Billy Ward and his Dominoes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Ward and his Dominoes
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Dominoes |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1950–1965 |
| Labels | Federal, Jubilee, London, Decca |
| Past members | Billy Ward Clyde McPhatter Charlie White Joe Lamont Bill Brown James Van Loan David McNeil Jackie Wilson Eugene Mumford Milton Merle Cliff Givens |
Billy Ward and his Dominoes were a super popular American vocal group that sang R&B music. They were one of the most successful R&B groups in the early 1950s. This group helped start the amazing singing careers of two famous members: Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson.
Contents
The Start of the Group
Billy Ward, whose real name was Robert L. Williams, was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1921. He grew up in Philadelphia. Billy was a child music genius! He won an award for a piano song he wrote when he was just 14 years old.
After serving in the military, Billy studied music in Chicago. He also went to the famous Juilliard School in New York. This was a big achievement for Black musicians at that time. While working on Broadway, he met Rose Marks. She became his business partner and helped him write songs.
Billy and Rose wanted to create a vocal group. They hoped to join the new trend of vocal groups in R&B music. Billy found talented singers from his students.
Forming The Dominoes
The group was first called the Ques. Its members included Clyde McPhatter as the lead singer. Billy found Clyde after he won a talent show at the famous Apollo Theater. Other early members were Charlie White, Joe Lamont, and Bill Brown. Billy Ward played the piano and arranged their music.
In 1950, the group performed well at the Apollo Theater. They also appeared on the Arthur Godfrey show. A music expert named Rene Hall suggested them to Federal Records. This company signed them to a recording deal. That's when they changed their name to The Dominoes!
Their first song, "Do Something For Me," became a hit in early 1951. It reached number 6 on the R&B charts.
Big Hits and New Sounds
After their first hit, the group released "Sixty Minute Man". This song became a huge success! It reached number 1 on the R&B chart in May 1951. It stayed there for 14 weeks! The song also became popular on the pop charts, reaching number 17. It was even voted "Song of the Year" in 1951.
"Sixty Minute Man" was important for several reasons. It blended gospel singing with blues. Its lyrics were quite bold for the time. The song appealed to both white and black listeners. Many people later considered it one of the first rock 'n' roll records.
The group traveled a lot and became very famous. They were known as one of the best R&B groups. They attracted audiences from all backgrounds.
Changes in the Group
Billy Ward was very strict with the group members. He would fine them for things like being late or having dirty shoes. Jackie Wilson, who later joined the group, said that Billy Ward was a tough boss. He knew what he wanted, and the singers had to deliver it.
Billy Ward and Rose Marks owned the name "The Dominoes." They paid the singers a salary. Clyde McPhatter, even though he was the lead singer for many hits, was not paid much. He often felt he couldn't even afford a soda. Sometimes, he was even called "Clyde Ward" to make people think he was Billy's brother.
In 1951, Charlie White and Bill Brown left the group. They formed their own group called the Checkers. James Van Loan and David McNeil joined The Dominoes to replace them. In March 1952, The Dominoes were the only vocal group chosen to perform at Alan Freed's "Moondog Coronation Ball".
The hits kept coming! "Have Mercy Baby" was number 1 on the R&B charts for 10 weeks in 1952. Later songs were credited to "Billy Ward and His Dominoes."
New Lead Singers
In early 1953, after nine hit songs, Clyde McPhatter left. He started his own group, the Drifters. His replacement in The Dominoes was Jackie Wilson. Clyde had actually coached Jackie while he was touring with the group.
Other members also left and were replaced by Milton Merle and Cliff Givens. With Jackie Wilson as the lead singer, songs like "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" were successful. However, The Dominoes didn't have quite as many huge hits as they did with Clyde McPhatter.
In 1954, the group moved to Jubilee Records and then to Decca Records. They had a pop hit called "St. Therese of the Roses". This song, with Jackie Wilson singing, brought The Dominoes back into the spotlight for a short time.
Elvis Presley actually went to see Jackie Wilson and The Dominoes perform in Las Vegas in 1956. He was so impressed by Jackie's singing!
Later Years and Legacy
In 1957, Jackie Wilson left to start his own solo career. Gene Mumford replaced him as the lead singer. The group then signed with Liberty Records. They had another big pop hit with "Star Dust". This song was one of the first recordings in the rock and roll era to use multiple tracks. It was also one of the first songs by an R&B artist recorded in true stereo sound! "Star Dust" was their only song to sell over a million copies.
They followed up with "Deep Purple". This was their last major hit. Different versions of the group continued to record and perform into the 1960s.
Billy Ward and his Dominoes were honored in 2006. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Their music helped shape the sound of R&B and rock and roll.
Notable Hit Songs
- "Do Something For Me" (1951)
- "Sixty Minute Man" (1951)
- "Have Mercy Baby" (1952)
- "The Bells" (1953)
- "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)" (1953)
- "Rags to Riches" (1953)
- "St. Therese Of The Roses" (1956)
- "Star Dust" (1957)
- "Deep Purple" (1957)
- "Jennie Lee" (1958)
