The Ravens

The Ravens would be a Rhythm 'n' blues vocal group that was one of the pioneers of Doo Wop. The group was founded in 1945 by Jimmy Ricks and Warren Suttles. The undisputed star of the group was Jimmy " Ricky" Ricks, whose bass vocals became the standard for subsequent Doo -wop bass singer.

Among the first members were beside Ricks and baritone Suttles nor the falsetto tenor Maithe Marshall and the tenor Ollie Jones, who was later replaced by Leonard Puzey. Their first single they brought in the small record label Hub Records in July 1946 under the title Honey out. In April 1947, they switched to National Records, where they were produced by Herb Abramson. First record here was in December 1947 Write Me A Letter, which could reach a rank 5 of the R & B singles chart and became one of the first crossover hits when she got up to rank 24 on the pop charts. This was followed in June 1947 a rhythmic cover version of the standard Ol ' Man River, which was sold about two million copies, but penetrated only up to rank 10 of the R & B charts. A number of other standards were recorded on September 11, 1947 Summertime or September Song. As of September 1952, she brought no more single in the charts, although it still took up plates to June 1966. Her last label at that time was Jubilee Records, which had been founded by Herb Abramson in May 1946.

1956 Ricks left the Ravens and began a solo career. Early 1970 he sang in the orchestra of Count Basie. He died on 2 July 1974 at the age of 50 years.

The Ravens have been incorporated into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.