The Harptones
Biography
Despite their failure to achieve the commercial success of rivals like the Drifters, the Flamingos, or the Clovers, the Harptones demand consideration in any serious discussion of the truly immortal acts of the doo wop era. Although none of their singles cracked the Top 40, efforts like "A Sunday Kind of Love," "Life Is But a Dream," and "Memories of You" remain classics of the genre, distinguished by their rich harmonies and sophisticated, jazz-inspired arrangements. The Harptones' origins date to 1951 and the grounds of Harlem's Wadleigh Junior High School, where classmates William Dempsey, Curtis Cherebin, and Freddy Taylor began harmonizing as the Skylarks. Following the additions of Eugene "Sonny" Cooke and a classmate remembered only by the nickname "Skillum," the fledgling group made its professional debut via the Apollo Theatre's famed Amateur Talent Contest, performing a rendition of "My Dear Dearest Darling" that ended in the audience literally booing them off the stage. After a series of lineup shuffles, the Skylarks welcomed William "Dicey" Galloway, who concurrently served as a member of another fledgling Harlem doo wop unit, the Winfield Brothers. In early 1953, alumni of both groups combined as the Harps. Comprising tenor Dempsey, baritone Galloway, lead tenor Willie Winfield, first tenor Claudie "Nicky" Clark, bass Billy Brown, and pianist/arranger Raoul Cita, the Harps returned to the Apollo in November 1953 and earned top honors with their soulful rendition of the Louis Prima composition "A Sunday Kind of Love." Even more significantly, at the end of the evening an MGM Records executive in the audience invited the group to audition at the label's 1650 Broadway studio. . Despite their failure to achieve the commercial success of rivals like the Drifters, the Flamingos, or the Clovers, the Harptones demand consideration in any serious discussion of the truly immortal acts of the doo wop era. Although none of their singles cracked the Top 40, efforts like "A Sunday Kind of Love," "Life Is But a Dream," and "Memories of You" remain classics of the genre, distinguished by their rich harmonies and sophisticated, jazz-inspired arrangements. The Harptones' origins date to 1951 and the grounds of Harlem's Wadleigh Junior High School, where classmates William Dempsey, Curtis Cherebin, and Freddy Taylor began harmonizing as the Skylarks. Following the additions of Eugene "Sonny" Cooke and a classmate remembered only by the nickname "Skillum," the fledgling group made its professional debut via the Apollo Theatre's famed Amateur Talent Contest, performing a rendition of "My Dear Dearest Darling" that ended in the audience literally booing them off the stage. After a series of lineup shuffles, the Skylarks welcomed William "Dicey" Galloway, who concurrently served as a member of another fledgling Harlem doo wop unit, the Winfield Brothers. In early 1953, alumni of both groups combined as the Harps. Comprising tenor Dempsey, baritone Galloway, lead tenor Willie Winfield, first tenor Claudie "Nicky" Clark, bass Billy Brown, and pianist/arranger Raoul Cita, the Harps returned to the Apollo in November 1953 and earned top honors with their soulful rendition of the Louis Prima composition "A Sunday Kind of Love." Even more significantly, at the end of the evening an MGM Records executive in the audience invited the group to audition at the label's 1650 Broadway studio.
Top Albums |
1. Life Is But ..
| 2. Collector's ..
| 3. Echoes of a ..
| 4. Golden Oldie..
| 5. Warwick Coll..
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6. Collector's ..
| 7. Love Needs
| 8. Sunday Kind ..
| 9. Life Is But ..
| 10. Their Studio..
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11. Sunset / I G..
| 12. Doo-Wop Clas..
| 13. Doo-Wop Clas..
| 14. Doo-Wop Clas..
| 15. Doo-Wop Clas..
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16. Doo-Wop Clas..
| 17. Sunday Kind ..
| 18. A Sunday kin..
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Top Songs |
| Name | Album | Time | Price | |
1. | On a Sunday Afternoon | Top 100 Classics - The Very.. | 2:32 | $0.69 | |
2. | (My Success) It All Depends On You | Top 100 Classics - The Very.. | 2:37 | $0.69 | |
3. | I'll Never Tell | Top 100 Classics - The Very.. | 3:09 | $0.69 | |
4. | Life Is But a Dream | Top 100 Classics - The Very.. | 2:42 | $0.69 | |
5. | What Is Your Decision | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 2) | 3:05 | $0.99 | |
6. | When Your Love Has Said Goodbye | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 2) | 3:16 | $0.99 | |
7. | My Memories of You | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 2) | 3:13 | $0.99 | |
8. | Let's Grow Our Love | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 5) | 4:23 | $0.99 | |
9. | I'll Never Tell | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 5) | 3:04 | $0.99 | |
10. | Gee Whiz | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 5) | 2:35 | $0.99 | |
11. | I Gotta Have Your Love | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 5) | 2:57 | $0.99 | |
12. | Until the Real Thing Comes Along | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 5) | 2:07 | $0.99 | |
13. | If I Give My Heart To You | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 4) | 3:02 | $0.99 | |
14. | Love Needs a Heart | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 4) | 3:41 | $0.99 | |
15. | We Are In Love | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 4) | 2:52 | $0.99 | |
16. | Since I Fell For You | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 4) | 2:21 | $0.99 | |
17. | Masquerade Is Over | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 4) | 2:59 | $0.99 | |
18. | My One and Only Love | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 4) | 2:48 | $0.99 | |
19. | Sunset | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 3) | 2:32 | $0.99 | |
20. | Life Is But a Dream | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 3) | 2:40 | $0.99 | |
21. | Cry Like I Cried | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 3) | 2:09 | $0.99 | |
22. | On Sunday Afternoon | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 3) | 2:35 | $0.99 | |
23. | That's What I Need | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 3) | 3:10 | $0.99 | |
24. | Laughing On the Outside | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 3) | 2:27 | $0.99 | |
25. | Shrine of St. Cecilia | Doo-Wop Classics (Volume 1) | 2:55 | $0.99 | |