(L to R) Oliver Spence, Joe Scott, Richard Anderson and James Wilson.
Little Jimmy & The Sparrows (2) (Philadelphia)
Personnel :
James "Little Jimmy" Wilson (Lead)
Oliver "Ollie" Spence (First Tenor / Lead)
Joe Scott (Second Tenor)
Richard Anderson (Baritone / Second Tenor)
Discography :
1958 - Snorin' / Two Hearts Together (Val-Ue 101)
Biography :
Vocal
group from Philadelphia, The Sparrows prowled the precinct of 20th
& Brown known in these parts as Fairmount. The year was 1956 or
1957, and most of the Sparrows, a handle concocted by Ollie Spence,
attended Vaux Junior High School or Ben Franklin High School. The
Original roster shook out as follows, James "Little Jimmy" Wilson,
Richard Anderson, Joe Scott and Oliver "Ollie" Spence , there was a bass
named Sinclair. but it remains questionable if he ever made it as far
the recording studio. He was a troublesome dude sticking up people and
stores. He was stabbed to death in prison some years later.
(L to R) Richard Anderson, Joe Scott, James Wilson and Oliver Spence
At their regular rehearsals, the Sparrows gathered confidence and
momentum by chirping the most popular fugues of the day, number like
"Little Darlin", "Teardrops", "Long Lonely Nights", "Smoke Gets In Your
Eyes", "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight", "Only You", "Earth Angel" ….
The Sparrows felt well-armed enough to sign up for one of those highly
contested local talent trysts. Coincidentally, it was held at
Francisville Playground, their local haunt where the sparrows scored
first place. Francisville officials sent the group out as emissaries for
their region to compete at other contest , at other Playground. Then
they started appearing at local theaters and movie houses.
Little Joe Cook, rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, best known
as the lead singer of Little Joe & The Thrillers, whose song
"Peanuts" reached no. 22 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1957 became their
manager. In 1958, The group recorded "Snorin" and "Two Hearts Together"
arranged by Joe Cook. The Philadelphia based label VAL-UE released the
single, but with little promotion the single quickly fall into oblivion.
The boys wrote more song, worked hard on them, developed a more
professional stage routine. Unfortunately, the group split before having
the opportunity to return to the studio.
