Faith Hope and Charity (US band)

Faith Hope and Charity was the name of a vocal group from Tampa, Florida. They are best known for their 1975 hit, "To Each His Own". They were also an in-demand group of session singers in New York studios during the 1970s.

Faith Hope & Charity
Origin	Tampa, Florida, United States
Genres	Soul
Years active	1969–1979
Labels	Maxwell, Sussex, RCA, 20th Century Fox
Past members	1970-1971 Zulema Cusseaux Albert Bailey Brenda Hillard 1971-1974 Albert Bailey Brenda Hillard 1974-1979 Albert Bailey Brenda Hillard Dianne Destry

Career

Founding members of the group were Zulema Cusseaux, Brenda Hilliard and Al Bailey. Originally a trio called the Lovelles, when they met record producer, Van McCoy, and were signed to a recording contract by Maxwell Records, the group's name was changed to Faith, Hope and Charity. Their song "So Much Love" hit #14 on the Billboard R&B chart and #51 on the Hot 100 in 1970.[1] The subsequent release "Baby Don't Take Your Love" reached #36 R&B and #96 in the Hot 100.[1]

Cusseaux left Faith, Hope and Charity in 1971, shortly after a label switch to Sussex Records, and started a solo career. She was eventually replaced by Diane Destry in 1974.[1] Their biggest hit came with a switch to RCA Records in the mid-1970s. With Van McCoy still writing and producing for the group, they hit the top of the R&B charts with "To Each His Own" (1975; #1 R&B, #15 Dance, #50 Hot 100).

They then scored another hit in January 1976, reaching #38 in the UK Singles Chart with "Just One Look" (from their album, Faith, Hope & Charity).[2] It was a cover version of a Doris Troy track. Their single "Don't Pity Me" reached #20 on the R&B chart in 1978.[1] After a second album with RCA, which produced a couple of minor hits, Destry left, but Hilliard and Bailey carried on for another album in 1978, with 20th Century, before splitting up.[1]

It seemed that there was another member of Faith Hope & Charity in 1977. Priscilla Baskerville has been credited as being a member of the group on some recordings.[3]

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Title	Peak chart positions		Record label
		US [4]	US R&B [4]
1970	Faith Hope & Charity	—	—	Maxwell
1972	Heavy Love	—	—	Sussex
1975	Faith Hope & Charity	100	24	RCA Victor
1976	Life Goes On	—	—
1978	Faith Hope & Charity	—	—	20th Century Fox
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions
		US [4]	US R&B [4]	US Dan [4]	CAN [5]	NZ [6]	UK [7]
1970	"So Much Love"	51	14	—	38	—	—
	"Baby Don't Take Your Love"	96	36	—	—	—	—
1971	"Come Back and Finish What You Started"	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"No Trespassing"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1972	"God Bless the World"	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"I Was There"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1973	"Who Made You Go"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1975	"To Each His Own"	50	1	15	58	28	—
	"Mellow Me"	—	—	18	—	—	—
	"Just One Look"	—	—	—	—	—	38
1976	"Don't Go Looking for Love"	—	38	—	—	—	—
	"A Time for Celebration" (with The Choice Four)	107	—	—	—	—	—
	"You're My Peace of Mind"	—	83	13	—	—	—
1977	"Life Goes On"	—	65		—	—	—
1978	"Don't Pity Me"	—	20	—	—	—	—
	"How Can I Help But Love You"	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Note

There was a girl band of the 1990s called Faith Hope & Charity that had no connection to this group.

References

1. Oldies.com
2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 193. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
3. sudo.3.pro.tok2.com VAN McCOY AND HIS MAGNIFICENT: MOVIE MACHINE
4. "US Charts > Faith Hope & Charity". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-08-31.
5. "CAN Charts > Faith Hope & Charity". RPM. Retrieved 2014-08-31.
6. "NZ Charts > Faith Hope & Charity". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2014-08-31.
7. "UK Charts > Faith Hope & Charity". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2014-08-31.

• The Story on Faith Hope & Charity by The Chancellor of Soul (Mike Boone) Chancellor's Chronicles

External links

• Faith Hope & Charity at Allmusic
• Faith Hope & Charity at Discogs