Biography
The Packards, a five-member vocal ensemble based in New York City, earned lasting recognition among doo wop collectors chiefly through their enduring cult favorite "Ding Dong," which they assembled toward the close of 1955. Writer Marv Goldberg detailed in his R&B Notebooks online profile that second tenor Milton Turner and bass/pianist Ray Hayes first connected as students at Manhattan's Benjamin Franklin High School, whereas baritones Bill Fredericks and Bill Atkins attended a neighboring trade school; first tenor Clive Williams rounded out the roster. The group took its moniker from the high-end car brand and drew inspiration from the Flamingos alongside the Clovers. Manager Joel Weeks secured a contract in spring 1956 with the Bronx imprint Pla-Bac. Turner handled lead vocals on both "Ding Dong" and the B-side "Dream of Love," a pair of originals credited to Hayes. Although the label rushed out a follow-up single, the lackluster "My Doctor of Love," the earlier track gradually built local momentum and attracted the ear of Old Town founder Hy Weiss. Old Town picked up the master for a late-summer reissue yet invested almost nothing in promotion, so the record failed to gain traction. Clive Williams departed in spring 1957; Ray Hayes's spouse Barbara stepped in and remained until the Packards disbanded. Ray and Barbara later joined Turner in the Visions, while Turner additionally performed with Bobby Lester's Moonglows. Fredericks joined the Drifters in 1966 and stayed nearly ten years, also issuing several solo sides that attracted scant notice.