Groupe US originaire de Détroit (Michigan) formé en 1950 et composé de Charles Sutton, Henry Booth, Freddy Pride, Lawson Smith et Sonny Woods. Les Royals ont été découvert par Johnny Otis et accompagné Hank Ballard. Ils ont eu un succès en 1953 avec "Get It", avant de devenir les Midnighters en 1954.

The Royals were formed in Detroit in 1950 by singers Henry Booth, Charles Sutton, Lawson Smith, and Sonny Woods. Led by Sutton's smooth tenor, the group (with occasional vocal help from guitarist and arranger Alonzo Tucker) also reportedly featured Levi Stubbs (later of the Four Tops) and Jackie Wilson as members for a brief time. Johnny Otis, then a talent scout for Federal Records, spotted the group at a talent show in 1952, and brought them to the label. The Royals' first single, "Every Beat of My Heart" (written by Otis and later a big hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1961), was released later that same year, and while it was a quality song and recording, it failed to generate much attention. Smith entered the U.S. Army in 1953, with his place in the group taken by Hank Ballard, then only 16 years old. But Ballard had a voice that belied his years, combining a gospel feel with a penchant for writing raw, sexual songs that made no pretense about their intent.
The Ballard-penned "Get It" was a minor R&B hit in 1953, and a year later, the Royals broke through with "Work With Me Annie," with Ballard providing the vocal heat. When it was obvious that the song was going to be a huge hit (it ended up hitting the top spot on the R&B charts), the Royals -- not wanting to be confused with the similarly named group the Five Royals -- changed their name to the Midnighters, and by the time "Work With Me Annie" hit the top spot, it was being attributed to the Midnighters, making it the renamed group's debut single. Eventually they became known as Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, becoming one of the most important groups in the history of early rock & roll.

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Royals/royals.html

Talents : Charles Sutton : Baritone Lead - Henry Booth : Tenor - Freddy Pride : Baritone - Sonny Woods : Bass

Style musical : Doo Wop, Rhythm 'n' Blues

All Night Long (1952) Fifth Street Blues (1952) GET IT (1953) No It Ain't (1953) WORK WITH ME ANNIE (1954)

Years in activity :

DISCOGRAPHY

78 t. & Singles

03/1952	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12064 (US)	Every Beat Of My Heart / All Night Long
06/1952	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12077 (US)	Starting From Tonight / I Know I Love You So
08/1952	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12088 (US)	Moonrise / Fifth Street Blues
09/1952	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12098 (US)	A Love In My Heart / I'll Never Let Her Go
11/1952	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12113 (US)	Are You Forgetting / What Did I Do
02/1953	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12121 (US)	Shrine Of St Cecilia / I Feel So Blue
06/1953	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12133 (US)	Get It / No It Ain't
12/1953	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12150 (US)	Hey Miss Fine / I Feet That A Way
01/1954	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12160 (US)	That's It / Someone Like You
03/1954	78 t. & SP FEDERAL 12169 (US)	Work With Me Annie / Until I Die
1983	SP GUSTO GT4-2170 (US)	All Night Long / Every Beat Of My Heart
1989	SP COLLECTABLES COL 036527 (US)	Moonrise / The Shrine Of St. Cecilia

© Rocky Productions 2/08/2002