Little Anthony and the Imperials is an American rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York City, first active in the 1950s. Lead singer Little Anthony (born Jerome Anthony Gourdine) was noted for his high-pitched voice, influenced by Jimmy Scott. The other original members were: Clarence Collins (group founder), Ernest Wright, Glouster “Nate” Rogers, and Tracey Lord, the last two of whom were replaced by Samuel “Sammy” Strain. The group was one of the very few doo-wop groups to maintain success on the R&B and pop charts throughout the 1960s. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, 23 years after the group’s first year of eligibility for induction. (More from Wikipedia)
Not everyone feels that way though. Doc Dosco, a jazz guitarist who played on Black Russian wrote of his early session work on his website www.docdosco.com: “‘I did tons of “guitar for hire” studio dates back then’, says Doc, ‘and I gigged a lot during the late seventies and eighties. I was a funky fusion style player and there was lots of funk style work. I also did pick-up work, casuals, society gigs and played numerous concerts with old timers such as Little Anthony, the Drifters, the Diamonds, the Platters, Freddy Cannon, Connie Stevens. I worked for composer Dennis McCarthy on the Barbara Mandrell [and the Mandrell Sisters] TV show. I also wrote songs for Jerry Lee Lewis and German pop sensation Nina Hagen, produced “Billboard Queen” Angelyne, and recorded an album with the revolutionary Motown recording artists Black Russian.’”
(April 2015/1)
