|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
||
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Groupe Doo Wop US originaire de Los Angeles (Californie), les Flairs
comprenaient Beverley Thompson, Cornell Gunter (né le 11 Novembre 1938), Thomas
"Pete" Fox, Obediah "Obie" Jessie (né le 28 Decembre 1936), et
Richard Berry (né
le 11 Avril 1935, décédé le 23 Janvier 1997). Ils ont aussi enregistré sous les
noms de "Five Hollywood Blue Jays",
"Hollywood Blue Jays", "Hunters", "Whips", "Five Hearts", "Chimes" et
"Rams"".
The Flairs
were an important West Coast doo wop group, best remembered for being the
launching pad for both Richard Berry and Cornell Gunter, who would both go on to
success in their subsequent solo careers.
The original group -- Arthur Lee Maye (tenor), Thomas "Pete" Fox (2nd tenor),
Obediah "Obie" Jessie (baritone), and A.V. Odum (bass) -- formed on the campus
of Los Angeles' Jefferson High in 1953 and recorded one single for John
Dolphin's Recorded in Hollywood label under the name the Hollywood Blue Jays. (Another
group would use the name after them). Maye and Odum then quit the group and, by
1954, were replaced by tenor
Cornell Gunter, who had already been singing with
the Platters for a couple of months, and bass
Richard Berry, still in his
teens, but already recording with
the Cadets, the Chimes,
the Crowns, the Five Hearts, the Hunters, the Rams, the Whips, and the
Dreamers, an otherwise all-female quartet from Fremont High.
At first, the group (who were now calling themselves
the Flamingos) possibly consisted of Gunter, his cousin Kenneth Byle (first
tenor), Thomas Miller (baritone), and George Hollis (bass), while others give
Gaynel Hodge, Cornelius Gunter, Curtiss Williams, Joe Jefferson, and Alex Hodge
as members. A fifth Flairs member, Beverly Thompson (tenor), also joined the
group's roster.
One day, while playing hooky from school, they auditioned for Modern Records. By
1954, Gunter was splitting from
the Platters to help organize a full-time Flairs, taking their new name from
labels they saw printed up for Modern's not-yet-released Flair subsidiary. They
recorded several singles for Modern before Berry and Beverly Thompson left the
group's lineup. Berry would have tremendous success over the years, including
his uncredited lead Vocals on Leiber & Stoller's "Riot in Cell Block #9,"
recorded by
the Robins, later to mutate into
the Coasters.
Berry's replacement for The Flairs was bass man Randolph Jones, though it
was for recording purposes only. Tenor Charles Jackson filled the gap left by
Beverly Thompson.
Meanwhile, the new Flairs appeared around the L.A. area and West Coast and had
the distinction of being on the cover of the first TV Guide ever printed in the
L.A. area. They also recorded for Tampa records (using the name Jac-O-Lacs),and
also recorded as the Rams and as Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns. Occasionally,
Maye's brother Eugene (second tenor) and Charles Holm (bass) would fill in at
appearances.
In 1956, this group appeared at the Apollo with Shirley Gunter,
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and
the Cadillacs, and recorded as the Ermines, first for the Loma label, and
then for ABC Paramount (under Buck Ram's management). Internal conflicts among
the group's personnel arose when Cornell Gunter's sister, Shirley Gunter, joined
as a sixth member and the original group imploded.
Obie Jessie left to start his solo career in earnest as Young Jessie (on "Mary
Lou" he was backed up by the Cadets). Pete Fox left the Flairs and joined the
Hollywood Flames, replacing Prentice Moreland in that group. Randy Jones joined
the Penguins, then replaced Lloyd McCraw
in the Jacks/Cadets lineup. The last member
of the original Flairs to have a subsequent career as a solo artist was Cornell
Gunter, who left in 1958 to join the
Coasters along with "Dub" Jones from the
Cadets.
Meanwhile, Aaron Collins and Willie Davis left the
Cadets and joined what would be the last
incarnation of the Flairs (adding Thomas Miller, baritone, and George Hollis,
bass) who recorded for ABC. This new lineup recorded under three different
monikers: the Peppers, the Cadets, and the
subtly different spelling of the Flares. They signed to the Felsted label and
recorded two singles in 1960 and later released one single on Ensign in 1961.
Their third single for Felsted, the energetic dance record "Foot Stomping-Part
I," went to number 25 on the Pop Charts (number 20 R&B) in 1962.
Gunter later started his own Coasters
act in 1963 too, although the members of his
Coasters were mostly former
Penguins (Randolph Jones, Dexter Tisby,
and Teddy Harper). Along with Cornell's sister Shirley Gunter (of the Flairs),
they recorded for Challenge under the name Cornell Gunter in 1964. His group
shifted from a quartet to a trio over the next 25 years. Gunter's
Coasters were inducted into the Rock &
Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. On February 27, 1990, Gunter was shot and killed
while sitting in his car in north Las Vegas.
Richard Berry passed away of a
heart attack on January 23, 1997, in South Central, Los Angeles, CA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flairs
Talents : Beverley Thompson : Lead - Cornell Gunter : Lead - Thomas "Pete" Fox : Tenor - Obediah "Obie" Jessie : Baritone - Richard Berry : Bass
Style musical : Doo Wop
SO
WORRIED (1951)
 (Five
Hollywood Blue Jays)
I HAD
A LOVE (1952)
Down At Hayden's
(1953)
She Done Me Wrong
(1954)
YOU
SHOULD CARE FOR ME
(1954)
PLEASE
PLEASE BABY (1954)
My Heart's Crying
For You (1954)
Hold Me, Thrill Me,
Chill Me (1955)
Rock Bottom
(1955)
Ipsy Opsie Ooh
(1955)
She Loves To Rock
(1956)
Rock 'n' Roll
Drive-In (1956)
|
|
Years in activity :
| 1910 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 2000 | 10 | 20 |
DISCOGRAPHY
78 t., Singles & EP
| 1951 | 78 t. HOLLYWOOD 185 (US) | . | FIVE
HOLLYWOOD BLUE JAYS - Cloudy and raining /
So
worried
|
| 1952 | 78 t. HOLLYWOOD 396 (US) | . |
HOLLYWOOD BLUE JAYS -
I had a love
/ Tell me you're gone |
| 1953 | 78 t. FLAIR 1012 (US) | . | I Had A Love / She Wants To Rock |
| 1953 | SP FLAIR 45X1012 (US) | . | I Had A Love / She Wants To Rock |
| 1953 | 78 t. FLAIR 1017 (US) | . | HUNTERS -
Down At Hayden's
/ Rabbit
On A Log |
| 1953 | SP FLAIR 45X1017 (US) | . | HUNTERS -
Down At Hayden's
/ Rabbit
On A Log |
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1019 (US) | . |
You Should Care For Me
/ Tell Me You Love Me |
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1019 (US) | . |
You Should Care For Me
/ Tell Me You Love Me |
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1025 (US) | . | WHIPS - Pleadin' Heart /
She Done Me Wrong
|
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1025 (US) | . | WHIPS - Pleadin' Heart /
She Done Me Wrong
|
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1026 (US) | . | FIVE HEARTS - The Fine One /
Please Please
Baby
|
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1026 (US) | . | FIVE HEARTS - The Fine One /
Please Please
Baby
|
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1028 (US) | . | Love Me Girl / Gettin' High |
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1028 (US) | . | Love Me Girl / Gettin' High |
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1041 (US) | . | Baby Wants / You Were Untrue |
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1041 (US) | . | Baby Wants / You Were Untrue |
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1044 (US) | . | This Is The Night For Love / Let's Make It With Some Love |
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1044 (US) | . | This Is The Night For Love / Let's Make It With Some Love |
| 1954 | 78 t. FLAIR 1051 (US) | . | CHIMES -
My Heart's Crying For You
/ Love Me, Love Me, Love Me |
| 1954 | SP FLAIR 45X1051 (US) | . | CHIMES -
My Heart's Crying For You
/ Love Me, Love Me, Love Me |
| 1955 | 78 t. FLAIR 1056 (US) | . | I'll Never Let You Go /
Hold Me, Thrill Me,
Chill Me
|
| 1955 | SP FLAIR 45X1056 (US) | . | I'll Never Let You Go /
Hold Me, Thrill Me,
Chill Me
|
| 1955 | 78 t. FLAIR 1066 (US) | . | RAMS -
Rock Bottom
/ Sweet Thing |
| 1955 | SP FLAIR 45X1066 (US) | . | RAMS -
Rock Bottom
/ Sweet Thing |
| 1955 | 78 t. FLAIR 1067 (US) | . | She Loves To Dance / My Darling, My Sweet |
| 1955 | SP FLAIR 45X1067 (US) | . | She Loves To Dance / My Darling, My Sweet |
| 1955 | 78 t. FLAIR 1076 (US) | . | Shirley GUNTER & The FLAIRS -
Ipsy Opsie Ooh
/ How Can I Tell You |
| 1955 | SP FLAIR 45X1076 (US) | . | Shirley GUNTER & The FLAIRS -
Ipsy Opsie Ooh
/ How Can I Tell You |
| 04/1956 | SP ABC-PARAMOUNT 9698 (US) | . | Cornel GUNTER & The FLAIRS - In Self Defense /
She Loves To Rock
|
| 1956 | SP ABC-PARAMOUNT 9740 (US) | . | Steppin' Out / Aladdin's Lamp |
| 1956 | SP ALADDIN 3324 (US) | . | "Fatso" THEUS & The FLAIRS - Be Cool My Heart
/ Rock 'n'
Roll Drive-In
|
| 1956 | SP MODERN 989 (US) | . | Shirley GUNTER & The FLAIRS - Headin' Home / I Want You |
| 1956 | SP MODERN 1001 (US) | . | Shirley GUNTER & The FLAIRS - I Just Got Rid Of A Heartache / Fortune In Love |
| 1957 | SP ANTLER 4005 (US) | . | I'd Climb The Hills And Mountains / Swing Pretty Mama |
| 1959 | EP BARCLAY 70255 (F) |
 |
THE FLAIRS CHANTENT SWEET SIXTEEN - Sweet Sixteen / Honey Bun / Never No More / Hey You, Shoo Bee Oo Bee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Albums
| 1963 | LP 12" CROWN CLP 5356 (mono) / CST 356 (stereo) (US) |
 |
THE FLAIRS FEAT. CORNEL GUNTER, RICHARD BERRY & YOUNG JESSIE - ROCK'N'ROLL HITS OF THE 50'S - Tell Me You're Mine / Hold Me / You Should Care For Me / She Wants to Rock / Lonesome Desert / My Heart's Crying For You / I Love You / Rock Bottom / I Want You To Be Mine / When I Was Young |
| 197? | LP 12" FLAIR FLAIR-1000 (US) |
 |
THE BEST OF THE FLAIRS - You Should Care For Me / Tell Me You Love Me / My Heart's Crying For You / This Is The Night For Love / Let's Make With Some Love / Gettin' High / Love Me Girl / I'll Never Let You Go / Baby Wants / I Had A Love / She Wants To Rock / Love Me, Love Me, Love Me / I Want You To Be Mine / Hold Me, Thrill Me, Chill Me / Lonesome Desert / My Darling, My Sweet / She Loves To Dance / You Were Untrue |
| 197? | LP 12" UNITED 7800 (US) |
 |
ROCK 'N' ROLL HITS OF THE 50'S - THE FLAIRS - Tell Me You’re Mine / Hold Me / You Should Care For Me / She Wants To Rock / Lonesome Desert / My Heart’s Crying For You / I Love You / Rock Bottom / I Want You To Be Mine / When I Was Young / |
| 1994 | CD Stomping Tide STR 9206003 (SP) |
 |
She Loves To Rock - I Had A Love / Tell Me You Love Me / Hey La Bah / Be Cool, My Heart / Rock 'n' Roll Drive In / Cindy Lou / Sha-Ba-Da-Ba-Do / True Love / Peek, Peek-A-Boo / Ipsy Opsie Oo / How Can I Tell You / You Broke My Heart / (Pretty Baby) I'm So Used To You Now / Headin' Home / Keep Me Alive / Muchacha, Muchacha / I Just Got Rid Of A Heartache / Fortune In Love / I Want You / I'm Sad / One Thing For Me / In Self Defense / She Love To Rock / Steppin' Out / Alladin's Lamp / I'd Climb The Hills And Mountains / Swing Pretty Mama / Call Me A Fool / What Do You Want If You Don't Want Love / Loving You |
| 1997 | CD FLAIR FLAIR 3002 (US) |
 |
The Best Of The Flairs - FLAIRS : You Should Care For Me / Tell Me You Love Me / CHIMES : My Heart's Crying For You / FLAIRS : This Is The Night For Love (master) / Let's Make With Some Love (master) / Gettin' High / Love Me Girl / I'll Never Let You Go / Baby Wants / Real Good Lovin' Man / I Had A Love / She Wants To Rock / CHIMES : Love Me, Love Me, Love Me / FLAIRS : I Want You To Be Mine / Hold Me, Thrill Me, Chill Me / Lonesome Desert / My Darling, My Sweet / She Loves To Dance / You Were Untrue / JENNELL & RICKY : This Time It's Real / HUNTERS : Rabbit On A Log / Down At Hayden's / FIVE HEARTS : Please Please Baby / Fine One / FLAIRS : Why Do I Love You / Cool Baby Cool / Let's Make With Some Love (outtake) / This Is The Night (outtake) |
| 09/2004 | CD ACE 1023 (UK) |
 |
THE ULTIMATE FLAIRS - I Had A Love / She Wants To Rock / Down Tt Hayden's (The HUNTERS) / Rabbit On A Log (The HUNTERS) / Tell Me You Love Me / You Should Care For Me / She Done Me Wrong (The WHIPS) / Pleadin' Heart (The WHIPS) / Fine One (The FIVE HEARTS) / Please Please Baby (The FIVE HEARTS) / Gettin' High / Love Me Girl / Baby Wants / You Were Untrue / This Is The Night For Love / Let's Make With Some Love / My Heart's Crying For You / Love Me, Love Me, Love Me / I'll Never Let You Go / Hold Me, Thrill Me, Chill Me / Rock Bottom / Sweet Thing / My Darling, My Sweet / She Loves To Dance / Real Good Lovin' Man / Lonesome Desert (Young JESSIE) / I Want You To Be Mine / Tell Me You're Mine / (Why Do) I Love You |
© Rocky Productions 14/11/2023
