Biography
Embodying the shift from 1950s rhythm and blues into the emerging soul sound of the 1960s, The Blue Jays performed doo wop numbers fronted by a lead vocal steeped in gospel. Their signature achievement came with the 1961 Top 40 single “Lovers Island,” regarded by many as the final hit to appear in authentic doo wop style.
Formed in Venice, California, in 1961, the Los Angeles vocal quartet consisted of Leon Peels (b. 1936, Newport, AR), Van Richardson, Alex Manigo, and Leonard Davidson (also known as “Len” and “Tree Tall Len”). After performing at an amateur night at the Fox Theater in Venice, the group attracted the attention of country singer Werly Fairburn, who placed them on his Milestone label. At the time Milestone’s roster leaned heavily toward rockabilly acts and had already scored success with the Paradons’ “Diamonds and Pearls.”
Peels and Manigeault wrote “Lovers Island,” the quartet’s debut single, which arrived like an echo of earlier vocal-group traditions. Although sales lagged behind contemporary releases by acts such as the Jive Five or the Dreamlovers, the record climbed to number 31 on the pop chart and registered strongly on local Los Angeles R&B listings, serving as a graceful farewell to the doo wop era. Milestone paired the Blue Jays with the Paradons for a joint album.
Subsequent releases—“Tears Are Falling” in 1961 and “The Right to Love” in 1962—failed to connect, prompting the group to disband in early 1962. Leon Peels continued recording for Whirlybird Records, backed by the Hi-Tensions; among those sides was the single “On a Magic Island.”
Formed in Venice, California, in 1961, the Los Angeles vocal quartet consisted of Leon Peels (b. 1936, Newport, AR), Van Richardson, Alex Manigo, and Leonard Davidson (also known as “Len” and “Tree Tall Len”). After performing at an amateur night at the Fox Theater in Venice, the group attracted the attention of country singer Werly Fairburn, who placed them on his Milestone label. At the time Milestone’s roster leaned heavily toward rockabilly acts and had already scored success with the Paradons’ “Diamonds and Pearls.”
Peels and Manigeault wrote “Lovers Island,” the quartet’s debut single, which arrived like an echo of earlier vocal-group traditions. Although sales lagged behind contemporary releases by acts such as the Jive Five or the Dreamlovers, the record climbed to number 31 on the pop chart and registered strongly on local Los Angeles R&B listings, serving as a graceful farewell to the doo wop era. Milestone paired the Blue Jays with the Paradons for a joint album.
Subsequent releases—“Tears Are Falling” in 1961 and “The Right to Love” in 1962—failed to connect, prompting the group to disband in early 1962. Leon Peels continued recording for Whirlybird Records, backed by the Hi-Tensions; among those sides was the single “On a Magic Island.”
Albums
