Song:The Things I Love
Album:The Doo Wop Box II
Here is yet another obscure doo wop classic from Rhino's 4CD Doo Wop Box II. This 1958 version of the Harry James hit The Things I Love was their one chart hit. The Fidelitys were from Albany, NY. Bass Earl Thorpe formed the group upon moving to Albany from Jacksonville, FL in 1956. Thorpe's cousin Emmitt Smith was lead, Clarence Carter & Robert McCann were tenors and Arthur Morning was baritone. They were originally called The Mellow-Tones but changed their name when Maurice Newton came from Jacksonville to replace Carter. A trip to the amateur showcase at the Apollo in New York got the attention of Apollo bandleader Reuben Phillips. He agreed to manage them and got them an audition with Baton Records owner Sol Rabinowitz. Baton was the home of the popular doo wop group The Revileers. The Fidelitys signed and The Things I Love was their debut single. It reached #60 on the singles charts. If you think it sounds like The Platters, that wasn't an accident. The Platters were one of the hottest groups at that time. Despite regular appearances at the Apollo, The Fidelitys subsequent singles didn't chart. Rabinowitz closed Baton and started a new label with Morty Craft called SIR Records. The Fidelitys continued to record but never could duplicate the success of The Things I Love. The Fidelitys have reformed in recent years touring the oldies circuit. There's no performace footage but here's a video of The Things I Love by The Fidelitys.
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