The Swallows
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2016) |
The Swallows | |
---|---|
Also known as | The Oakaleers |
Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
Genres | R&B |
Years active | 1946 | –Present
Members |
|
Past members |
|
The Swallows were an American R&B group.[1] They are best known for their 1951 recording of "Will You Be Mine", which appeared in the US Billboard R&B chart.[2]
History
Founded in
The Swallows' recording of "Will You Be Mine" was released in 1951, and was one of the first doo-wop hits. "Will You Be Mine" reached a peak position of Number 9 on the US Billboard R&B chart. In 1952, the Swallows released "Beside You", which became their second national hit, peaking at Number 10 on the Billboard R&B chart. More single releases failed to reach these successes, however "It Ain't the Meat (It's the Motion)," the raunchy B-side of their third single, was a big seller in Georgia and the Carolinas.[2] Eddie Rich noted of the song, "[Although] everybody liked it everywhere… you couldn't play it. The[y] blackballed us on that."[3] By 1953, their style was sounding dated and was being usurped by newer arrivals such as The Drifters and The Clovers.[1] They left their original label, King Records and recorded for the After Hours label in 1954. Personnel changes followed, but when their recording of "Itchy Twitchy Feeling" was out-muscled by the Bobby Hendricks' version, the group disbanded.[1]
Herman "Junior" Denby died on July 14, 2013, in West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio, from pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease. He was aged 82.[4]
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
- ^ a b c Bryan Thomas. "The Swallows | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "10 Often-Censored Songs From the Early '50s | REBEAT Magazine". Rebeatmag.com. September 4, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ Doc Rock. "July to December". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
Other sources
- Schaaf, Elizabeth. "The Storm Is Passing Over". Peabody Institute. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- "Biography". The Swallows. Doo Wop Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 19, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2008.