Top (L to R) - Coleman, Cubo, Davis Bottom (L to R) - Edwards, Williamson
The Sunbeams (1) (Long Island, New York)
Personnel :
Bobby Lee Hollis (Tenor Lead)
John Cumbo (Baritone Lead)
Bobby Coleman (First Tenor)
James Davis (Second Tenor)
William Edwards (Bass)
Discography :
Singles :
1955 - Tell Me Why / Come Back Baby (Herald 451)
1957 - Please Say You'll Be Mine / You've Got To Rock & Roll (Acme 719)
Unreleased :
1955 - Shouldn't I Have A Right (To Cry Over You) (Herald)
1955 - I Love The Way You Look Tonight (Herald)
Biography :
The
launching pad for a young Joe Tex, R&B vocal group the Sunbeams
formed in Long Island, New York in 1950. Unlike the vast majority of
their contemporaries, the group spent close to two years in rehearsals
before even seeking out professional gigs, finally making the rounds of
the New York City and Long Island club circuits in 1952 -- circa 1953,
the lineup included Tex, who soon exited to mount a solo career.
Joe Tex
In
early 1955 the Sunbeams signed to the Herald label, quickly recording
four Cumbo originals with Hollis on lead -- the single "Tell Me Why"
appeared in the spring, but Herald had its hands full promoting
concurrent hits from the Nutmegs, the Turbans and Al Savage ("Paradise
Princess"), and the Sunbeams slipped through the cracks. Hollis left
the lineup in 1956, and with new lead tenor Henry Williamson, the group
waited out the remainder of its Herald deal before signing to Acme in
mid-'57, releasing "Please Say You'll Be Mine" to little notice a few
months later. The Sunbeams split in 1958, with Coleman going solo and
Williamson joining one of the many Ink Spots lineups then on tour.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Sunbeams/sunbeams.html
Songs :
Tell Me Why Come Back Baby
Please Say You'll Be Mine / You've Got To Rock & Roll