The Chesters (Clarence Collins, Tracy Ward, Nathaniel Rodgers and Robert Ross) were auditioned by Richard Barrett (who discovered the Teenagers, The Chantels....) and told if they could find a singer they could have a record deal. They became the Imperials, Ernest Wright took over from Robert Ross and Clarence Collins persuaded Anthony Goudine (former DuPonts singer) to join them and they signed to New York- based End Records in 1958.
Their first single was 'Tears On My Pillow' which sold over a million records and they got the nickname 'Little Anthony & The Imperials' which stuck.
and because its also so so good, 'Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop' (1959) which they hated but the record company insisted on.
But their successes dwindled by 1961 and the line up kept changing. Some members left, including Anthony, until finally what is considered to have been the classic line up - Anthony Gourdine, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright and Sammy Strain got together in 1964 and released some real stompers before drifting apart again (although some of them are still touring today). The prototypes for the Delfonics and The Stylistics, here are a couple more to look at/listen to- its like listening to honey.
'I'm On the Outside Looking In' 1964 (written by Terry Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein)
Hurt So Bad, 1965 (written by Randazzo, Weinstein and Bobby Hart- now better remembered for his songs for the Monkees)
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