- The Ravens
The Ravens were an R&B vocal group. They were formed in
1945 byJimmy Ricks andWarren Suttles . They were structurally similar toThe Ink Spots , especially in their combination of high tenor (Maithe Marshall ) and deep bass (Ricks), but their material was more varied, including elements of pop, jazz, R&B, and gospel styles.Although they had excellent lead tenors (
Maithe Marshall , and later,Joe Van Loan ), the Ravens primarily existed to showcase bass singer Jimmy "Ricky" Ricks. In this, they were so successful, that Ricks' voice became the standard against which every rhythm and blues bass was measured for the next generation. It is not an exaggeration to say that every aspiring rhythm and blues singer with a low voice wanted to sound like Ricks. His voice was so deep and rich, however, that few even came close; no one surpassed him. In spite of this, the Ravens had few chart hits, although they were very popular at appearances.The group's greatest successes were in the late 1940s, including covers of "Ol' Man River" (1947) and "Count Every Star" (1950). They had continued success into the 1950s, but Suttles left the group in 1954 and Ricks in 1955. The group continued on for some time thereafter, with various changes in personnel, but it was never as successful or influential as before.
Ricks went on to a solo career, and was the vocalist for the
Count Basie orchestra. He died onJuly 2 ,1974 .The Ravens were inducted into The
Vocal Group Hall of Fame in1998 .External links
* [http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_ravens.html 'The Ravens'
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page]
* [http://www.doowopcaferadio.com/Ravens.html Detailed history of group]
* [http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Ravens/ravens01.html In-depth history of the Ravens]
* [http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/jricks.htm Jimmy Ricks discography]
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