The Nutmegs

Today, the Nutmegs linger in collective memory thanks to their timeless East Coast doo wop staple, the 1955 R&B chart-topping sensation “Story Untold,” which reached number two across the United States. Regional success continued to follow the group throughout the northeastern states, where “Ship of Love” climbed into the Top 20 on local lists. Roughly ten years afterward, the Nutmegs found themselves at the unwitting origin of an a cappella wave that engulfed the East Coast from 1963 through 1966, landing multiple Top Five regional placements with unaccompanied renditions of earlier singles. “Let Me Tell You” (number five), “The Way Love Should Be” (number three), “Why Must We Go to School” (number four), “Down in Mexico” (number five), and “You’re Crying” (number four) all resonated strongly throughout the greater New York vicinity, yet sustained national traction remained elusive. Following the accidental death of first tenor and songwriter Leroy Griffin, the ensemble disbanded before regrouping under the name the Rajahs.

Originating in New Haven, CT—the same city that gave rise to the Five Satins, the Scarlets, the Chestnuts, and the Four Haven Knights—the initial roster featured lead Leroy Griffin, Sonny Griffin (born James, Leroy’s brother), Dieder Cobb, and a second Leroy Griffin (who later adopted the name Leroy Gomez), with additional personnel including Walter Singleterry, Bill Emery, and Gomez’s brother Tommy Griffin rotating through the lineup. Street-corner performances centered on New Haven’s Webster and Dixon Streets, where Jimmy “Co Co” Tyson was invited to complete a pivotal five-voice configuration. Tyson’s departure from his prior ensemble left three members who would eventually establish the rival Chestnuts. Subsequent fragmentation saw several Nutmegs form the Lyres, while the Gomez brothers launched the Four Haven Knights.

A reconstituted lineup comprising Bill Emery (lead), Walter Singleterry (first tenor), Sonny Griffin (second tenor), Jimmy Tyson (baritone), and Leroy Griffin (bass) encountered promoter Charlie Johnson in 1953. Johnson embraced their sound and arranged to capture two of Leroy’s compositions, “Ship of Love” and “Playboy,” for his modest J&G imprint after the local Klik label passed on the finished session. The release failed to gain traction, and Johnson lacked resources for adequate promotion.

By 1954 the Nutmegs reorganized their vocal hierarchy, shifting Leroy Griffin to lead while Sonny Griffin assumed first tenor duties alongside Tyson (second tenor) and Emery (baritone); another bass singer, Leroy McNeil, was added. Leroy Griffin’s nephew Harold (Harry James, distinct from the bandleader) frequently observed rehearsals, unaware of his future role within the group.

Late in 1954 the quintet journeyed to New York and connected with RCA/Groove artists the Du-Droppers, who facilitated an introduction to Herald Records executive Al Silver. By that point four additional sides had been recorded, among them “Story Untold.” Three of those tracks ultimately became the group’s initial Herald singles, with Silver affixing the name the Nutmegs—chosen after the members informed him they hailed from Connecticut, the “nutmeg” state—to the first release.

Issued in March 1955, “Story Untold” surged onto the R&B charts and attained national number-two status by July. Concurrently, the Crew Cuts’ cover reached number 16 on the pop side, curtailing further longevity for the Nutmegs’ original. Herald’s follow-up, “Ship of Love,” appeared in August and, by October, stood at number 13 R&B and number five pop within the New York market, though broader national acceptance did not materialize.

During an Apollo Theater engagement the group faced accusations of performing an indecent dance. Upon learning of the incident, DJ Alan Freed removed them from his playlist, prompting an apology visit. McNeil and Emery appeared on Freed’s program to clarify that the movement was merely the “Hunch,” executed by “pulling your arms in and out at the sides.” Freed accepted the account, restored airplay, and booked the Nutmegs for his forthcoming Brooklyn Paramount presentation as well as his touring revue alongside the Moonglows, the Spaniels, the Harptones, Chuck Berry, and additional acts. The subsequent single “Whispering Sorrows” carried “Betty Lou” on the reverse; Herald promoted the B-side without success. Bill Emery soon departed, replaced by Sonny Washburn of the Five Dukes (“Cross Your Fingers” on Atlas).

Released in June, the fourth single “Key to the Kingdom” earned a Billboard review on June 16, 1956, that described it as “a ballad in the refined, celestial groove, garnished with a few ecstatic sighs,” yet commercial results remained negligible. “Comin’ Home,” issued in December, arrived after momentum had already waned, and the final 45, “My Story,” confirmed the downturn.

Sonny Griffin had by then exited; Eddie Martin (formerly of the Chestnuts) took his place. The group pressed forward, but the next release appeared under the Rajahs moniker. “Shifting Sands” (Klick 7805, January 1958) met identical indifference, as did “A Dream of Love” (Morty Craft’s Tel label, 1960). Leroy Griffin’s nephew Harry James joined in 1962, completing a lineup of Griffin, Sonny Washburn, Leroy McNeil, Jimmy Tyson, and the newcomer. One additional Herald single appeared in 1962 before an unforeseen development unfolded.

Times Square Records, operating from New York City, began issuing a cappella 45s drawn from mid-1950s Nutmegs demos lacking instrumental backing. The group rapidly emerged as pioneers of this unaccompanied doo wop strain, establishing a benchmark others would emulate.

Between 1963 and 1964, Times Square placed several such singles on the market. “Let Me Tell You” reached number five on the label’s 1963 Top 150 survey; “The Way Love Should Be” attained number three in July 1963; and “Why Must We Go to School” peaked at number four in December 1963. The following year brought further regional successes: “Down in Mexico” registered number five in January, while “You’re Crying” climbed to number four by December.

Herald, recognizing the trend, issued its own a cappella versions of “Story Untold” and “Ship of Love,” both achieving notable regional results. That same year, however, Leroy Griffin perished in a factory accident. Harry James, who had meticulously replicated his uncle’s vocal style, assumed lead duties. Performing again as the Rajahs, the ensemble cut several sides for Lana Records before disbanding permanently without Griffin’s guidance.

A 1972 reunion yielded a distinguished a cappella LP revisiting the 1960s hits and appending a Moonglows-styled “Over the Rainbow” paired with a rendition of “In the Still of the Night.” Pyramid released the latter pairing as a single. No further recordings followed.