The Fabulous Tones (1960) 1st row: Joe Alexander, Shirley Hunter, Herman Hill;
2nd row: Teddy Rambo, Jesse Davis, Rudy Hunter; 3rd row: Count Yates, John Harris
The Fabulous Tones (Los Angeles)
Personnel :
Rudy Hunter (Lead)
Joe Alexander (Baritone)
John Harris
Norman Alexander
Discography :
1957 - You've Broken My Heart / Mr. Hog Face (Rushmore 103)
1958 - Close To You / ??? (Ebb 135)
1959 - Lover, Lover, Lover / I’ll Never Cry Again (Mark 56 819)
Biography :
The
Four Tones were a vocal group formed in the mid 1930s at Lane College
in Jackson, Tennessee. By the late 1930s they started their recording
career in Los Angeles and they appeared in a few films. Singing bass for
this group was Dusty Brooks. He was often the featured performer and on
several of their recordings they were billed as Dusty Brooks and the
Four Tones.
The Four Tones
In
early 1954, Rudy Hunter took over the leadership of the group, which
consisted of Joe Alexander and Ruby Thrower Joined by Alexander's
brother, Norman, the group became Rudy Hunter & the Fabulous Tones
with Brooks joining in as bass on occasion. Their minimum requirement
for prospective group members was to have the ability to play 5 separate
instruments as well as being able to sing. They make many appearances,
for several years all over the country. The Fabulous Tones issued 45's
on the Rushmore in 1957, The Ebb label in 1958 and George Garabedian's
Mark 56 label in 1959. Garabedian would use the group to back demos that
be contracted for songwriters and hopeful singing stars.
Jesse Davis
The group makes numerous staff changes over the years, Jesse Ervin,
Rudy Hunter, Count Yates, Sammy Yates, Shirley Hunter, Herman Hill,
Teddy Rambo, John Harris and Jazz singer’ Jesse Davis. Jesse Davis is
known as a Jazz singer but his repertoire includes, R&B, Pop, Latin,
and Swing. Jesse Davis started his professional career singing in a few
clubs in Michigan, with the Doug Cook Combo, and on his own, before
joining in 1958 The Fabulous Tones in Los Angeles as a featured singer.
Songs :
I’ll Never Cry Again You've Broken My Heart
Close To You