The Willows (group)
The Willows | |
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Background information | |
Genres | |
Years active | c. 1952–1965, 1973, 1983-1989, 1998-present |
The Willows are an American
History
Before the Willows, the group was known as the Dovers, which originally built a reputation in Harlem nightclubs and by practicing with other Harlem doo wop acts like
Record producer Peter Doraine spectated at one of the Dovers gigs, offered the group his services as manager, and change their name to the Five Willows to record the group's debut single, "Please Baby", for his PeeDee label. Soon after Doraine partnered his company with Victor Allen to form Allen Records, and record the Five Willows' follow-up "My Dear Dearest Darling" in late 1953.[1][4] Even though it was a regional hit in Harlem and Los Angeles, the group's subsequent offerings on the label did not fare as well and by early 1954 Allen Records had dissolved.[1] In June 1954, the Five Willows signed with Herald Records; however, after two unsuccessful singles, the group was cut from the roster the next year.[5]
Spending all of 1955 performing, the Willows (according to music journalist Patrick Prince "they had dropped the 'Five' after Joe had overslept and missed a matinee show during an Apollo engagement") closed the year by signing with Morty Craft's newly established Melba Records.
In April 1956, the Willows appeared at the
References
- ^ a b c d Marion, J.C. "The Willows and Tony Middleton". home.earthlink.net. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-634-09978-6.
the willows doo wop.
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "The Willows - Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ "The Five Willows aka The Willows". doowop.org. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Prince, Patrick (6 April 2010). "Obituary: Ralph Martin, original member of the Willows". goldminemag.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ "Church Bells May Ring by The Willows". dailydoowop.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.