The Winstons
The Winstons were an American funk and soul band. Your Song Color Him Father ( 1969) received the 1970 Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song of the Year.
Career
The individual members of the group had already all musical experiences in Begleitbands for Otis Redding and Arthur Conley collected, when they met the late 60s for some projects.
The new lineup played first with the Impressions in the opening act, but quickly got a record deal. Already the first single Color Him Father ( 1969) became a hit and million-seller. The song won the 1970 Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song of the Year.
The next single, Love Of The Common People 1969 reached only number 54 on the British charts. The song was, however, in a cover version by Paul Young in 1983 a bestseller (UK # 2, D # 5 ).
Following the success of Color Him Father also resulted in difficulties in the band, which eventually led to the separation. As a multiracial band, with little commitment and there were discussions, who had as much share of the compositions. Shortly before the start of a tour, the group eventually disbanded.
Lead singer Richard Lewis Spencer returned to his hometown, where he worked as a bus driver and incidentally studied at the university. According to Spencer drummer Gregory C. Coleman died penniless as homeless.
Amen Break
Of exceptional importance was the piece Amen, Brother of the Single Color Him Father B-side. The beginning of the drum solo in the middle section, which is now known as the Amen Break, was estimated several thousand times used in electronic music styles and is one of the most frequently used samples at all.
The group was the use and success of the samples is not known. Singer Richard Lewis Spencer learned until the mid- nineties it when someone tried to call the rights to the song.
Members
- Richard Lewis Spencer ( lead vocals, saxophone )
- Phil Tolotta ( lead vocals, organ)
- Quincy Mattison (lead vocals, guitar)
- Ray Maritano (vocals, saxophone)
- Sonny Peckrol (vocals, bass )
- Gregory C. Coleman (vocals, drums)
Title (excerpt)
- Color Him Father (1969, Billboard Hot 100 # 7)
- Amen, Brother ( 1969)
- Jigga What? (1969)
- Love of The Common People (1969, Billboard Hot 100 # 54)