Music >> Artists >> R&B/Soul
Genre:
R&B/Soul

Years Active:
'50s, '60s






The Solitaires

Biography

Best remembered for their hit "Walking Along," Harlem doo wop group the Solitaires was formed in 1953 by ex-Vocaleer Herman Curtis in tandem with tenor Buzzy Willis and bass Pat Gaston, who together previously teamed in the Crows. Three former members of the Mello-Moods — tenor Monte Owens, baritone Bobby Baylor, and pianist Bobby Williams — completed the founding lineup, which soon signed with the Old Town label to issue a series of lushly atmospheric local hits including "Wonder Why," "Blue Valentine," and a cover of Bing Crosby's "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You." With Curtis' 1955 exit, new lead Milton Love (formerly of the Concords) steered the Solitaires to greater success with "The Wedding," followed in 1956 by the lovely "The Angels Sang"; a year later "Walking Along" became the group's biggest hit. Personnel changes consistently plagued the Solitaires in the years to follow, however, and over time the group's uniquely romantic approach was supplanted by a sound clearly influenced by the Coasters; in the wake of their final recordings from 1961, the current roster disbanded, with Willis later working for labels including RCA and MGM. Various Solitaires lineups toured the oldies circuit in the decades to come. . Best remembered for their hit "Walking Along," Harlem doo wop group the Solitaires was formed in 1953 by ex-Vocaleer Herman Curtis in tandem with tenor Buzzy Willis and bass Pat Gaston, who together previously teamed in the Crows. Three former members of the Mello-Moods — tenor Monte Owens, baritone Bobby Baylor, and pianist Bobby Williams — completed the founding lineup, which soon signed with the Old Town label to issue a series of lushly atmospheric local hits including "Wonder Why," "Blue Valentine," and a cover of Bing Crosby's "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You." With Curtis' 1955 exit, new lead Milton Love (formerly of the Concords) steered the Solitaires to greater success with "The Wedding," followed in 1956 by the lovely "The Angels Sang"; a year later "Walking Along" became the group's biggest hit. Personnel changes consistently plagued the Solitaires in the years to follow, however, and over time the group's uniquely romantic approach was supplanted by a sound clearly influenced by the Coasters; in the wake of their final recordings from 1961, the current roster disbanded, with Willis later working for labels including RCA and MGM. Various Solitaires lineups toured the oldies circuit in the decades to come.

Top Albums

Walking Along - The Best of the Solitaires, The Solitaires
1. Walking Alon..
Doo Wop Classics, The Solitaires
2. Doo Wop Clas..
Walking Along, The Solitaires
3. Walking Alon..
The Classic Old Town Recordings, The Solitaires
4. The Classic ..
The Solitaires Meet the Wrens Doo Wop, Vol. 1, The Solitaires
5. The Solitair..
Embraceable You, The Solitaires
6. Embraceable ..
The Dubs Meet the Solitaires Doo Wop, The Dubs
7. The Dubs Mee..
The Solitaires Meet the Wrens Doo Wop, Vol. 2, The Solitaires
8. The Solitair..
The Final Chapter, The Solitaires
9. The Final Ch..

Top Songs

NameAlbumTimePrice
1.
Girl of MineTop 100 Classics - The Very..2:44$0.69
2.
Walkin' and Talkin'Top 100 Classics - The Very..2:40$0.69
3.
Angels SangTop 100 Classics - The Very..2:15$0.69
4.
Listen Listen Baby (Unreleased)Final Chapter3:06$0.99
5.
What Did She SayFinal Chapter2:38$0.99
6.
Walking AlongDo Doo - Wop, Vol. 52:34$0.99
7.
Girl of MineBest Doo Wop Collection Eve..2:44$0.99
8.
Angels SangBest Doo Wop Collection Eve..2:15$0.99
9.
Embraceable YouKeep Calm and Carry On - 10..2:12$0.99
10.
Lonesome LoverWalking Along - The Best of..2:55$0.99
11.
Light a Candle In the ChapelWalking Along - The Best of..2:20$0.99
12.
Round Goes My HeartWalking Along - The Best of..2:06$0.99
13.
Embraceable YouWalking Along - The Best of..2:13$0.99
14.
Big Mary's HouseWalking Along - The Best of..2:11$0.99
15.
At NightWalking Along - The Best of..2:43$0.99
16.
No More SorrowWalking Along - The Best of..2:29$0.99
17.
Walkin' and Talkin'Walking Along - The Best of..2:40$0.99
18.
I Really Love You So (Honey Babe)Walking Along - The Best of..2:38$0.99
19.
Come Back My LoveWalking Along - The Best of..2:23$0.99
20.
How LongWalking Along - The Best of..2:05$0.99
21.
Walking AlongWalking Along - The Best of..2:34$0.99
22.
Nothing Like a Little LoveWalking Along - The Best of..2:10$0.99
23.
Angels SangWalking Along - The Best of..2:21$0.99
24.
You've SinnedWalking Along - The Best of..3:02$0.99
25.
Fine Little GirlWalking Along - The Best of..2:38$0.99

Top Music Videos



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