The Velvetones

The Velvetones
Origin	Newark, New Jersey, United States
Genres	Doo Wop
Years active	1943-1949
Labels	Coronet, Sonora Records
Past members	Enoch Martin John Parks Madison Flanagan Muzzy George "Pop" Willie Sam Rucker Walter Dawkins

The Velvetones were a doo-wop group formed in Newark, New Jersey, in 1943. The founding members Madison Flanagan (tenor lead and maracas), Walter Dawkins (second tenor/baritone) and Sam Rucker (baritone and guitar) all attended High School together and formed the group alongside Enoch Martin (Pianist, baritone lead). They signed with record label Coronet at some time in 1946 and produced such titles as "Sweet Lorraine" and "Jason, Get Your Basin". Shortly after this the group left Coronet, and Walter Dawkins left and was replaced by "Pop" Willie as they signed with Sonora Records. The following year more changes came as Sam Rucker was replaced by John Parks and Muzzy George replaced "Pop" Willie. By 1949 demand for the band had disappeared and they called it quits. Enoch Martin died in 2002 at the age of 80, and Sam Rucker in 1997 at 73. The status of the other members is unknown.

References

Goldberg, Marv. "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - VELVETONES". Marv Goldberg. Retrieved 25 September 2013.