Biography
Cleveland, Ohio, produced an array of distinguished yet underrecognized vocal ensembles that featured Ike Perry & the Lyrics, Ben Iverson & the Hornets, the Annuals, the Hepsters, the Metrotones (Sonny Turner), the Coronets, the Regals, and the Five Quails. The Five Quails made their first appearance on Mercury Records in 1957 before issuing three singles on Harvey Records during the early 1960s.
The Five Stars originated at Kennard Junior High in the mid-1950s, consisting of William Fulgham on lead, Harold Sudberry on second lead, Donald Brown, James Williams, and Clarence Williams, who was unrelated to James. Personnel shifted repeatedly for assorted reasons, and the adjustments persisted after the members advanced to East Technical High, at which point the group adopted the name Five Quails.
Under the configuration of Billy Strawbridge, Billy Fulgham, Art Kirkpatrick, Donald Brown, and James Williams, they recorded “Jungle Baby” backed with “Hop Scotch Rock” for Mercury in 1957; although the novelty track failed to register on the charts, the ensemble secured employment supporting singer Chuck Willis and accompanied him on a short tour prior to his death in April 1958. Harvey Fuqua encountered the Quails in the Apollo Theater basement in New York during that same tour with Willis. Noting their Cleveland origins, which matched his own, he vowed future assistance. Sudberry’s military draft prevented him from participating in either the Mercury session or the Willis tour. Curtis Robinson and Willie Woodall filled Quails roles during different periods.
Following the Willis engagement, the group spent a year performing across Canada. Harold Sudberry later recalled the experience with the words, “We went there with nothing but our voices and the determination to sing. We would go to clubs to audition and tell the manager, ‘If you like us, hire us.’ If they didn’t, we would just leave. We didn’t go hungry.” The singers received appreciation for their vocal abilities in Canada that had been absent in the United States. On one occasion a Canadian police officer detained and questioned them, but after the group presented a glossy photograph, the officer recognized them as entertainers, obtained each member’s autograph on the picture, and allowed them to continue their journey.
Upon their return, the Quails secured steady employment at the Rose Room inside the Majestic Hotel on East 55th Street, performing alongside the Duke Jenkins Trio. As a jazz pianist with his own television program, Jenkins featured the Quails on weekly broadcasts. They also appeared at clubs, rinks, and theaters, along with recurring engagements at the Play-Mor Lounge, the Spaghetti Inn at Wade Park, and the Keith Theater at 105th and Euclid, where they provided backing for Timi Yuro.
In 1961 Harvey Fuqua relocated from Chicago to Detroit and formed a partnership with Gwen Gordy. Together they established Tri-Phi and Harvey Records, enabling Fuqua to honor his earlier commitment to the Quails. Their debut release comprised the regionally successful two-sided single “Got to Get to School on Time” paired with the exquisite ballad “Been Such a Long Time,” on which Junior Walker & the All Stars supplied instrumental support. Anna and Gwen Gordy handled secretarial responsibilities. Sudberry, Robinson, Strawbridge, Kirkpatrick, and Williams performed on the Harvey recordings. The following year, 1962, brought the group’s final releases: “Never Felt Like This Before” backed with “My Love,” and “I Thought” backed with “Over the Hump.” Limited sales prompted Fuqua’s departure for Motown; although the Quails remained contractually linked to Motown after the label acquired Tri-Phi and Harvey Records, they received no further studio opportunities and gradually disbanded.
The members continued to reside in Cleveland rather than Detroit, traveling to the latter city solely for recording sessions or performances before returning home immediately afterward. With jobs, families, and financial obligations, they declined to relocate. They also refused tasks such as warehouse packing or shoe shining that might have satisfied label expectations, viewing themselves strictly as singers and entertainers. Maintaining a low profile, they avoided company offices and road entourages, instead respecting artists like Billy Stewart and Shep (Heartbeats, Shep & the Limelights) who likewise remained in dressing rooms or hotel quarters without large entourages. Despite their reserved nature, the Quails developed a friendship with labelmate Shorty Long.
Curtis Robinson passed away in Alabama. James Williams issued solo recordings, including “Let Me Down Easy,” under the name Jimmy Love.
The Five Stars originated at Kennard Junior High in the mid-1950s, consisting of William Fulgham on lead, Harold Sudberry on second lead, Donald Brown, James Williams, and Clarence Williams, who was unrelated to James. Personnel shifted repeatedly for assorted reasons, and the adjustments persisted after the members advanced to East Technical High, at which point the group adopted the name Five Quails.
Under the configuration of Billy Strawbridge, Billy Fulgham, Art Kirkpatrick, Donald Brown, and James Williams, they recorded “Jungle Baby” backed with “Hop Scotch Rock” for Mercury in 1957; although the novelty track failed to register on the charts, the ensemble secured employment supporting singer Chuck Willis and accompanied him on a short tour prior to his death in April 1958. Harvey Fuqua encountered the Quails in the Apollo Theater basement in New York during that same tour with Willis. Noting their Cleveland origins, which matched his own, he vowed future assistance. Sudberry’s military draft prevented him from participating in either the Mercury session or the Willis tour. Curtis Robinson and Willie Woodall filled Quails roles during different periods.
Following the Willis engagement, the group spent a year performing across Canada. Harold Sudberry later recalled the experience with the words, “We went there with nothing but our voices and the determination to sing. We would go to clubs to audition and tell the manager, ‘If you like us, hire us.’ If they didn’t, we would just leave. We didn’t go hungry.” The singers received appreciation for their vocal abilities in Canada that had been absent in the United States. On one occasion a Canadian police officer detained and questioned them, but after the group presented a glossy photograph, the officer recognized them as entertainers, obtained each member’s autograph on the picture, and allowed them to continue their journey.
Upon their return, the Quails secured steady employment at the Rose Room inside the Majestic Hotel on East 55th Street, performing alongside the Duke Jenkins Trio. As a jazz pianist with his own television program, Jenkins featured the Quails on weekly broadcasts. They also appeared at clubs, rinks, and theaters, along with recurring engagements at the Play-Mor Lounge, the Spaghetti Inn at Wade Park, and the Keith Theater at 105th and Euclid, where they provided backing for Timi Yuro.
In 1961 Harvey Fuqua relocated from Chicago to Detroit and formed a partnership with Gwen Gordy. Together they established Tri-Phi and Harvey Records, enabling Fuqua to honor his earlier commitment to the Quails. Their debut release comprised the regionally successful two-sided single “Got to Get to School on Time” paired with the exquisite ballad “Been Such a Long Time,” on which Junior Walker & the All Stars supplied instrumental support. Anna and Gwen Gordy handled secretarial responsibilities. Sudberry, Robinson, Strawbridge, Kirkpatrick, and Williams performed on the Harvey recordings. The following year, 1962, brought the group’s final releases: “Never Felt Like This Before” backed with “My Love,” and “I Thought” backed with “Over the Hump.” Limited sales prompted Fuqua’s departure for Motown; although the Quails remained contractually linked to Motown after the label acquired Tri-Phi and Harvey Records, they received no further studio opportunities and gradually disbanded.
The members continued to reside in Cleveland rather than Detroit, traveling to the latter city solely for recording sessions or performances before returning home immediately afterward. With jobs, families, and financial obligations, they declined to relocate. They also refused tasks such as warehouse packing or shoe shining that might have satisfied label expectations, viewing themselves strictly as singers and entertainers. Maintaining a low profile, they avoided company offices and road entourages, instead respecting artists like Billy Stewart and Shep (Heartbeats, Shep & the Limelights) who likewise remained in dressing rooms or hotel quarters without large entourages. Despite their reserved nature, the Quails developed a friendship with labelmate Shorty Long.
Curtis Robinson passed away in Alabama. James Williams issued solo recordings, including “Let Me Down Easy,” under the name Jimmy Love.