The Players

The Players produced a pair of emotionally resonant ballads whose intricate vocal textures proved impossible to reproduce onstage. Formed strictly as a studio project, the act broke through in 1966 with the poignant single “He’ll Be Back,” a dreamy ballad in which a man consoles a woman whose partner is serving in Vietnam. The record quickly connected with soul audiences yet crossed over modestly on the pop side, extending the group’s name well beyond Cook County. Herbert Butler handled lead vocals on that smooth track, joined by Dells members Chuck Barksdale, Johnny Carter, Vern Allison, and Mickey McGill. To support promotion and live dates, Otha Lee Givins and Tony Lee Johnson were added as official Players and traveled with Butler. Minit promptly assembled an album on which the newcomers supplied most of the vocals.

The follow-up single “Glad You Waited” (1966) matched the earlier ballad’s tenderness, recounting the returning soldier’s gratitude for his girlfriend’s steadfast loyalty. Vern Allison, Johnny Carter, and Mickey McGill no longer appeared, though the producer retained Chuck Barksdale’s bass contributions. The revised lineup now comprised Butler, Johnson, Givins, and Joe Brackenridge. In 1967 Minit released two further Players singles, “That’s the Way” and “Get Right,” neither of which gained traction. No additional recordings surfaced from the ensemble built around Herbert Butler’s passionate, sweet first tenor. Joe Breckenridge had previously sung with the Von Gayels.