The Rainbows

Washington, D.C. saw the Rainbows emerge among its earliest vocal ensembles. The group issued three singles whose titles each carried a woman’s name—“Mary Lee,” “Shirley,” and “Minnie.” Morgan “Bobby” Robinson’s Red Robin label released “Mary Lee” in 1954, with Ronald “Posie” Miles handling lead vocals beside John Berry and additional unnamed singers who departed once the record finished its run. Red Robin then leased the track to Pilgrim Records, which guided it to modest regional success.

Berry brought Chester Simmons and Don Covay aboard for the 1956 follow-up “Shirley,” establishing the lineup most widely identified with the Rainbows. Although the single appeared on Pilgrim, Argyle, and Red Robin, none of the versions produced significant results. D.C. disc jockey Jay Ferry gave the group local exposure, yet programmers in other markets remained indifferent.

“Minnie,” issued on Rama Records in 1957, marked the Rainbows’ final release. Despite strong local popularity in Washington, sales proved disappointing and the group disbanded. Red Robin’s vaults still contain at least four unreleased recordings—“Baraboo,” “Honey Hush,” “Jelly Bean,” and “The Bug.”

Covay launched a solo career that yielded the hits “Have Mercy” and “See Saw,” yet he achieved greater recognition as a songwriter who supplied material to numerous artists. Berry likewise focused on songwriting, registering more than 125 compositions with BMI; his most notable effort, “Pony Time,” became a hit for Chubby Checker. Simmons, along with Marvin Gaye, James Nolan, and Reese Palmer serving as replacements, formed the Marquees.