Little Anthony and the Imperials

Little Anthony and the Imperials is an American rhythm and blues, doo-wop, 23 years after the group's first year of eligibility for induction.

Career

Early years, "Tears on My Pillow", and "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop" (1957–1961)

In 1957, a doo-wop group known as "The Chesters" was composed of Collins, Tracey Lord, Nathaniel Rodgers, and Ronald Ross. Anthony Gourdine, a former member of The DuPonts, whose falsetto had been inspired by Jimmy Scott, joined as lead vocalist. Ernest Wright took over from Ross, and the group recorded briefly for Apollo Records.

The Chesters were later signed by End Records, owned by George Goldner. According to a biography of the group published by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, End Records renamed the group "The Imperials", as the group "want[ed] a name more regal than the Chesters." Its B-side was "Two People in the World".

Their next several singles flopped, despite the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's view that they were "strong" choices for singles. and primarily performed for two years at resorts in the "Borscht Belt" "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad" were consecutive top 10 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #6 and #10, respectively. At the height of their career, the group made two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the time television's top talent entertainment showcase, on March 28, 1965, and again on January 25, 1970. They also performed on Shindig!, Hullabaloo, Kraft Music Hall, Soul Train, American Bandstand, The Midnight Special, and The Tonight Show.

thumb|Little Anthony and the Imperials in 1967

The Imperials then joined United Artists Records and were assigned to its Veep Records subsidiary, and then to the parent label itself, where they recorded "World of Darkness", "It's Not the Same", "If I Remember to Forget", "Yesterday Has Gone", and the Thom Bell-produced "Help Me Find a Way (To Say I Love You)".

Albums from this era include: Reflections, Payin' Our Dues, Out of Sight, Out of Mind (named after their hit cover of The Five Keys' song), and Movie Grabbers, which included a rendition of "You Only Live Twice", the James Bond motion picture theme. This song was originally recorded by The Imperials – expressly for the film and its soundtrack – but was later given instead to Nancy Sinatra for the film, due to her father Frank's greater influence.

Numerous lineup changes, final hits, and frequent live performances (1969–1992)

In 1969, Wright left the group; and charted with the songs "La La La (At the End)" and "I'm Falling in Love with You". This album was produced by both Bell and Randazzo. The latter was their last moderate hit on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, peaking at #25. an all a cappella CD showcasing the group's vocal talents on several classic 1950s doo-wop songs, including their own hit, "Two People in the World", which was written by Imperials member Ernest Wright. These two recordings marked the first time that the classic line-up had recorded together in over 30 years.

Gourdine, Collins, Wright, and Strain continued touring together until Strain retired in 2004, and Jenkins, for the second time, returned to take his place.

In 2008, Little Anthony and the Imperials released their first new album in several years, entitled You'll Never Know,-->

The French electronic music duo Daft Punk sampled the group's 1977 recording of "Can You Imagine" for the track "Crescendolls".

On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Little Anthony and the Imperials had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Gourdine, Wright, Collins, Strain, and Rogers were present to be honored. Deceased original Imperials member Tracy Lord was inducted posthumously; his sons accepted his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on his behalf. The group was inducted by Smokey Robinson.

Sammy Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with the O'Jays in 2005 and the Imperials in 2009.

In October 2009, the group performed "Two People in the World" at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert.

In 2010, Jenkins also retired, and was replaced by Robert DeBlanc. In 2012, the Imperials were (along with the Dells), one of the few 1950s-era R&B groups still touring with a majority of their original members (Gourdine, Collins, and Wright). Imperials founder Collins retired from the group in late 2012 due to age and health reasons. He still owns the trademark on The Imperials' name. He and Anthony were once married to twin sisters, Brenda Collins and Linda Gourdine, but Brenda and Clarence have since divorced. The Contemporary Christian Gospel Group The Imperials uses the name with Collins' permission. Gourdine's first wife was Judy Fouseca, with whom he had four children, and four more by his second wife, Linda. Original member Wright is married and has a daughter, Nicole. He is also a songwriter and producer. Original Imperials bass singer Glouster "Nate" Rogers is a cancer survivor. He has been married many years to wife Loretta. Original Imperials member Tracey Lord is deceased.

In early 2014, Gourdine toured the UK with David Gest's Legends of Soul, when he performed "Tears on My Pillow" and "Goin' Out of My Head". The same year, he released his biography, Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny, recounting his life, his memories, and his years with The Imperials.

In 2014, Goldmine magazine inducted the Imperials into The Goldmine Hall of Fame. Editor Phil Marder referred to them as one of the few 1950s doo-wop groups (though the group hated that label) to consistently chart hits during the British Invasion. Goldmine also named Little Anthony and the Imperials as one of The 20 Greatest Doo-Wop Groups of All Time.

In 2018, Little Anthony and the Imperials were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in Detroit.

, The Imperials were still performing. Imperials founder Collins, now retired, has been replaced by Johnny Britt. De Blanc and original members Wright and Gourdine round out the group. When the group is not touring, Gourdine does stage plays and currently also has a one-man show, which he is currently doing to support his recently released biography, and to celebrate his 55-plus years as a performer.

The group's most recent performance took place in May 2022. Since then, Gourdine (with Britt) has performed on the Happy Together Tour headlined by the Turtles in 2023 and 2025.

On April 24, 2023, Little Anthony & The Imperials were inducted into the newly established, Atlantic City Walk Of Fame presented by, The National R&B Music Society Inc. Little Anthony, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Nate Rogers, and Sammy Strain were all in attendance to accept the honor. It was the first time all five were together since The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009. Norman Burnett of the vocal group The Tymes inducted the group. James Brown, The Delfonics and Grover Washington Jr., were also inducted in the inaugural class.

Cover versions, influence, and legacy

Over the decades, in a measure of their profound influence, several of The Imperials' hit songs have been covered by numerous other artists of many different musical genres, including pop, jazz, MOR, rock, Latin, country, doo-wop, and R&B. Some examples:

"Hurt So Bad" an Imperials' top ten song, was covered by Linda Ronstadt, as well as the Lettermen, Alicia Keys, Grant Green, the Delfonics, Nancy Wilson, Nancy Holloway, the Philly Devotions, Willie Hutch, Arthur Prysock, Tracy Huang, Cathy Carlson, Willie Bovain, Ramsey Lewis, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass, and Nancy Holliday.
"I'm on the Outside (Looking In)", a top 20 hit for the Imperials, has been covered by the Miracles, Johnny Mathis, Amy Winehouse, the Lettermen, and the Jaggerz.
"Tears on My Pillow", the Imperials' first million-selling hit, has been covered by numerous artists, including the McGuire Sisters, Sha Na Na, New Edition, and S Club 8. Clem Snide recorded a cover for the Stubbs the Zombie soundtrack. "Tears on My Pillow" has also been covered by Timi Yuro, Chuck Jackson, Bobby Vee, Lou Christie, Martha and the Vandellas, Bobby Vinton, Johnny Tillotson, Neil Sedaka, Reba McEntire, Jodeci, Lorrie Morgan, Derrick Morgan with Lyn Tait & the Jets, Neils Children, Kylie Minogue, and the Fleetwoods.
"Goin' Out of My Head", another top 10 hit, and Little Anthony and the Imperials' signature song, has had over 50 different cover versions by other artists, including the Delfonics, Vic Damone, Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Willie Bobo, Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66, Ella Fitzgerald, Lou Christie, Les McCann, the Lettermen, Ramsey Lewis, Luther Vandross, Ray Conniff, Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Welk, Florence Ballard, and the Miracles.
"Better Use Your Head", the Imperials' 1966 transatlantic hit, has been covered by Barry Ryan, Robin Wilson, Dennis D'ell, and Marion Ryan.
"Take Me Back", Little Anthony and the Imperials' 1965 top 20 hit, has been covered by Country Music artists Glen Campbell, Ronnie Dove and Sonny James.
"If I Love You", a 1970 song by the Imperials, was later covered by The Stylistics on their first album for Avco Records two years later.
"The Loneliest House on the Block", an early 1970s Imperials tune, from their album On A New Street, was covered by soul vocal group Blue Magic.
The Imperials' 1968 single, "Yesterday Has Gone", was covered by UK band Cupid's Inspiration in 1968 and climbed to number 4 in the UK singles chart; the song was also recorded in 1996 by Marc Almond and P.J. Proby.
"Two People In The World", the hit "B" side of The Imperials' first-million-selling hit, "Tears on My Pillow", has been covered by Paul and Paula, The Dovells, and The Marcels.

In addition, according to songwriter and producer Kenny Gamble, Little Anthony and the Imperials and their music were a major influence in the development of Philadelphia soul, and artists such as the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Blue Magic (who covered the Imperials' tune "The Loneliest House on the Block"), Chicago's Chi-Lites, and other groups. They were also the first contemporary music group to play New York's prestigious Copacabana nightclub, even predating the Temptations and Supremes.

Awards

Little Anthony and the Imperials received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1993. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on October 15, 2006. In 2007, the Imperials were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Little Anthony and the Imperials had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Gourdine, Wright, Collins, Strain, and Rogers were present to be honored. Deceased original Imperials member Tracy Lord was inducted posthumously; his sons accepted his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on his behalf. The group was inducted by Smokey Robinson. In October 2009, the group performed "Two People in the World" at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert. In 2014, Goldmine magazine inducted the Imperials into The Goldmine Hall of Fame. Editor Phil Marder referred to them as one of the few 1950s doo-wop groups (though the group hated that label) to consistently chart hits during the British Invasion. Goldmine also named Little Anthony and the Imperials as one of The 20 Greatest Doo-Wop Groups of All Time.

Sammy Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with the O'Jays in 2005 and the Imperials in 2009.

In 2018, Little Anthony and the Imperials were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in Detroit.

On April 24, 2023, Little Anthony & The Imperials were inducted into the newly established, Atlantic City Walk Of Fame presented by, The National R&B Music Society Inc. Little Anthony, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Nate Rogers, and Sammy Strain were all in attendance to accept the honor. It was the first time all five were together since The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009. Norman Burnett of the vocal group, The Tymes inducted the group. James Brown, The Delfonics and Grover Washington Jr., were also inducted in the inaugural class.

Members

;Current members

Jerome "Little Anthony" Gourdine – lead vocals (1957–1961, 1963–1975, 1992–present)
Ernest Wright – backing vocals (1957–1969, 1992–present)
Robert Deblanc – backing vocals (2010–present)
Johnny Britt – backing vocals, trumpet (2012–present)

;Former members

Ronald Ross – backing vocals (1957)
Clarence "Wa-hoo" Collins – backing vocals (1957–1988, 1992–2012; one-off non-performing appearance in 2023)
Glouster "Nate" Rogers – backing vocals (1957–c. 1961; one-off non-performing appearance in 2009 and 2023)
Tracy Lord – backing vocals (1957–c. 1961; deceased)
George Kerr – lead vocals (c. 1961)
Samuel "Sammy" Strain – backing vocals (c. 1961–1972, 1992–2004; one-off non-performing appearance in 2009 and 2023)
Kenny W. Seymour, Sr. – lead vocals (1961–1963); backing vocals (c. 1969)
Bobby Wade – vocals (c. 1969–1992)
Harold "Hawk" Jenkins – vocals, musical director (1972–1992, 2004–2010)
Sherman James – vocals (1988–1992)
Ron Stevenson – vocals (1992)

Discography

Albums

{| class="wikitable"

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title

! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Label

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US R&B

| 1959

| We Are the Imperials, featuring Little Anthony

| align=center | —

| rowspan="2" align=center | End

| 1961

| Shades of the 40s

| align=center | —

| 1964

| I'm on the Outside Looking In

| align=center | 135

| align=center | —

| rowspan="3" align=center | DCP

| rowspan="2"| 1965

| Goin' Out of My Head

| align=center | 74

| align=center | 5

| The Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials

| align=center | 97

| align=center | 9

| 1966

| Payin' Our Dues

| align=center | —

| rowspan="4" align=center | Veep

| rowspan="2"| 1967

| Reflections

| align=center | —

| Movie Grabbers

| align=center | —

| 1968

| The Best of Anthony & the Imperials, Volume 2

| align=center | —

| 1969

| Out of Sight, Out of Mind

| align=center | 172

| align=center | —

| align=center | United Artists

| 1973

| On A New Street

| align=center | —

| rowspan="2" align=center | Avco

| 1975

| Hold On

| align=center | —

| 1996

| Little Anthony & the Imperials – Live: Up Close & Personal

| align=center | —

| 2000?

| Pure A Capella

| align=center | —

| 2008

| You'll Never Know

| align=center | —

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

{| class="wikitable"

!rowspan="2"| Year

!rowspan="2"| Song titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated

!rowspan="2"| Label & number

!colspan="4"| Peak chart positions

!rowspan="2"| Album

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US RPM

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | UK

|rowspan="3"|1958

|"Tears on My Pillow" b/w "Two People in the World" Original pressings shown as "The Imperials"

|align=center|End 1027

|align=center|4

|align=center|2

|align=center|3

|align=center|—

|rowspan="4"|We Are the Imperials featuring Little Anthony

|"So Much" b/w "Oh Yeah"

|align=center|End 1036

|align=center|87

|align=center|24

|align=center|—

|"The Diary" b/w "Cha Cha Henry"

|align=center|End 1038

|align=center|—

|rowspan="4"|1959

|"Wishful Thinking" b/w "When You Wish upon a Star"

|align=center|End 1039

|align=center|79

|align=center|—

|"A Prayer and a Juke Box" b/w "River Path"

|align=center|End 1047

|align=center|81

|align=center|—

|rowspan="3"|The Greatest Hits of Little Anthony and the Imperials

|"I'm Alright" b/w "So Near Yet So Far"

|align=center|End 1053

|align=center|—

|"Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop" b/w "I'm Still in Love with You"

|align=center|End 1060

|align=center|24

|align=center|14

|align=center|20

|align=center|—

|rowspan="3"|1960

|"My Empty Room" b/w "Bayou, Bayou Baby"

|align=center|End 1067

|align=center|86

|align=center|—

|rowspan="5"|Non-album tracks

|"I'm Taking a Vacation from Love" b/w "Only Sympathy"

|align=center|End 1074

|align=center|—

|"Limbo Part I" b/w "Limbo Part II"

|align=center|End 1080

|align=center|—

|rowspan="5"|1961

|"Formula of Love" b/w "Dream" (from Shades of the 40s)

|align=center|End 1083

|align=center|—

|"Please Say You Want Me" b/w "So Near Yet So Far" (from The Greatest Hits of Little Anthony and the Imperials)

|align=center|End 1086

|align=center|104

|align=center|—

|"Traveling Stranger" b/w "Say Yeah"

|align=center|End 1091

|align=center|—

|We Are the Imperials featuring Little Anthony

|"A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" b/w "Dream"

|align=center|End 1104

|align=center|—

|Shades of the 40s

|"That Lil' Ole Lovemaker Me" b/w "It Just Ain't Fair"

|align=center|Roulette 4379

|align=center|—

|Non-album tracks

|rowspan="2"|1964

|"I'm on the Outside (Looking In)" b/w "Please Go"

|align=center|DCP 1104

|align=center|15

|align=center|8

|align=center|12

|align=center|—

|I'm on the Outside (Looking In)

|"Goin' Out of My Head" b/w "Make It Easy on Yourself" (from I'm on the Outside (Looking In))

|align=center|DCP 1119

|align=center|6

|align=center|1

|align=center|—

|rowspan="5"|Goin' Out of My Head

|rowspan="4"|1965

|"Hurt So Bad" b/w "Reputation"

|align=center|DCP 1128

|align=center|10

|align=center|3

|align=center|6

|align=center|—

|"Take Me Back" b/w "Our Song" (from I'm on the Outside (Looking In))

|align=center|DCP 1136

|align=center|16

|align=center|15

|align=center|3

|align=center|—

|"I Miss You So" b/w "Get Out of My Life"

|align=center|DCP 1149

|align=center|34

|align=center|23

|align=center|10

|align=center|—

|"Hurt" b/w "Never Again"

|align=center|DCP 1154

|align=center|51

|align=center|—

|align=center|14

|align=center|—

|rowspan="3"|1966

|"Better Use Your Head" b/w "The Wonder of It All"

|align=center|Veep 1228

|align=center|54

|align=center|—

|align=center|42

|rowspan="3"|Payin' Our Dues

|"You Better Take It Easy Baby" b/w "Gonna Fix You Good (Every Time You're Bad)"

|align=center|Veep 1233

|align=center|125

|align=center|—

|"It's Not the Same" b/w "Down on Love" (Non-album track) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1248

|align=center|92

|align=center|—

|rowspan="4"|1967

|"Don't Tie Me Down" b/w "Where There's a Will There's a Way to Forget You" (Non-album track) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1255

|align=center|123

|align=center|—

|rowspan="2"|Reflections

|"Hold on to Someone" b/w "Lost in Love" As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1262

|align=center|—

|"You Only Live Twice" b/w "My Love Is a Rainbow" (from Reflections) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1269

|align=center|—

|Movie Grabbers

|"If I Remember to Forget" b/w "Beautiful People" (from The Best of Anthony & the Imperials Volume 2) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1275

|align=center|—

|Reflections

|rowspan="4"|1968

|"I'm Hypnotized" b/w "Hungry Heart" (from Payin' Our Dues) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1278

|align=center|98

|align=center|—

|The Best of Anthony & the Imperials Volume 2

|"What Greater Love" b/w "In the Back of My Heart" As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1283

|align=center|—

|Non-album tracks

|"Yesterday Has Gone" b/w "My Love Is a Rainbow" As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1285

|align=center|—

|Reflections

|"The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In)" b/w "The Gentle Rain" (from Movie Grabbers) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1293

|align=center|—

|rowspan="2"|Non-album tracks

|rowspan="3"|1969

|"Anthem (Grow, Grow, Grow)" b/w "Goodbye Goodtimes" As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Veep 1303

|align=center|—

|"Out of Sight, Out of Mind" b/w "Summer's Comin' In"

|align=center|United Artists 50552

|align=center|52

|align=center|38

|align=center|41

|align=center|—

|rowspan="2"|Out of Sight, Out of Mind

|"The Ten Commandments of Love" b/w "Let the Sunshine In"

|align=center|United Artists 50598

|align=center|82

|align=center|—

|rowspan="3"|1970

|"Don't Get Close" b/w "It'll Never Be the Same Again"

|align=center|United Artists 50625

|align=center|116

|align=center|—

|align=center|95

|align=center|—

|rowspan="4"|Non-album tracks

|"World of Darkness" b/w "The Change"

|align=center|United Artists 50677

|align=center|121

|align=center|—

|"Help Me Find a Way (To Say I Love You)" b/w "If I Love You"

|align=center|United Artists 50720

|align=center|92

|align=center|32

|align=center|—

|1971

|"Father, Father" b/w "Each One, Teach One"

|align=center|Janus 160

|align=center|—

|1973

|"La La La at the End" b/w "Lazy Susan"

|align=center|Avco 4614

|align=center|—

|rowspan="3"|On a New Street

|rowspan="2"|1974

|"I'm Falling in Love with You" b/w "What Good Am I Without You"

|align=center|Avco 4635

|align=center|86

|align=center|25

|align=center|89

|align=center|—

|"I Don't Have to Worry" b/w "Loneliest House on the Block"

|align=center|Avco 4645

|align=center|—

|rowspan="2"|1975

|"Hold On (Just a Little Bit Longer)" b/w "I've Got to Let You Go (Part 1)" As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Avco 4651

|align=center|106

|align=center|79

|align=center|—

|Hold On!

|"I'll Be Loving You Sooner or Later" b/w "Young Girl" (from Hold On!) As "Anthony & the Imperials"

|align=center|Avco 4655

|align=center|—

|rowspan="6"|Non-album tracks

|1976

|"Nothing from Nothing" b/w "Running with the Wrong Crowd"

|align=center|Pure Gold 101

|align=center|—

|1977

|"Who's Gonna Love Me" b/w "Can You Imagine" As "The Imperials"

|align=center|Power Exchange 266

|align=center|—

|rowspan="2"|1978

|"Where You Gonna Find Somebody Like Me" b/w "Another Star" As "The Imperials"

|align=center|Power Exchange 271

|align=center|—

|"Who's Gonna Love Me" b/w "You Better Take Time to Love" As "The Imperials"

|align=center|Omni 5501

|align=center|—

|align=center|73

|align=center|—

|align=center|17

|1979

|"Fast Freddie The Roller Disco King" b/w "I Just Wanna Be Your Lovin' Man" As "The Imperials"

|align=center|T.K. Disco 413

|align=center|—

| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Notes

References

External links