The Persuaders (band)
The Persuaders are a New York based R&B vocal group, with some fame in the 1970s, best known for their hit single, "Thin Line Between Love and Hate". This disc sold over one million copies, and received a gold disc awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America on 29 October 1971.[1]
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[edit] Career
The original members formed in New York in 1969, and were signed by Atlantic Records in 1971, with the original line- up of: Douglas "Smokey" Scott, Willie Holland, Thomas Hill, Sr, James Holland and Charles Stoghill.[2]
The Persuaders sound involved close harmony and a heavily-orchestrated soul and R&B approach, the trademark of the Poindexter brothers, Richard and Bobby, who produced most of the early 1970s hits. The Persuaders also recorded the original versions of songs later covered by other artists, most notably: "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" (from their Atlantic / Atco album of the same name), made a major hit by Gladys Knight & the Pips; "Some Guys Have All The Luck", covered by Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart[2] and by Maxi Priest; and "Thin Line Between Love and Hate", covered by The Pretenders,[2], R&B trio H-Town, and by the reggae group, Black Slate. The song's title and theme were also used for a 1996 Martin Lawrence film of the same name.
The Persuaders recorded an album on the Calla label (distributed by CBS Records) with Philadelphia based producers Baker-Harris-Young in 1976, entitled It's All About Love. The catalog number is Calla ZX-34802 and track listing was: "It's All About Love", "It's Love", "Count The Ways", "I Need Love", "The Quickest Way Out", "Who Will It Be Tonight", "Sure Shot (Gamblin' On A Sure Shot)", "Hey Sister I'm Your Brother (She's My Sister)", "Tryin' To Love Two Women" and "The Quickest Way Out" (instrumental).
The group brought out four albums in the 1970s. As former members trickled out and new members trickled in The Persuaders R&B legacy continues into the 21st century with new faces and now consists of Vincent (Vince) Ballard, Sylvester (Jay) Jones, Tmarvin Williams and Keith (Soul) Simmons.[3] The name The Persuaders is a legally registered trademark.
[edit] Hit singles
- "Thin Line Between Love & Hate" (1971) U.S. Pop #15, U.S. R&B #1
- "Love's Gonna Pack Up" U.S. Pop #64 R&B #8
- "Peace In The Valley Of Love" R&B #21
- "Bad, Bold and Beautiful, Girl" R&B #24
- "Some Guys Have All The Luck" (1973) U.S. Pop #39, U.S. R&B #7
[edit] References
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 301. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ a b c d "Biography by Ron Wynn". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5132/biography. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ "The Persuaders". http://www.thepersuaders.net.
