Artis Rucker
The Five Letters (1) (Sumter, South Carolina)
Personnel :
Artis Rucker (Lead)
Henry Postel
Louis Carpenter
John Josey
Julius Colcolough
Discography :
1957 - Your First Love / Hold Me Baby (Ivy 102)
Biography :
Lincoln High School, an institution in Sumter, has a one-legged tackle, 17 year old Artis Rucker, who lost his right leg in a train accident when he was eight yearsold. Five years later he got an artificial limb and reported to foothall practice in 1957. Reputedly capable of running 100 yards in 13 seconds in football togs, his Coach Robert Jenkins, who calls him "my best defensive lineman." Artis Rucker became co-captain of the Football team and leads his small vocal group composed of Henry Postel, Louis Carpenter, John Josey and Julius Colcolough. In 1957, the Five Letters recorded "Your First Love" b/w "Hold Me Baby" released by Ivy Records owned by Stan Feldman and Ed Portnoy with offices at 1697 Broadway.