Little Anthony and The Imperials | Artist
Little Anthony and The Imperials are an American doo-wop and soul vocal group formed 1958 in Brooklyn New York by Clarence Collins (baritone vocals), Ernest Wright (tenor vocals), Tracy Lord (tenor vocals), Glouster 'Nate' Rogers (bass vocals), and Jerome Anthony "Little Anthony" Gourdine (lead vocals). Over the group's extensive history, vocalists have come and gone, including Bobby Wade, Sammy Strain, and Johnny Britt, with "Little Anthony" still at the helm, well into his Eighties. The group was one of the very few doo-wop groups to enjoy sustained success on the R&B and pop charts throughout the 1960s. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, 23 years after the group's first year of eligibility for induction. After changing their name from "The Chesters" to "The Imperials", the group signed with End Records in 1958. Their first single was "Tears on My Pillow", which was an instant hit. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. When their success dwindled in 1961, Gourdine left to attempt a solo career. Original Imperials member Nate Rogers was drafted into the service and Tracey Lord left to get married. Gourdine returned in 1963, and the group's classic line-up – Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and Strain – was now complete. With the help of record producer/songwriter Teddy Randazzo the Imperials found success on the new DCP (Don Costa Productions) label with the dramatic pop-soul records "I'm on the Outside (Looking In)", "Goin' Out of My Head", "Hurt So Bad", "I Miss You So", "Take Me Back", "Hurt" , "Better Use Your Head", and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind". In 1965, the Imperials appeared on the CBS-TV special Murray The K – It's What's Happening, Baby, where they performed "I'm Alright" before a live audience in New York at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre. At the height of their career, they made two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the time television's top talent entertainment showcase, in March 1965, and again on January 1970. Despite their longevity, the group only recorded 13 studio albums, several of which dropped the "Little" from their credited name. Standouts include Goin' Out of My Head (1965), Payin' Our Dues (1967), Movie Grabbers (1968), Out of Sight, Out of Mind (1969), and Hold On (1975). The 1968 covers album Movie Grabbers, included a rendition of "You Only Live Twice", the James Bond motion picture theme. This song was originally recorded by The Imperials – expressly for the film and its soundtrack – but was later given instead to Nancy Sinatra for the film, due to her father Frank's greater influence. Over the decades, in a measure of their profound influence, several of The Imperials' hit songs have been covered by numerous other artists of many different musical genres.
Artist Website: littleanthonyandtheimperials.org
Featured Albums: Little Anthony and The Imperials
Related Artists: Anthony Gourdine, Anthony and The Imperials
