Post by rooster on Apr 7, 2018 11:44:34 GMT -5
Their were five members in the Crows, however only four are in the official promotional photo of the group. For whatever reason, Mark Jackson (Guitar, occasional Tenor) didn't make the photoshoot.
The Crows US 45 Discography
The Crows formed in 1951 in NYC, uptown in Harlem. The group was composed of five friends:
Sonny Norton -Lead
Jerry Wittick - Tenor
Harold Major - Tenor
Bill Davis - Baritone
Gerald Hamilton - Bass
The Crows played sockhops and other venues locally. They then play The Apollo Theater's amatuer show after which they were approached by Cliff Martinez who became their manager. Martinez, at the time, was the manager of Dean Barlow and The Crickets (He would later manage several other more or less successful groups). Martinez got them a session as a back up group for Frank Humphries & His Orchestra.
Jubilee #5085
I Can't Get Started With You/Lulubell Blues; 1952
Frank "Fat Man" Humphries And His Orchestra with The 4 Notes
(Backing vocal group is The Crows under the pseudonym "The 4 Notes". This record made little impact.)
Jubilee #5095
Paint A Sky For Me/Really Real; 1952
Viola Watkins, Her Piano And Her Orchestra
("A" side: the Crows Are the uncredited vocal group. "B" side has no vocal group involvement. The Crows' Manager's next move is to get them more background work this time accompanying Pianist/Singer Viola Watkins. This second record, like the first sinks without trace. At this point Tenor Jerry Wittick leaves the group to enlist in the US Military. He was replaced by Mark Jackson - Guitar/occasional Tenor vocal).
Rama #3
Seven Lonely Days/No Help Wanted; 1953
The Crows
("A" side: the Lead vocal is by Viola Watkins. Cliff Martinez certainly did work for the band. When the jubilee label records didn't go anywhere for the group, Martinez took them to Tico/Rama label owner, George Goldner, who liked what he heard and signed The Crows and Viola Watkins. Goldner held a session with Viola Watkins and The Crows. This record was the initial result. The "A" side was a cover version of a Georgia Gibbs #5 1953 hit. The "B" side was a cover version of a #1 1953 Country Hit by The Carlisles. All credits on the records are by The Crows. Viola Watkins isn't mentioned on the label even though she is obviously singing the lead vocal on the "A" side. Neither of these sides changed the fortunes of the Crows.).
Rama #5
I Love You So/Gee; 1953
The Crows
("Gee" was originally the "B" side. Viola Watkins is the pianist. When this record was released, the "A" side was pushed by the record label and given airplay on radio. Initially, the release didn't garner much action. It took about 7 months for "Gee" to begin to climb the local charts in Los Angeles, CA. It took nearly a year, but "Gee" finally became a #14 Pop & #2 R&B chart hit. It has since become the best known of The Crows releases).
Rama #10
Call A Doctor/Heartbreaker; 1953
The Crows/The Jewels
(West coast copies of this record are credited to "The Crows" on the "A" side and "The Jewels" on the "B" side. The "A" side was a rewritten version of "Chief Turn The Hose On Me" originally released by The Cap-Tans in 1951. The "B" side was a cover version of The Heartbreakers song from 1951.)
Gee #1
Perfidia/Piano Player, Play A Tune; 1954
"A" side: Lorraine Ellis With Ray Barrow And His Orchestra "B" side: Lorraine Ellis
(The Crows are the uncredited vocal group on "A" side. No vocal group involvement on "B" side)
Rama #29
Baby/Untrue; 1954
The Crows With Ray Barrow And His Orchestra
Tico #1082
Mambo Shevitz/Mambo #5; 1954
"A" side: The Crows With Melino And His Orchestra "B" side: Melino And His Orchestra
(No vocal group involvement on "B" side. This and the he two previous releases stiffed, but by this time Gee was doing very well and The Crows were able to tour both the east and west coasts).
Rama #30
Miss You/I Really, Really Love You; 1954
The Crows
Rama #50
Baby Doll/Sweet Sue; 1954
The Crows
(This release and the five preceding it made little impact on the record buying public. After this record The Crows decide break up the group. Baritone Bill Davis continued in the music business for a while, later singing with The Continentals on the Rama label).
In the end, The Crows left behind six records of their own and three collaborations. One of their sides, "Gee", became a major song in the great cannon of R&B and Pop music.