Category: Fifties: doo-wop

Having formed in Chicago, in 1952, this American doo-wop group named itself after a model of Cadillac. Nonetheless, it had to wait until 1955 in order to make a name for itself.

This came in the form of the single, “At My Front Door”, which reached No.1 on Billboard’s rhythm and blues chart and No.17 on the national pop chart.

As was the custom then, African Americans would release a record and a white artist, who was invariably known far more widely, would promptly cover it and collect much of the cream. In this particular instance, Pat Boone was that artist.

The group’s only other hit came in early 1956 when “I’ll Be Forever Loving You” reached No.8 on the rhythm and blues chart.

At the time of its success The El Dorados consisted of leading vocalist, Pirkle Lee Moses, Arthur Basset, Richard Nickens, Jewel Jones and James Maddox.

The Rays was an American quartet whose leading singer was Hal Miller. The vocal group formed in New York, in 1955. Its other members were Walter Ford and David Jones, both of whom were tenors, and baritone, Harry James.

“Silhouettes”, recorded on the label, Cameo, became The Rays’ biggest single when, in 1957, it peaked at No.3 on both the pop and rhythm and blues charts. The song was released simultaneously by the Canadian quartet, The Diamonds, and its recording fared almost as well, reaching its apex at No.10.

http://youtu.be/qC-eQ0yKQ8o

The Rays’ single contained “Daddy Cool” as its B side. This track also charted, but not to the same degree that “Silhouettes” did. Both songs were written by Bob Crewe — who later wrote for The Four Seasons — and Frank Slay Jr.

A more uptempo recording of “Silhouettes” by the British band, Herman’s Hermits, reached No.5 in the United States, No.3 in Britain and No.6 in Australia, in the year of 1965. Cliff Richard reintroduced the song to the British Top 10, in 1990.