Citizendia
Your Ad Here

The Ink spots
Origin Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Genre(s) Vocal
Years active 1930s - 1960s
Label(s) Victor, Decca
Former members
Jerry Daniels, Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua, Ivory "Deek" Watson, Orville "Hoppy" Jones, Bernie Mackey, Billy Bowen, Cliff Givens, Herb Kenny

The Ink Spots were a popular black vocal group that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm & blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Vocal music is Music performed by one or more Singers with or without non-vocal instrumental accompaniment In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Victrola redirects here For other uses see Victrola (disambiguation The Victor Talking Machine Company ( 1901 – 1929 Decca Records is a British Record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based Rhythm and blues music which developed in African-American communities in the 1940s and which achieved mainstream popularity both in the 1950s They and the Mills Brothers, another black vocal group of the 1930s and 1940s, gained much acceptance in the white community. The Mills Brothers were a major African-American Jazz and pop vocal Quartet of the 20th century producing more than 2000 recordings that sold

Contents

Early years

The Ink Spots formed in the early 1930s in Indianapolis. The original members were :-

Orville "Hoppy" Jones (b. 17 February 1902, Chicago, Illinois - d. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori Year 1902 ( MCMII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. 18 October 1944, New York City) (bass) (Played bass guitar)
Ivory "Deek" Watson (b. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The City of New York 18 July 1909, Mounds, Illinois - d. Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Mounds is a city in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1117 in the 2000 census. 4 November 1969, Washington, DC) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D 14 December 1915 - 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 20 October 1910 - 21 December 1971, New Haven, Connecticut) (baritone) (Played guitar)

As "Jerry and Charlie", Daniels and Fuqua had formed a vocal duo performing in the Indianapolis area around 1931. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. About the same time, Jones and Watson were part of a quartet, "The Four Riff Brothers", who appeared regularly on radio station WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1933, that group disbanded, and Watson, Daniels and Fuqua got together to form a new vocal, instrumental and comedy group, which was initially called "King, Jack, and Jester". They continued to appear regularly on radio in Ohio, and became a foursome when Jones was added to the group the following year.

In July 1934 they accepted a booking at the Apollo Theater, New York, supporting Tiny Bradshaw. Myron ("Tiny" Bradshaw ( September 23 1905 &ndash November 26 1958) was an American Jazz and Rhythm and At that point they changed their name to "The 4 Ink Spots" at the request of bandleader Paul Whiteman, to avoid confusion with his vocal group "The King's Jesters". Paul Whiteman ( March 28, 1890 &ndash December 29, 1967) was an American orchestral Later that year, The Ink Spots achieved international success touring the UK with Jack Hylton's Orchestra, one review in the Melody Maker stating [1] :

"The sensation of the programme is the coloured quartette, the Four Ink Spots. Jack Hylton ( 2 July 1895 &ndash 29 January 1965) was a British Band leader and Impresario. Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly Music Newspaper They sing in a style something between the Mills Brothers and the Three Keys, and accompany themselves on three tenor guitars and a 'cello - which is not bowed, but picked and slapped like a double bass. The Mills Brothers were a major African-American Jazz and pop vocal Quartet of the 20th century producing more than 2000 recordings that sold Their natural instinct for hot rhythm is exemplified in their terrific single-string solo work and their beautifully balanced and exquisitely phrased vocalisms. They exploit all kinds of rhythmic vocalisms - straight solos, concerted, scat, and instrumental imitations. They even throw in a bit of dancing to conclude their act, and the leading guitarist simultaneously plays and juggles with his instrument. "

They first recorded for Victor Records in 1935, but although the group was growing rapidly in popularity their early record releases were not commercially successful. Victrola redirects here For other uses see Victrola (disambiguation The Victor Talking Machine Company ( 1901 – 1929 The following year Daniels left, and was replaced by Bill Kenny (b. 12 June 1914, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - d. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə 23 March 1978, Vancouver, British Columbia). Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Vancouver (vænˈkuːvɚ is a coastal Also in 1936, they appeared on the first NBC demonstration television programmes. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's

For the next two years, their popularity grew through radio programs and tours. After a series of unsuccessful recordings for Victor Records and Decca Records, they had their first smash hit with "If I Didn't Care", a song written by Jack Lawrence, on Decca, in 1939. Victrola redirects here For other uses see Victrola (disambiguation The Victor Talking Machine Company ( 1901 – 1929 Decca Records is a British Record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. " If I Didn't Care " is a song written by Jack Lawrence that was originally sung and recorded by The Ink Spots in 1939 For the artist see Jack Lawrence (artist, for the Irish Cricketer, see Jack Lawrence (cricketer Jack Lawrence (born They released such other Decca singles as "Address Unknown" (1939), "My Prayer" (1939), "When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano" (1940), "Whispering Grass" (1940), "Do I Worry" (1940), "Java Jive" (1940), "Shout, Brother, Shout" (1942), "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (1942), "I Can't Stand Losing You" (1943), "Cow-Cow Boogie" (1944 - with Ella Fitzgerald), "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall"/"I'm Making Believe" (1944 - both with Ella Fitzgerald), and "The Gypsy" (1946). Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. " The Gypsy " is a popular Song. It was written by Billy Reid, and published in 1945. Many of these records made # 1 on early versions of the US pop charts - "The Gypsy" was their biggest chart success, staying at the # 1 position for 13 weeks.

They also recorded for Grand Award Records (2 records in 1955, 1 in 1956-57 and 1 in 1958).

Splintering

Charlie Fuqua was drafted in 1944, and was replaced by Bernie Mackey. Hoppy Jones, an important personality to the group, died in late 1944, near the height of their popularity. Bill Kenny and Deek Watson then began feuding, leading to fragmentation in 1945, when Watson went on to form a group called the Brown Dots (which later became the 4 Tunes). The Brown Dots were initially formed in late 1944 when second tenor Ivory "Deek" Watson (b The Four Tunes (also referred to as The 4 Tunes) were a leading black pop Vocal quartet during the 1950s He later formed a host of offshoot Ink Spots groups in the 1950s and 1960s. His place was taken in the original group by Billy Bowen, and Jones' by Cliff Givens (who was replaced after a short time by Herb Kenny, Bill's brother). Mackey left at this time and was briefly replaced by Huey Long. Huey Long (born April 25, 1904) is an African American singer and Musician and the last living member of the original Ink Spots.

Charlie Fuqua was discharged in 1945 and returned to the group later that year, replacing Huey Long. This lineup recorded into the early 1950s, when Herb Kenny left and was replaced by Adriel McDonald. Bowen left the next year and was replaced by Teddy Williams. Ernie Brown substituted for Williams for a short time. Fuqua parted with the group and was replaced first by Jimmy Cannady, then by Everett Barksdale. Everett Barksdale (April 28 1910 Detroit, Michigan - January 29 1986 Inglewood California) was an American Jazz guitarist and Session Fuqua would lead a separate Ink Spots group in the future.

Around 1954, Brown and Barksdale both left, making the group Bill Kenny, Adriel McDonald, new member Henry Braswell, and an unknown fourth member. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) At this point the group split. Braswell was out and would never tour with any Ink Spots groups. Bill Kenny sang solo, with an instrumental backing band (consisting of the returning Everett Barksdale, Harry Prather, and Andrew Maze). They toured as "Bill Kenny and his Ink Spots" through 1953. Kenny performed with Joe Boatner's Ink Spots in the summer of 1962. The group's pianist at the time of the split was Fletcher Smith, he would later perform in Orlando Roberson's Ink Spots.

The only other link to the original group was Adriel McDonald. He continued touring with a new group: the returning Huey Long, Walter Springer, and Orlando Roberson. Henry Baxter later replaced Springer. In the late 1950s, Roberson and Long were out (both would perform with and lead other Ink Spots groups), and former Clover John "Buddy" Bailey and Abel De Costa were in. The Clovers are an American Rhythm & blues group History The group formed in 1946 at Armstrong High School in Washington D McDonald and De Costa became the group's only consistent members through the 1960s. Bob Williams replaced Bailey and Jimmy McLin replaced Baxter. Later both were out, and William "Frosty" Pyles and former Raven Joe Van Loan were in. The Ravens were an R&B vocal group They were formed in 1945 by Jimmy Ricks and Warren Suttles. Then these two were replaced by Richard Lanham (later Grant Kitchlings) and Matt McKinney.

At this point, McDonald fell ill and the group split. [2] McDonald did not tour further with any Ink Spots groups. De Costa joined Bernie Mackey's group (which had already existed for some time). McKinney joined Bob Williams Ink Spots (new at this time). Kitchlings would join Mackey's group (at a later date than De Costa). Note, however, that several other members that had left the group at earlier times, notably Charlie Fuqua and Deek Watson, had started their own Ink Spots groups by this time.

Legitimate members of the Victor and Decca group included Jerry Daniels, Bill Kenny, Deek Watson, Charlie Fuqua, Hoppy Jones, Bernie Mackey, Huey Long, Cliff Givens, Billy Bowen, Herb Kenny, Adriel McDonald, Ernie Brown, Teddy Williams, Jimmy Cannady, Bob Benson, Asa "Ace" Harris, Bill Doggett, Ray Tunia, Harold Francis, Fletcher Smith, Henry Braswell, and Everett Barksdale. Bill Doggett ( February 16, 1916 &ndash November 13, 1996) was an American Jazz and Rhythm and blues Pianist As far as is known, these are the only singers and accompanists who deserve to be called "original" Ink Spots (that is, those who were in the group that recorded for Victor and Decca), although dozens, possibly hundreds, of others have claimed that honor over the decades. Some singers have tenuous ties to Deek Watson's or Charlie Fuqua's offshoot groups; many, with no credentials whatever, just claim to be "original" members. As far as is known, the only surviving member of the Decca group in 2008 was Huey Long, who turned 104 in April of that year. Long is currently living in a Houston Heights-area nursing home in Houston, TX.

The Ink Spots were the subject of a 1998 book by Marv Goldberg: "More Than Words Can Say: The Ink Spots And Their Music". Marv Goldberg (born 1944 is a Writer and music historian in the field of Rhythm & blues (R&B The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor what they term "the Greatest Vocal Groups in the World" The Ink Spots were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as influences, in 1989; this induction consisted of Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, and Hoppy Jones.

Music

The Ink Spots use the same line of notes on the beginning of each song.

In popular culture

References


External links

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic