Biography
Formed in Detroit in 1952, the ensemble began its career as the Royals while serving as the backup group for R&B legend Hank Ballard. Henry Booth, Charles Sutton, Lawson Smith, and Sonny Woods made up the original lineup. Ballard stepped in for Smith the next year and took over as lead singer. The group adopted the name the Midnighters in 1954. Following a temporary breakup in 1965, it reformed with Frank Stadford, Walter Miller, and Wesley Hargrove. This lineup spent several years performing in the James Brown Revue.