More UK Sue

  Singer and song writer Christophe Kenner was born in Kenner, Louisiana, on December 25, 1929. On his youth he sang with gospel choirs. In his teens he moved to New Orleans to work as a stevedore. After early recordings he started working and recording with Allen Toussaint in 1961 and had some success with his songs “I like it like that” and “Something you got”. The original recording of “Dances” starts with a spoken introduction, which was omitted when the recording was released. Sometimes Fats Domino is mentioned as a co-writer, although he is not credited on the Sue release. This was a private arrangement to get Domino to record the song in return for half of the royalties. Kenner’s career was affected by his high spending, alcoholism and unpredictable behaviour. He was notorious for being unable to remember the words of his own songs at performances. In 1968 he was convicted of the statutory rape of a minor and served a three year prison sentence at the infamous Angola prison....

James Brown wanted to record an instrumental for King Records, but was refused. Brown approached record producer Henry Stone to produce the track under an alias. Brown played the piano and shouted the title, but Stone decided to overdub another voice to prevent Brown from being recognised. A local radio disc jockey called Carlton “King” Coleman was used for the overdubs. The record was put out under the name of Nat Kendrick, who was James Brown’s then drummer, pictured. The songwriting credit of Dessie Rozier is a pseudonym for James Brown. James Brown plays piano. Image: Last FM

  The Kelly Brothers, also known as The King Pins, were three brothers, Curtis, Robert and Andrew Kelly, and occasionally their friends Charles Lee and/or Offe Reece. The quartet started off as a gospel quartet and also made rhythm and blues recordings. Image: President Records

  Thelma Jones “Stronger” was Thelma Jones’ debut recording. She comes from Fayetteville, North Carolina and began singing gospel while still a child with the family gospel recording group, The McDaniel Singers. She worked at The Apollo Theatre in New York. She recorded for Barry,  Atlantic  and Columbia  (although an album project never happened), including the original version of "The house that Jack built". She then settled in California. Her facebook page was last updated in 2020. Image: Thelma Jones

The singers on "Gee Baby" are now understood to be Josephine "Joe" Joseph and Annabelle "Ann" Broussard. “Gee baby”, US Ace 577, 1959. Chart Positions No.14 on the US r&b charts and no.108 pop charts. This recording was issued as a single on Island’s Black Swan label, WI-468, in May 1965. It was re-released on UK Sue ILP 920 “50 Minutes 24 Seconds of Recorded Dynamite”. This information was re-searched on 30.12.25.

The release of "Somebody Help Me" by "The Jaybirds" appears to be the backing track to the version by Jackie Edwards, so it would appear that "The Jaybirds" were the backing singers booked for that session. It certainly does sound like a backing track typical of the period. The rock group Ten Years After originally used the name The Jaybirds, but this does not sound like a rock group. The true identity of The Jaybirds will after all this time be difficult to establish and prove.

  Singer (You need telling?) Jamesetta Hawkins (Etta James) was born in Los Angeles, California on January 25, 1938. She began singing gospel music in Church and on the radio as a child under the supervision of James Earl Hines. She met Johnny Otis when she was 14. Otis came up with her professional name. Etta and an uncredited Richard Berry recorded “this “Roll with me Henry”, a rock and roll classic, in 1955 when they were members of a doo-wop group called The Peaches, Etta being just 16, and the record was issued at first as by The Peaches then by Etta James and the Peaches. It was recorded in a single take and became a hit record. On the original issue the song was called The Wallflower. After the success Etta left The Peaches for a solo career. The nickname “Peaches” followed her. In 1960 she signed to Chess Records and stayed with them until the label was dissolved in 1978. Her life was marked with problems including substance abuse, severe physical abuse and incarceration. S...

  Blues legend, song writer and guitarist Elmore Brooks (Elmore James) was born in Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi on January 27, 1918. He is regarded as the king of the slide guitar, and was renowned for his loud amplification. He became interested in music age 12 and in his teens performed as Cleanhead and Joe Willie James. His main influences were Robert Johnson, Kokomo Arnold and Tampa Red. By the late 1930s he was working with Sonny Boy Williamson. He served with the U. S. Navy in World War II and fought at Guam. In 1951 he made his recording debut, recording “Dust My Broom” in August 1951, which became a hit the following year. Elmore James died of a heart attack in Chicago, Illinois on May 24, 1963, aged 45 years. Phil Walden of Capricorn Records raised funds for a headstone for his grave, which was installed in 1992. Image: WUMB Radio

  Organist and pianist Henry “Hank” Jacobs was born in Los Angeles, California on 14 December 1946. In the early 1960s he teamed up with arranger and song writer Kent Harris and they managed to attract the attention of Sue Records in New York. “So Far Away” was recorded in late 1963 and was a small hit in January 1964 on the Sue label. Hank Jacobs worked as a session musician and can be heard at the piano on a number of well-known mid-’60s records, including soulful sides like “I’m So Thankful” by The Ikettes and Bettye Swann’s chart-topping 1967 R&B hit “Make Me Yours.” There has been no up to date information about Hank Jacobs for some years. Image: Last FM

Sue UK certainly liked putting out some obscure records at times. This one has two titles – it is also known as Flea Pot – and Alexander Jackson and the Turnkeys may also be the Lala Wilson Band. Latest AI search information points to Lala Wilson being the female song writer and singer La Forrest Cope but I do not have positive confirmation, and wonder if that is an error.

  The Intentions “Dancing Fast Dancing Slow” was licenced from Kent Records US and was recorded in 1966. Despite the latest AI search technology (!) I have still not been able to find a line up for this group. The record has been subsequently re-released on a number of compilation albums. On Sue UK, the single shared an EP with a Z Z Hill single from the same source. A group called The Intentions recorded for Jamie Records of Philadelphia: it is not the same group, nor are the modern day trio The Intentions, or the 11 piece band of the same name! Image: Doo Wop Groups (France)

  The Impressions formed in 1958 with the original line up of Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, Arthur Brooks, Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield. Richard and Arthur Brooks left the group and were replaced by Fred Cash. Jerry Butler left the group to pursue a solo career.  Richard and Arthur Brooks recorded as The Brooks Brothers, not to be confused with an English duo from the late 1950s, The Brook Brothers (Geoff and Ricky). Singer, song writer and social commentator Curtis Lee Mayfield was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3, 1942, was paralysed in an accident on stage on 13 August 1990, and died from complications from diabetes in Roswell, Georgia on December 26, 1999. Samuel G. “Sam” Gooden was born in Chattanooga,  Tennessee, on September 2, 1934 and died there from a heart attack on August 4, 2022. Fred Cash was born n Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  on October 8, 1940. He is still alive and singing. Singer and politician Jerry Butler was born in Sunflower, Missi...

  The Ikettes were formed in 1961 to accompany Tina Turner on her recordings and performances. There were numerous personnel changes over the years. "Prisoner Of Love" was recorded in 1963 when the Ikettes included Robbie Montgomery, Jessie Smith and Venetta Fields. Soon after its release, the title of “Prisoner of Love” was changed on the US single to “No Bail In This Jail” to avoid confusion by a recording by James Brown. Venetta Fields joined Ray Charles’ Raelettes. Robbie Montgomery became a back up singer with Dr. John, Barbra Streisand and others. Image: Last FM

  Jimmy J. Hughes was born in Leighton, Alabama on February 3, 1938 and is a cousin of Percy Sledge. He began singing in a gospel quartet while in high school. He most successfully recorded for the Fame studio in Muscle Shoals from 1964 to 1968 and his recordings appeared on the Fame, Vee Jay, Atlantic and Volt/Stax labels. Goodbye My Love was issued by Fame when distributed by Vee Jay records and was released in the UK on Sue WI 4006 in March 1966. The song was a hit for The Searchers. On some labels the song is called Goodbye My Lover Goodbye. In 1970, somewhat disenchanted, he quit the music industry, retrained, and worked in the power generation supply industry. His current whereabouts are unknown. “Goodbye my love”, US Fame F-6407, February 1964, did not chart. Some people think the record was issued in 1965. The Searchers’ version was issued in very early 1965, pointing to the index number 6407 being a reliable date indicator. Image: Last FM

  Dr. Horse was the stage name of singer, comedian and comic dancer Alvergous Pittman, who was born in Vinnia, Georgia, on 17 September 1917. He first performed in the 1930s with a musical comedy group called “The Five Pork Chops”. Recorded in 1962, with backing musicians including tenor saxophonist Red Prysock (1926-1993) and guitarist Billy Butler (1924-1991), “Jack that cat was clean” was issued in the UK on Sue ILP 920 “50 Minutes 24 Seconds of Recorded Dynamite”. Al Pittman died (cause unknown) in New York City on 28 April 2004. Image: Copyright Control

  ILP 950 - The Wallace Brothers - Soul Connection (07.67) Track listing:  Lovers prayer (Wallace)  | I'll step aside  (Trammell) | Precious words (Robinson) | Hold my hurt for a while (Poovey) | These arms of mine (Redding) | Love me like I love you (Daniels) | The girl's all right with me  (Orange) | Stepping stone (Hughey, Smith) | She loves me not (Inman) | Faith (Span| I'll let nothing separate me (Wallace) | Talking about my baby (Lockwood)| One way affair (Hughey, Smith) | Bye bye bye (Hughey, Smith)  | Who's foolin' you (Wallace) | Go on girl (Riley) Image: Collection of Martin Whitell

  Country blues and blues singer, song writer, guitarist and pianist Samuel John “Lightnin'”Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, on March 15, 1912. As a child he was immersed in the sounds of the blues, and was inspired by Blind Lemon Jefferson, whom he met at a Church picnic when he was eight years old, and whom he subsequently accompanied, a rare honour, and also learned blues music from his cousin Alger “Texas” Alexander. He is also associated with his cousin Frankie Lee Sims. In the 1930s he was sent to Houston County Prison Farm for an unknown reason. In the late 30s he moved to Houston and tried to get into the music business with his cousin Alexander, but by 1940 he was working as a farm hand in Centerville. In 1946 he had a second attempt and was discovered by Lola Ann Cullum of Aladdin Records. In 1960 he was invited to appear at New York’s Carnegie Hall with Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. In a long career spanning almost 50 years Hopkins recorded more...

  Chicago based blues slide guitarist Earl Zebedee Hooker was born in Quitman County, Mississippi on January 15, 1930 and moved with his family to Chicago that year. He was a cousin of John Lee Hooker. His childhood friends included blues innovators Bo Diddley and Robert Nighthawk. Hooker’s unique playing impressed many, and B. B. King regarded Hooker as the best modern blues guitarist. Earl Hooker died young in Chicago, Illinois on April 21, 1970 after a long fight with tuberculosis. Image: Arhoolie Foundation

  The Hollywood Flames first formed in the 1940s and had a long career, recording under many different names for many labels. "Annie Don't Love Me No More" by the Hollywood Flames was released in the US on Symbol 45-211 in 1965 and was one of their final recordings. The line up on this recording is  David Ford (tenor),  John Berry (tenor),  George Watson (second tenor) and  Joe Thompson (baritone/bass). David Ford had been a founding member of the group.

The Hollywood Argyles were a studio group assembled by producers Kim Fowley (1939-2015) and Gary S. Paxton (1939-2016). Their hit recording was “Alley Oop”. The personnel are understood to have included Ronnie Silico (drums), Gaynel Hodge (piano), Harper Cosby (bass), Derry Weaver, Marshall Leib and Sandy Nelson (screams, tambourine and garbage can). The background singers included Dallas Frazier, Buddy Mize, Scott Turner, and a woman named Diane. “Alley Oop”/”Sho know a lot about love” was previously released on London American HL-U 9146 in July 1960. Image: Rock And Country Encyclopaedia.

  Pop and R&B singer Rolan Webster Holden was born into an established musical and jazz family in Seattle, Washington, on August 7, 1939. He attended Garfield High School, Seattle and played in their football team; he sang in a church choir, and was also a member of a rock and roll group called The Playboys who had a local hit in Seattle with their version of "Louie Louie". Between 1958 and 1965 he toured extensively throughout the U.S. and overseas and with U.S. Forces. He toured the US extensively with many R&B acts of the period from 1960 to 1965 before heading his own band. In 1977 he gave up touring and performing due to exhaustion, and ran his own night club, Ron's 5th Avenue.  His only successful recording was “Love you so” (No. 11 Billboard R&B chart, No. 7 Billboard pop chart, April 1960.) He died at Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico, from a heart attack on January 22, 1997. “My babe” was released in the UK on Sue ILP 933, The Sue Story Volume 2...

  Soul and blues singer Joseph Hinton was born in Evansville, Indiana, on November 15, 1929. He began singing gospel music with the Blair Gospel Singers. He signed as a secular singer with Peacock Records in 1958, but did not achieve much chart success until 1963.  Joe Hinton died in Boston, Mass., on August 13, 1968 from skin cancer aged just 38 and, like Otis Redding, at the peak of his career. Joe Hinton’s recording of “Funny How Time Slips Away”, which sounds older but dates from 1964, really is a classic rhythm and blues recording. The song was one of the first successful compositions by songwriter Willie Nelson, and was originally recorded in 1961 by country singer Billy Walker. There have been many cover versions. “Funny” spent a month at number one on Cashbox’s R&B Chart in 1964, peaked at no. 13 on the Pop chart, sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The recording, on Back Beat 541, arranged and conducted by Joe Scott (not credited on the labe...

  Blues and Gospel singer Arzel J. “Z.Z.” Hill was born in Naples, Texas, on 30th September 1935. He started singing gospel music in the late 1950s as a member of The Spiritual Five. Encouraged to record by Otis Redding in 1963, he made his first single, which only touched the top 100 but was enough to tempt Kent Records to give him a contract. His singles on Kent were not particularly successful and he left them in 1968. He recorded for other labels with some success but his career really took off when he signed with Malaco. His album “Down Home” for Malaco (1982) stayed on the album chart for two years and was highly regarded. Z Z Hill died on 27th April 1984 in Dallas, Texas from a heart attack caused by a blood clot caused by a road accident. Image: Amazon

  Roy Kent Head was born in Three Rivers, Texas, on January 9, 1943. In 1955 he moved to San Marcos where he formed a group, The Traits, who first recorded in 1958 while they were still at school. Their hits on the Back Beat label were recorded at Gold Star Studios (later renamed SugarHill) in Houston. His son is Sundance Head. He is best known for the recording “Treat Her Right”, 1965, produced by Huey Meaux of Houston. Roy Head had a number of country record chart entries in the 1970s and 1980s. Roy Head died in Porter, Texas on September 21, 2020. Variety reported: “Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top paid tribute to Head as a “rock ’n’ soul phenomenon who had been one of our early and continuing inspirations. Roy will always be remembered for his music, his drive and the fact that, as he liked to put it, he was most happy when he was ‘a-wigglin’ and a-gigglin’.”” Image: Associated Press

  Singer and percussionist Joe Dean Haywood was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1939. “Warm and tender love” was written by Haywood in 1960 when his daughter Deborah was born. This Bobby Robinson production from the Enjoy label was covered by Percy Sledge. His recording career was short, recording six singles for various labels, and he became a cab driver until he died in November 1996. Joe Haywood is buried in Island Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Image: Joe Haywood and his wife, Rose | 1950s | Public Domain

  Blues singer, boxer, song writer, actor, musician, film producer and multi-instrumentalist Jalacy “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 18, 1929. He was put up for adoption when 18 months old. A pioneer of “shock rock” and famed for his gruesome stage props, he originally wanted to be an opera singer. In 1942 and under age, he enlisted into the U.S. Army. In 1944 he enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Forces and received an honourable discharge in 1952. From discharge he began working with Philadelphia guitarist Tiny Grimes, whose band accompanied him on his first solo recordings. His unusual solo act was developed with the help and encouragement of DJ Alan Freed. “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins died in Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France, after emergency surgery for an aneurism on February 12, 2000, age 70. “I hear voices” was recorded in 1962. Teddy McRae (1908-1999) was a jazz tenor saxophonist, band leader and arranger. Image: Last FM

  Rock and roll singer, bootleg merchant, manager, club owner, mentor and talent scout Ronald “Ronnie” Cornett Hawkins was born ingto a musical family in Huntsville, Arkansas on January 10, 1935. “Forty Days” was released in the UK first on EMI’s Columbia label No. 45-DB 4319 through their licencing deal with Roulette; subsequently the track was released on Sue LP ILP 933 “The Sue Story Vol 2”.  He recorded more than 25 albums and was a key player in Ontario's music scene for many years.  As a teenager he ran bootleg liquor from Missouri to Oklahoma, making $300 a day. The money helped him get into buying clubs. Clearly that was no problem for the Army in which he served for six months, having previous training in the ROTC. He was athletic and his act included back flips and the "camel walk" which was turned into the Moonwalk three decades later by Michael Jackson. Despite surviving pancreatic cancer, which he attributed to help from a teenage faith healer, Mr. Hawkins sa...

  Singer and song writer Thurston Harris was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 11, 1931. He was only popular for a short time. After a spell with vocal groups including The Lamplighters he recorded as a solo artist. Little Bitty Pretty One is his only major success, and was released in 1957. It has been released a number of times in the UK. Thurston Harris died in Pomona, California, in his sleep, of a heart attack on April 14, 1990. Image: WBSS Media

    Singer, songwriter, actor, anti-drugs campaigner and record produ cer James Timothy Shaw “The Mighty Hannibal” (left in picture with Elton John) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on 9 August 1939. By 1954 he was a singer in a doo wop group. Two of his friends joined Gladys Knight and The Pips. He moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and began singing with Johnny Otis. He subsequently based himself in New York. His sight deteriorated in 2002 and he died after problems breathing at his home in New York on 20 January 2014. Image: Getty

  Legendary record producer and record company executive Roe Erister “Rick” Hall was born in Forest Grove, Mississippi on January 31, 1932. He is best known as the owner and proprietor since 1961 of the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. He is associated with Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and many more, and recorded country, rock and soul music. When drafted for the Korean War he declared himself as a conscientious objector. Rick Hall died at his home in Muscle Shoals from prostate cancer on 2 January 2018. Image: 2013 | University of North Alabama The Fame Recording Studio Building. Image: The Bama Buzz

  Arranger and musician René Joseph Hall was born in Morgan City, Louisiana on September 26, 1912. He first recorded in New Orleans in 1933 playing banjo, then joined the Ernie Fields Orchestra, with which he toured the U.S. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s where he became associated with Aladdin, Decca, Motown and RCA records. He can be heard playing guitar on more than one hundred pop and rhythm and blues recordings. Possibly his outstanding work was the arrangement for Sam Cooke’s “A change is gonna come”. You can hear him play lead guitar on “Hippy Hippy Shake” by Chan Romero, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” by Larry Williams and “Lets get it on” by Marvin Gaye. His guitar is also featured on the 1960s hit instrumental “Nut Rocker” by B Bumble and The Stingers, and he also features on numerous 1970s tracks by Bobby Womack. He was also a talent scout for King Records and discovered Billy Ward And The Dominoes. René Hall died of heart disease in Los Angeles, California on February 11, 198...

  Erdine Hall (Gerri Hall) was born Erdine Bouise in New Orleans on 2 August, 1934 and was nicknamed “Gerri” because of her crazy antics similar to the most popular comedian of the time, Jerry Lewis. She is the sister-in-law of Rosemary (Hall) Domino and Reggie Hall, and was a waitress at the famous Dew Drop Inn when she was talent spotted by Huey Smith and Bobby Marchan. She recorded on several Huey Piano Smith tracks including “Don’t you just know it”. Around 1966 she became one of Ray Charles’ Raelettes, before leaving the music business. Image: Copyright Control

    Singer, song writer and pianist Malcolm John Rebennack Junior (Dr. John) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 20 November 1941. A session musician from 1951 to his death, and a friend of many music industry people including Jerry Wexler, his 1968 album Gris Gris brought him a wider audience and acclaim. His family were musically inclined and his father, who had a record shop and radio repair business, introduced him to blues and jazz music. He became a regular session musician at various New Orleans studios at the age of 16. His first successful composition was the rock and roll song "Lights Out" recorded by Jerry Byrne (1957). There was another side to Rebennack, he ran a brothel and was involved in drugs. He was arrested on drug charges and spent two years in prison in the 1960s. He was addicted to Heroin but in 1989 cleaned up with the help of Narcotics Anonymous and remained clean for thirty years until he died. He died of a heart attack on 6 June, 2019. Image: Dail...

Singer, pianist and carpenter Edwin Joseph Bocage was born in New Orleans on September 20, 1930. His family were in the ship building and construction industries. They were also a musical family, with his mother playing piano, and cousins playing in various traditional jazz bands. He served in the Army, then on discharge returned to New Orleans and studied music and composition. An in demand musician, he toured with Ruth Brown, Lloyd Price, Joe Turner and other stars. He recorded extensively and is thought to have recorded more tracks than Fats Domino.  He died of a heart attack in Picayune, Mississippi, on March 18, 2009. Dr.John, Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint played at his memorial concert on 1 April 2009. Image: WBSS Media

  Blues guitarist, song writer and singer Lowell Fulson was born on a Choctaw reservation in Atoka, Oklahoma, on March 31, 1921 and was one of the most important figures in West Coast Blues for almost two decades. When he was eighteen he moved first to Ada, Oklahoma, and then on to California where he formed a band which included a young pianist called Ray Charles. He was called up and served with the US Navy from 1943 to 1945. He leaves behind a number of blues classics which indicate his major contribution to blues music. He composed “Three o’ clock blues”, “Tramp” and “Reconsider Baby”. His many awards include The Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1993. Lowell Fulson died in Long Beach, California, on March 7, 1999, age 77, from complications with kidney disease, diabetes, and congestive heart failure, and is buried in Inglewood, California. Image: Public Domain

  Rock and roll and soul/R&B singer and record producer Robert Thomas “Bobby” Freeman was born in San Francisco, California on June 13, 1940. He first came to attention as a member of the group the Romancers, who recorded briefly for Dootone Records; he was 14. At 17, he recorded “Do You Want to Dance” which became his signature song, and appeared on the pop charts with various follow-ups through 1961. “Do You Want To Dance” was recorded origínally as a demo in San Francisco, and overdubbed by session musicians in New York. Bobby Freeman died from natural causes in San Francisco on January 23, 2017. Image: Ace Records

  Inez Fox (Inez Foxx) was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 9, 1942 and her elder brother Charlie Fox (Charlie Foxx, also known as Chuck Johnson) was born on October 23, 1939. Charlie began singing with a gospel choir in the 1950s, his sister joining him in the choir. In 1963, after an unsuccessful recording of Inez was released by Brunswick (as Inez Johnston), they approached Juggy Murray of Sue Records and sang their arrangement of the traditional lullaby “Hush Little Baby”. “Mockingbird” as it was now called became a million selling and their most successful recording. Charlie went into record production; Inez continued to record into the 1970s and also wrote songs, including “With This Ring”  (with her husband Luther Dixon)  recorded by The Platters. Charlie Foxx died from leukemia on September 18, 1998. Inez Foxx died from unspecified cause on 25 August, 2022. Image: 1964 | Pictorial Press/Alamy

  Novelty song writer, record producer, publicist, autobiography writer and musician Kim Vincent Fowley was born in Los Angeles, California, on 21 July 1939. He attended the University High School, whose other contemporary pupils included Jan Berry and Dean Torrence (Jan and Dean), (Beach Boy) Bruce Johnston, and Nancy Sinatra. In 1957 he developed polio and was hospitalised. When he was released from hospital he became publicist for band The Sleepwalkers, whose line up included Phil Spector and Sandy Nelson. He spent some time in the armed forces, but in 1959 he began working in the music industry for Berry Gordy of Motown and the disc jockey/presenter Alan Freed. The first record he produced was “Charge” by The Renegades. His work at this time introduced him to his collaborator Gary S. Paxton and they produced a million selling hit for The Hollywood Argyles, a studio creation. In the mid 60s he was working for the controversial singer P. J. Proby and was based for a time in Londo...

  The Four Jokers were formed for a short time in 1958 and were Benjamin Washington (lead vocals), James Myers (first tenor vocals),Herbert Myers (second tenor vocals) and Charles Holloway (bass vocals). Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, they also recorded (with different configurations) as The Chimes, The Hearts of Stone and The Four Pennies. Sadly there is no further information. Can anyone help, please? Image: Copyright Control

  Rock and roll and Rhythm and Blues singer and pianist Vincent Francis Guzzo Jr. (Frankie Ford) was born in Gretna, Louisiana (across the Mississippi River from New Orleans) on August 4, 1939 and adopted by Vincent and Anna Guzzo. He took up singing and dancing while at school and joined a group called The Syncopators at High School. He will be forever known as the singer of “Sea Cruise” which earned him a gold disc, but unfortuately later recordings were less successful. He was drafted in 1962 and performed for US forces in Japan, Viet Nam and Korea. In 1989 he toured Europe and the UK. Frankie Ford died in Gretna, Louisiana following a long illness on September 28, 2015. Image: Redferns

  R&B and Jazz Drummer and singer/songwriter Donald Gardner was born in Philadelphia on May 9, 1931 and died in Philadelphia on September 4, 2018. He became a professional musician while still attending school, in 1957. Wrecia Holloway (Dee Dee Ford), who was born in Minden, Louisiana in 1936 and died in New Orleans in 1972, had subsequent success as a song writer, especially the song “Let Me Down Easy” for Betty Lavette. The partnership of Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford ended when Wrecia Holloway decided to concentrate on song writing, and then left the music business. Image: Way Back Attack

  Blues hamonica player Harvey Blackston (Harmonica Fats) was born on September 28, 1927 in McDade, near Shreveport, Loui siana and was raised on a farm. He learned the harmonica from the age of four and cited Sonny Terry as a main influence in his playing style. He played with Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Etta James, Tina Turner and Bobby Darin among others. “Tore Up”, his version of a song by Hank Ballard, is his best selling record, and was recorded with session musicians. It was a regional hit and reached no. 102, just outside the Billboard Hot 100, in 1962. It was originally released on a local label, Skylark. Harmonica Fats died on 3 January, 2000 in Los Angeles, California, age 72. Image: WBSS Media

  The last single to be issued on the Sue label, WI 4049, The Fascinations enjoyed Curtis Mayfield’s production skills. The Fascinations lineup changed over time but on this recording is thought to be Shirley Walker, Joanne and Bernadine Boswell and Fern Bledsoe (a former secretary at Motown). The group reformed in 1971 to tour the UK after a UK reissue was successful, but have not performed together since. Image: Public Domain

  Composer, arranger and record producer Lawrence James Freaso (Larry Fallon) (left in image) was born in 1925. He was a composer, arranger and record producer. He is of interest for his production of The Jaybirds’ “Somebody help me” which was issued on Sue WI 4013, and he was also involved in recording “Incense” by The Anglos which was not originally issued on UK Sue but did find its way on to the “This is Sue” sampler LP. Mr Fallon died in Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 2, 2005. Image: Larry Fallon and Eddie Kramer | Electric Lady Studios | Experience Hendrix LLC

  A much loved singer and pianist, Betty Jean Everett was born in Greenwood, Mississippi on November 23, 1939. She began singing and playing the piano in Church when she was nine years old. In 1957 she moved to Chicago to try to get into show business. After making some records for smaller Chicago labels she signed with Vee Jay in 1963. Her first recording with them failed, but the second became a classic if not a big hit – “You’re No Good”. That was followed with “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)” which reached no. 1 on the R&B chart and no. 6 on the pop chart. When Vee Jay failed in 1966 she recorded for a number of labels and had most success with her album “Happy Endings” in 1975, arranged and directed by Gene Page. Betty Everett died in Beloit, Wisconsin, where she resided with her sister, on August 19, 2001. Image: Public Domain