User:Seduisant/Sandbox11
The Students | |
|---|---|
| Label of "I'm So Young" 45 single on Checker Records Label of "I'm So Young" 45 single on Checker Records | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Genres | Doo-wop |
| Years active | 1958–1983 |
| Members | Leroy King, lead vocal Dorsey Porter, first tenor Roy Ford, second tenor John Bolden, baritone Richard Johnson, bass Ralph Byrd, guitarist |
The Students were a doo-wop vocal group which formed in Cincinnati in 1956. Although they only released four sides, two of them - I'm So Young and Everyday of the Week - became doo-wop standards. "I'm So Young" in particular became hugely popular (and durable), and has been covered by groups as diverse as the Beach Boys, Rosie and the Originals, and The Ronettes.
History[edit]
According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the June 2000 issue of Discoveries, lead Leroy King, first tenor Dorsey Porter, second tenor Roy Ford, baritone John Bolden, bass Richard Johnson, and guitarist Ralph Byrd all met while attending Samuel Ach Junior High School in Cincinnati. For the first two years of its existence, the group performed as the D'Italians, and at a local talent show caught the attention of Otis Williams and the Charms, at that time Cincinnati's most popular R&B act.
Williams not only helped the D'Italians land gigs but also brought them to the attention of Chess Records distributor Mel Herman. In mid-1958 they signed to Chess's Checkerboard subsidiary, and rechristened themselves the Students before traveling to Chess's Chicago studio to cut their debut single, "I'm So Young," a song given to them by writer William H. "Prez" Tyus, Jr., a student at Central High School, who also penned "Every Day Of The Week". [1]
For unknown reasons, "I'm So Young" appeared on both Checker and the tiny Note label at virtually the same time, becoming a hit throughout much of the Midwest. Its success enabled the Students to tour, and in the fall of 1958 they spent a week at New York City's legendary Apollo Theater. The following spring the Students returned to Chicago to record their sophomore release, "My Vow to You", which appeared only on Note records. The Students were now legitimate, and spent the summer touring the U.S. as part of the All-American Shows tent revue. After turning down an unreleased demo called "Cathy's Clown" (later a massive hit for the Everly Brothers), the group opted to record versions of "Misty" and "If I Were King". Meanwhile, without the Students' knowledge, Chess's Argo subsidiary reissued "I'm So Young" in 1961, and scored a national Top 40 R&B hit in the process. [2]
Over fifty years later, "Every Day Of The Week", "I'm So Young", and "My Vow To You" are still played on popular "oldies" stations, and have spawned covers by modern bands.
Discography[edit]
(all leads by Leroy King)
On NOTE records
- 10012 I'm So Young/Every Day Of The Week - ca. 7/58
- 10013 Wazoo!!/Shuffle Stroll - Jimmy Coe Orchestra - ca. 7/58 (The Students sing backup on Jimmy Coe's recording of "Wazoo!!")
- 10019 My Vow To You/That's How I Feel - mid-59
On CHESS records
- CHECKER (subsidiary of Chess)
- 902 I'm So Young/Every Day Of The Week - 8/58
- 1004 My Vow To You/That's How I Feel - 1/62
- 9024 I'm So Young/My Vow To You - 73
- ARGO (subsidiary of Chess)
- 5386 I'm So Young/Every Day Of The Week - 3/61
- CADET (subsidiary of Chess; note: same number as Argo)
- 5386 I'm So Young/Every Day Of The Week - ca. 1964 [3]