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{{Short description|Rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York}} |
{{Short description|Rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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|name = Little Anthony and the Imperials |
|name = Little Anthony and the Imperials |
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|years_active = 1958–present |
|years_active = 1958–present |
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|label = {{hlist|[[End Records|End]]|[[Roulette Records|Roulette]]|[[London Records|London]]|[[United Artists Records|United Artists]]|Ridge Records|[[Avco Records|Avco]]|[[Janus Records|Janus]]|[[United Artists Records|Veep Records]]|[[Don Costa|DCP Records]]}} |
|label = {{hlist|[[End Records|End]]|[[Roulette Records|Roulette]]|[[London Records|London]]|[[United Artists Records|United Artists]]|Ridge Records|[[Avco Records|Avco]]|[[Janus Records|Janus]]|[[United Artists Records|Veep Records]]|[[Don Costa|DCP Records]]}} |
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| website |
| website ={{URL|littleanthonyandtheimperials.org}} |
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| associated_acts = The Duponts, The Chesters, [[The O'Jays]] |
| associated_acts = The Duponts, The Chesters, [[The O'Jays]] |
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|current_members = Jerome "Little Anthony" Gourdine<br />Ernest Wright<br />Robert Deblanc<br />Johnny Britt |
| current_members = Jerome "Little Anthony" Gourdine<br />Ernest Wright<br />Robert Deblanc<br />Johnny Britt |
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| past_members = Clarence "Wa-hoo" Collins<br />[[Sammy Strain|Samuel "Sammy" Strain]]<br />Gloster "Nate" Rogers<br />Tracy Lord<br />Bobby Wade<br />Harold "Hawk" Jenkins<br />[[Kenny W. Seymour]] SR.<br />George Kerr |
| past_members = Clarence "Wa-hoo" Collins<br />[[Sammy Strain|Samuel "Sammy" Strain]]<br />Gloster "Nate" Rogers<br />Tracy Lord<br />Bobby Wade<br />Harold "Hawk" Jenkins<br />[[Kenny W. Seymour]] SR.<br />George Kerr |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Little Anthony and the Imperials''' is an American [[rhythm and blues]]/[[soul music|soul]] vocal group from New York City founded by Clarence Collins in the 1950s and named in part for its lead singer, Jerome Anthony "Little Anthony" Gourdine, who was noted for his high-pitched voice. In addition to Collins and Gourdine, the original Imperials included Ernest Wright, Gloster "Nate" Rogers, and Tracy Lord, the last two of whom were subsequently replaced by [[Sammy Strain]]. |
'''Little Anthony and the Imperials''' is an American [[rhythm and blues]]/[[soul music|soul]] vocal group from New York City founded by Clarence Collins in the 1950s and named in part for its lead singer, Jerome Anthony "Little Anthony" Gourdine, who was noted for his high-pitched voice. In addition to Collins and Gourdine, the original Imperials included Ernest Wright, Gloster "Nate" Rogers, and Tracy Lord, the last two of whom were subsequently replaced by [[Sammy Strain]]. |
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The group was one of the very few doo-wop groups to enjoy sustained success on the R&B and pop charts throughout the 1960s. They were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] on April 4, 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hREPMeeR5GfDTBELMODMLmXmjLWgD95N3FTO1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123005927/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hREPMeeR5GfDTBELMODMLmXmjLWgD95N3FTO1|archive-date=January 23, 2009|title=Run-DMC, Metallica lead list of 2009 Rock Hall|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=January 14, 2009}}</ref> 23 years after the group's first year of eligibility for induction. |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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In 1957, a doo-wop group known as "The Chesters" was composed of Collins, |
In 1957, a doo-wop group known as "The Chesters" was composed of Collins, Tracey Lord, Nathaniel Rodgers, and Ronald Ross. Anthony Gourdine, a former member of The DuPonts,whose falsetto had been inspired by [[Jimmy Scott]], joined as lead vocalist. Ernest Wright took over from Ross, and the group [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] briefly for [[Apollo Records (1944)|Apollo Records]].{{citation needed|date=January 2010}} |
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Changing their name to "The Imperials", the group signed with [[End Records]] in 1958. Their first single was "[[Tears on My Pillow]]", which was an instant [[hit single|hit]]. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book |
Changing their name to "The Imperials", the group signed with [[End Records]] in 1958. Their first single was "[[Tears on My Pillow]]", which was an instant [[hit single|hit]]. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book| first= Joseph| last= Murrells| year= 1978| title= The Book of Golden Discs| edition= 2nd| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd| location= London| page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/103 103] |
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| isbn= 0-214-20512-6| url-access= registration| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/103}}</ref> The [[A-side and B-side|B-side]], "Two People in the World", was also a hit. The group followed up with "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. When their success dwindled in 1961, Gourdine left to attempt a solo career. Original Imperials member Nate Rogers was drafted into the service and Tracey Lord, another original member, left |
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| first= Joseph |
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to get married. The line-up then became Collins, Wright, [[Sammy Strain]], (a childhood friend who had grown up together with the Imperials in Brooklyn), and George Kerr. Kerr was replaced by [[Kenny W. Seymour]] after a short time. This line-up had little success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/Sammy%20Strain%20Part%203%20The%20Imperials%20(1961%20-%201963)%20Web.pdf|title=Echoes of the Past|publisher=Classicurbanharmony.net|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203171351/http://classicurbanharmony.net/Sammy%20Strain%20Part%203%20The%20Imperials%20%281961%20-%201963%29%20Web.pdf|archive-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> |
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| last= Murrells |
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| year= 1978 |
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| title= The Book of Golden Discs |
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| edition= 2nd |
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| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd |
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| location= London |
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| page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/103 103] |
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| isbn= 0-214-20512-6 |
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| url-access= registration |
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| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/103 |
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}}</ref> The [[A-side and B-side|B-side]], "Two People in the World", was also a hit. The group followed up with "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. When their success dwindled in 1961, Gourdine left to attempt a solo career. Original Imperials member Nate |
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Rogers was drafted into the service and Tracey Lord, another original member, left |
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to get married. The line-up then became Collins, Wright, [[Sammy Strain]], (a childhood friend who had grown up together with the Imperials in Brooklyn), and George Kerr. Kerr was replaced by [[Kenny W. Seymour]] after a short time. This line-up had little success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/Sammy%20Strain%20Part%203%20The%20Imperials%20(1961%20-%201963)%20Web.pdf|title=Echoes of the Past|publisher=Classicurbanharmony.net|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203171351/http://classicurbanharmony.net/Sammy%20Strain%20Part%203%20The%20Imperials%20%281961%20-%201963%29%20Web.pdf|archive-date=February 3, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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Gourdine returned in 1963, replacing Seymour. The group's classic line-up – Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and Strain – was now complete. With the help of record producer/songwriter [[Teddy Randazzo]] (a childhood friend of the group), the Imperials found success on the new DCP (Don Costa Productions) label with the dramatic pop-soul records "[[I'm on the Outside (Looking In)]]" (1964), "[[Goin' Out of My Head]]" (1964), "[[Hurt So Bad]]" (1965), "I Miss You So" (1965), "[[Take Me Back (Imperials song)|Take Me Back]]" (1965), "[[Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)|Hurt]]" (1966), "[[Better Use Your Head]]" (1966), and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" (1969).<ref name="VF">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicvf.com/Little+Anthony+%2526+the+Imperials.art|title=Little Anthony & the Imperials Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts|publisher=Musicvf.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> In 1965, the Imperials appeared on the [[CBS]]-TV special ''[[Murray The K - It's What's Happening, Baby|Murray The K – It's What's Happening, Baby]]'', where they performed "I'm Alright" before a live audience in New York at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ-22RSt8v0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/wQ-22RSt8v0| archive-date= |
Gourdine returned in 1963, replacing Seymour. The group's classic line-up – Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and Strain – was now complete. With the help of record producer/songwriter [[Teddy Randazzo]] (a childhood friend of the group), the Imperials found success on the new DCP (Don Costa Productions) label with the dramatic pop-soul records "[[I'm on the Outside (Looking In)]]" (1964), "[[Goin' Out of My Head]]" (1964), "[[Hurt So Bad]]" (1965), "I Miss You So" (1965), "[[Take Me Back (Imperials song)|Take Me Back]]" (1965), "[[Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)|Hurt]]" (1966), "[[Better Use Your Head]]" (1966), and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" (1969).<ref name="VF">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicvf.com/Little+Anthony+%2526+the+Imperials.art|title=Little Anthony & the Imperials Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts|publisher=Musicvf.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> In 1965, the Imperials appeared on the [[CBS]]-TV special ''[[Murray The K - It's What's Happening, Baby|Murray The K – It's What's Happening, Baby]]'', where they performed "I'm Alright" before a live audience in New York at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ-22RSt8v0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/wQ-22RSt8v0| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=THE IMPERIALS LIVE@ THE FOX !!|access-date=June 13, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the height of their career, the group made two appearances on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'', at the time television's top talent showcase, on March 28, 1965, and again on January 25, 1970.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/the-ed-sullivan-show/march-28-1965-little-anthony-and-the-imperials-bobby-vinton-sergio-franchi-108618/ |title=The Ed Sullivan Show – Season 17, Episode 26: March 28, 1965: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Bobby Vinton, Sergio Franchi |publisher=TV.com |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/the-ed-sullivan-show/january-25-1970-little-anthony-and-the-imperials-b-j-thomas-robert-klein-patti-page-106954/ |title=The Ed Sullivan Show – Season 22, Episode 18: January 25, 1970: Little Anthony & the Imperials, B.J. Thomas, Robert Klein, Patti Page |publisher=TV.com |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> They also performed on ''[[Shindig!]]'' ''[[Hullabaloo (TV series)|Hullabaloo]]'', ''[[Kraft Music Hall (TV series)|Kraft Music Hall]]'', ''[[Soul Train]]'', ''[[American Bandstand]]'', ''[[The Midnight Special (TV series)|The Midnight Special]]'', and ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. |
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The Imperials then joined [[United Artists Records]] and were assigned to its Veep Records subsidiary, and then to the parent label itself, where they recorded "World of Darkness", "It's Not |
The Imperials then joined [[United Artists Records]] and were assigned to its Veep Records subsidiary, and then to the parent label itself, where they recorded "World of Darkness", "It's Not the Same", "If I Remember to Forget", "Yesterday Has Gone", and the [[Thom Bell]]-produced "Help Me Find a Way (To Say I Love You)". |
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Albums from this era include: ''Reflections'', ''Payin' Our Dues'', ''Out |
Albums from this era include: ''Reflections'', ''Payin' Our Dues'', ''Out of Sight, Out of Mind'' (named after their hit [[cover version|cover]] of [[The Five Keys]] song), and ''Movie Grabbers'', which included a rendition of "You Only Live Twice", the [[James Bond]] motion picture [[theme tune|theme]]. This song was originally recorded by The Imperials – expressly for the film and its soundtrack – but was later given instead to [[Nancy Sinatra]] for the film, due to her father [[Frank Sinatra|Frank's]] greater influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/Sammy%20Strain%204%20LA%20&%20Imperials.pdf |title=The Sammy Strain Story Part 4 : Little Anthony & the Imperials |author=Charlie Horner |publisher=Classicurbanharmony.net |access-date=January 7, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203184441/http://classicurbanharmony.net/Sammy%20Strain%204%20LA%20%26%20Imperials.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5XuQ141OZ4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/W5XuQ141OZ4| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Anthony & The Imperials You Only Live Twice |publisher=YouTube |date=March 1, 2015 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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They recorded three singles for [[Janus Records]] including "Father Father", which they later performed on the [[Merv Griffin Show]]. Then they went to [[Avco Records]] in the mid-1970s and recorded ''On A New Street'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.circustown.net/ct/book/20020522/imperials.jpg |publisher=Circustown.net |title=Album Cover |access-date= |
They recorded three singles for [[Janus Records]] including "Father Father", which they later performed on the [[Merv Griffin Show]]. Then they went to [[Avco Records]] in the mid-1970s and recorded ''On A New Street'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.circustown.net/ct/book/20020522/imperials.jpg |publisher=Circustown.net |title=Album Cover |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> and charted with the songs "La La La (At the End)" and "I'm Falling in Love with You". This album was produced by both Bell and Randazzo. A second LP for Avco Records entitled ''Hold On'' was withdrawn from sale in the USA after the failure of the title track to sell and Avco's subsequent financial difficulties. The group appeared on ''[[Soul Train]]'' on May 26, 1973. By this time, Strain and Wright had left the group, although both would eventually return.<ref name="rockhall.com">{{cite web|url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/little-anthony-and-the-imperials/bio/|title=Inductee explorer - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|website=Rockhall.com}}</ref> |
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[[File:The Imperials 1976.jpg|thumb|The Imperials in 1976. (L to R) Harold Jenkins, Clarence Collins and Bobby Wade]] |
[[File:The Imperials 1976.jpg|thumb|The Imperials in 1976. (L to R) Harold Jenkins, Clarence Collins and Bobby Wade]] |
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Wright left in 1971 to join [[Tony Williams (singer)|Tony Williams]]' [[the Platters|Platters]]. He was replaced by the returning Kenny Seymour, who was again replaced after a short time by Bobby Wade, formerly a Cleveland-based singer with a number of solo releases on Cleveland labels, that included Way Out and Big Jim. Strain left in 1972. He had a restaurant in Los Angeles and had not been singing professionally for three years. At the end of that period, he was briefly a member of The Fandangos with Lonnie Cook and Alvin Walker. He also auditioned for the lead voice of Arpeggio. Strain had been replaced by Harold Jenkins as a member of The Imperials. He then joined [[the O'Jays]] as the replacement for original O'Jays member William Powell, who left the group due to illness. |
Wright left in 1971 to join [[Tony Williams (singer)|Tony Williams]]' [[the Platters|Platters]]. He was replaced by the returning Kenny Seymour, who was again replaced after a short time by Bobby Wade, formerly a Cleveland-based singer with a number of solo releases on Cleveland labels, that included Way Out and Big Jim. Strain left in 1972. He had a restaurant in Los Angeles and had not been singing professionally for three years. At the end of that period, he was briefly a member of The Fandangos with Lonnie Cook and Alvin Walker. He also auditioned for the lead voice of Arpeggio. Strain had been replaced by Harold Jenkins as a member of The Imperials. He then joined [[the O'Jays]] as the replacement for original O'Jays member William Powell, who left the group due to illness. Powell died of cancer shortly thereafter. Jenkins had already been functioning as the group's choreographer. Jenkins and Seymour had previously performed together in the Impacts. Gourdine left for a second (more successful) attempt at a solo career. The trio of Collins, Wade, and Jenkins continued as "the Imperials". Collins left in 1988, and was replaced by Sherman James. They then toured as "Bobby Wade's Imperials". James left in 1992, and was replaced by Ron Stevenson.{{citation needed|date=January 2010}} |
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===Reunion=== |
===Reunion=== |
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In 1992, Collins, Wright, Strain, and Gourdine reunited for a concert at [[Madison Square Garden]]. This reunion proved to be a success. When the decision was made for the foursome to tour together again, Wade relinquished the Imperials name, with his group becoming "Bobby Wade's Emperors" when they became the [[house band]] at [[Caesars Palace]] in [[Las Vegas]]. At this point, Strain left the O'Jays, and permanently returned to the Imperials. 1992, the year of the group's reformation, was also the 40th anniversary of [[Dick Clark]]'s [[American Bandstand]], and he invited the Imperials to appear as part of the televised special celebration. |
In 1992, Collins, Wright, Strain, and Gourdine reunited for a concert at [[Madison Square Garden]]. This reunion proved to be a success. When the decision was made for the foursome to tour together again, Wade relinquished the Imperials name, with his group becoming "Bobby Wade's Emperors" when they became the [[house band]] at [[Caesars Palace]] in [[Las Vegas]]. At this point, Strain left the O'Jays, and permanently returned to the Imperials. 1992, the year of the group's reformation, was also the 40th anniversary of [[Dick Clark]]'s [[American Bandstand]], and he invited the Imperials to appear as part of the televised special celebration. |
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On August 30, 1997, the group was featured on NBC's ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today]]'' show as part of that show's "Summer Concert Series", and appeared on three popular PBS specials: ''Rock, Rhythm, and Doo-Wop'' and ''Red, White and Rock'' in 2002; and ''Soul Spectacular: 40 Years |
On August 30, 1997, the group was featured on NBC's ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today]]'' show as part of that show's "Summer Concert Series", and appeared on three popular PBS specials: ''Rock, Rhythm, and Doo-Wop'' and ''Red, White and Rock'' in 2002; and ''Soul Spectacular: 40 Years of R&B'' in 2003. Also, during this period, they recorded two new CDs: ''Little Anthony & the Imperials – Live: Up Close & Personal'' (the group's first ever live album), and ''Pure Acapella'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crystalballrecords.com/catalog/images/Little%20Anthony%20Acappella%20(2).jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708210233/http://www.crystalballrecords.com/catalog/images/Little%20Anthony%20Acappella%20%282%29.jpg|archive-date=July 8, 2011|title=Pure Acapella}}</ref> an all a cappella CD showcasing the group's vocal talents on several classic 1950s doo-wop songs, including their own hit, "Two People in the World", which was written by Imperials member Ernest Wright. These two recordings marked the first time that the classic line-up had recorded together in over 30 years. |
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In 2009, the year of the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new CD in years, entitled ''You'll Never Know''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqSU5_WGozA|title=Little Anthony and the Imperials accept award Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2009 Induction Ceremony|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Youll-Never-Little-Anthony-Imperials/dp/B001FBSMXK |title=Amazon.com: You'll Never Know: Little Anthony & Imperials: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002141618/http://www.amazon.com/Youll-Never-Little-Anthony-Imperials/dp/B001FBSMXK |archive-date=October 2, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6h-XYzhQV0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/k6h-XYzhQV0| archive-date=2021 |
In 2009, the year of the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new CD in years, entitled ''You'll Never Know''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqSU5_WGozA|title=Little Anthony and the Imperials accept award Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2009 Induction Ceremony|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Youll-Never-Little-Anthony-Imperials/dp/B001FBSMXK |title=Amazon.com: You'll Never Know: Little Anthony & Imperials: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002141618/http://www.amazon.com/Youll-Never-Little-Anthony-Imperials/dp/B001FBSMXK |archive-date=October 2, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6h-XYzhQV0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/k6h-XYzhQV0| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title="I Ain't Fallin" Little Anthony and The Imperials|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7AEmc2OXb9T5fZtbsHtpzR|title=You'll Never Know|website=Open.spotify.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Little+Anthony+&+the+Imperials/You%27ll+Never+Know|title=You'll Never Know — Little Anthony & the Imperials|website=Last.fm}}</ref> |
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==Later years: 2000 to present== |
==Later years: 2000 to present== |
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Gourdine, Collins, Wright, and Strain continued touring as "Little Anthony and the Imperials" until Strain retired in 2004 and Jenkins, for the second time, returned to take his place. In 2010, Jenkins also retired, and was replaced by Robert DeBlanc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.littleanthonyandtheimperials.com/info.htm#Robert |title=LAI Info Page |publisher=Littleanthonyandtheimperials.com |access-date= |
Gourdine, Collins, Wright, and Strain continued touring as "Little Anthony and the Imperials" until Strain retired in 2004 and Jenkins, for the second time, returned to take his place. In 2010, Jenkins also retired, and was replaced by Robert DeBlanc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.littleanthonyandtheimperials.com/info.htm#Robert |title=LAI Info Page |publisher=Littleanthonyandtheimperials.com |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, the Imperials were (along with [[the Dells]]), one of the few 1950s-era R&B groups still touring with the great majority of their original members (Gourdine, Collins, and Wright). |
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Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new LP in several years in October 2008, entitled "You'll Never Know", and they performed on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on August 26, 2008. |
Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new LP in several years in October 2008, entitled "You'll Never Know", and they performed on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on August 26, 2008. The French electronic music duo [[Daft Punk]] [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] Little Anthony and the Imperials' 1977 recording of "Can You Imagine" for the track "Crescendolls". |
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Imperials founder Collins retired from the group in late 2012 for age and health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/09/13/50240.htm|title=Courthouse News Service|publisher=Courthousenews.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> He still owns the trademark on The Imperials' name. He and Anthony were once married to twin sisters, Brenda Collins and Linda Gourdine, but Brenda and Clarence have since divorced. |
Imperials founder Collins retired from the group in late 2012 for age and health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/09/13/50240.htm|title=Courthouse News Service|publisher=Courthousenews.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> He still owns the trademark on The Imperials' name. He and Anthony were once married to twin sisters, Brenda Collins and Linda Gourdine, but Brenda and Clarence have since divorced. The Contemporary Christian Gospel Group [[The Imperials]] uses the name with Collins' permission. Gourdine's first wife was Judy Fouseca, with whom he had four children, and four more by his second wife, Linda.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.algomes.com/imperials/anthonybio.html|title=Little Anthony and The Imperials Anthony Gourdine Bio|publisher=Algomes.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/The_Classic_Imperials_The_complete_history_of_the_Christian_music_pioneers/44583/p3/|title=Page 3 of The Classic Imperials: The complete history of the Christian music pioneers – The Classic Imperials|publisher=Crossrhythms.co.uk|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/littleanthony.gourdine?fref=ts|title=Little Anthony Gourdine – Facebook|publisher=Facebook.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> Strain, once married to singer [[Yvonne Fair]] (now deceased), is married to his second wife, DeBorah, and has two children, Vincent and Shawn.<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqSU5_WGozA|title=Little Anthony and the Imperials accept award Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2009 Induction Ceremony|work=YouTube|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> Original member Wright is married and has a daughter, Nicole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.algomes.com/imperials/ernestbio.html|title=Little Anthony and The Imperials Ernest Wright Bio|publisher=Algomes.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> He is also a songwriter and producer. Original Imperials bass singer Glouster "Nate" Rogers is a cancer survivor. He has been married many years to wife Loretta.<ref name="youtube.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/gloster.rogers?fref=tl_fr_box&pnref=lhc.friends|title=Aanmelden bij Facebook |website=Facebook.com|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref> Original Imperials member Tracey Lord is deceased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futurerocklegends.com/artist.php?artist_id=Little_Anthony_and_the_Imperials|title=Little Anthony and the Imperials – Future Rock Legends|website=Futurerocklegends.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> |
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In early 2014, Gourdine toured the UK with David Gest's Legends of Soul, when he performed "Tears on My Pillow" and "Goin' Out of My Head".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidgestonline.com/david-gests-legends-of-soul-live-concert|title=David Gest – DAVID GEST'S LEGENDS OF SOUL LIVE CONCERT!|first=David|last=Gest|work=David Gest|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010229/http://www.davidgestonline.com/david-gests-legends-of-soul-live-concert/|archive-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref> The same year, he released his biography, ''Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny'', recounting his life, his memories, and his years with The Imperials.<ref>{{cite book|title=Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny|isbn=978-1620866931 |last1=Krieger |first1=Arlene |year=2014 |publisher=Mascot Books }}</ref> |
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In early 2014, Gourdine toured the UK with David Gest's Legends of Soul, when he performed "Tears on My Pillow" and "Goin' Out of My Head" |
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidgestonline.com/david-gests-legends-of-soul-live-concert|title=David Gest – DAVID GEST'S LEGENDS OF SOUL LIVE CONCERT!|first=David|last=Gest|work=David Gest|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010229/http://www.davidgestonline.com/david-gests-legends-of-soul-live-concert/|archive-date=January 8, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The same year, he released his biography, ''Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny'', recounting his life, his memories, and his years with The Imperials.<ref>{{cite book|title=Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny|isbn=978-1620866931 |last1=Krieger |first1=Arlene |year=2014 }}</ref> |
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{{As of|2018}}, The Imperials are still performing. Imperials founder Collins, now retired, has been replaced by Johnny Britt. De Blanc and original members Wright and Gourdine round out the group. When the group is not touring, Gourdine does stage plays and currently also has a one-man show, which he is currently doing to support his recently released biography, and to celebrate his 55-plus years as a performer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tERUv5BBJVc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/tERUv5BBJVc| archive-date= |
{{As of|2018}}, The Imperials are still performing. Imperials founder Collins, now retired, has been replaced by Johnny Britt. De Blanc and original members Wright and Gourdine round out the group. When the group is not touring, Gourdine does stage plays and currently also has a one-man show, which he is currently doing to support his recently released biography, and to celebrate his 55-plus years as a performer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tERUv5BBJVc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/tERUv5BBJVc| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Pace Report: "My Journey, My Destiny" The Little Anthony Gourdine Interview |publisher=YouTube |date=July 10, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ticketfly.com/event/728029-little-anthony-new-york/ |title=Little Anthony – Tickets – The Cutting Room – New York, NY – January 8th, 2015 |publisher=Ticketfly |date=January 8, 2015 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://littleanthonyandtheimperials.org/Upcoming_Performances.html |title=Upcoming Performances |publisher=Littleanthonyandtheimperials.org |access-date=August 17, 2015}}</ref> |
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== Cover versions, influence, and legacy == |
== Cover versions, influence, and legacy == |
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Over the decades, in a measure of their profound influence, several of The Imperials' hit songs have been covered by numerous other artists of many different musical genres, including pop, [[jazz]], [[Middle of the road (music)|MOR]], rock, [[Latin music (genre)|Latin]], [[Country music|country]], [[doo-wop]], and [[R&B]]. Some examples: |
Over the decades, in a measure of their profound influence, several of The Imperials' hit songs have been covered by numerous other artists of many different musical genres, including pop, [[jazz]], [[Middle of the road (music)|MOR]], rock, [[Latin music (genre)|Latin]], [[Country music|country]], [[doo-wop]], and [[R&B]]. Some examples: |
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* "[[Hurt So Bad]]" an Imperials' |
* "[[Hurt So Bad]]" an Imperials' top ten song, was covered by [[Linda Ronstadt]], as well as [[the Lettermen]], [[Alicia Keys]], [[Grant Green]], [[the Delfonics]], [[Nancy Wilson (jazz singer)|Nancy Wilson]], [[Nancy Holloway]], the Philly Devotions, [[Willie Hutch]], [[Arthur Prysock]], [[Tracy Huang]], Cathy Carlson, Willie Bovain, [[Ramsey Lewis]], [[Herb Alpert|Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass]], and [[Nancy Holliday]]. |
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* "[[I'm on the Outside (Looking In)]]", a top 20 hit for the Imperials, has been covered by [[the Miracles]], [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Amy Winehouse]], [[the Lettermen]], and [[the Jaggerz]]. |
* "[[I'm on the Outside (Looking In)]]", a top 20 hit for the Imperials, has been covered by [[the Miracles]], [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Amy Winehouse]], [[the Lettermen]], and [[the Jaggerz]]. |
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* "[[Tears on My Pillow]]", the Imperials' first million-selling hit, has been covered by numerous artists, including [[the McGuire Sisters]], [[Sha Na Na]], [[New Edition]], and [[S Club 8]]. [[Clem Snide]] recorded a cover for the ''[[Stubbs the Zombie]]'' soundtrack. |
* "[[Tears on My Pillow]]", the Imperials' first million-selling hit, has been covered by numerous artists, including [[the McGuire Sisters]], [[Sha Na Na]], [[New Edition]], and [[S Club 8]]. [[Clem Snide]] recorded a cover for the ''[[Stubbs the Zombie]]'' soundtrack. "Tears on My Pillow" has also been covered by [[Timi Yuro]], [[Chuck Jackson]], [[Bobby Vee]], [[Lou Christie]], [[Martha and the Vandellas]], [[Bobby Vinton]], [[Johnny Tillotson]], [[Neil Sedaka]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[Jodeci]], [[Lorrie Morgan]], [[Derrick Morgan]] with [[Lynn Taitt|Lyn Tait & the Jets]], [[Neils Children]], [[Kylie Minogue]], and [[the Fleetwoods]]. |
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* "[[Goin' Out of My Head]]", another |
* "[[Goin' Out of My Head]]", another top 10 hit, and Little Anthony and the Imperials' signature song, has had over 50 different cover versions by other artists, including [[the Delfonics]], [[Vic Damone]], [[Cilla Black]], [[Petula Clark]], [[Willie Bobo]], [[Sergio Mendes|Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66]], [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Lou Christie]], [[Les McCann]], [[the Lettermen]], [[Ramsey Lewis]], [[Luther Vandross]], [[Ray Conniff]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Lawrence Welk]], [[Florence Ballard]], and [[the Miracles]]. |
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* |
* "[[Better Use Your Head]]", the Imperials' 1966 transatlantic hit, has been covered by [[Barry Ryan (singer)|Barry Ryan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp54Mybvn_I| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519035448/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp54Mybvn_I| archive-date=May 19, 2021 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Robin Wilson,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIvGauGM-kE| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311034123/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIvGauGM-kE| archive-date=March 11, 2016 | url-status=dead|title=Little Anthony & the Imperials - Better Use Your Head|date=March 9, 2013|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Dennis D'ell,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFIQvzujuwQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/UFIQvzujuwQ| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Dennis D'Ell - Better Use Your Head.|date=November 14, 2010|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Marion Ryan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wT9r7eO35w| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519034941/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wT9r7eO35w| archive-date=May 19, 2021 | url-status=dead|title=NS-KTF-2021 Marion Ryan - Better Use Your Head.wmv|date=March 19, 2012|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> |
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*"[[Take Me Back (Imperials song)|Take Me Back]]", Little Anthony and the Imperials' 1965 top 20 hit, has been covered by Country Music artists [[Glen Campbell]], [[Ronnie Dove]] and [[Sonny James]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKMx66eWSuQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/YKMx66eWSuQ| archive-date= |
*"[[Take Me Back (Imperials song)|Take Me Back]]", Little Anthony and the Imperials' 1965 top 20 hit, has been covered by Country Music artists [[Glen Campbell]], [[Ronnie Dove]] and [[Sonny James]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKMx66eWSuQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/YKMx66eWSuQ| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Glen Campbell - Take Me Back|date=May 2, 2017|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYQGrofZNxQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/BYQGrofZNxQ| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Sonny James - Take Me Back|date=March 16, 2014|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hapdf1E66OM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Hapdf1E66OM| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Ronnie Dove - Take Me Back|date=June 3, 2015|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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*"If I Love You", a 1970 song by the Imperials, was later covered by [[The Stylistics]] on their first album for Avco Records two years later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea0F2TPbkXg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Ea0F2TPbkXg| archive-date= |
*"If I Love You", a 1970 song by the Imperials, was later covered by [[The Stylistics]] on their first album for Avco Records two years later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea0F2TPbkXg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Ea0F2TPbkXg| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Little Anthony & The Imperials - If I Love You.wmv|date=June 14, 2011|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0byXdQJyMr8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/0byXdQJyMr8| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Stylistics - If I Love You|date=May 2, 2008|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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* "The Loneliest House on the Block", an early 1970s Imperials tune, from their album ''On A New Street'', was covered by soul vocal group [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]] . |
* "The Loneliest House on the Block", an early 1970s Imperials tune, from their album ''On A New Street'', was covered by soul vocal group [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]] . |
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* The Imperials' 1968 single, |
* The Imperials' 1968 single, "Yesterday Has Gone", was covered by UK band [[Cupid's Inspiration]] in 1968 and climbed to #4 in the UK singles chart; the song was also recorded in 1996 by [[Marc Almond]] and [[P.J. Proby]]. |
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* "[[Tears on My Pillow|Two People In The World]]", the hit "B" side of The Imperials' first-million-selling hit, "Tears on My Pillow", has been covered by : [[Paul and Paula]], [[The Dovells]], and [[The Marcels]] . |
* "[[Tears on My Pillow|Two People In The World]]", the hit "B" side of The Imperials' first-million-selling hit, "Tears on My Pillow", has been covered by : [[Paul and Paula]], [[The Dovells]], and [[The Marcels]] . |
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<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopN21OTo2c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/TopN21OTo2c| archive-date= |
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopN21OTo2c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/TopN21OTo2c| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Two People in the World|access-date=June 13, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cMEVB7pgzc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/3cMEVB7pgzc| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Dovells - Two People In The World|access-date=June 13, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsOjFtmOl5s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/tsOjFtmOl5s| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Two People In The World-Marcels-1961-Colpix (LP)|access-date=June 13, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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In addition, according to songwriter and producer [[Gamble and Huff|Kenny Gamble]], Little Anthony and the Imperials and their music were a major influence in the development of [[Philadelphia soul]], and artists such as [[the Stylistics]], [[the Delfonics]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/cover/80220/The-Delfonics-Going-Out-of-My-Head-Little-Anthony-and-the-Imperials-Goin'-Out-of-My-Head/|title=The Delfonics's 'Going Out of My Head' - Discover the Original Song|website=Whosampled.com}}</ref> [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]] (who covered the Imperials' tune "The Loneliest House on the Block"),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZzL13dH1FM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/JZzL13dH1FM| archive-date= |
In addition, according to songwriter and producer [[Gamble and Huff|Kenny Gamble]], Little Anthony and the Imperials and their music were a major influence in the development of [[Philadelphia soul]], and artists such as [[the Stylistics]], [[the Delfonics]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/cover/80220/The-Delfonics-Going-Out-of-My-Head-Little-Anthony-and-the-Imperials-Goin'-Out-of-My-Head/|title=The Delfonics's 'Going Out of My Head' - Discover the Original Song|website=Whosampled.com}}</ref> [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]] (who covered the Imperials' tune "The Loneliest House on the Block"),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZzL13dH1FM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/JZzL13dH1FM| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Little Anthony & The Imperials - The Loneliest House on The Block.avi|date=January 20, 2011|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5qikZf6I4w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/E5qikZf6I4w| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Blue Magic - The Loneliest House on the Block|date=September 23, 2012|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Chicago's [[The Chi-Lites|Chi-Lites]], and other groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0QvGRJVJI|title=Little Anthony Interview at the 2009 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony|date=April 22, 2009|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> They were also the first contemporary music group to play New York's prestigious Copacabana nightclub, even predating the Temptations and Supremes.<ref name="rockhall.com"/> |
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==2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and other awards== |
==2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and other awards== |
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Little Anthony and the Imperials received the [[Rhythm and Blues Foundation]]'s Pioneer Award in 1993. |
Little Anthony and the Imperials received the [[Rhythm and Blues Foundation]]'s Pioneer Award in 1993. They were inducted into the [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]] in 1999 and the [[Long Island Music Hall of Fame]] on October 15, 2006. In 2007, the Imperials were inducted into the [[Hit Parade Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparadehalloffame.com/inductees/|title=Inductees|publisher=Hitparadehalloffame.com|access-date=January 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017102806/http://hitparadehalloffame.com/inductees/|archive-date=October 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparadehalloffame.com/little-anthony-the-imperials/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926145856/http://hitparadehalloffame.com/little-anthony-the-imperials/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2013|title=Little Anthony & the Imperials|publisher=Hitparadehalloffame.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Little Anthony and the Imperials had been inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/little-anthony-and-the-imperials/bio/|title=Little Anthony and the Imperials Biography|publisher=Rockhall.com|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> Gourdine, Wright, Collins, Strain, and Rogers were present to be honored.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futurerocklegends.com/artist.php?artist_id=Little_Anthony_and_the_Imperials |title=Little Anthony and the Imperials |publisher=Future Rock Legends |date=January 3, 2007 |access-date=December 15, 2012}}</ref> Deceased original Imperials member Tracy Lord was inducted posthumously; his sons accepted his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on his behalf.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0QvGRJVJI |title=Little Anthony Interview at the 2009 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony |publisher=YouTube |date=April 22, 2009 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}</ref> The group was inducted by [[Smokey Robinson]]. In October 2009, the group performed "Two People in the World" at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame#25th anniversary concert|25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042ZH87C/ |title=The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts (4CD)|website=Amazon |access-date=November 25, 2011}}</ref> In 2014, [[Goldmine (magazine)|''Goldmine'']] magazine inducted the Imperials into ''The Goldmine Hall of Fame''. Editor Phil Marder referred to them as one of the few 1950s doo-wop groups (though the group hated that label) to consistently chart hits during the [[British Invasion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldminemag.com/news/goldmines-hall-fame-inductees-volume-43|title=Goldmine's Hall of Fame Inductees – Volume 43 – Goldmine Magazine|work=Goldmine Magazine|date=March 13, 2014 |access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=669508|title=Little Anthony & The Imperials: No More Doo Wop Reunions|work=Pollstar|access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> ''Goldmine'' also named Little Anthony and the Imperials as one of ''The 20 Greatest Doo-Wop Groups of All Time''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldminemag.com/article/goldmines-20-greatest-doo-wop-groups|title=Goldmine's 20 greatest doo-wop groups|work=Goldmine Magazine|date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> |
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Sammy Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with [[the O'Jays]] in 2005 and the Imperials in 2009. |
Sammy Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with [[the O'Jays]] in 2005 and the Imperials in 2009. |
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In 2018, Little Anthony and the Imperials were inducted into the [[Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame]] in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rhythmandblueshof.com/2015/05/06/2015-induction-ceremony-and-concert-detroit/ |title=2015 INDUCTION CEREMONY AND CONCERT – DETROIT | The Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame Museum |publisher=Rhythmandblueshof.com |date=August 28, 2014 |access-date= |
In 2018, Little Anthony and the Imperials were inducted into the [[Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame]] in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rhythmandblueshof.com/2015/05/06/2015-induction-ceremony-and-concert-detroit/ |title=2015 INDUCTION CEREMONY AND CONCERT – DETROIT | The Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame Museum |publisher=Rhythmandblueshof.com |date=August 28, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718231758/http://rhythmandblueshof.com/2015/05/06/2015-induction-ceremony-and-concert-detroit/ |archive-date=July 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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On April 24, 2023, Little Anthony & The Imperials were inducted into the newly established, Atlantic City Walk Of Fame presented by, The National R&B Music Society Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=GALLERY: Atlantic City Walk of Fame |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/gallery-atlantic-city-walk-of-fame/collection_c851003e-da24-11ed-a53f-37cb508d95b9.html#1 |website=Press of Atlantic City |date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fertsch |first1=Cindy |title=The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society Inc. Presents The Atlantic City Walk of Fame & Induction Ceremony |url=https://shorelocalnews.com/the-national-rhythm-blues-music-society-inc-presents-the-atlantic-city-walk-of-fame-induction-ceremony/ |website=Shore Local Newsmagazine |access-date=May 1, 2023 |date=February 27, 2023}}</ref> Little Anthony, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Nate Rogers, and Sammy Strain were all in attendance to accept the honor. It was the first time all five were together since The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009. Norman Burnett of the vocal group, [[The Tymes]] inducted the group. [[James Brown]], [[The Delfonics]] and [[Grover Washington Jr.|Grover Washington Jr]]., were also inducted in the inaugural class.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fertsch |first1=Cindy |title=The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society Inc. inducts artists into the first 'Walk of Fame' |url=https://shorelocalnews.com/the-national-rhythm-blues-music-society-inc-inducts-artists-into-the-first-walk-of-fame/ |website=Shore Local Newsmagazine |access-date=May 1, 2023 |date=April 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Atlantic City Walk of Fame |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/atlantic-city-walk-of-fame/article_e348b414-e2e8-11ed-9fa1-770741244525.html |website=Press of Atlantic City |date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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===Albums=== |
===Albums=== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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* ''We Are the Imperials, featuring Little Anthony'' – End LP 303 (1959) |
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|- |
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* ''Shades of the 40s'' – End LP 311 (1960) |
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! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year |
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::The above two albums were issued only in mono |
|||
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title |
|||
* ''I'm on the Outside Looking In'' – DCP DCL-3801 (Mono)/DCS-6801 (Stereo) (1964) – Pop #135 |
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! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |
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::Re-released in 1966 on Veep VP 13510 (Mono)/VPS 16510 (Stereo) |
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! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Label |
|||
* ''Goin' Out of My Head'' – DCP DCL-3808/DCS-6808 (1965) – Pop #74, R&B #5<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=March 27, 1965|title=Hot R&B LP's|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1965/Billboard%201965-03-27.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=16}}</ref> |
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|- |
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! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard 200|US]]<br><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|title=Little Anthony & the Imperials -Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/little-anthony-the-imperials-mn0000308871/awards|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=22 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905183024/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/little-anthony-the-imperials-mn0000308871/awards|archive-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref> |
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::Re-released in 1966 on Veep VP 13511/VPS 16511 |
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! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]]<br><ref name="Awards"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=March 27, 1965|title=Hot R&B LP's|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1965/Billboard%201965-03-27.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=16}}</ref> |
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* ''The Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials'' – DCP DCL-3809/DCS-6809 (1965) – Pop #97 |
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|- |
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::Re-released in 1966 on Veep VP 13512/VPS 16512 |
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| 1959 |
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* ''Payin' Our Dues'' – Veep VP 13513/VPS 16513 (1966) |
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| ''We Are the Imperials, featuring Little Anthony'' |
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* ''Reflections'' – Veep VP 13514/VPS 16514 (1967) |
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| align=center | — |
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* ''Movie Grabbers'' – Veep VP 13516/VPS 16516 (1967) |
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| align=center | — |
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* ''The Best of Anthony & the Imperials, Volume 2'' – Veep VPS 16519 (1968) |
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| rowspan="2" align=center | [[End Records|End]] |
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::The above four albums are credited as "Anthony & the Imperials" |
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|- |
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* ''Out of Sight, Out of Mind'' – United Artists UAS 6720 (1969) – Pop #172 |
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| 1961 |
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* ''On A New Street'' – Avco AV-11012 (1973) |
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| ''Shades of the 40s'' |
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* ''Hold On'' – Avco SWX 6263 (1975) |
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| align=center | — |
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(Only demo copies existed until 2013, when this album was released in a 2-for-1 CD with The Imperials' ''On A New Street'' album by Soulmusic.Com Records.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Street-Hold-Little-Anthony-Imperials/dp/B00C0Z879Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1375152883&sr=1-1&keywords=little+anthony+%26+the+imperials+hold+on|title=On a New Street / Hold on Import|website=Amazon |access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulmusic.com/index.asp?S=5&T=8&ART=2834|title=SoulMusic.com|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107231824/http://www.soulmusic.com/index.asp?S=5&T=8&ART=2834|archive-date=January 7, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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| align=center | — |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1964 |
|||
| ''I'm on the Outside Looking In'' |
|||
| align=center | 135 |
|||
| align=center | — |
|||
| rowspan="3" align=center | DCP |
|||
|- |
|||
| rowspan="2"| 1965 |
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| ''Goin' Out of My Head'' |
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| align=center | 74 |
|||
| align=center | 5 |
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|- |
|||
| ''The Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials'' |
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| align=center | 97 |
|||
| align=center | 9 |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1966 |
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| ''Payin' Our Dues'' |
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| align=center | — |
|||
| align=center | — |
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| rowspan="4" align=center | [[Veep Records|Veep]] |
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|- |
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| rowspan="2"| 1967 |
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| ''Reflections'' |
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| align=center | — |
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| align=center | — |
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|- |
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| ''Movie Grabbers'' |
|||
| align=center | — |
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| align=center | — |
|||
|- |
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| 1968 |
|||
| ''The Best of Anthony & the Imperials, Volume 2'' |
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| align=center | — |
|||
| align=center | — |
|||
|- |
|||
| 1969 |
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| ''Out of Sight, Out of Mind'' |
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| align=center | 172 |
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| align=center | — |
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| align=center | [[United Artists Records|United Artists]] |
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|- |
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| 1973 |
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| ''On A New Street'' |
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| align=center | — |
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| align=center | — |
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| rowspan="2" align=center | [[Avco Records|Avco]] |
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|- |
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| 1975 |
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| ''Hold On''{{efn-ua|Only demo copies existed until 2013, when this album was released in a 2-for-1 CD with The Imperials' ''On A New Street'' album by Soulmusic.Com Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Street-Hold-Little-Anthony-Imperials/dp/B00C0Z879Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1375152883&sr=1-1&keywords=little+anthony+%26+the+imperials+hold+on|title=On a New Street / Hold on Import|website=Amazon |access-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulmusic.com/index.asp?S=5&T=8&ART=2834|title=SoulMusic.com|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107231824/http://www.soulmusic.com/index.asp?S=5&T=8&ART=2834|archive-date=January 7, 2015}}</ref>|name=fn1|group=upper-alpha}} |
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| align=center | — |
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| align=center | — |
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|- |
|||
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
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|} |
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===Singles=== |
===Singles=== |
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Line 120: | Line 167: | ||
!rowspan="2"| Album |
!rowspan="2"| Album |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! style="width: |
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="VF"/> |
||
! style="width: |
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]<br /><ref name="VF"/> |
||
! style="width: |
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16651/imperials/ | title=LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company | publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] }}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|rowspan="3"|1958 |
|rowspan="3"|1958 |
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Line 226: | Line 273: | ||
|rowspan="2"|1964 |
|rowspan="2"|1964 |
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|"[[I'm on the Outside (Looking In)]]"<br /><small>b/w "Please Go"</small> |
|"[[I'm on the Outside (Looking In)]]"<br /><small>b/w "Please Go"</small> |
||
|align=center|DCP 1104 |
|align=center|DCP 1104 |
||
|align=center|15 |
|align=center|15 |
||
|align=center|8 |
|align=center|8 |
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Line 233: | Line 280: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
|"[[Goin' Out of My Head]]"<br /><small>b/w "Make It Easy on Yourself" (from ''I'm on the Outside (Looking In))''</small> |
|"[[Goin' Out of My Head]]"<br /><small>b/w "Make It Easy on Yourself" (from ''I'm on the Outside (Looking In))''</small> |
||
|align=center|DCP 1119 |
|align=center|DCP 1119 |
||
|align=center|6 |
|align=center|6 |
||
|align=center|6 |
|align=center|6 |
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Line 241: | Line 288: | ||
|rowspan="4"|1965 |
|rowspan="4"|1965 |
||
|"[[Hurt So Bad]]"<br /><small>b/w "Reputation"</small> |
|"[[Hurt So Bad]]"<br /><small>b/w "Reputation"</small> |
||
|align=center|DCP 1128 |
|align=center|DCP 1128 |
||
|align=center|10 |
|align=center|10 |
||
|align=center|3 |
|align=center|3 |
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Line 247: | Line 294: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
|"[[Take Me Back (Imperials song)|Take Me Back]]"<br /><small>b/w "Our Song" (from ''I'm on the Outside (Looking In))''</small> |
|"[[Take Me Back (Imperials song)|Take Me Back]]"<br /><small>b/w "Our Song" (from ''I'm on the Outside (Looking In))''</small> |
||
|align=center|DCP 1136 |
|align=center|DCP 1136 |
||
|align=center|16 |
|align=center|16 |
||
|align=center|15 |
|align=center|15 |
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Line 253: | Line 300: | ||
|- |
|- |
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|"I Miss You So"<br /><small>b/w "Get Out of My Life"</small> |
|"I Miss You So"<br /><small>b/w "Get Out of My Life"</small> |
||
|align=center|DCP 1149 |
|align=center|DCP 1149 |
||
|align=center|34 |
|align=center|34 |
||
|align=center|23 |
|align=center|23 |
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Line 259: | Line 306: | ||
|- |
|- |
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|"[[Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)|Hurt]]"<br /><small>b/w "Never Again"</small> |
|"[[Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)|Hurt]]"<br /><small>b/w "Never Again"</small> |
||
|align=center|DCP 1154 |
|align=center|DCP 1154 |
||
|align=center|51 |
|align=center|51 |
||
|align=center|— |
|align=center|— |
||
Line 422: | Line 469: | ||
|align=center|— |
|align=center|— |
||
|align=center|— |
|align=center|— |
||
|rowspan=" |
|rowspan="6"|Non-album tracks |
||
|- |
|- |
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|1976 |
|1976 |
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Line 447: | Line 494: | ||
|"Who's Gonna Love Me"<br /><small>b/w "You Better Take Time to Love"<br />As "The Imperials"</small> |
|"Who's Gonna Love Me"<br /><small>b/w "You Better Take Time to Love"<br />As "The Imperials"</small> |
||
|align=center|Omni 5501 |
|align=center|Omni 5501 |
||
|align=center|— |
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|align=center|73 |
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|align=center|17 |
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|- |
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|1979 |
|||
|"Fast Freddie The Roller Disco King"<br /><small>b/w "I Just Wanna Be Your Lovin' Man"<br />As "The Imperials"</small> |
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|align=center|[[TK Records|T.K. Disco]] 413 |
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|align=center|— |
|align=center|— |
||
|align=center|— |
|align=center|— |
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Line 453: | Line 507: | ||
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
||
|} |
|} |
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==Notes== |
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{{notelist-ua}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
Latest revision as of 18:19, 8 July 2024
Little Anthony and the Imperials | |
---|---|
![]() Little Anthony and the Imperials in 2005, New York City. (L to R) Harold Jenkins, Ernest Wright, Clarence Collins, Jerome "Little Anthony" Gourdine | |
Background information | |
Also known as | The Imperials |
Origin | Brooklyn, New York City, United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 1958–present |
Labels | |
Members | Jerome "Little Anthony" Gourdine Ernest Wright Robert Deblanc Johnny Britt |
Past members | Clarence "Wa-hoo" Collins Samuel "Sammy" Strain Gloster "Nate" Rogers Tracy Lord Bobby Wade Harold "Hawk" Jenkins Kenny W. Seymour SR. George Kerr |
Website | littleanthonyandtheimperials |
Little Anthony and the Imperials is an American rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York City founded by Clarence Collins in the 1950s and named in part for its lead singer, Jerome Anthony "Little Anthony" Gourdine, who was noted for his high-pitched voice. In addition to Collins and Gourdine, the original Imperials included Ernest Wright, Gloster "Nate" Rogers, and Tracy Lord, the last two of whom were subsequently replaced by Sammy Strain.
The group was one of the very few doo-wop groups to enjoy sustained success on the R&B and pop charts throughout the 1960s. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009,[1] 23 years after the group's first year of eligibility for induction.
Career
[edit]In 1957, a doo-wop group known as "The Chesters" was composed of Collins, Tracey Lord, Nathaniel Rodgers, and Ronald Ross. Anthony Gourdine, a former member of The DuPonts,whose falsetto had been inspired by Jimmy Scott, joined as lead vocalist. Ernest Wright took over from Ross, and the group recorded briefly for Apollo Records.[citation needed]
Changing their name to "The Imperials", the group signed with End Records in 1958. Their first single was "Tears on My Pillow", which was an instant hit. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.[2] The B-side, "Two People in the World", was also a hit. The group followed up with "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. When their success dwindled in 1961, Gourdine left to attempt a solo career. Original Imperials member Nate Rogers was drafted into the service and Tracey Lord, another original member, left to get married. The line-up then became Collins, Wright, Sammy Strain, (a childhood friend who had grown up together with the Imperials in Brooklyn), and George Kerr. Kerr was replaced by Kenny W. Seymour after a short time. This line-up had little success.[3]
Gourdine returned in 1963, replacing Seymour. The group's classic line-up – Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and Strain – was now complete. With the help of record producer/songwriter Teddy Randazzo (a childhood friend of the group), the Imperials found success on the new DCP (Don Costa Productions) label with the dramatic pop-soul records "I'm on the Outside (Looking In)" (1964), "Goin' Out of My Head" (1964), "Hurt So Bad" (1965), "I Miss You So" (1965), "Take Me Back" (1965), "Hurt" (1966), "Better Use Your Head" (1966), and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" (1969).[4] In 1965, the Imperials appeared on the CBS-TV special Murray The K – It's What's Happening, Baby, where they performed "I'm Alright" before a live audience in New York at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre.[5] At the height of their career, the group made two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the time television's top talent showcase, on March 28, 1965, and again on January 25, 1970.[6][7] They also performed on Shindig! Hullabaloo, Kraft Music Hall, Soul Train, American Bandstand, The Midnight Special, and The Tonight Show.
The Imperials then joined United Artists Records and were assigned to its Veep Records subsidiary, and then to the parent label itself, where they recorded "World of Darkness", "It's Not the Same", "If I Remember to Forget", "Yesterday Has Gone", and the Thom Bell-produced "Help Me Find a Way (To Say I Love You)".
Albums from this era include: Reflections, Payin' Our Dues, Out of Sight, Out of Mind (named after their hit cover of The Five Keys song), and Movie Grabbers, which included a rendition of "You Only Live Twice", the James Bond motion picture theme. This song was originally recorded by The Imperials – expressly for the film and its soundtrack – but was later given instead to Nancy Sinatra for the film, due to her father Frank's greater influence.[8][9]
They recorded three singles for Janus Records including "Father Father", which they later performed on the Merv Griffin Show. Then they went to Avco Records in the mid-1970s and recorded On A New Street,[10] and charted with the songs "La La La (At the End)" and "I'm Falling in Love with You". This album was produced by both Bell and Randazzo. A second LP for Avco Records entitled Hold On was withdrawn from sale in the USA after the failure of the title track to sell and Avco's subsequent financial difficulties. The group appeared on Soul Train on May 26, 1973. By this time, Strain and Wright had left the group, although both would eventually return.[11]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/The_Imperials_1976.jpg/220px-The_Imperials_1976.jpg)
Wright left in 1971 to join Tony Williams' Platters. He was replaced by the returning Kenny Seymour, who was again replaced after a short time by Bobby Wade, formerly a Cleveland-based singer with a number of solo releases on Cleveland labels, that included Way Out and Big Jim. Strain left in 1972. He had a restaurant in Los Angeles and had not been singing professionally for three years. At the end of that period, he was briefly a member of The Fandangos with Lonnie Cook and Alvin Walker. He also auditioned for the lead voice of Arpeggio. Strain had been replaced by Harold Jenkins as a member of The Imperials. He then joined the O'Jays as the replacement for original O'Jays member William Powell, who left the group due to illness. Powell died of cancer shortly thereafter. Jenkins had already been functioning as the group's choreographer. Jenkins and Seymour had previously performed together in the Impacts. Gourdine left for a second (more successful) attempt at a solo career. The trio of Collins, Wade, and Jenkins continued as "the Imperials". Collins left in 1988, and was replaced by Sherman James. They then toured as "Bobby Wade's Imperials". James left in 1992, and was replaced by Ron Stevenson.[citation needed]
Reunion
[edit]In 1992, Collins, Wright, Strain, and Gourdine reunited for a concert at Madison Square Garden. This reunion proved to be a success. When the decision was made for the foursome to tour together again, Wade relinquished the Imperials name, with his group becoming "Bobby Wade's Emperors" when they became the house band at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. At this point, Strain left the O'Jays, and permanently returned to the Imperials. 1992, the year of the group's reformation, was also the 40th anniversary of Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and he invited the Imperials to appear as part of the televised special celebration.
On August 30, 1997, the group was featured on NBC's Today show as part of that show's "Summer Concert Series", and appeared on three popular PBS specials: Rock, Rhythm, and Doo-Wop and Red, White and Rock in 2002; and Soul Spectacular: 40 Years of R&B in 2003. Also, during this period, they recorded two new CDs: Little Anthony & the Imperials – Live: Up Close & Personal (the group's first ever live album), and Pure Acapella,[12] an all a cappella CD showcasing the group's vocal talents on several classic 1950s doo-wop songs, including their own hit, "Two People in the World", which was written by Imperials member Ernest Wright. These two recordings marked the first time that the classic line-up had recorded together in over 30 years. In 2009, the year of the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new CD in years, entitled You'll Never Know.[13][14][15][16][17]
Later years: 2000 to present
[edit]Gourdine, Collins, Wright, and Strain continued touring as "Little Anthony and the Imperials" until Strain retired in 2004 and Jenkins, for the second time, returned to take his place. In 2010, Jenkins also retired, and was replaced by Robert DeBlanc.[18] As of 2012[update], the Imperials were (along with the Dells), one of the few 1950s-era R&B groups still touring with the great majority of their original members (Gourdine, Collins, and Wright).
Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new LP in several years in October 2008, entitled "You'll Never Know", and they performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on August 26, 2008. The French electronic music duo Daft Punk sampled Little Anthony and the Imperials' 1977 recording of "Can You Imagine" for the track "Crescendolls".
Imperials founder Collins retired from the group in late 2012 for age and health reasons.[19] He still owns the trademark on The Imperials' name. He and Anthony were once married to twin sisters, Brenda Collins and Linda Gourdine, but Brenda and Clarence have since divorced. The Contemporary Christian Gospel Group The Imperials uses the name with Collins' permission. Gourdine's first wife was Judy Fouseca, with whom he had four children, and four more by his second wife, Linda.[20][21][22] Strain, once married to singer Yvonne Fair (now deceased), is married to his second wife, DeBorah, and has two children, Vincent and Shawn.[23] Original member Wright is married and has a daughter, Nicole.[24] He is also a songwriter and producer. Original Imperials bass singer Glouster "Nate" Rogers is a cancer survivor. He has been married many years to wife Loretta.[23][25] Original Imperials member Tracey Lord is deceased.[26]
In early 2014, Gourdine toured the UK with David Gest's Legends of Soul, when he performed "Tears on My Pillow" and "Goin' Out of My Head".[27] The same year, he released his biography, Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny, recounting his life, his memories, and his years with The Imperials.[28]
As of 2018[update], The Imperials are still performing. Imperials founder Collins, now retired, has been replaced by Johnny Britt. De Blanc and original members Wright and Gourdine round out the group. When the group is not touring, Gourdine does stage plays and currently also has a one-man show, which he is currently doing to support his recently released biography, and to celebrate his 55-plus years as a performer.[29][30][31]
Cover versions, influence, and legacy
[edit]Over the decades, in a measure of their profound influence, several of The Imperials' hit songs have been covered by numerous other artists of many different musical genres, including pop, jazz, MOR, rock, Latin, country, doo-wop, and R&B. Some examples:
- "Hurt So Bad" an Imperials' top ten song, was covered by Linda Ronstadt, as well as the Lettermen, Alicia Keys, Grant Green, the Delfonics, Nancy Wilson, Nancy Holloway, the Philly Devotions, Willie Hutch, Arthur Prysock, Tracy Huang, Cathy Carlson, Willie Bovain, Ramsey Lewis, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass, and Nancy Holliday.
- "I'm on the Outside (Looking In)", a top 20 hit for the Imperials, has been covered by the Miracles, Johnny Mathis, Amy Winehouse, the Lettermen, and the Jaggerz.
- "Tears on My Pillow", the Imperials' first million-selling hit, has been covered by numerous artists, including the McGuire Sisters, Sha Na Na, New Edition, and S Club 8. Clem Snide recorded a cover for the Stubbs the Zombie soundtrack. "Tears on My Pillow" has also been covered by Timi Yuro, Chuck Jackson, Bobby Vee, Lou Christie, Martha and the Vandellas, Bobby Vinton, Johnny Tillotson, Neil Sedaka, Reba McEntire, Jodeci, Lorrie Morgan, Derrick Morgan with Lyn Tait & the Jets, Neils Children, Kylie Minogue, and the Fleetwoods.
- "Goin' Out of My Head", another top 10 hit, and Little Anthony and the Imperials' signature song, has had over 50 different cover versions by other artists, including the Delfonics, Vic Damone, Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Willie Bobo, Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66, Ella Fitzgerald, Lou Christie, Les McCann, the Lettermen, Ramsey Lewis, Luther Vandross, Ray Conniff, Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Welk, Florence Ballard, and the Miracles.
- "Better Use Your Head", the Imperials' 1966 transatlantic hit, has been covered by Barry Ryan,[32] Robin Wilson,[33] Dennis D'ell,[34] and Marion Ryan.[35]
- "Take Me Back", Little Anthony and the Imperials' 1965 top 20 hit, has been covered by Country Music artists Glen Campbell, Ronnie Dove and Sonny James[36][37][38]
- "If I Love You", a 1970 song by the Imperials, was later covered by The Stylistics on their first album for Avco Records two years later.[39][40]
- "The Loneliest House on the Block", an early 1970s Imperials tune, from their album On A New Street, was covered by soul vocal group Blue Magic .
- The Imperials' 1968 single, "Yesterday Has Gone", was covered by UK band Cupid's Inspiration in 1968 and climbed to #4 in the UK singles chart; the song was also recorded in 1996 by Marc Almond and P.J. Proby.
- "Two People In The World", the hit "B" side of The Imperials' first-million-selling hit, "Tears on My Pillow", has been covered by : Paul and Paula, The Dovells, and The Marcels .
[41][42][43] In addition, according to songwriter and producer Kenny Gamble, Little Anthony and the Imperials and their music were a major influence in the development of Philadelphia soul, and artists such as the Stylistics, the Delfonics,[44] Blue Magic (who covered the Imperials' tune "The Loneliest House on the Block"),[45][46] Chicago's Chi-Lites, and other groups.[47] They were also the first contemporary music group to play New York's prestigious Copacabana nightclub, even predating the Temptations and Supremes.[11]
2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and other awards
[edit]Little Anthony and the Imperials received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1993. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on October 15, 2006. In 2007, the Imperials were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame[48][49] On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Little Anthony and the Imperials had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[50] Gourdine, Wright, Collins, Strain, and Rogers were present to be honored.[51] Deceased original Imperials member Tracy Lord was inducted posthumously; his sons accepted his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on his behalf.[52] The group was inducted by Smokey Robinson. In October 2009, the group performed "Two People in the World" at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert.[53] In 2014, Goldmine magazine inducted the Imperials into The Goldmine Hall of Fame. Editor Phil Marder referred to them as one of the few 1950s doo-wop groups (though the group hated that label) to consistently chart hits during the British Invasion.[54][55] Goldmine also named Little Anthony and the Imperials as one of The 20 Greatest Doo-Wop Groups of All Time.[56]
Sammy Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with the O'Jays in 2005 and the Imperials in 2009.
In 2018, Little Anthony and the Imperials were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in Detroit.[57]
On April 24, 2023, Little Anthony & The Imperials were inducted into the newly established, Atlantic City Walk Of Fame presented by, The National R&B Music Society Inc.[58][59] Little Anthony, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Nate Rogers, and Sammy Strain were all in attendance to accept the honor. It was the first time all five were together since The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009. Norman Burnett of the vocal group, The Tymes inducted the group. James Brown, The Delfonics and Grover Washington Jr., were also inducted in the inaugural class.[60][61]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Label | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [62] |
US R&B [62][63] | ||||
1959 | We Are the Imperials, featuring Little Anthony | — | — | End | |
1961 | Shades of the 40s | — | — | ||
1964 | I'm on the Outside Looking In | 135 | — | DCP | |
1965 | Goin' Out of My Head | 74 | 5 | ||
The Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials | 97 | 9 | |||
1966 | Payin' Our Dues | — | — | Veep | |
1967 | Reflections | — | — | ||
Movie Grabbers | — | — | |||
1968 | The Best of Anthony & the Imperials, Volume 2 | — | — | ||
1969 | Out of Sight, Out of Mind | 172 | — | United Artists | |
1973 | On A New Street | — | — | Avco | |
1975 | Hold On[A] | — | — | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Singles
[edit]Year | Song titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
Label & number | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [4] |
US R&B [4] |
UK [66] | ||||
1958 | "Tears on My Pillow" b/w "Two People in the World" Original pressings shown as "The Imperials" |
End 1027 | 4 | 2 | — | We Are the Imperials featuring Little Anthony |
"So Much" b/w "Oh Yeah" |
End 1036 | 87 | 24 | — | ||
"The Diary" b/w "Cha Cha Henry" |
End 1038 | — | — | — | ||
1959 | "Wishful Thinking" b/w "When You Wish upon a Star" |
End 1039 | 79 | — | — | |
"A Prayer and a Juke Box" b/w "River Path" |
End 1047 | 81 | — | — | The Greatest Hits of Little Anthony and the Imperials | |
"I'm Alright" b/w "So Near Yet So Far" |
End 1053 | — | — | — | ||
"Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop" b/w "I'm Still in Love with You" |
End 1060 | 24 | 14 | — | ||
1960 | "My Empty Room" b/w "Bayou, Bayou Baby" |
End 1067 | 86 | — | — | Non-album tracks |
"I'm Taking a Vacation from Love" b/w "Only Sympathy" |
End 1074 | — | — | — | ||
"Limbo Part I" b/w "Limbo Part II" |
End 1080 | — | — | — | ||
1961 | "Formula of Love" b/w "Dream" (from Shades of the 40s) |
End 1083 | — | — | — | |
"Please Say You Want Me" b/w "So Near Yet So Far" (from The Greatest Hits of Little Anthony and the Imperials) |
End 1086 | 104 | — | — | ||
"Traveling Stranger" b/w "Say Yeah" |
End 1091 | — | — | — | We Are the Imperials featuring Little Anthony | |
"A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" b/w "Dream" |
End 1104 | — | — | — | Shades of the 40s | |
"That Lil' Ole Lovemaker Me" b/w "It Just Ain't Fair" |
Roulette 4379 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
1964 | "I'm on the Outside (Looking In)" b/w "Please Go" |
DCP 1104 | 15 | 8 | — | I'm on the Outside (Looking In) |
"Goin' Out of My Head" b/w "Make It Easy on Yourself" (from I'm on the Outside (Looking In)) |
DCP 1119 | 6 | 6 | — | Goin' Out of My Head | |
1965 | "Hurt So Bad" b/w "Reputation" |
DCP 1128 | 10 | 3 | — | |
"Take Me Back" b/w "Our Song" (from I'm on the Outside (Looking In)) |
DCP 1136 | 16 | 15 | — | ||
"I Miss You So" b/w "Get Out of My Life" |
DCP 1149 | 34 | 23 | — | ||
"Hurt" b/w "Never Again" |
DCP 1154 | 51 | — | — | ||
1966 | "Better Use Your Head" b/w "The Wonder of It All" |
Veep 1228 | 54 | — | 42 | Payin' Our Dues |
"You Better Take It Easy Baby" b/w "Gonna Fix You Good (Every Time You're Bad)" |
Veep 1233 | 125 | — | — | ||
"It's Not the Same" b/w "Down on Love" (Non-album track) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1248 | 92 | — | — | ||
1967 | "Don't Tie Me Down" b/w "Where There's a Will There's a Way to Forget You" (Non-album track) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1255 | 123 | — | — | Reflections |
"Hold on to Someone" b/w "Lost in Love" As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1262 | — | — | — | ||
"You Only Live Twice" b/w "My Love Is a Rainbow" (from Reflections) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1269 | — | — | — | Movie Grabbers | |
"If I Remember to Forget" b/w "Beautiful People" (from The Best of Anthony & the Imperials Volume 2) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1275 | — | — | — | Reflections | |
1968 | "I'm Hypnotized" b/w "Hungry Heart" (from Payin' Our Dues) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1278 | 98 | — | — | The Best of Anthony & the Imperials Volume 2 |
"What Greater Love" b/w "In the Back of My Heart" As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1283 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
"Yesterday Has Gone" b/w "My Love Is a Rainbow" As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1285 | — | — | — | Reflections | |
"The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In)" b/w "The Gentle Rain" (from Movie Grabbers) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1293 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
1969 | "Anthem (Grow, Grow, Grow)" b/w "Goodbye Goodtimes" As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Veep 1303 | — | — | — | |
"Out of Sight, Out of Mind" b/w "Summer's Comin' In" |
United Artists 50552 | 52 | 38 | — | Out of Sight, Out of Mind | |
"The Ten Commandments of Love" b/w "Let the Sunshine In" |
United Artists 50598 | 82 | — | — | ||
1970 | "Don't Get Close" b/w "It'll Never Be the Same Again" |
United Artists 50625 | 116 | — | — | Non-album tracks |
"World of Darkness" b/w "The Change" |
United Artists 50677 | 121 | — | — | ||
"Help Me Find a Way (To Say I Love You)" b/w "If I Love You" |
United Artists 50720 | 92 | 32 | — | ||
1971 | "Father, Father" b/w "Each One, Teach One" |
Janus 160 | — | — | — | |
1973 | "La La La at the End" b/w "Lazy Susan" |
Avco 4614 | — | — | — | On a New Street |
1974 | "I'm Falling in Love with You" b/w "What Good Am I Without You" |
Avco 4635 | 86 | 25 | — | |
"I Don't Have to Worry" b/w "Loneliest House on the Block" |
Avco 4645 | — | — | — | ||
1975 | "Hold On (Just a Little Bit Longer)" b/w "I've Got to Let You Go (Part 1)" As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Avco 4651 | 106 | 79 | — | Hold On! |
"I'll Be Loving You Sooner or Later" b/w "Young Girl" (from Hold On!) As "Anthony & the Imperials" |
Avco 4655 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
1976 | "Nothing from Nothing" b/w "Running with the Wrong Crowd" |
Pure Gold 101 | — | — | — | |
1977 | "Who's Gonna Love Me" b/w "Can You Imagine" As "The Imperials" |
Power Exchange 266 | — | — | — | |
1978 | "Where You Gonna Find Somebody Like Me" b/w "Another Star" As "The Imperials" |
Power Exchange 271 | — | — | — | |
"Who's Gonna Love Me" b/w "You Better Take Time to Love" As "The Imperials" |
Omni 5501 | — | 73 | 17 | ||
1979 | "Fast Freddie The Roller Disco King" b/w "I Just Wanna Be Your Lovin' Man" As "The Imperials" |
T.K. Disco 413 | — | — | — | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Notes
[edit]References
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