The Swallows

The Swallows were a black doo-wop band that had some hits, especially in the 1950s.

Band History

The band was founded in 1946 as The Oakaleers in Baltimore. At the time, Lawrence Coxson was the lead singer, also included Irving Turner, Earl Hurley, Norris " Bunky " Mack and another tenor with the name Gavin the band. In 1948, Eddie Rich and Frederick "Money Guitar" Johnson to the Coxson and the unknown tenor replaced. A little later also Herman "Junior" Denby joined the Oakaleers and Turner, she left again. Then in 1949 it was renamed The Swallows. The band chose their name from the Ink Spots song When The Swallows Come back to Capistrano.

The Swallows were initially only in the vicinity of Baltimore, and in 1951 got a recording contract with King Records in Cincinnati. Already the first single Dearest managed a 9th place in the R & B charts. The band toured then with Count Basie and Earl Williams. Except for the B-side It Is not the Meat ( It's the Motion), which was a hit in the southern states, the result of singles this year could not even begin to repeat the success of Dearest. 1952 Denby had the navy and was replaced by Herman Williams. Beside You was released in April and became an R & B # 8 In the coming months, the Swallows toured the United States. Early 1953, then returned Turner back to the Swallows, he replaced Williams. End of the year left the band King Records.

In the same year left Mack the Swallows and was replaced by Al France, in the following year was added Dee Ernie Bailey. In the summer of 1954 the band got a new record deal with the label rather insignificant After Hours. End of the year then France got out, came as a newcomer Edward "Buddy" Crawford. In early 1956 there were further line-up changes, as Turner once again the Swallows turned his back and had to be replaced by Bobby Hendricks. Meanwhile, the Swallows, however, had lost much of its popularity, so Hendricks and Rich got out a few months later to found his own band. Also, Bailey left the band and made the Swallows a trio. Since the three singers no longer makes sense to continue making music saw it, they finally parted.

But already the end of 1957 there was a reunion of the band with Rich, Hurley, Johnson, Crawford, Calvin Rowlette and Buddy Bailey (not the lead singer of the Clovers to be confused ). Beginning of 1958 were the Swallows for a second time a contract with King and now also made recordings again on its sublabel Federal. However, there were no significant successes, so the band split again. In the following decades, there was a series of little-noticed reunions in various occupations.

Discography ( Singles )

• Dearest / Will You Be Mine (May 1951 King)
• Since You've Been Away / Wishing for You ( August 1951 to King)
• Eternally / It Is not the Meat ( December 1951 to King)
• Tell Me Why / Roll, Roll, Pretty Baby ( December 1951 to King)
• Beside You / You Left Me ( April 1952 )
• I Only Have Eyes for You / You Walked In (May 1952)
• Where Do I Go from Here / Please Baby Please ( November 1952 to King)
• Our Love Is Dying / Laugh ( Though You Want to Cry ) ( March 1953 to King)
• Nobody's Lovin ' Me / Bicycle Tillie ( May 1953 to King)
• Trust Me / Pleading Blues ( September 1953 to King)
• I'll Be Waiting / It Feels So Good ( November 1953 to King)
• My Baby / Good Time Girls (July 1954 After Hours )
• Angel Baby / Oh Lonsesome Me ( February 1958 to Federal)
• Rock-a- Bye Baby Rock / We Want To Rock (May 1958 Federal)
• Beside You / Laughing Boy (June 1958 Federal)
• Who Knows, Do You / Itchy Twitchy Feeling ( July 1958 to Federal)