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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 ZDOMINOES, TheR&B vocal group with classic hits in '50s, very big in its day, replacing the Orioles ('Crying In The Chapel' '53) as black teen idols, and famous for some of its graduates. Arranger/pianist Billy Ward (b Robert Williams, 1921, Savannah GA; d 2002) did not often sing; the group included Joe Lamont, baritone; Clyde McPhatter, lead tenor, replaced by Jackie Wilson '53, who was succeeded by Eugene Mumford '57; second tenor Charlie White and bass Bill Brown were replaced '52 by James Van Loan and David McNeil. Big Dominoes hits '51-2 included no. 1 'Sixty-Minute Man', featuring Brown's bass (no. 23 on pop chart), a salacious novelty influential for its execution, presaging rock'n'roll. 'Have Mercy Baby' was also written by Ward. The billing changed to Billy Ward and his Dominoes for more hits '53 on Federal and King; 'St Therese Of The Roses' was a top 20 pop hit on Decca '56 with Wilson's lead; they switched to Liberty for '57 top 20s 'Stardust' and 'Deep Purple'. |