The Esquires

The Esquires were an American R&B group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, principally active from 1957 to 1976.

For the Canadian pop band of the same name, see The Esquires (Canadian band).

History

The group first formed in 1957 around the Moorer family: Gilbert (born Gilbert Moorer, Jr., August 20, 1941, Birmingham, Alabama, died August 28, 2008),[1] his brother Alvis (born Alvis V. Moorer, January 18, 1940, Birmingham, Alabama, died August 21, 2011), and their sister Betty. They first performed as Betty Moorer and the Esquires. When their sister and lead singer left, the group shortened its name to The Esquires, and Gilbert became lead singer.[2] In 1961, Sam Pace (born Sammie L. Pace, September 22, 1944, Kansas City, Missouri, died January 7, 2013) joined as a tenor.[3] Millard Edwards, a bass, also sang during this period in place of Taylor.[3] They went through many lineup changes over their first decade, which saw them aiming mostly for local recognition. In 1966 they moved to Chicago and auditioned for Curtis Mayfield, who was not interested in signing them.[4] They then attempted to sign with Constellation Records, but the record label went under at the end of 1966; they signed instead with Bunky Records, Constellation's successor. Bunky was distributed by Scepter Records on the national level.

Their debut record for Bunky/Scepter was "Get on Up" (1967), becoming a major hit in the United States, peaking at #11 as a pop single but reaching #3 on the R&B charts. Following the release they played Chicago's Regal Theater and the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Further singles were also successes, and the group released one full-length LP. After five singles on Bunky the group signed a deal with Scepter themselves late in 1968. They later returned to Bunky and then, in 1970, signed with Capitol Records for one single ("Reach Out") and Lamarr Records in 1971 for "Girls in the City".

Perry Moorer played alto saxophone with the group. He died in 1996.[2]

Gilbert Moorer died from throat cancer on August 28, 2008, at the age of 67.[2]

Alvis Moorer died on August 21, 2011 at the age of 71.[5][6]

Sam Pace died after a long illness on January 7, 2013 at the age of 68.[3]

Edwards, who lives in Chicago, is now the only surviving member of the band from its recording days.[3]

Members
  • Gilbert Moorer
  • Alvis Moorer
  • Betty Moorer
  • Sam Pace (1961–)
  • Shawn Taylor (1965–1967)
  • Millard Edwards
  • Perry Moorer (alto saxophone)
  • Goose "Preacher" Hilliard Smith

Discography

Albums
Year Album Record label
1967 Get on Up and Get Away Bunky Records
1982 The Esquires Flying Heart Records
1984 Whatcha Got?
1987 The Esquires

Singles
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Record Label B-side Album
US US
R&B
1967 "Get on Up" 11 3 Bunky Records "Listen to Me" Get on Up and Get Away
"And Get Away" 22 9 "Everybody's Laughing"
1968 "You Say" 126 41 "State Fair"
"Why Can't I Stop" — 48 "The Feeling's Gone"
"I Know I Can" — — "How Could It Be"
"You've Got the Power" 91 29 Wand Records "No Doubt About It"
1969 "I Don't Know" — 37 "Part Angel"
"Reach Out" — — Capitol Records "Listen to Me"
1970 "Ain't No Reason" — — B and G Records "Baba-Daba-Dop"
1971 "Dancin' a Hole in the World" — — Rocky Ridge
Records		 "That Ain't No Reason"
"Girls in the City" 120 18 Lamarr Records "Ain't Gonna Give It Up"
1974 "Let Me Build You a New World" — — New World
Records		 "Stay"
1976 "Get on Up '76" — 62 Ju-Par Records "The Feeling's Gone"
1980 "The Show Ain't Over" — — Cigar Man
Music Records		 "What Good Is Music?"
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References
  1. "The Esquires Page". Soulwalking.co.uk.
  2. Amy Rabideau Silvers (September 1, 2008). "Esquires' Gilbert Moorer, 67, dies after battle with throat cancer". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  3. Lee Bergquist (January 13, 2013). "Pace was member of Esquires, classic Milwaukee R&B band". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  4. The Esquires at Allmusic
  5. "Alvis V. Moorer Sr". legacy.com. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  6. "Esquires' Alvis Moorer passes away". onmilwaukee.com. August 29, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
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