The Four Knights: Difference between revisions
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'''The Four Knights''' were an [[United States|American]] [[human voice|vocal]] [[musical ensemble|group]] from [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]]. |
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'''The Four Knights''' were an American [[human voice|vocal]] [[musical ensemble|group]] from [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]], United States.<ref name="Larkin50">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2002|edition=Third|isbn=1-85227-937-0|page=148}}</ref> Their 1954 hit, "I Get So Lonely When I Dream About You (Oh Baby Mine)", sold over one million copies and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]]. |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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The group was formed in 1943, with an original membership of Gene Alford (lead [[tenor]]), Oscar Broadway ([[bass voice|bass]]), Clarence Dixon ([[baritone]]), and John Wallace (tenor, [[guitar]]). This line-up remained the same for much of the band's career. They first sang under the name Southland Jubilee Singers, and performed [[gospel music]] as well as vocal [[pop music|pop]] and [[doo-wop]] numbers. Their first professional job came in 1944 on [[WSDC (defunct)|WSDC]] [[radio station]], an [[NBC]] subsidiary based in Charlotte. Soon after they became featured performers on the program ''Carolina Hayride'', broadcast on [[CBS]] affiliate [[WBT (AM)|WBT]].<ref name=Singer>{{cite web|url=http://www.singers.com/jazz/vintage/fourknights.html|title=The Four Knights|publisher=Singer.com|accessdate=23 May 2011}}</ref> They recorded [[transcription disc]]s for [[Langworth Records]] in the middle of the decade and changed their name to The Four Knights in 1945.<ref name=amg>[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p186778/biography|pure_url=yes}} The Four Knights] at [[Allmusic]]</ref> |
The group was formed in 1943, with an original membership of Gene Alford (lead [[tenor]]), Oscar Broadway ([[bass voice|bass]]), Clarence Dixon ([[baritone]]), and John Wallace (tenor, [[guitar]]).<ref name="Larkin50"/> This line-up remained the same for much of the band's career. They first sang under the name Southland Jubilee Singers, and performed [[gospel music]] as well as vocal [[pop music|pop]] and [[doo-wop]] numbers. Their first professional job came in 1944 on [[WSDC (defunct)|WSDC]] [[radio station]], an [[NBC]] subsidiary based in Charlotte. Soon after they became featured performers on the program ''Carolina Hayride'', broadcast on [[CBS]] affiliate [[WBT (AM)|WBT]].<ref name=Singer>{{cite web|url=http://www.singers.com/jazz/vintage/fourknights.html|title=The Four Knights|publisher=Singer.com|accessdate=23 May 2011}}</ref> They recorded [[transcription disc]]s for [[Langworth Records]] in the middle of the decade and changed their name to The Four Knights in 1945.<ref name=amg>[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p186778/biography|pure_url=yes}} The Four Knights] at [[Allmusic]]</ref> |
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[[File:Skelton card 1948.jpg|thumb| |
[[File:Skelton card 1948.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Photo of 1948 ''Raleigh Cigarettes Program'' cast: Standing: Pat McGeehan, The Four Knights, [[David Rose (musician)|David Rose]] (orchestra leader). Seated:[[Verna Felton]] ("Grandma" to Skelton's "Junior" character), [[Rod O'Connor (announcer)]], [[Lurene Tuttle]] ("Mother" to Skelton's "Junior" character). Front: [[Red Skelton]].]] |
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Later in 1945, the group moved to [[New York City|New York]], where they appeared on [[Arthur Godfrey]]'s [[radio show]]. They signed with [[Decca Records]] in 1946, releasing four [[single (music)|singles]] over the next two years. They appeared on [[Red Skelton]]'s radio program through most of 1948 and toured with [[Bill "Bojangles" Robinson]]. In 1949 they released two more singles on the Decca subsidiary [[Coral Records]].<ref name=Singer/> |
Later in 1945, the group moved to [[New York City|New York]], where they appeared on [[Arthur Godfrey]]'s [[radio show]].<ref name="Larkin50"/> They signed with [[Decca Records]] in 1946, releasing four [[single (music)|singles]] over the next two years. They appeared on [[Red Skelton]]'s radio program through most of 1948,<ref name="Larkin50"/> and toured with [[Bill "Bojangles" Robinson]]. In 1949, they released two more singles on the Decca subsidiary [[Coral Records]].<ref name=Singer/> |
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The group lost its [[recording contract]] with Skelton in 1950, when its manager had an asking price for the Knights' services which was above Skelton's show's budget. The manager broke the contract rather than try to reach a compromise with the program. The group fired him for this, since they had now lost a major source of exposure.<ref name=Singer/> |
The group lost its [[recording contract]] with Skelton in 1950, when its manager had an asking price for the Knights' services which was above Skelton's show's budget. The manager broke the contract rather than try to reach a compromise with the program. The group fired him for this, since they had now lost a major source of exposure.<ref name=Singer/> They signed to [[Capitol Records]] the following year, where they would remain for six years and some 40 single releases, along with two [[gramophone record|LP]]s and three [[gramophone record|EP]]s. The 1951 release "I Love the Sunshine of Your Smile" hit No. 23 on the U.S. [[pop music|pop]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref name=amg/> As [[television]] became more widespread, they renewed their contract with Skelton for his TV show and also appeared on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''. |
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Their 1954 hit, "[[(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely|I Get So Lonely When I Dream About You (Oh Baby Mine)]]", went to No. 3 on the charts in the U.S. and was their biggest success in America, selling over one million copies globally, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book |
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| first= Joseph |
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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/68 68] |
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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/68 |
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}}</ref> They had several other charting releases in the early 1950s.<ref name=amg/> Under the name "Oh Baby Mine (I Get So Lonely)", the song also went to No. 5 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] that year.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book |
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| first= David |
| first= David |
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| last= Roberts |
| last= Roberts |
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| location= London |
| location= London |
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| isbn= 1-904994-10-5 |
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5 |
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| page= 209}}</ref> The group accompanied [[Nat King Cole]] on his hits "My Personal Possession" and "That's All There Is to That".<ref name=Singer/> |
| page= 209}}</ref> The group accompanied [[Nat King Cole]] on his hits "My Personal Possession" and "[[That's All There Is to That]]".<ref name=Singer/> |
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Gene Alford had to leave the group |
Gene Alford had to leave the group due to his worsening [[epilepsy]], and was replaced by George Vereen and then Clifford Holland (formerly of the [[Delta Rhythm Boys]]). Alford died in 1960.<ref name=Singer/><ref>{{cite web|author=Doc Rock |url=http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/1960.html |title=The 1960s |publisher=The Dead Rock Stars Club |accessdate=2015-08-17}}</ref> |
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In 1957 the group re-signed with Coral, releasing four further singles and two LPs. Their last hit was "Oh Falling Star" in 1959, which peaked at |
In 1957, the group re-signed with Coral, releasing four further singles and two LPs. Their last hit was "Oh Falling Star" in 1959, which peaked at No. 83.<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p186778/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} Billboard], Allmusic.com. (Note: lists only post-1955 chart data)</ref> They released a few further singles on minor labels into the 1960s but had essentially quit the [[music industry]] by the middle of the decade. Three years after Alford's death, Clarence Dixon left the group; in 1966, it was disbanded. John Wallace died in 1978 and both Dixon and Broadway retired to the Los Angeles area.<ref name=Singer/> Broadway died In 1978 and Dixon died in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|author=Doc Rock |url=http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/1992.html |title=The Dead Rock Stars Club 1992–1993 |publisher=Thedeadrockstarsclub.com |accessdate=2015-08-17}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Musical groups from North Carolina]] |
[[Category:Musical groups from North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:Musical groups established in 1943]] |
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1943]] |
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[[de:The Four Knights]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:34, 8 February 2023
The Four Knights were an American vocal group from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.[1] Their 1954 hit, "I Get So Lonely When I Dream About You (Oh Baby Mine)", sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.
Career
[edit]The group was formed in 1943, with an original membership of Gene Alford (lead tenor), Oscar Broadway (bass), Clarence Dixon (baritone), and John Wallace (tenor, guitar).[1] This line-up remained the same for much of the band's career. They first sang under the name Southland Jubilee Singers, and performed gospel music as well as vocal pop and doo-wop numbers. Their first professional job came in 1944 on WSDC radio station, an NBC subsidiary based in Charlotte. Soon after they became featured performers on the program Carolina Hayride, broadcast on CBS affiliate WBT.[2] They recorded transcription discs for Langworth Records in the middle of the decade and changed their name to The Four Knights in 1945.[3]
Later in 1945, the group moved to New York, where they appeared on Arthur Godfrey's radio show.[1] They signed with Decca Records in 1946, releasing four singles over the next two years. They appeared on Red Skelton's radio program through most of 1948,[1] and toured with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. In 1949, they released two more singles on the Decca subsidiary Coral Records.[2]
The group lost its recording contract with Skelton in 1950, when its manager had an asking price for the Knights' services which was above Skelton's show's budget. The manager broke the contract rather than try to reach a compromise with the program. The group fired him for this, since they had now lost a major source of exposure.[2] They signed to Capitol Records the following year, where they would remain for six years and some 40 single releases, along with two LPs and three EPs. The 1951 release "I Love the Sunshine of Your Smile" hit No. 23 on the U.S. pop chart.[3] As television became more widespread, they renewed their contract with Skelton for his TV show and also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Their 1954 hit, "I Get So Lonely When I Dream About You (Oh Baby Mine)", went to No. 3 on the charts in the U.S. and was their biggest success in America, selling over one million copies globally, and was awarded a gold disc.[4] They had several other charting releases in the early 1950s.[3] Under the name "Oh Baby Mine (I Get So Lonely)", the song also went to No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart that year.[5] The group accompanied Nat King Cole on his hits "My Personal Possession" and "That's All There Is to That".[2]
Gene Alford had to leave the group due to his worsening epilepsy, and was replaced by George Vereen and then Clifford Holland (formerly of the Delta Rhythm Boys). Alford died in 1960.[2][6]
In 1957, the group re-signed with Coral, releasing four further singles and two LPs. Their last hit was "Oh Falling Star" in 1959, which peaked at No. 83.[7] They released a few further singles on minor labels into the 1960s but had essentially quit the music industry by the middle of the decade. Three years after Alford's death, Clarence Dixon left the group; in 1966, it was disbanded. John Wallace died in 1978 and both Dixon and Broadway retired to the Los Angeles area.[2] Broadway died In 1978 and Dixon died in 1992.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 148. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Four Knights". Singer.com. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
- ^ a b c The Four Knights at Allmusic
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 68. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 209. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Doc Rock. "The 1960s". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic.com. (Note: lists only post-1955 chart data)
- ^ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1992–1993". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
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