Biography
While enrolled at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, vocalists Bobby Bernard, Clarence Dorsey, Tony Goodrich, Hilton Hudson, and Herman Lewis assembled an R&B ensemble in 1953. Initially billed as the Turbans, the five performed at neighborhood nightspots while wearing matching headgear. Counsel from their attorney led them to decline an offer from Sun Records, after which they adopted the name the Monograms in 1954. Marv Goldberg’s April 2005 Blues & Rhythm profile notes that emerging jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery sometimes joined them onstage, and mounting local recognition earned the group an unsuccessful audition with Chess Records.
Their first recording appeared only in 1957, when the Saga label issued the single “Please Baby Please.” Although Indianapolis stations aired the track regularly, it attracted no wider attention, prompting the original lineup to disband in early 1959. Later that year Bernard reactivated the Monograms name with a fresh roster consisting of lead tenor Charles Anderson, first tenor Robert “Chico” Penick, and second tenor Johnny Hardiman. This edition never entered a studio yet remained active until 1964, when health concerns forced Anderson’s departure and George Black took his place. Bernard himself left the following year, but ongoing membership shifts allowed the group to continue performing into the mid-1970s.
Their first recording appeared only in 1957, when the Saga label issued the single “Please Baby Please.” Although Indianapolis stations aired the track regularly, it attracted no wider attention, prompting the original lineup to disband in early 1959. Later that year Bernard reactivated the Monograms name with a fresh roster consisting of lead tenor Charles Anderson, first tenor Robert “Chico” Penick, and second tenor Johnny Hardiman. This edition never entered a studio yet remained active until 1964, when health concerns forced Anderson’s departure and George Black took his place. Bernard himself left the following year, but ongoing membership shifts allowed the group to continue performing into the mid-1970s.