The Gardenias

Last updated
The Gardenias
Origin Alton, Illinois, U.S.
Genres R&B
Years active1956-1957
Labels Federal Records
Past members Luther Ingram
Archie Ingram
Richard Ingram
Lawrence Witherspoon
Connie Perry

The Gardenias were an American doo-wop group led by singer Luther Ingram. Backed by bandleader Ike Turner, they recorded for Federal Records in 1956. [1]

Contents

History

Formed in Alton, Illinois, the group consisted of Luther Ingram singing lead, his brothers Archie Ingram and Richard Ingram, Lawrence Witherspoon, and Connie Perry. [2] They started off as a gospel group known as the Alton Crusaders before venturing into R&B as the Gardenias. On September 13, 1956, they recorded for Federal Records in Cincinnati. The group record four songs: "My Baby's Tops", "Flaming Love", "(All Alone And) Miserable", and "You Found The Time". They were accompanied by Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm for the session. [3] Their first and only single "Flaming Love" / "My Baby's Tops" was released in November 1956. [2] After the release, the group occasionally sang with Turner and continued singing gospel until they disbanded the following year.

Discography

Singles

Album appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Turner</span> American musician (1931–2007)

Izear Luster "Ike" Turner Jr. was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, record producer, and talent scout. An early pioneer of 1950s rock and roll, he is best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with his then-wife Tina Turner as the leader of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike & Tina Turner</span> American musical duo

Ike & Tina Turner were an American musical duo consisting of husband and wife Ike Turner and Tina Turner. From 1960 to 1976, they performed live as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, supported by Ike Turner's band the Kings of Rhythm and backing vocalists called the Ikettes. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue was regarded as "one of the most potent live acts on the R&B circuit."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kings of Rhythm</span> Band led by Ike Turner

The Kings of Rhythm are an American music group formed in the late 1940s in Clarksdale, Mississippi and led by Ike Turner through to his death in 2007. Turner would retain the name of the band throughout his career, although the group has undergone considerable line-up changes over time.

Jimmy Thomas was an American soul singer and songwriter. He was best known as a vocalist for Ike Turner. Thomas joined Turner's Kings of Rhythm in 1958, and remained with the band when the Ike & Tina Turner Revue was formed in 1960. He released solo singles on Turner's labels Sue, Sputnik, and Sonja Records. After his departure from Turner, Thomas continued recording as a solo artist, eventually relocating to London. He formed his own label, Osceola Records, in 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luther Ingram</span> American songwriter

Luther Thomas Ingram was an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. His most successful record, "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right", reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Brenston</span> American singer, saxophonist, and pioneer of rock and roll

Jackie Brenston was an American singer and saxophonist, who recorded, with Ike Turner's band, the first version of the pioneering rock-and-roll song "Rocket 88".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy "The Kid" Emerson</span> Musical artist

William Robert Emerson, known during his recording career as Billy "The Kid" Emerson and more recently as Rev. William R. Emerson, is an American preacher and former R&B and rock and roll singer and songwriter, best known for his 1955 song, "Red Hot."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Fool in Love</span> 1960 single by Ike & Tina Turner

"A Fool in Love" is the debut single by Ike & Tina Turner. It was released on Sue Records in 1960. The song is Tina Turner's first professional release although she had been recording with Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm since 1958. It was the first national hit record for bandleader Ike Turner since the number-one R&B hit "Rocket 88" in 1951, for which he did not receive proper credit.

<i>The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner</i> 1961 studio album by Ike & Tina Turner

The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner is the debut album by Ike & Tina Turner. It was released on the Sue Records in February 1961. The album is noted for containing the duo's debut single "A Fool in Love" and their follow-up singles "I Idolize You" and "I'm Jealous."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art Lassiter</span> Musical artist

Arthur Lassiter was an American singer, known for his work with Ike Turner.

Clayton D. Love Jr. was an American blues pianist, who led his own band, the Shufflers, in the early 1950s. He was later a vocalist in Ike Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm.

Robbie Montgomery is an American singer and restaurateur. She is noted for being one of the original Ikettes in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the 1960s. After her tenure as an Ikette, she was a member of the Mirettes, and then became a "Night Tripper" for Dr. John. In the 1970s, Montgomery was a backing vocalist for acts such as Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, the Rolling Stones, and Joe Cocker. She later created the Sweetie Pie's franchise, and starred in the award-winning reality series Welcome to Sweetie Pie's.

<i>Ike & Tina Turner Revue Live</i> 1964 live album by Ike & Tina Turner

Ike & Tina Turner Revue Live is the first live album by Ike & Tina Turner released on Kent Records in 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Turner discography</span>

This article contains information about albums and singles released by of American musician and bandleader Ike Turner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Gayles</span> American drummer

Billy Gayles was an American rhythm & blues drummer and vocalist. Gayles was a member of Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in the 1950s with whom he recorded for Flair Records and Federal Records as the lead vocalist. Gayles also backed various musicians, including Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Otis Rush, Albert King, and Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes.

Stacy Johnson was an American R&B singer and songwriter best known as a vocalist in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Johnson also released solo records and sang in the St. Louis based group the Sharpees led by Benny Sharp.

Vernon Guy was an American R&B vocalist based in St. Louis. Early in his career he toured with bandleader Ike Turner in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Guy released a few solo records on Turner's labels before forming the Sharpees with Benny Sharp in the mid 1960s. He later performed with musicians Bennie Smith and Johnnie Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessie Smith (singer)</span> American R&B vocalist (1941–2021)

Jessie Smith was an American R&B vocalist. She began her career singing with musician Benny Sharp, recording as Little Miss Jessie, and became best known as one of the original Ikettes in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. She later sang backing vocals for various artists, including Dr. John, Paul Williams, Al Kooper, José Feliciano, and Leon Ware.

Dennis Binder is an American rhythm and blues musician and singer, best known for his song "Long Man Blues". Binder began his careers in the 1950s, recording for prominent R&B labels, including Chess Records, Sun Records, and Modern Records. He was also recorded with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm.

Johnny O'Neal was an American R&B singer best known as a member of Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. He also sang with blues guitarist Earl Hooker. O'Neal used various pseudonyms such as Brother Bell, Burntface Brother, and Scarface Johnny. As a solo artist he recorded for King Records and Sun Records in the 1950s. He also formed his own group called Johnny O'Neal and the Hound Dogs.

References

  1. "Soul singer Luther Ingram dead at 69". Reuters. March 21, 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 "Reviews of New R&B Records" (PDF). Billboard. November 10, 1956. p. 136.
  3. Greensmith, Bill; Camarigg, Mark; Rowe, Mike (2015-09-30). Blues Unlimited: Essential Interviews from the Original Blues Magazine. University of Illinois Press. p. 259. ISBN   978-0-252-09750-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. "R&B Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box: 32. November 10, 1956.