Biography
The vocal group known as the Students came together in Cincinnati during 1956. Lead singer Leroy King, first tenor Dorsey Porter, second tenor Roy Ford, baritone John Bolden, bass Richard Johnson, and guitarist Ralph Byrd first crossed paths as pupils at Samuel Ach Junior High School, as detailed in Marv Goldberg's June 2000 Discoveries article.
They initially performed under the name the D'Italians for their opening two years. After triumphing in several area talent competitions, they drew notice from Otis Williams & the Charms, Cincinnati's leading R&B ensemble at the time. Williams assisted the D'Italians in securing performances and directed Mel Herman, a Chess Records distributor, toward them. This led to a contract with Chess' Checkerboard imprint in the middle of 1958.
Following Herman's suggestion, they adopted the name the Students and journeyed to Chess' studio in Chicago for their first recording, "I'm So Young," provided by local high school student and songwriter William "Prez" Tyus. The track surfaced simultaneously on Checker and the small Note imprint for unknown reasons, achieving popularity across much of the Midwest. This breakthrough allowed touring opportunities, including a week-long engagement at New York City's historic Apollo Theater in autumn 1958.
In spring of the next year, the Students headed back to Chicago for their next effort, "My Vow to You," issued solely on Note. Still, the five members spent the summer on the road with the All-American Shows tent revue. After Ralph Byrd departed, prompting the inclusion of guitarist Wilbur Longmeier, preparations for a third single began toward the end of 1959. Rejecting an unreleased demo of "Cathy's Clown," which would later become a major success for the Everly Brothers, they chose to cut "Misty" and "If I Were King" in a contemporary harmony approach that failed to interest Chess, resulting in the label dropping them.
Chess' Argo label unexpectedly re-released "I'm So Young" in 1961 without the group's awareness, earning a national Top 40 R&B placement. The Students remained unaware of this resurgence, limiting themselves to sporadic shows until disbanding in 1962. Their original lineup gathered again in 1983 for a performance at Radio City Music Hall, the first such event in twenty years. However, the later passing of King, Bolden, and Ford ensured this would mark their last get-together.
They initially performed under the name the D'Italians for their opening two years. After triumphing in several area talent competitions, they drew notice from Otis Williams & the Charms, Cincinnati's leading R&B ensemble at the time. Williams assisted the D'Italians in securing performances and directed Mel Herman, a Chess Records distributor, toward them. This led to a contract with Chess' Checkerboard imprint in the middle of 1958.
Following Herman's suggestion, they adopted the name the Students and journeyed to Chess' studio in Chicago for their first recording, "I'm So Young," provided by local high school student and songwriter William "Prez" Tyus. The track surfaced simultaneously on Checker and the small Note imprint for unknown reasons, achieving popularity across much of the Midwest. This breakthrough allowed touring opportunities, including a week-long engagement at New York City's historic Apollo Theater in autumn 1958.
In spring of the next year, the Students headed back to Chicago for their next effort, "My Vow to You," issued solely on Note. Still, the five members spent the summer on the road with the All-American Shows tent revue. After Ralph Byrd departed, prompting the inclusion of guitarist Wilbur Longmeier, preparations for a third single began toward the end of 1959. Rejecting an unreleased demo of "Cathy's Clown," which would later become a major success for the Everly Brothers, they chose to cut "Misty" and "If I Were King" in a contemporary harmony approach that failed to interest Chess, resulting in the label dropping them.
Chess' Argo label unexpectedly re-released "I'm So Young" in 1961 without the group's awareness, earning a national Top 40 R&B placement. The Students remained unaware of this resurgence, limiting themselves to sporadic shows until disbanding in 1962. Their original lineup gathered again in 1983 for a performance at Radio City Music Hall, the first such event in twenty years. However, the later passing of King, Bolden, and Ford ensured this would mark their last get-together.
Singles