The Moonglows

The Moonglows were an influental American R&B and doo wop group from Cleveland, Ohio. The original group was Bobby Lester, Harvey Fuqua, Alexander Graves and Prentiss Barnes, along with guitarist Billy Johnson. Originally known as The Crazy Sounds and The Moonlighters, they were renamed by Alan Freed. They began recording on Chance Records, before moving to Chess Records, where they had their first hit, "Sincerely" (1954) It was followed by a series of R&B hits, including "Most of All" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love". Previously, the lead sopt had been shared by Lester and Fuqua, but as time had progressed, Fuqua began to take a larger role as lead, with Lester being pushed to the background. This created a great deal of friction between him and the group (he was also managing them).

Related Topics:
R&B - Doo wop - Cleveland, Ohio - Bobby Lester - Harvey Fuqua - Alexander Graves - Prentiss Barnes - Billy Johnson - Alan Freed - Chance Records - Chess Records - Sincerely - 1954

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Around 1957, a group known as The Marquees was struggling to make it. The members were Marvin Gaye, Reese Palmer, Chester Simmons, and James Knowland. They decided to give an impromptu audition to Harvey Fuqua, as the Moonglows had come to town for a show. Fuqua was so impressed with them that he decided to fire the entire group and take on the Marquees as the new Moonglows. Fuqua recorded with these four (later including fifth member Chuck Barksdale), as Harvey & The Moonglows up through 1960. The group dispersed, and Fuqua and Gaye went on to solo careers (with Fuqua managing Gaye).

Related Topics:
1957 - The Marquees - Marvin Gaye - Reese Palmer - Chester Simmons - James Knowland - Chuck Barksdale

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In 1964, Graves restarted the Moonglows with Doc Green, George Thorpe, and Bearle Easton. This group recorded briefly for Lana Records, Times Square Records, and Crimson Records.

Related Topics:
Doc Green - George Thorpe - Bearle Easton - Lana Records - Times Square Records - Crimson Records

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The Moonglows were back in 1970 with Lester, his cousin Gary Rodgers, Albert Workman, Robert Ford, and Billy McPhatter (son of Clyde McPhatter). This group performed once in 1971, but the background singers did not wish to tour. Since Bobby did, he found the two active moonglows since the late 1950s- Harvey Fuqua and Alexander Graves, and restarted the Moonglows, with new members Doc Williams and Chuck Lewis. The recorded up until 1972, charting their last single, Sincerely '72.

Related Topics:
Gary Rodgers - Albert Workman - Robert Ford - Billy McPhatter - Clyde McPhatter - 1950s - Doc Williams - Chuck Lewis - Sincerely '72

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The group split up that year. They were back in 1979 with Lester, Rodgers, Robert Lee Davis, Bruce Martin, and Peter Lawford. Bobby Lester passed away from cancer in 1980, and Billy McPhatter returned to sing lead. McPhatter was later replaced by Bobby Lester, Jr.. Harvey would reunite with his moonglows in 1983 (minus Barksdale who had rejoined The Dells), and they toured until 1986.

Related Topics:
Robert Lee Davis - Bruce Martin - Peter Lawford - 1980 - Bobby Lester, Jr. - The Dells

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As of 1999, the Moonglows are Rodgers, Martin, Lawford, and Gene Kelly. They appeared on the 1991 PBS special Doo Wop 50, with guest lead Harvey Fuqua. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame the same year.

Related Topics:
1999 - Gene Kelly - PBS - Doo Wop 50 - Vocal Group Hall of Fame

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Prentiss Barnes is still alive and performing. Reese Palmers is a member of The Orioles. Harvey Fuqua still performs, sometimes backed by The Magnificents. All other members are either deceased or retired.

Related Topics:
The Orioles - The Magnificents

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