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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLITTLE ANTHONY and the IMPERIALSUS doo- wop group formed by Anthony Gourdine (b 8 Jan. '41, NYC) after the Duponts (which he joined '55) folded. First called the Chesters, they cut one single at the Apollo before joining End label and having name changed by disc jockey Alan Freed. Group incl. Clarence Collins (b 17 March '41, NYC), Ernest Wright (b 24 Aug. '41, NYC), Tracy Lord, Nat Rogers. First single for End was 'Tears On My Pillow', their biggest hit at no. 4 '58; one more top 40 entry 'Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop' '60 before splitting up. Re-formed '64 with Anthony, Collins, Wright and Sammy Strain (b 9 Dec. '41), had further hits on DCP label incl. top tens 'Goin' Out Of My Head' and 'Hurt So Bad' '64--5; continued on a variety of labels for a total of ten Hot 100 entries '58--74 USA. 'Better Use Your Head' was no. 54 '66 on Veep, no. 42 '76 in UK on UA for their only UK hit. Strain joined the O'Jays '75, was replaced by Kenny Seymour; Anthony went solo, became born-again Christian and came back with inspirational LP Daylight '80, prod. by B. J. Thomas. Imperials without Anthony scored no. 17 hit in UK '77 with percussively danceable 'Who's Gonna Love Me' on Power Exchange label. |