The Turbans
The Turbans were among the first Philadelphia-based R&B outfits to achieve national recognition. They emerged in 1955 out of a local R&B scene that had previously been dominated by such tenor-led groups as the Castelles, the Capris, and the Dreams. The Turbans' distinctive trait (apart from their headgear) was the soaring falsetto lead singing of 17-year-old Al Banks (born July 26, 1937), supported by the backup harmony of Matthew Platt, baritone Charlie Williams, and bass Andrew Jones; all four were schoolmates when stardom beckoned.
They headed to New York and signed to Al Silver's Herald Records, where they cut their first record late in 1955. It was the B-side, the up-tempo "When You Dance," that caught on with DJs and ended up charting nationally, thus giving the Turbans the opportunity to tour the East Coast. Their second single had a similar fate, the B-side, "Sister Sookie," supplanting the more mellow A-side, "I'll Always Watch Over You," on radio station turntables and play lists and becoming a regional hit. This proved to be the high point for the group -- their next four records never matched the first two, and their Herald contract ended after the release of "Congratulations" in 1957. The group moved to Imperial and then to Roulette Records, undergoing numerous personnel changes in the process, with Banks remaining the lead singer throughout. Before his death in the late '70s, Banks became a member of one of the lineups of Drifters playing the oldies and club circuits, and "When You Dance" remained a part of his repertory.
© Bruce Eder /TiVo
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The Best of The Turbans
Pop - Released by Oldies.com on 22 Apr 1994
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When You Dance
Soul - Released by Classic Records on 20 Jan 2011
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The Turbans and the Mellow-Kings Doo Wop Hits, Vol. 2
Pop - Released by Shami Media Group 3 on 1 Jan 2015
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Anthology: The Deluxe Collection (Remastered)
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Great Vocal Groups
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Singles File - The Turbans
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The Complete Herald Recordings (Volume One)
Pop - Released by Star Music on 24 Oct 2002
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No No Cherry / Tick Tock-a-Woo
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When I Return / Emily
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Starring Al Banks
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The Singles Archive (1955-1962)
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When You Dance / Let Me Show You Around My Heart
Rock - Released by Janus Records on 10 Feb 1955
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Remember
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Baba Ganooz / Lost My Mind
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Les idoles du doo wop : The Turbans, Vol. 1
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