John1948ThreeA's video: The Clovers - Love Potion No 9

The Clovers source: harmonytrain.com R&B, Doo-wop, Rock and Roll, Pop Vocal Principal Members: * John "Buddy" Bailey - lead vocals (tenor) * Billy Mitchell - lead vocals (tenor) * Harold "Hal" Lucas, Jr. - vocals (tenor / baritone) * Harold Winley - vocals (bass) * Bill Harris - guitar Contributions to music: * The most popular R&B vocal group of the early Fifties * The first to introduce raw R&B to vocal groups, inspiring the birth of doo wop * A major influence on all early rockers * Responsible for the original versions of "Love Potion ," "Devil Or Angel," and "One Mint Julep," among others * The first act to put Atlantic Records on the map as a major R&B label * The first vocal group to include a saxophone in their songs * The first vocal group to utilize twin lead tenors The Clovers began as a four-piece group of students at Washington, DC's Armstrong High School who covered pop standards in the manner of their heroes, the Ink Spots. Soon, however, the group that was then known as the "Four Clovers" (in order to bring them luck) were suggested to the fledgling Atlantic Records by Washington record store owner "Waxie Maxie" Silverman, and label head Ahmet Ertegun put them to work on original R&B songs, inspired by the success of the early Dominoes -- in fact, the Clovers were the first to cover one of Ahmet's tunes. That song was "Don't You Know I Love You," which went straight to Number One in 1951, putting the label on the map. With a steady succession of bawdy, comic singles (the formula that would work so well later on the pop charts with Coasters, but considerably dirtier), the Clovers racked up an incredible 19 top ten hits through 1956. In 1954 they were one of the acts on DJ Alan Freed's original "Moondog Coronation Ball," his first big event and, some say, the true birth of the rock and roll movement. Bailey and Lucas (later Mitchell) served as the group's twin lead tenors, with occasional leads by Charlie White. By 1956 they'd had a few pop hits, and the rock and roll trend was in full swing. But the group was too raw for the pop charts, and Atlantic still hadn't figured out how to cross over, so the group was signed to United Artists to work with Lieber-Stoller, who provided them with "Love Potion ." But by 1961, the decade-old group, not well-versed in gospel, had trouble adjusting to the sounds of soul -- and though they soldiered on through the end of the decade, their glory days were over. Today the sole surviving member, Harold Winley, leads a Clovers revival group that tours the country. Other facts: Top 10 hits (R&B): "One Mint Julep" (1952) "Middle Of The Night" (1952) "Wonder Where My Baby's Gone" (1952) "Hey, Miss Fannie" (1952) "I Played The Fool" (1952) "Crawlin'" (1953) "Here Goes A Fool" (1953) "Good Lovin'" (1953) "Comin' On" (1953) "Lovey Dovey" (1954) "Little Mama" (1954) "I've Got My Eyes On You" (1954) "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" (1954) "Nip Sip" (1955) "Devil Or Angel" (1955) "Hey Doll Baby" (1955) "Love, Love, Love" (1956) PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: http://john1948.wikifoundry.com/page/John1948%27s+Youtube+Index