Biography
The R&B vocal ensemble the Vibranaires came together in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1948. Marv Goldberg recounted their origins in his September 1975 Yesterday's Memories profile, noting that lead tenor Bobby Thomas, an ardent Orioles devotee who patterned his singing on Sonny Til, assembled the lineup. The original members also included baritone Herbie Cole (nephew of drummer Cozy Cole), first tenor Ulysses Jackson, second tenor Albert Smith, and bass Willie Busby; they performed at first under the name the Crooners. By 1950 only Thomas and Cole remained, the vacancies filled by first tenor Roosevelt McDuffie, second tenor Mike Robinson, and bass Jimmy Roache, whose amplified voice reportedly rattled walls and prompted the switch to the Vibranaires.
Briefly in 1953 the group worked with manager and songwriter Esther Navarro, who required another name change to the Cadillacs. A demo was cut, yet no official release followed, so the partnership ended. Navarro subsequently enlisted the Carnations to record as the Cadillacs, resulting in the 1955 R&B hit “Speedo.” Meanwhile the Vibranaires kept appearing in New Jersey venues, where they met WNJR disc jockey Joel Turnero; he introduced them to After Hours owner Lexy “Flap” Hanford.
Cole was jailed for stealing a bass guitar from a local club on the eve of their first After Hours session, leaving the others to devise last-minute vocal arrangements without him. “Doll Face” surfaced on After Hours in summer 1954 and moved nearly 40,000 copies despite scant promotion. The follow-up, “Stop Torturing Me,” appeared on Hanford’s Chariot label under the new name the Vibes; sales proved disappointing and Hanford dropped the act. Promoter Bobby McNeil then signed them, sending the group onto the chitlin circuit of Black nightclubs and theaters.
Roache entered military service in 1955, triggering further personnel shifts that briefly brought in Lenny Welch, later known for the 1963 solo success “Since I Fell for You.” Thomas received his draft notice in 1958, after which the Vibes disbanded. He and McDuffie later performed together in the V-Eights. Thomas realized a longtime goal in 1966 when he joined the Orioles, remaining with later editions of the group for more than three decades.
Briefly in 1953 the group worked with manager and songwriter Esther Navarro, who required another name change to the Cadillacs. A demo was cut, yet no official release followed, so the partnership ended. Navarro subsequently enlisted the Carnations to record as the Cadillacs, resulting in the 1955 R&B hit “Speedo.” Meanwhile the Vibranaires kept appearing in New Jersey venues, where they met WNJR disc jockey Joel Turnero; he introduced them to After Hours owner Lexy “Flap” Hanford.
Cole was jailed for stealing a bass guitar from a local club on the eve of their first After Hours session, leaving the others to devise last-minute vocal arrangements without him. “Doll Face” surfaced on After Hours in summer 1954 and moved nearly 40,000 copies despite scant promotion. The follow-up, “Stop Torturing Me,” appeared on Hanford’s Chariot label under the new name the Vibes; sales proved disappointing and Hanford dropped the act. Promoter Bobby McNeil then signed them, sending the group onto the chitlin circuit of Black nightclubs and theaters.
Roache entered military service in 1955, triggering further personnel shifts that briefly brought in Lenny Welch, later known for the 1963 solo success “Since I Fell for You.” Thomas received his draft notice in 1958, after which the Vibes disbanded. He and McDuffie later performed together in the V-Eights. Thomas realized a longtime goal in 1966 when he joined the Orioles, remaining with later editions of the group for more than three decades.