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Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Cleftones

The Cleftones biggest hit was "Heart and Sooul" (Gee, 1961)The Cleftones biggest hit was "Heart and Soul". (Gee, 1961)

By | December 22, 2011
Formed in Queens, New York in 1955, the Cleftones were Founding Fathers whose exuberant mix of doo-wop and rock and roll made them East Coast favorites and, for a time, national stars. Let's Sing the Story of the Cleftones Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Otis Clay

otis clay 385 cropped

By | December 21, 2011
A Founding Father of R&B who is still performing, Otis Clay's best known for his soulful songs of the '60s and '70s. Tell Me More About Otis Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Mothers: Judy Clay

Billy Vera and Judy Clay - "Country Girl, City Man" (Atlantic, 1968)Billy Vera and Judy Clay - "Country Girl, City Man" (Atlantic, 1968)

By | December 20, 2011
Judy Clay was a Founding Mother who recorded a number of quality hits during the 1960s and '70s, including a great one with Billy Vera. Tell Me Her Story Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Mothers: Chris Clark

Chris Clark - "Do Right Baby Do Right" (VIP, 1965)Chris Clark - "Do Right Baby Do Right" (VIP, 1965)

By | December 19, 2011
Founding Mother Chris Clark started at Motown working as a receptionist and left the label a vice-president. In between, she recorded some highly acclaimed sides for the label's VIP, Tamla and Weed imprints. Tell Me More About Her Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Jimmy Clanton

Jimmy Clanton - "Just A Dream" (Ace, 1958)Jimmy Clanton - "Just a Dream" (Ace, 1958)

By | December 18, 2011
Born in Louisiana, Jimmy Clanton is a Founding Father of rock and roll, a teen idol and a swamp pop R&B star of the 1950s and '60s. Tell Me About Jimmy Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Eugene Church

A UK Release of Eugene Church's "Miami" (London UK, 1959)A UK Release of Eugene Church's "Miami" (London UK, 1959)

By | December 17, 2011
A Founding Father whose sound was, at times, similar to the Coasters, Eugene Church was a resident of the R&B charts during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Let's Go to Church Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Chords And “Sh-Boom”

The Chords - "Sh-Boom" (Cat, 1954)The Chords - "Sh-Boom" (Cat, 1954)

By | December 16, 2011
Brothers Carl and Claude Feaster and their friends Jimmy Keyes, Floyd McRae, William Edwards and Rupert Branker came from different groups to form the Chords in the Bronx in the early '50s. When these Founding Fathers of rock and roll signed to… Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Chips And “Rubber Biscuit”

The Chips - Rubber Biscuit (Josie, 1956)The Chips - Rubber Biscuit (Josie, 1956)

By | December 15, 2011
The Chips were a short-lived group from Brooklyn who, but for the grace of the Blues Brothers, might not be known to the masses. Tell Me About the Chips Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The (Brooklyn) Chimes And “Once In A While”

The Chimes - Once In Awhile (London UK, 1961)The Chimes - Once in a While (London UK, 1961)

By | December 14, 2011
Born in Brooklyn in 1959, the Chimes were a classic quintet who produced a handful of great vocal sides during the early 1960s. Ring the Chimes Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Bobby Charles

There's Very Little Footage of Bobby Charles Performing, Save For This Outtake from "The Last Waltz" (YouTube)There's Very Little Footage of Bobby Charles Performing, Save for This Outtake From "The Last Waltz" (YouTube)

By | December 13, 2011
A celebrated Founding Father of the genre known as "Swamp Pop," Bobby Charles was fifteen years old when he first heard Fats Domino. From that moment on, his die was cast. Tell Me His Story Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Billy Lee Riley

Billy Lee Riley - "Trouble Bound" (Sun, 1956)Billy Lee Riley - "Trouble Bound" (Sun, 1956)

By | December 12, 2011
Born the son of a sharecropper in Pocahontas, Arkansas, Billy Lee Riley was a Founding Father of rock and roll. Tell Me About Him Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Change

Change - "A Lover's Holiday" (Atlantic, 1980)Change - "A Lover's Holiday" (Atlantic, 1980)

By | December 10, 2011
Built from Italian and American parts, Change were an influential act that spun a million-selling single and found plenty of love in the clubs during the early '80's. Let's Make a Change Read more »
Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Chanters

The Chanters - "No No No" (Deluxe, 1961)The Chanters - "No No No" (Deluxe, 1961)

By | December 9, 2011
Like the Channels, their New York City brethren whom we profiled earlier today (Founding Fathers), the Chanters didn't experience widespread national success during the active career in the late 1950s. But, half-a-century later, they're… Read more »