Biography
The Nutmegs produced two major successes that regularly appear on lists of the finest 100 doo wop recordings. Leroy Griffin, the group’s lead tenor, received extensive critical praise for his work on “Story Untold” and “Ship of Love,” a distinction that overshadows the ensemble’s uncommon name, taken from a pumpkin-pie spice. Additional episodes from Griffin’s career supply further interest. He may be the only vocalist ever succeeded by another performer bearing precisely the same name, an occurrence that briefly confounded discographers until the replacement adopted the name Leroy Gomez.
Griffin’s death continues to prompt questions. His body was discovered inside a furnace; the circumstances remain unexplained, although one theory holds that he was pushed. A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Griffin arrived with the Nutmegs after earlier membership in the Chestnuts, which he left before that ensemble began recording. His own recording activity started once the Nutmegs signed with the Herald label in 1955. When their run of hits ended after the two tracks already cited, Griffin explored other lineups, among them the 1957 Rajahs that included singer Sonny Washburn. He soon restored the Nutmegs name, yet Washburn took over portions of the lead vocals on later sides, including the 1962 release “Crazy ’Bout You.”
Griffin’s death continues to prompt questions. His body was discovered inside a furnace; the circumstances remain unexplained, although one theory holds that he was pushed. A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Griffin arrived with the Nutmegs after earlier membership in the Chestnuts, which he left before that ensemble began recording. His own recording activity started once the Nutmegs signed with the Herald label in 1955. When their run of hits ended after the two tracks already cited, Griffin explored other lineups, among them the 1957 Rajahs that included singer Sonny Washburn. He soon restored the Nutmegs name, yet Washburn took over portions of the lead vocals on later sides, including the 1962 release “Crazy ’Bout You.”
Singles
