Little Anthony and the Imperials

Doo wop / soul vocal group Little Anthony and the Imperials was formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1958. Founded by Clarence Collins, the lead vocalist of the group was Jerome Anthony ‘Little Anthony’ Gourdine, who lent the group their name. The group’s original line-up also included Ernest Wright, Gloster ‘Nate’ Rogers, and Tracy Lord. Originally known as The Chesters in 1957, they changed their name to The Imperials when Little Anthony joined the following year. Their debut single, “Tears on My Pillow,” was a smash it, climbing to number 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and number 2 on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart. However, they released a series of singles between 1958 and 1961 and only made the Top 40 once with “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop” (1959), which reached number 24 on the Hot 100. Due to their lack of continued success, vocalist Little Anthony left the group in 1961 to pursue a solo career. The Imperials’ line-up went through several changes at this point and their career momentum came to a standstill. Little Anthony returned in 1963 and the ‘classic’ line-up of Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, new member Sammy Strain, and Little Anthony was born. Joining forces with songwriter / producer Teddy Randozzo and signing with the DCP label, Little Anthony and the Imperials began to score a series of hits including 1964’s “I’m on the Outside (Looking In)” (number 15) and “Goin’ Out of My Head” (number 6), and 1965’s “Hurt So Bad” (number 10) and “Take Me Back” (number 16). The group recorded the theme song to the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, but their version was eventually passed over when Nancy Sinatra’s version was used instead. The group continued into the 1970s with some chart success but nothing significant. More line-up changes followed including the departure – again – of Little Anthony. The classic lineup reunited in 1992 for a triumphant performance at Madison Square Garden and continued to perform together until 2004 when Strain retired. The remaining trio continued touring with other members, releasing a new album in 2008 and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following year. The Imperials founder Clarence Collins retired in 2012 due to health reasons. The group continues to perform with original members Little Anthony Gourdine and Ernest Wright.

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