Biography
The doo wop quintet the Fidelitys originated in Albany, New York, in 1956. Bass vocalist Earl Thorpe assembled its founding members after moving from Jacksonville, Florida, as detailed in Marv Goldberg’s account on group-harmony.com. His cousin Emmitt Smith handled lead vocals, Clarence Carter and Robert McCann covered the tenor parts, and Arthur Morning filled the baritone slot. Initially called the Mellow-Tones, the group adopted the Fidelitys name when tenor Maurice Newton, another Jacksonville acquaintance of Thorpe’s, relocated to Albany and replaced Carter.
Late in 1957 the quintet headed to New York City hoping to appear on the Apollo Theatre’s amateur showcase. Apollo bandleader Reuben Phillips instead became their manager and arranged an audition with Ben Bart of Universal Attractions. Bart secured them a hearing at Baton Records, where the label signed the group immediately. Their debut single, a treatment of the Harold Barlow/Lew Harris standard “The Things I Love,” appeared in February 1958 and deliberately echoed the Platters’ polished, airy manner. It reached number 60 on the Billboard pop chart. In June the Fidelitys returned with another vintage number, Andy Razaf and Eubie Blake’s “Memories of You.” Though the release earned them a week at the Apollo, it failed to chart.
The group’s third Baton release, “Captain of My Ship,” surfaced in autumn 1958 alongside another Apollo engagement, yet again met with indifference from radio and buyers. Owner Sol Rabinowitz closed Baton in spring 1959 and soon joined Morty Craft in launching the SIR imprint. The Fidelitys placed the Irving Berlin composition “Marie” on SIR that July, again without response. “Walk with the Wind” followed in the fall, and the group made its final Apollo appearance in early 1960. “This Girl of Mine” came out that spring, and in August the Fidelitys issued their last single, “Wishing Star,” which also proved to be SIR’s final release. When Emmitt Smith entered military service in 1962, Kenny French assumed lead duties, and the group continued performing into the late 1960s. In 2005 the surviving members—Thorpe, Smith, Newton, and French—reconvened for several Albany-area performances.
Late in 1957 the quintet headed to New York City hoping to appear on the Apollo Theatre’s amateur showcase. Apollo bandleader Reuben Phillips instead became their manager and arranged an audition with Ben Bart of Universal Attractions. Bart secured them a hearing at Baton Records, where the label signed the group immediately. Their debut single, a treatment of the Harold Barlow/Lew Harris standard “The Things I Love,” appeared in February 1958 and deliberately echoed the Platters’ polished, airy manner. It reached number 60 on the Billboard pop chart. In June the Fidelitys returned with another vintage number, Andy Razaf and Eubie Blake’s “Memories of You.” Though the release earned them a week at the Apollo, it failed to chart.
The group’s third Baton release, “Captain of My Ship,” surfaced in autumn 1958 alongside another Apollo engagement, yet again met with indifference from radio and buyers. Owner Sol Rabinowitz closed Baton in spring 1959 and soon joined Morty Craft in launching the SIR imprint. The Fidelitys placed the Irving Berlin composition “Marie” on SIR that July, again without response. “Walk with the Wind” followed in the fall, and the group made its final Apollo appearance in early 1960. “This Girl of Mine” came out that spring, and in August the Fidelitys issued their last single, “Wishing Star,” which also proved to be SIR’s final release. When Emmitt Smith entered military service in 1962, Kenny French assumed lead duties, and the group continued performing into the late 1960s. In 2005 the surviving members—Thorpe, Smith, Newton, and French—reconvened for several Albany-area performances.
Singles