Friday, May 28, 2004
The groups will be honored at an induction ceremony to be scheduled in the fall.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- The Beatles, Alabama, The Doobie Brothers and The Everly Brothers -- all groups known for their smooth harmonies -- have one other thing in common: They're all part of the Class of 2004 at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Those vocal groups head a list of 17 inductees selected by the public, the induction committee and previously inducted artists from a list of 97 nominees.
Voting ended April 15. No dates are set, but the seventh annual induction ceremonies will be scheduled for this fall.
This is the first year that the category of vocal duos has been added to the induction process and Phil and Don, The Everly Brothers, beat out 10 other singing duos for the first honor.
The list of inductees includes six groups from the 1950s, five from the 1960s, two from the 1970s and one from the 1980s.
There are also special inductees in the 1940s and pre-1940s categories. Groups considered for that honor are selected by the induction committee alone.
A group has to be around for 20 years to get consideration for a nomination.
Here's the list
The inductees, by decade, are:
PRE-1940S
The American Quartet: Formed in 1909, recorded its songs on discs for the Victor talking Machine Co. and on cylinders for Edison. Its first release, "Denver Town," began a series of "cowboy" recordings.
1940S
The Four Tunes: Formed in the mid-1940s. First hit, "I Want To Be Loved," recorded in 1946, followed by "Marie" in 1953.
1950S
The Cadillacs: One of the first to feature choreography, quartet got its start in Harlem in New York City in 1953. First hit, "Gloria" in 1954, followed by "Speedo," 1955.
The Crests: Five-member doo-wop group from New York City. First hit charts in 1957; biggest hit "Sixteen Candles," 1959.
The Dells: Formed in Illinois in 1955. First million-seller, "Oh What a Nite," in 1956. The movie, "The Five Heartbeats," was based on the group.
The Diamonds: Formed in Canada in 1954. Biggest hit, "Little Darlin'."
The Jordanaires: Formed in 1948, sang backup on Elvis Presley records for 14 years; Nashville session regulars into 1970s. Credited with influencing the harmony of The Beatles.
The Penguins: Formed in California in 1953. Biggest hit, "Earth Angel, "1954.
1960S
The Beatles: Led British music invasion of early 1960s. Credited with revolutionizing pop music and underwent own musical evolution from "I Want To Hold Your Hand" to the sounds of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Magical Mystery Tour."
The Marvelettes: First record, "Please Mister Postman," sold three million copies in the late 1950s. Credited with leading Motown's shift from single, bluesy soul artists to the smooth, orchestrated sounds of group pop soul.
The O'Jays: Began in 1957 in Canton, Ohio, as The Triumphs. Became the O'Jays in 1963. Hits: "Lonely Drifter," 1972; "Back Stabbers," 1972, "Use Ta Be My Girl" and "Love Train."
The Ronettes: Formed in New York City in 1961, first as dance act. Hits: "Silhouettes," "Be My Baby," "Baby I Love You."
The Tokens: New York Group best known for "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
1970S
The Doobie Brothers: Blues-based with a rock edge. Hits: "Long Train Runnin'," "Blackwater," "Takin' It To the Streets."
The Stylistics: Formed in Philadelphia in late 1960s. Peaked in the early 1970s with "Betcha By Golly Wow," "You're My Everything," "I'm Stone In Love with You."
1980S
Alabama: Country band formed in 1980. Won eight country "Entertainer of the Year" awards. Hits: "My Home's in Alabama," "Tennessee River," "Mountain Music."
DUOS
The Everly Brothers: Don and Phil started on their parents' radio show in Iowa at the tender ages of 8 and 6, respectively, in the late 1940s. Hits: "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie," "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in 1957-58.