Formed:
Genres:
Principal Members:
- John "Buddy" Bailey (born December 27, 1931, in Washington, DC; died February 1994, Washington, DC): lead vocals (tenor)
- Billy Mitchell (born Washington, CD; died December 19, 2002, Washington, DC): lead vocals (tenor)
- Harold "Hal" Lucas, Jr. (born 1923, Washington, DC; died January 6, 1994, Washington, DC): vocals (tenor / baritone)
- Harold Winley (born, May 13, 1933, Washington, DC): vocals (second tenor)
- Matthew McQuater (born 1924, Washington, DC; died November 6, 2002, Washington, DC): vocals (bass)
- Bill Harris (born April 14, 1925, Nashville, TN; died December 10, 1988, Washington, DC): guitar
Contributions to music:
- The most popular R&B vocal group of the early Fifties
- The first to introduce raw R&B to vocal groups, inspiring the birth of doo wop
- A major influence on all early rockers
- Responsible for the original versions of "Love Potion #9," "Devil Or Angel," and "One Mint Julep," among others
- The first act to put Atlantic Records on the map as a major R&B label
- The first vocal group to include a saxophone in their songs
- The first vocal group to utilize twin lead tenors
Early years:
Success:
Later years:
Other facts:
- Other members included Charles White (born 1930, Washington, DC): lead vocals (tenor); Billy Shelton, Thomas Woods
- In his 1974 hit "The Joker," Steve Miller quotes the "really love your peaches" line from the Clovers' "Lovey Dovey"
- Ray Charles had his first hit for ABC-Paramount with a jazzy instrumental version of "One Mint Julep"
- "Devil Or Angel" was an unsolicited demo mailed in from an unknown songwriter who never had another hit
- The sax solo in "Don't You Know I Love You," the first in the genre, was only included because the sax player insisted on being paid for being at the session
Awards/Honors:
- Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2002)
- Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award (1998)
Recorded work:
R&B:
"Don't You Know I Love You" (1951)
"Fool, Fool, Fool" (1951)
"Ting-A-Ling" (1952)
Top 10 hits:
R&B:
"One Mint Julep" (1952)
"Middle Of The Night" (1952)
"Wonder Where My Baby's Gone" (1952)
"Hey, Miss Fannie" (1952)
"I Played The Fool" (1952)
"Crawlin'" (1953)
"Here Goes A Fool" (1953)
"Good Lovin'" (1953)
"Comin' On" (1953)
"Lovey Dovey" (1954)
"Little Mama" (1954)
"I've Got My Eyes On You" (1954)
"Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" (1954)
"Nip Sip" (1955)
"Devil Or Angel" (1955)
"Hey Doll Baby" (1955)
"Love, Love, Love" (1956)
Other important recordings: "Skylark," "Needless," "Yes, It's You," "The Feeling Is So Good," "I Confess," "Alrighty Oh Sweetie," "Blue Velvet," "If You Love Me," "Love Bug," "In The Morning Time," "If I Could Be Loved By You," "Hey Doll Baby," "Love, Love, Love," "Your Tender Lips," "From The Bottom Of My Heart," "Bring Me Love," "Baby Baby, Oh My Darling," "A Lonely Fool," "Here Comes Romance," "You Good Looking Woman," "I I I Love You," "So Young," "Down In The Valley," "There's No Tomorrow," "Wishing For Your Love," "All About You," "The Gossip Wheel," "Please Come On To Me," "The Good Old Summertime," "Idaho," "Old Black Magic," "Rock And Roll Tango," "Love Potion #9," "Stay Awhile," "One Mint Julep," "Lovey," "Easy Lovin'," "I'm Confessin' That I Love You," "Yes It's You," "Burning Fire," "Have Gun," "The Honeydripper," "Wrapped Up In A Dream," "Let Me Hold You," "The Bootie Green"
Covered by: Elvis Presley, Steve Miller, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas, Bobby Vee, The Searchers, Ray Charles
Appears in the movies: "Rock 'n' Roll Revue" (1955), "Basin Street Revue" (1956)
