A cappella music is something that genuinely interests me. My school back home (a small college of 1,900) has 3 a cappella groups, all-male, all-female, and co-ed. The co-ed group is directed by my roommate and my best friend is one of the members, so I've been actively into a cappella since I began college two years ago. Surprisingly, a cappella has been around for decades, but there wasn't much action in the 1970's with it. The most prominent band was The Persuasions.
The Persuasions began in 1962 in Brooklyn, although the five members hail from all parts of the USA. They got their start performing on street corners and at parties and worked alongside President Robert F. Kennedy in Project Restoration, a project aimed to help African-Americans in inner-cities. Since their beginning, they have released 19 albums, with the most recent in 2003. All the members now are original members; they have been together over 40 years. The members include Jerry Lawson, "Sweet" Joe Russell, Jimmy Hayes, and Jayotis Washingt
on. Originally, there were 5 members, but Herbert "Tuobo" Rhobes died in 1988 while he was touring with the group.Their sound is heavily influenced by gospel music and soul. Their first album was released in 1970 and was titled Straight. Since this release, they've been dubbed the Kings of Acappella. They were not the first a cappella group by any means, but they have kept it alive, spanning their popularity for more than 40 years! They also had numerous Billboard 200 hits. One of their hits, "Up On the Roof," is below:
They stand for truth and their message is pure. Rolling Stones magazine called them "one of the hundred best works of the 1970's" regarding their 1977 album, Chirpin'. There were some other groups who released a cappella work in the 1970's, but it was often one song on the album or part of a song, never working as a fully- a cappella group. This is one of the music styles of the 1970s that never found popularity by having many groups adopt the style, but The Persuasions definitely found fame and success in the 70's and today through their a cappella music.
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Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI am Julie Lawson. My husband is Jerry Lawson, former lead singer, arranger & producer of The Persuasions and all 22 albums.
I really appreciate that you are sharing their music & history. I hope you don't mind if I corrrect you on a few things.
Their first album ws titled A cappella and it was on Frank Zappa's label titled "Straight Records"
My husband left the group after 40 years in 2003. I don't want to hurt feelings so I'll keep those facts private until Jerry's book or film is released.
There are now only 3 original members performing now with a few guys who fill in. And yes they are calling themselves The Persuasions despite the fact that the distinct Persuasions sound is gone forever except on records/CDs..
My opinion is that when you remove the lead singer of a group it is different than removing one of the accompanying vocalists. Just like Gladys Knight & The Pips or Mick Jagger from The Stones. Take out the lead singer and what have you got?
Jerry thought he was through with a cappella but then a miracle happened in 2004. Maybe it was divine intervention. He met 4 a cappella singers who had been studying his music for 35 years & wishing they had a lead singer like him. It was obvious that the universe intended them to sing together.
Jerry's website & new CD with his new a cappella guys can be discovered at www.jerrylawson.biz
Jerry is also busy collaborating with many artists on many new projects that are not
a cappella & he is having a ball. We hope to make his biggest dream come true which is to record with an orchestra.
By the way his new CD titled "Jerry Lawson & Talk of The Town" is his masterpiece!
THank you Amy once again for turning bloggers on to The Persuasions & my extraordinary gifted husband!
In Harmony,
Julie
PS - go to youtube & search Jerry Lawson - lots of great stuff there!
PS- folks can write to Jerry & he answers all his email personally. mail@jerrylawson.biz
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