The Crows

The Crows were an American R&B singing group who achieved commercial success in the 1950s. The group's first single and only major hit, "Gee", released in June 1953, has been credited with being the first rock n’ roll hit by a rock and roll group.[1] It peaked at position #14 and #2, respectively, on the Billboard magazine pop and rhythm-and-blues charts in 1954.

The Crows
Background information
OriginHarlem, New York, United States
GenresRhythm and blues, doo wop
Years active1951–55
LabelsRama
Past membersDaniel "Sonny" Norton
William "Bill" Davis
Harold Major
Jerry Wittick
Gerald Hamilton
Mark Jackson

History

When The Crows started in 1951, practicing sidewalk harmonies, the original members were Daniel "Sonny" Norton (lead), William "Bill" Davis (baritone), Harold Major (tenor), Jerry Wittick (tenor), and Gerald Hamilton (bass). In 1952, Wittick left the group and was replaced by Mark Jackson (tenor and guitarist).[1]

They were discovered at Apollo Theater's Wednesday night talent show by talent agent Cliff Martinez and brought to independent producer George Goldner who just had started the Rama Records label.[2] The Crows were the first group signed and the first to record. The first songs they recorded were as backup to singer Viola Watkins. The song "Gee" was the third song recorded during their first recording session, on February 10, 1953. It was put together in a few minutes by group member William Davis, with Watkins credited as co-writer.[3]

The song was first released as the B-side of the ballad "I Love You So". However, radio stations began playing "Gee," first in Philadelphia and later in New York and Los Angeles. By January 1954, it had sold 100,000 copies, and by April it entered the national R&B and pop charts, rising to #2 R&B and #14 pop.[3] The song was a huge hit a year after it was recorded.

The Crows were a one-hit wonder. While "Gee" was on the charts, the record company released a number of other singles by the group, including "Heartbreaker," "Baby," and "Miss You," but none were successful. Their failures and the inability to perform regularly to support their recordings led to the breakup of the group a few months after "Gee" dropped off the Hit Parade.[4][5] They maintained the original line up for the entire career of the group, with no hope of a reunion following the deaths of Gerald Hamilton in the 1960s and Daniel Norton in 1972.[6]

gollark: Er, CB dragons.
gollark: Wow. That's a lot of original dragons.
gollark: If they could happen *naturally* there'd be a vast trade in them. Like tan ridgewings.
gollark: CB alt blacks exist?
gollark: With this mechanic, anyone will be able to veto hunting by breeding an egg to the AP!

References
  1. Warner, Jay, American Singing Groups: A History from 1940 to Today (2006), published by Hal Leonard Corporation, at page 137
  2. Fox, Ted (1993). Showtime at the Apollo (2nd ed.). New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press. p. 116. ISBN 0-306-80503-0.
  3. Jim Dawson, & Steve Propes (1992). What Was the First Rock'n'Roll Record. Boston & London: Faber & Faber. pp. 124–127. ISBN 0-571-12939-0.
  4. "The Crows". History-of-rock.com. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  5. "J. C. Marion, DooWop Nation issue #7". Home.earthlink.net.
  6. Warner, Jay, American Singing Groups: A History from 1940 to Today (2006), published by Hal Leonard Corporation, at page 139
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