Willows
The Willows bloomed in 1950 from Harlem as the Dovers: Richie Davis, John Steele, Ralph Martin, Joe Martin (twins), and Bobby Robinson. Tony Middleton replaced Robinson who left in 1952 to open a record shop on 125th Street that became Fury Records.
The Dovers built a reputation battling other groups; they often practiced with Gloria Lynne's group, the Delltones; Lynne later recorded on Premium with the Wheels before going solo. Pete and Goldie Doraine became their managers and financed the groups' 1953 debut, "Love Bells," on their own Pee Dee label, as the Five Willows. Three singles followed on Allen Records in 1953 that balm egos but did nothing for their bank accounts.
After two flops on Herald in 1954, they hit as the Willows (dropping the "Five" for booking purposes) on Melba in 1956 with "Church Bells May Ring," featuring Neil Sedaka on chimes. It blasted to number 11 R&B but died at number 62 pop due to the Diamonds' number 14 pop cover. The Cadets and Sunny Gale also played the cover game.
They didn't have any more hits but hung tough until 1965. Platters on Eldorado and Gone in 1957-1958 credited to Tony Middleton & the Willows went unnoticed; ditto for singles as the Willows on Club and Warwick Records. The Martin twins, Freddie Donovan, and Dotty Martin (Joe's wife) were the Willows for two nonstarters on Heidi Records in 1964. And a lineup featuring Tony Middleton and Richie Davis appeared in the '70s to work the doo-wop revivals; but by the '90s, the Willows wept no more.
© Andrew Hamilton /TiVo
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Willows
French Music - Released by Productions Sirène des plaines on Aug 25, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Hills
Pop - Released by Productions Sirène des plaines on Jan 8, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Church Bells May Ring / Pretty Little Girl
Rock - Released by Warwick Records on Apr 23, 1965
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
On se ressemble
French Music - Released by InTempo Musique on Feb 25, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Je reviens toujours
French Music - Released by InTempo Musique on Oct 28, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Remember Your Name
Vilda, Willows, Soleil Launière
Folk - Released by Musique nomade on May 15, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Two Wolves
Pop - Released by Productions Sirène des plaines on May 22, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Willows
Folk - Released by Productions Sirène des plaines on Aug 25, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Echinacea
Alternative & Indie - Released by 980183 Records DK2 on Apr 9, 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Figure It Out
Alternative & Indie - Released by Willows on May 13, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Crystallized
Alternative & Indie - Released by Willows on Feb 3, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tomorrow
Alternative & Indie - Released by Saltine Records on Apr 22, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
La roue
Folk - Released by Productions Sirène des plaines on Mar 26, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo