The Four Fellows (1) (Brooklyn, New York)
Ref. Four Toppers (2)
Personnel :
Jim McGowan (Lead)
Teddy Williams (Baritone)
Larry Banks (Bass)
David Jones (Tenor)
Discography:
The Four Fellows (1)
1954 - I Tried / Bend Of The River (Derby 862)
1955 - I Wish I Didn't Love You So / I Know Love (Glory 231)
1955 - Soldier Boy / Take Me Back, Baby (Glory 234)
1955 - Angels Say / In The Rain (Glory 236)
1956 - Hold ‘Em, Joe / Fallen Angel (Glory 238)
1956 - Darling You / Please Don't Deprive Me Of Love (Glory 242)
1956 - Please Play My Song / I Sit In My Window (Glory 244)
1956 - You Don't Know Me / You Sweet Girl (Glory 248)
1957 - Loving You Darling / Give Me Back My Broken Heart (Glory 250)
Bette McLaurin & The Four Fellows (1)
1955 - So Will I / Grow Old Along With Me (Glory 233)
1956 - Petticoat Baby / I’m Past Sixteen (Glory 241)
Cathy Ryan (bb The Four Fellows (1))*
1955 - 24 Hours A Day (365 A Year) / [With You - Kathy Ryan solo] (King 1495)
*credited as The Admirals
Miss Toni Banks & The Four Fellows (1)
1957 - Johnny The Dreamer / You’re Still In My Heart (Glory 263)
Biography:
The
Four Fellows will always be remembered for “Soldier Boy,” a definitive
mid-‘50s hit. Jim McGowan (lead), Dave Jones (tenor), Teddy Williams
(baritone), and Larry Banks (bass) originally formed in Brooklyn, NY,
calling themselves the Schemers, which they changed to the Four Fellows
after landing an early TV appearance.
In 1954, they recorded one single for Derby Records, but it failed to gain an audience. They soon signed with Phil Rose’s newly formed Glory Records and recorded a handful of singles, including “Grow Along With Me,” which featured a lead vocal by Betty McLaurin.
(L-R) Teddy Williams, Jimmy McGowan (lead-standing), Larry Banks and David Jones
In the late spring of 1955, the Four Fellows recorded “Soldier Boy,” which earned them a spot on the bill of Tommy Smalls’ Dr. Jive’s R&B Revue at the Apollo Theater in June of that year, performing alongside Harvey Fuqua’s Moonglows, Gene & Eunice, the Nutmegs, Bo Diddley, and Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra with Ella Johnson and Nolan Lewis.
Meanwhile,
“Soldier Boy” was covered by many popular artists, including Sunny Gale
and Edyie Gorme. The group successfully toured the South and Midwest
and ended the year by performing at the big Christmas Revue at the
Brooklyn Paramount Theater.
Bessie Banks aka Miss Toni Banks Bette McLaurin
They
were less successful with their releases, however, and didn’t hit again
(after several attempts) until August of 1956, when up-tempo “I Sit in
My Window” was released. Additional singles faltered .
In 1957, the Four Fellows added Toni Banks (formerly of Three Guys
and a Doll) as a lead vocalist and recorded a final single for Glory,
but it failed to generate enough sales or airplay to merit keeping the
band on their roster and except for the occasional backup singing job -
including working with folk-blues artist Josh White - the Four Fellows
career came to an end before the dawn of the ‘60s.
Bryan Thomas, All Music Guide
www.soldierboy.50megs.com/McGowan/fourfellows.htm
www.home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/fourfellows.html
www.vocalgroupharmony.com/bend.htm
www.soulfulkindamusic.net/lbanks.htm
www.soulfulkindamusic.net/bbanks.htm
www.home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/bettemac.html
Songs ::
The Four Fellows (1)
Bend Of The River / I Tried Soldier Boy / Take Me Back, Baby
Angels Say / In The Rain Hold ‘Em, Joe / Fallen Angel
Darling You / Please Don't Deprive Me Of Love I Sit In My Window / Please Play My Song
You Don't Know Me / You Sweet Girl Loving You Darling / Give Me Back My Broken Heart
Bette McLaurin & The Four Fellows (1)
So Will I / Grow Old Along With Me Petticoat Baby / I’m Past Sixteen
Cathy Ryan (bb The Four Fellows (1))
24 Hours A Day (365 A Year)
Miss Toni Banks & The Four Fellows (1)
You’re Still In My Heart / Johnny The Dreamer