Biography
Formed during 1954 at Ferndale High School outside Detroit, Michigan, the ensemble first performed under the name Domingoes with Henry Fambrough (born 10 May 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, though certain records list 1938), Robert ‘Bobby’ Smith (born 10 April 1937 in Detroit), Billy Henderson (born 9 August 1939 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and who died 2 February 2007 in Daytona Beach, Florida), Pervis Jackson (born 17 May 1938 in the United States) and George Dixon (born in the United States) as its core. Upon joining Harvey Fuqua’s Tri-Phi label in 1961 the act adopted the Spinners title, with the additional “Motown” or “Detroit” tag later attached in Britain to distinguish it from the folk ensemble of the same name.
Fuqua, serving as producer and principal songwriter, guided the group’s first release, “That’s What Girls Are Made For,” to number 5 on the American R&B chart and into the pop Top 30. Edgar ‘Chico’ Edwards (born in the United States) soon stepped in for Dixon, yet after Fuqua transferred the quintet to Motown Records in 1963 the newcomers remained overshadowed by stronger roster acts and failed to secure significant commercial traction. A modest American hit, “I’ll Always Love You,” surfaced in 1965, after which the members largely supported other Motown projects for the balance of the decade.
G.C. Cameron (born George Curtis Cameron in Jackson, Mississippi) assumed George Dixon’s role in 1967, yet genuine breakthrough arrived three years later when the Stevie Wonder-penned “It’s A Shame,” spotlighting Cameron’s lead, climbed into the Top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic. The following year Aretha Franklin encouraged the ensemble to switch from Motown’s V.I.P. imprint to Atlantic Records; Cameron chose to stay at Motown, prompting the addition of Philippe Wynne (born Philip Walker on 3 April 1941 in Detroit, Michigan, and who died 14 July 1984 in Oakland, California). Wynne’s distinctive falsetto enriched the group’s already polished harmonies, and under producer Thom Bell the Spinners delivered a string of benchmark 1970s soul singles. “I’ll Be Around” and “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” (both 1972), “One Of A Kind (Love Affair)” (1973) and “Mighty Love Part 1” (1974) each topped the R&B listing, while the Dionne Warwick collaboration “Then Came You” reached number 1 on the American pop chart. “Ghetto Child” (1973) and “The Rubberband Man” (1976) extended their international reach through an elegantly orchestrated yet non-formulaic approach.
Early Atlantic recordings placed the smooth-voiced Smith in the foreground, whereas later tracks highlighted Wynne’s ornate phrasing. When Wynne departed for Funkadelic in 1977, Johnathan Edwards (born 25 December 1944 in the United States) took over lead duties and the group sustained its hit run, most notably with the medley “Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl,” which hit number 1 in Britain and number 2 in the United States. A “Cupid”/“I’ve Loved You For A Long Time” medley placed inside both nations’ Top 10s during 1980, though subsequent personnel shifts hampered further momentum. The Spinners have retained a loyal concert following and received induction into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 1999; their 1971–1973 recordings stand among the finest examples of sweet Philadelphia soul.
Fuqua, serving as producer and principal songwriter, guided the group’s first release, “That’s What Girls Are Made For,” to number 5 on the American R&B chart and into the pop Top 30. Edgar ‘Chico’ Edwards (born in the United States) soon stepped in for Dixon, yet after Fuqua transferred the quintet to Motown Records in 1963 the newcomers remained overshadowed by stronger roster acts and failed to secure significant commercial traction. A modest American hit, “I’ll Always Love You,” surfaced in 1965, after which the members largely supported other Motown projects for the balance of the decade.
G.C. Cameron (born George Curtis Cameron in Jackson, Mississippi) assumed George Dixon’s role in 1967, yet genuine breakthrough arrived three years later when the Stevie Wonder-penned “It’s A Shame,” spotlighting Cameron’s lead, climbed into the Top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic. The following year Aretha Franklin encouraged the ensemble to switch from Motown’s V.I.P. imprint to Atlantic Records; Cameron chose to stay at Motown, prompting the addition of Philippe Wynne (born Philip Walker on 3 April 1941 in Detroit, Michigan, and who died 14 July 1984 in Oakland, California). Wynne’s distinctive falsetto enriched the group’s already polished harmonies, and under producer Thom Bell the Spinners delivered a string of benchmark 1970s soul singles. “I’ll Be Around” and “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” (both 1972), “One Of A Kind (Love Affair)” (1973) and “Mighty Love Part 1” (1974) each topped the R&B listing, while the Dionne Warwick collaboration “Then Came You” reached number 1 on the American pop chart. “Ghetto Child” (1973) and “The Rubberband Man” (1976) extended their international reach through an elegantly orchestrated yet non-formulaic approach.
Early Atlantic recordings placed the smooth-voiced Smith in the foreground, whereas later tracks highlighted Wynne’s ornate phrasing. When Wynne departed for Funkadelic in 1977, Johnathan Edwards (born 25 December 1944 in the United States) took over lead duties and the group sustained its hit run, most notably with the medley “Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl,” which hit number 1 in Britain and number 2 in the United States. A “Cupid”/“I’ve Loved You For A Long Time” medley placed inside both nations’ Top 10s during 1980, though subsequent personnel shifts hampered further momentum. The Spinners have retained a loyal concert following and received induction into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 1999; their 1971–1973 recordings stand among the finest examples of sweet Philadelphia soul.
Albums
