Song:Deserie
Album:History of Rock: The Doo Wop Era Part 1
The 1957 single Deserie was a top five R&B hit and the only chart single for The Charts. Like many doo wop groups, The Charts sang in the streets of Harlem. At first they were called The Thrilltones with Joe Grier (lead), Stephen Brown (first tenor), Glenmore Jackson (second tenor), Leroy Binns (baritone) and Ross Buford (bass). They went to high school together. Les Cooper, a former member of The Empires, became their manager. He liked them but he didn't like the group name. He changed it to The Charts. Cooper took them to Danny Robinson who owned an electronics store in Harlem. He was the brother of record store and label owner Bobby Robinson. So of course Danny wanted to start his own label Everlast. Deserie was the first single. It reached #3 on the R&B Singles chart. Though Grier claims he wrote the song, it was credited to Cooper and Robinson's partner Clarence Johnson. The Charts went on tour and released a few more singles. But Deserie was their only chart hit. You can get it on this Collectables various artists budget comp. After Grier was drafted into the military in 1958, Brown and Binns kept The Charts going. They performed regularly and released occasional singles until they disbanded in 1970. Like many doo wop groups, The Charts reformed to tour the oldies circuit in the 80s. Grier returned to lead them in 1985. They appeared on the 2002 PBS special Red, White and Rock. Here's a video for Deserie by The Charts.
No comments:
Post a Comment