(1957) L ro R: Johnny Woodson, John Jennings, Darrell Johnson, Jennell & Gaines Steele
The Kuf-Linx (Los Angeles)
aka Johnny Woodson & The Crescendos (4)
Personnel :
John Jennings (Lead Tenor)
Johnny Woodson (Tenor)
Gaines Steele (Tenor)
George "Biggy" McFadden (Bass)
Leo Z. Manley
Darrell Johnson
Gwen Johnson
Discography :
The Kuf-Linx
1957 - So Tough / What'cha Gonna Do (Challenge 1013/59102)
1958 - Eyeballin' / Service With A Smile (Challenge 59004)
1958 - Climb Love's Mountain / All That's Good (Challenge 59015)
Johnny Woodson & The Crescendos (4)
1957 - Dreamer From My Heart / All That's Good (Spry 108)
Biography :
The
Kuf-Linx are not an easy group to follow. Nor is the song So Tough,
especially since there were at least three different group that sang the
song, and close spellings of the same group. The Kuf-Linx consisted of
John Jennings (lead tenor), Johnny Woodson (tenor), Gaines Steele
(tenor), George (Biggie) McFadden (bass), Leo Z. Manley, Darrell
Johnson, and Gwen Johnson. Jennings and McFadden had been in the
Jubalaires in the mid-40s. L.Z. Manley was a well-known gospel lead
singer, who had been with the Heavenly Gospel Singers and the Stars Of
Harmony.
Gaines Steele, younger brother of gospel great Silas Steele, sang
with Detroit-area gospel groups and a West Coast Ink Spots group (with
Clifford Givens); in the mid-60s, he was a member of the 4 Tunes. Gwen
Johnson was a Los Angeles session backup singer. This basic group
consisting of a whopping seven members, likely recording as John Woodson
and the Crescendos on the Spry label. John Jennings was lead singer of
the group. They signed to Challenge Records, a Los Angeles label, and
recorded several songs including "So Tough" with backup band The Champs
who recorded pop hit "Tequila" at the same recording session.
The Kuf-Linx version of "So Tough" was released soon after another
version of the song was released by The Casuals (later renamed Original
Casuals). The song versions duked it out on the charts. On March 17,
1958, Billboard listed "So Tough" as tied for Number 76 on "Top 100
Sides for Survey Week Ending March 8". The Kuf-Linx only recorded three
records in two sessions for Challenge, They disbanded in 1958, and later
some of the members went on to other bands.
