The Cleftones - Little Girl Of Mine

Formed in Queens, NY, in 1955, the Cleftones consisted of five friends from Jamaica High School -- Herb Cox (lead), Warren Corbin (bass), Charlie James (first tenor), William McClain (baritone), and Berman Patterson (second tenor). Originally signed to Gee, the group released its first single, "You Baby You," late in 1955; an up-tempo doo wop song, the record became a regional hit. "Little Girl of Mine," the Cleftones' second single, broke nationally, charting at number eight R&B and number 57 pop in 1956; two other similar singles, "Can't We Be Sweethearts" and "String Around My Heart," were released the same year, yet they failed to attract national attention. "See You Next Year," a ballad the group recorded in 1957, did not earn the group an audience outside of New York. Two years later, McClain left the group and was replaced by Gene Pearson from the Rivileers. Patricia Spann was also added to the Cleftones' lineup that year, which helped nudge the band away from traditional group-oriented doo wop harmonies and toward a vocal sound that was dominated by the lead vocals. In 1961, the Cleftones realized the potential of the sound with their smash hit version of the standard "Heart and Soul"; it became the group's biggest hit, reaching number 18 on both pop and R&B charts. Later that year, the group had another hit with "For Sentimental Reasons," but the band had reached a peak with "Heart and Soul" and were never able to reach those heights again. The Cleftones broke up in 1964, three years after their greatest success. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Category:

Education

Tags:

• r&b

[TheJoey1s]

The Bronx Tale was a Movie that was enjoyable to watch, but was filmed in Queens NY. That scenario in the Bx Tale was gone by 1975. As much as it may have been an enjoyable movie, that lifestyle has been long gone. That Area in the Bronx has changed so much , that it is scary. Albanians are the predominant group, and other cultures such as Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, and Mexicans, have changed the Ethnic makeup of that area. There are few Italians left.

[KANE2628]

THE BOOGIE DOWN BRONX!

[ljmerino22]

jamaica h.s!!!!!!!!!thats where this talent started at!!!

QUEENS!!

[BlacknesUnforgivable]

@TheJoey1s who gives a shit?

[frankp3]

@antoniodsl I fell in love with this when I was 15...I'm 49 now.

[RELAXATION1errrr]

@antoniodsl nobody craes how old you are new music does suck but oldies arent the only good music out there

[dhernandsd]

i love doo wop remins me of my teenage years

[TheJoey1s]

I can listen to this over and over!!! I love this music!!!

[TheAZ1259]

GREAT BOYS!!!HERE WE GO!!!!!!YOU GOT IT!!! GROOVE!

[ocalamike]

Went to Jamaica High School at the same time. These guys used to practice their doo-wop up and down the halls! We were NYC champs in basketball, 1955.

[Ironjagg]

all great doo wop band names starts with 'The" .. ?

[Tsunaphoenix3]

@antoniodsl You forgot to mention the 70s, 80s, and even the early 90s.