Song:Up On The Mountain
Album:Rock 'N Roll Relix: 1965-1959
Up On The Mountain was a top ten R&B hit in 1956. It was the only big hit for the doo wop group The Magnificents. They were called The Tams when they were formed at Hyde Park High School in Chicago in 1953. The lead singer was Johnny Keyes and the other members were Thurman "Ray" Ramsey, Fred Rakestraw and bass Willie Myles. The name was because they wore Tam-O-Shanters on stage. They performed at school shows. One day they were spotted by WAAF DJ Nathaniel Montague who called himself The Magnificent Montague. He decided to manage them and change their name to The Magnificents. He took them to Vee-Jay Records. Montague wrote Up On The Mountain with Vee-Jay staff songwriter Ewart Abner. The record was produced by Calvin Carter, brother of Vee-Jay co-owner Vivian Carter. Up On The Mountain reached #9 on the R&B Singles chart. Vee-Jay also used The Magnificents to back up other artists. Subsequent singles did not do well. You can get Up On The Mountain on this various artists budget box set. No doubt influenced by The Platters, Montague brought in Barbara Arrington. Ramsey left and was replaced by Sam Cooke's brother L.C. Cooke. Eventually only Keyes and Rakestraw were left. They left Vee-Jay and Montague and moved to Philadelphia. They continued to perform and record occasionally until Keyes became Isaac Hayes' road manager. Ramsey formed a new version of The Magnificents in 1965. Keyes revived the group in the 90s to work the oldies circuit. They also toured with Harvey Fuqua as The Moonglows. It's not clear if they are still around. Here's a video for Up On The Mountain by The Magnificents.
No comments:
Post a Comment