Biography
A Detroit quintet steeped in doo-wop traditions, the Reflections reached listeners in 1964 via Ed Wingate’s Golden World imprint with the Bob Hamilton–Freddie Gorman composition “(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet.” Gorman would later contribute material to Motown, including “Please Mr. Postman” and “Forever,” and assemble the Originals, whose “Baby I’m for Real” became a hit. The lineup comprised Phil Castrodale, Ray Steinberg, Tony Micale, Danny Bennie, and Johnny Dean. Their earliest release, a cover of the Five Satins’ “In the Still of the Night” issued on Tigre, found regional traction across several Midwestern markets. The Golden World single “(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet” climbed into the Top Ten and peaked at number six.
Seven additional 45s appeared on Golden World, yet none matched that initial showing. “Like Columbus Did” grazed the pop chart at number 96, while the sixth outing, “Poor Man’s Son,” climbed to number 55 without breaching the Top 40. The remaining titles—“Talking About My Girl,” “(I’m Just) A Henpecked Guy,” “Shabby Little Hut,” “Wheelin’ and Dealin’,” “Out of the Picture,” and the final Golden World release “Girl in the Candy Store”—registered no chart impact. Group members later noted that producers had mandated an artificial falsetto style that clashed with their preferences.
Creative and financial disputes prompted a move to ABC Paramount once the Golden World contract expired. Neither “Adam and Eve” nor “Long Cigarette” made headway, leading the singers to conclude that the Reflections name itself limited prospects; they therefore adopted the moniker High and the Mighty. Their lone single under that name, Ritchie Adams and Larry Kusik’s “Escape From Cuba,” also failed to chart. The musicians nevertheless remained active for years afterward, with Micale and Dean continuing to perform in the Detroit vicinity as members of Larados.
Seven additional 45s appeared on Golden World, yet none matched that initial showing. “Like Columbus Did” grazed the pop chart at number 96, while the sixth outing, “Poor Man’s Son,” climbed to number 55 without breaching the Top 40. The remaining titles—“Talking About My Girl,” “(I’m Just) A Henpecked Guy,” “Shabby Little Hut,” “Wheelin’ and Dealin’,” “Out of the Picture,” and the final Golden World release “Girl in the Candy Store”—registered no chart impact. Group members later noted that producers had mandated an artificial falsetto style that clashed with their preferences.
Creative and financial disputes prompted a move to ABC Paramount once the Golden World contract expired. Neither “Adam and Eve” nor “Long Cigarette” made headway, leading the singers to conclude that the Reflections name itself limited prospects; they therefore adopted the moniker High and the Mighty. Their lone single under that name, Ritchie Adams and Larry Kusik’s “Escape From Cuba,” also failed to chart. The musicians nevertheless remained active for years afterward, with Micale and Dean continuing to perform in the Detroit vicinity as members of Larados.
Albums
