The Manhattans, Cadillacs, Drifters, Temptations & Four Tops - Battle of the Groups (@Apollo 1985)

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• published: 26 Mar 2014
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On May 5th, 1985 the Apollo's renovation is celebrated with a 50th Anniversary grand reopening and television special, "Motown Salutes the Apollo." and was hosted by Bill Cosby. The Manhattans are an American popular R&B; vocal group, with a string of hit records spanning four decades, their best known million-selling songs being "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and "Shining Star" in 1980. The Manhattans, originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 1962 with members George "Smitty" Smith (Born Dec 18, 1939 Florida), Edward "Sonny" Bivins (Born January 15, 1936 Macon, Georgia), Winfred "Blue" Lovett (Born November 16, 1940 New Jersey), Kenny "Wally" Kelley (Born Kenneth Kelley, January 9, 1941, New Jersey), and Richard "Ricky" Taylor. Bivins, Lovett, and Kelley were graduating from Lincoln High School, while Taylor and Smith were graduating from Snyder High School.[2] All five enlisted in the armed forces and came together as a group following their discharges from their respective branches. The group's first single was "For the Very First Time," released in 1964 by Carnival Records. They continued recording successfully with songs written by various members of the group. In 1968, the group received the "Most Promising Group" award by NATRA. In 1969, the group moved to the De Luxe record label, a subsidiary of King Records, subsequently embarking on a college tour. While playing at Kittrell College in North Carolina, the group met another group, the New Imperials, featuring Gerald Alston, nephew of The Shirelles' lead singer, Shirley Alston-Reeves. They were so impressed with Alston that they asked him to join the group, but he declined. The current line-up of the group, since 1991, remains as Bivins, Hardy, Hemphill, Pazant & Williams. The original Manhattans led by Bivins released the CD Manhattans Now in 1994. In 1996 the group formed their own full service music corporation company called Manhattan Entertainment Inc. In 2003 and 2007 they were featured artists in two theater plays, Girl He Aint Worth It and The Chicken Shack. In June 2013 the group released a Single called " Just For Tonite" written by Bivins & Pazant. They are currently in the studio with producer Leroy Burgess recording a new CD. It is to be released in the Spring of 2014. The Cadillacs were an American rock and roll and doo-wop group from Harlem, New York, active from 1953 to 1962. The group was noted for their 1955 hit "Speedoo", which was instrumental in attracting white audiences to black rock and roll performers. The group came together as The Carnations in 1953, with the members Earl Carroll (lead vocalist), Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake (bass vocalist), and Gus Willingham. As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them. The group's first recording came in July 1954, with Josie Records #765, featuring Gloria and Wonder Why. The Cadillacs were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. The Drifters are a long-lasting American doo-wop and R&B;/soul vocal group. They were originally formed to serve as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter (of Billy Ward & the Dominoes) in 1953. There have been 60 vocalists in the history of the Treadwell Drifters line, including several splinter groups by former Drifters members (not under Treadwell's management). According to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame: "Through turmoil and changes, the (original) Drifters managed to set musical trends and give the public 13 chart hits, most of which are legendary recordings today." Matching that feat, subsequent formations of the Drifters managed to give the public 13 Billboard Hot 100 top 30 chart hits. The Temptations are an American vocal group known for their success with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. Known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and flashy wardrobe, they were highly influential to R&B; and soul music. The group formed in 1960 in Detroit, Michigan under the name The Elgins. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history. As of 2013, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Music Group with one living original member, Otis Williams, still in the lineup. The Four Tops are an American vocal quartet from Detroit, Michigan who helped to define the city's Motown sound of the 1960s. The group's repertoire has included soul music, R&B;, disco, adult contemporary, doo-wop, jazz, and showtunes. Founded as The Four Aims, lead singer Levi Stubbs (born Levi Stubbles, a cousin of Jackie Wilson and brother of The Falcons' Joe Stubbs), and groupmates Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton remained together for over four decades, having gone from 1953 until 1997 without a change in personnel. The Four Tops received The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.