Biography
The ensemble first assembled in 1954 while its members attended Ferndale High School near Detroit, Michigan, originally performing under the name the Domingoes. Its original lineup comprised Henry Fambrough (born 10 May 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, though some references give 1938), Robert ‘Bobby’ Smith (born 10 April 1937 in Detroit, Michigan), Billy Henderson (born 9 August 1939 in Indianapolis, Indiana, died 2 February 2007 in Daytona Beach, Florida), Pervis Jackson (born 17 May 1938 in the USA) and George Dixon (born in the USA). The act adopted the Spinners name after signing to the Tri-Phi label in 1961, with the UK sometimes appending the Motown or Detroit prefix to differentiate it from the folk group of the same title. Harvey Fuqua placed the group on his Tri-Phi Records roster, where the debut single ‘That’s What Girls Are Made For’ reached number 5 on the US R&B chart and crossed into the pop Top 30. Dixon then departed, with Edgar ‘Chico’ Edwards (born in the USA) taking his place, yet Fuqua’s 1963 transfer of the quintet to Motown Records yielded little visibility amid stronger labelmates and scant commercial traction. Minor success arrived via ‘I’ll Always Love You’ in 1965, after which the group largely contributed behind the scenes at Motown for the balance of the decade.
G.C. Cameron (born George Curtis Cameron in Jackson, Mississippi, USA) assumed Dixon’s former role in 1967, but genuine breakthrough arrived only in 1970 when the Stevie Wonder composition ‘It’s A Shame’, featuring Cameron’s lead vocals, entered the Top 20 in both the USA and the UK. The following year the ensemble transferred from Motown’s V.I.P. imprint to Atlantic Records at Aretha Franklin’s urging; Cameron elected to remain at Motown, so Philippe Wynne (born Philip Walker on 3 April 1941 in Detroit, Michigan, died 14 July 1984 in Oakland, California, USA) joined instead. Wynne’s distinctive falsetto supplied fresh character to the already refined vocal blend, and collaboration with producer Thom Bell produced a run of benchmark singles for polished 1970s soul. ‘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 chart, while the Dionne Warwick duet ‘Then Came You’ reached number one on the US pop chart. ‘Ghetto Child’ (1973) and ‘The Rubberband Man’ (1976) extended international reach as the group cultivated a melodic, orchestrated style that sidestepped the mechanical tendencies of several contemporaries.
Early Atlantic releases spotlighted Smith’s smooth lead, whereas later tracks highlighted Wynne’s ornate phrasing. Wynne’s 1977 departure for Funkadelic brought in new lead Johnathan Edwards (born 25 December 1944 in the USA), yet hits persisted, notably the medley ‘Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl’, which topped the UK chart and reached number 2 in the USA. A further medley of ‘Cupid’ and ‘I’ve Loved You For A Long Time’ entered the Top 10 in both countries in 1980, although subsequent lineup instability curtailed later momentum. The group continues to draw audiences on stage and received induction into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 1999. Its strongest work, issued between 1971 and 1973, marked the pinnacle of sweet Philadelphia soul.
G.C. Cameron (born George Curtis Cameron in Jackson, Mississippi, USA) assumed Dixon’s former role in 1967, but genuine breakthrough arrived only in 1970 when the Stevie Wonder composition ‘It’s A Shame’, featuring Cameron’s lead vocals, entered the Top 20 in both the USA and the UK. The following year the ensemble transferred from Motown’s V.I.P. imprint to Atlantic Records at Aretha Franklin’s urging; Cameron elected to remain at Motown, so Philippe Wynne (born Philip Walker on 3 April 1941 in Detroit, Michigan, died 14 July 1984 in Oakland, California, USA) joined instead. Wynne’s distinctive falsetto supplied fresh character to the already refined vocal blend, and collaboration with producer Thom Bell produced a run of benchmark singles for polished 1970s soul. ‘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 chart, while the Dionne Warwick duet ‘Then Came You’ reached number one on the US pop chart. ‘Ghetto Child’ (1973) and ‘The Rubberband Man’ (1976) extended international reach as the group cultivated a melodic, orchestrated style that sidestepped the mechanical tendencies of several contemporaries.
Early Atlantic releases spotlighted Smith’s smooth lead, whereas later tracks highlighted Wynne’s ornate phrasing. Wynne’s 1977 departure for Funkadelic brought in new lead Johnathan Edwards (born 25 December 1944 in the USA), yet hits persisted, notably the medley ‘Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl’, which topped the UK chart and reached number 2 in the USA. A further medley of ‘Cupid’ and ‘I’ve Loved You For A Long Time’ entered the Top 10 in both countries in 1980, although subsequent lineup instability curtailed later momentum. The group continues to draw audiences on stage and received induction into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 1999. Its strongest work, issued between 1971 and 1973, marked the pinnacle of sweet Philadelphia soul.
Albums
