Originally assembled by Tony Churchill alongside music-industry veteran Harvey Fuqua, the ensemble first operated under the name the Nite-Liters. In that earlier incarnation the group scored three R&B chart entries—“K-Jee,” “Afro-Strut,” and “Pull Together”—with “K-Jee” proving the strongest, climbing to number 17 across a 13-week stay.
The band’s foundation traces to gospel vocalists Leslie and Melvin Wilson of Muskegon, Michigan. After relocating to Detroit in the late 1960s, the brothers maintained their gospel orientation until Melvin encountered the Nite-Liters, then serving as backing musicians for Motown acts, and proposed that he and Leslie join them onstage. Through former Marvelette Anne Bogan the Wilsons were introduced to Fuqua, who at the time oversaw three acts: Love Peace & Happiness, which soon included the brothers, the Nite-Liters, and New Birth. With only Londee Loren and Bobby Downs remaining in New Birth, the three outfits began touring and supporting one another before consolidating under the New Birth banner.
Leslie’s assertive leads and Melvin’s smoother delivery quickly emerged as the principal voices. Their debut single, “I Can Understand It,” reached the R&B Top Ten; driven by Leslie’s impassioned phrasing and echoing Bobby Womack, it advanced to number four within twelve weeks. In January 1974 the group issued “It’s Been a Long Time,” another Top Ten success, followed by the enduring ballad “Wildflower.” While residing in California, however, internal tensions arose from the glare of Hollywood and mounting management difficulties, prompting New Birth to sever ties with Fuqua, manager Jerry Weintraub, and RCA Records. In mid-1975 the ensemble joined Buddah Records, where they promptly achieved their sole R&B number-one single, “Dream Merchant.” After issuing just one album on that label, they moved to Warner Bros. and subsequently Ariola. Leslie and Melvin Wilson departed in 1977; the remaining members disbanded by 1979. In 1994 the Wilson brothers reconstituted New Birth and resumed live appearances across the country.
