The Solitaires
Encyclopedia
The Solitaires are an American
doo wop group
, best remembered for their 1957 hit single
, "Walking Along
".
Formed in Harlem
in 1953, the band consisted of Herman Curtis, Buzzy Willis and Pat Gaston (who had previously been together in another group, The Crows
), and Monte Owens, Bobby Baylor and Bobby Williams (formerly of The Mello-Moods
). They were signed to the Old Town record label
, from which they issued a series of singles
. These included "Wonder Why", "Blue Valentine", and a cover version
of the jazz standard
, "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
", all released in 1954.
When Curtis (who was lead singer) left the group in 1955, he was replaced by Milton Love (formerly of the Concords), and it was with Love that the Solitaires enjoyed their greatest success. A string of hits throughout the latter part of the 1950s included "The Wedding" (1955), "The Angels Sang" (1956), and "Walking Along
" (1957), which was later recorded by The Diamonds
. The group released their final single in 1961, before disbanding.
Various Solitaires line-ups have toured since 1961, and continue to do so to the present day. Currently, the group is made up of Milton Love, Freddy Barksdale, George Magnezid and Robbie Mansfield.
Monte Owens died on March 3, 2011 in the Bronx
, New York
, after illness, at the age of 74.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
doo wop group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, best remembered for their 1957 hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Walking Along
Walking Along
"Walking Along" is a 1957 doo wop song written by Sam Weiss and Winston Willis. The song was recorded by The Solitaires and gave the group its biggest selling and best remembered hit on the Billboard Charts. A version was also recorded by The Diamonds in 1958, reaching the charts on 27 October of...
".
Formed in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
in 1953, the band consisted of Herman Curtis, Buzzy Willis and Pat Gaston (who had previously been together in another group, The Crows
The Crows
The Crows were an American R & B singing group who achieved commercial success in the 1950s. The group's first single and only major hit, "Gee", released in June 1953, has been credited with being the first Rock n’ Roll hit by a rock and roll group...
), and Monte Owens, Bobby Baylor and Bobby Williams (formerly of The Mello-Moods
The Mello-Moods
The Mello-Moods were an American R&B musical ensemble, operating from the late 1940s to mid-1950s.Their members were Ray "Buddy" Wooten, Bobby Williams, Monteith P. "Monte" Owens, Alvin "Bobby" Baylor and Jimmy Bethea. Composed of teenagers, the group's music was nonetheless focused on an adult...
). They were signed to the Old Town record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, from which they issued a series of singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
. These included "Wonder Why", "Blue Valentine", and a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the jazz standard
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
, "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
"I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You" is a 1932 song composed by Victor Young, with lyrics written by Ned Washington and Bing Crosby, recorded on October 14, 1932 by Bing Crosby in New York. Bing Crosby was accompanied by the ARC Brunswick Studio Orchestra with Lennie Hayton on piano. Two...
", all released in 1954.
When Curtis (who was lead singer) left the group in 1955, he was replaced by Milton Love (formerly of the Concords), and it was with Love that the Solitaires enjoyed their greatest success. A string of hits throughout the latter part of the 1950s included "The Wedding" (1955), "The Angels Sang" (1956), and "Walking Along
Walking Along
"Walking Along" is a 1957 doo wop song written by Sam Weiss and Winston Willis. The song was recorded by The Solitaires and gave the group its biggest selling and best remembered hit on the Billboard Charts. A version was also recorded by The Diamonds in 1958, reaching the charts on 27 October of...
" (1957), which was later recorded by The Diamonds
The Diamonds
The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet who rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with sixteen Billboard hit records. The original members were Dave Somerville , Ted Kowalski , Phil Levitt , and Bill Reed .-1950s:...
. The group released their final single in 1961, before disbanding.
Various Solitaires line-ups have toured since 1961, and continue to do so to the present day. Currently, the group is made up of Milton Love, Freddy Barksdale, George Magnezid and Robbie Mansfield.
Monte Owens died on March 3, 2011 in the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, after illness, at the age of 74.