1978.[35] In October 1981 Harold Lucas, John Bowie, Johnny Mason and Steve Charles filed for the trademark The Clovers. which was registered (Serial Number 73333530) in November 1982 (renewed in 2002). Roosevelt "Tippie" Hubbard died in April 1985.[36]
In May 1988[2] the Lucas group (Steve Charles, Johnny Mason, Harold Lucas and John Bowie) re-recorded "Drive It Home" (credited to The Clovers) for Ripete Records, a small independent label based in Elliott, SC, which released it that year as a single specifically for the Carolina Beach Music market.[37] John Bailey, Harold Lucas, Matthew McQuater and Harold Winley performed together in October 1988 at the Rhythm and Blues Foundation (a Washington, DC-based organization started in 1988 to promote and support artists) show in Austin, TX, to raise funds for Bill Harris, who had fallen ill.[38] Bill Harris (guitar) died at the age of 63 in Washington, D.C., on 6 December 1988.[39]
Steve Charles had retired by the end of 1990 and Chuck Battle was invited to join the Lucas group.[2] Battle left in 1992 and was replaced by Preston Monroe, who was later replaced by David Warren. Lucas became ill and stopped touring in 1993 and Richie Merritt was invited to join the group as his replacement. Harold Lucas died at the age of 61 in Washington, D.C., on 6 January 1994.[40] John "Buddy" Bailey died on 3 February 1994 in Las Vegas, NV.[41] Prior to his death, Bailey performed solo, choosing to work with established Doo Wop group The Calvanes (which included former Bailey-Clovers member Bobby Adams)[42] as well as appearances with Jimmy Nabbie's Ink Spots.[2] Johnny Mason, Lamont Greenfield, John Bowie and Richie Merritt performed on the PBS special Doo Wop 51 in May 2000, which received its first broadcast on the Pittsburgh channel WQED in August, followed by a national release in December.[43][44] Matthew McQuater died at the age of 73 in Dallas, TX, on 19 December 2000.[45] Johnny Mason filed for use of the trademark The Clovers in October 2001 (the case was abandoned in November 2002).[46] John Bowie had both of his legs amputated, and suffered a fatal heart attack in the fall of 2000.[47] Billy Mitchell, who had sung the lead on "Love Potion No. 9", died at the age of 71 in Washington, D.C., on 5 November 2002.[48] Richie Merritt left the group in 2002; his last performance was the VGHOF induction ceremony. David Warren departed soon after. Mason lead a group featuring former member of
Love Potion No. 9 (alternative version)
They recorded two versions of "Love Potion No. 9" for United Artists. The version chosen for the US album Love Potion No. 9 (released 1960 on United Artists and containing different tracks to the later UK Pickwick release with a similar name) has a different ending to the single version that charted.[51] The final verse states:
"I had so much fun that I'm goin' back again... I wonder what'll happen with Love Potion No. 10"
The alternative version is also included on the soundtrack release of the movie American Graffiti.
Another one of their songs, "One Mint Julep", was featured in the movie Carol.
Awards and recognition
- 1989 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award.[52]
- 1991 United in Group Harmony (UGHA) Hall of Fame.[2]
- 2002 Vocal Group Hall of Fame.[53]
- 2003 Doo Wop Hall of Fame.[54]
- 2013 R&B Music Hall of Fame 2013 class.
Discography
Chart singles
Year | Single (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
Chart Positions | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US Pop[55] | US R&B[56] | |||
1951 | "Don't You Know I Love You" b/w "Skylark" (Non-album track) |
- | 1 | The Clovers |
"Fool, Fool, Fool" b/w "Needless" (Non-album track) |
- | 1 | Dance Party | |
1952 | "One Mint Julep" / | - | 2 | Their Greatest Recordings: The Early Years |
"Middle of the Night" | - | 3 | The Clovers | |
"Ting-A-Ling" / | - | 1 | ||
"Wonder Where My Baby's Gone" | - | 7 | Non-album track | |
"Hey, Miss Fannie" / | - | 2 | The Clovers | |
"I Played The Fool" | - | 3 | ||
1953 | "Crawlin'" b/w "Yes, It's You" |
- | 3 | |
"Good Lovin'" b/w "Here Goes A Fool" (from The Clovers) |
- | 2 | Their Greatest Recordings: The Early Years | |
"Comin' On" b/w "The Feeling Is So Good" |
- | 9 | Non-album tracks | |
1954 | "Lovey Dovey" / | - | 2 | The Clovers |
"Little Mama" | - | 4 | ||
"Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" / | - | 6 | Their Greatest Recordings: The Early Years | |
"I've Got My Eyes on You" | - | 7 | The Clovers | |
"All Righty Oh Sweetie" b/w "I Confess" |
- | - | Non-album tracks | |
1955 | "Blue Velvet" b/w "If You Love Me (Why Don't You Tell Me So)" (Non-album track) |
- | 14 | The Clovers |
"Love Bug" b/w "In The Morning Time" |
- | - | Dance Party | |
"Nip Sip" b/w "If I Could Be Loved By You" |
- | 10 | ||
1956 | "Devil Or Angel" / | - | 3 | The Clovers |
"Hey, Doll Baby" | - | 8 | Non-album track | |
"Love, Love, Love" b/w "Your Tender Lips" (from Dance Party) |
30 | 4 | The Clovers | |
"From The Bottom of My Heart" b/w "Bring Me Love" |
- | - | Non-album tracks | |
"A Lonely Fool" b/w "Baby Baby, Oh My Darling" |
- | - | ||
1957 | "Here Comes Romance" b/w "You Good Looking Woman" |
- | - | |
"I I I Love You" b/w "So Young" |
- | - | Dance Party | |
" Down in the Alley "b/w "There's No Tomorrow" |
- | - | ||
1958 | "Wishing For Your Love" b/w "All About You" |
- | - | |
"The Gossip Wheel" b/w "Please Come on To Me" |
- | - | Non-album tracks | |
"The Good Old Summertime" b/w "Idaho" |
- | - | ||
1959 | "Love Potion No. 9" b/w "Stay Awhile" |
23 | 23 | Love Potion No. 9 |
1960 | "Lovey" b/w "One Mint Julep" |
- | - | |
"Easy Lovin'" b/w "I'm Confessin' That I Love You" |
- | - | ||
"Burning Fire" b/w "Yes It's You" |
- | - | Non-album tracks | |
1961 | "Have Gun" b/w "The Honeydripper" |
- | - | |
"The Bootie Green" b/w "Drive It Home" |
- | - | ||
1963 | "One More Time (Come On)" b/w "Stop Pretending" |
- | - | |
1965 | "Poor Baby" b/w "He Sure Could Hypnotize" |
- | - | |
1968 | "For Days" b/w "Too Long Without Some Loving" |
- | - | |
"Try My Lovin' On You" b/w "Sweet Side of a Soulful Woman" |
- | - |
References
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-732-0. The Clovers p77.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Marv Goldberg R&B Notebooks - The Clovers Part 1" (Discoveries #113 October 1997). Retrieved 10 March 2013
- ^ "Jack Lowe Endler" - Washington Post Notice by Joe Holley. Published 6 May 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "Harmony Train - Interview - Harold Winley" (Recorded at The Apollo Theatre). Retrieved 17 March 2013
- )
- )
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 3 - The Tribal Drum: The rise of rhythm and blues. [Part 1]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ^ "Discogs - One Mint Julep/In the Middle of the Night". Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- )
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- ^ Atlantic Discography at JazzDisco. Date: April 1957. Arranger: Quincy Jones. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ISBN 0-340-71729-7. Discography p350.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-634-09978-6. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- )
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8108-8638-4. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
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- )
- )
- ISBN 978-0-89689-958-2. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ "Discogs - Shrine: The Rarest Soul Label". Retrieved 20 March 2013
- ISBN 978-0-634-09978-6. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Star News - North Carolina Newspaper (2 Dec 2004) - Harold Winley" The Ink Spots. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Interview with Steve Charles" The Herald - Article by Joe Pinchot. Published 2 January 2003. Retrieved 18 March 2013
- ^ "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Clovers". www.uncamarvy.com. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Discogs - Ripete: "Drive It Home (New Version)" - The Clovers". Retrieved 21 March 2013
- ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-85712-117-2. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
- ^ "Marv Goldberg R&B Notebooks - The Calvanes". Retrieved 30 March 2013
- ^ "Doo Wop 51 PBS Pledge Drive - WQED Pittsburgh - MTV News Article" - Published: 23 August 2000. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
- ^ "Doo Wop 51 PBS Pledge Drive - WQED Pittsburgh (Official Site)" Retrieved 30 March 2013
- ^ "Angelfire: The Top Ten Vocal Groups of the Golden ‘50s" - Retrieved 16 March 2013.
- ^ "Johnny Mason - The Clovers (Trademark)" Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ^ "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Bachelors". www.uncamarvy.com. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "Billy Mitchell" - Los Angeles Times Notice - 8 November 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "The Original Clovers featuring Harold Winley - Trademark Application" King Raymond Green - Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "JOHNNY MASON Obituary (2018) - Hyattsville, MD - The Washington Post". Legacy.com. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 14 - Big Rock Candy Mountain: Rock 'n' roll in the late fifties. [Part 4] : UNT Digital Library" (audio). Pop Chronicles. Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- ^ "Rhythm & Blues Pioneer Award 1989 - The Clovers" Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Vocal Group Hall of Fame 2002 - The Clovers Archived 1 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine" Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Doo Wopp Hall of Fame 2003 - The Clovers" Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1996). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995. Record Research. p. 85.
External links
- "When You Come Back To Me"/"Yes Sir That's My Baby" by the Clovers at Vocal Group Harmony
- "Blue Velvet" by The Clovers at Vocal Group Harmony
- Clovers Discography at Soulful Kinda Music
- The Clovers at Vocal Group Hall of Fame
- Chuck Battle Website
- Richie Merritt Website