The Flamingos
The Flamingos formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1951, acclaimed for the
best harmonizing vocals of the rock n’ roll era. Zeke Carey, Jake
Carey, Paul Wilson, Johnny Carter and Sollie McElroy are the
founding members of the Flamingos. Sollie was not really there at
the very beginning, but he was the first recorded lead. For the
Chance label in 1954, McElroy doing vocals, brought the Flamingos
regional fame with “Golden Teardrops”. "Golden Teardrops" was
recorded and released in 1953. Nate Nelson replaced McElroy the
same year, and by 1956 the Flamingos were again of the charts with
“I’ll Be Home” an elegant ballad that reached number 5 R & B. In
1956, Zeke Carey and Johnny Carter were drafted and they were
replaced by Tommy Hunt and guitarist/tenor/arranger Terry Johnson.
This aggregation recorded several sides for Decca, the most
notable of which was "Ladder of Love." Shortly after their
discharges, Johnny Carter joined The Dells and Zeke returned to
The Flamingos formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1951, acclaimed for the
best harmonizing vocals of the rock n’ roll era. Zeke Carey, Jake
Carey, Paul Wilson, Johnny Carter and Sollie McElroy are the
founding members of the Flamingos. Sollie was not really there at
the very beginning, but he was the first recorded lead. For the
Chance label in 1954, McElroy doing vocals, brought the Flamingos
regional fame with “Golden Teardrops”. "Golden Teardrops" was
recorded and released in 1953. Nate Nelson replaced McElroy the
same year, and by 1956 the Flamingos were again of the charts with
“I’ll Be Home” an elegant ballad that reached number 5 R & B. In
1956, Zeke Carey and Johnny Carter were drafted and they were
replaced by Tommy Hunt and guitarist/tenor/arranger Terry Johnson.
This aggregation recorded several sides for Decca, the most
notable of which was "Ladder of Love." Shortly after their
discharges, Johnny Carter joined The Dells and Zeke returned to
The Flamingos, creating the sextet that signed to End Records. In 1958 the
Flamingos had their biggest US hits, “Lovers Never Say Goodbye,” I Only
Have Eyes For You,” and “Nobody Loves Me Like You,” the latter of which was
written by Sam Cooke. Their first big hit was "Lovers Never Say Goodbye",
written by Terry Johnson, who also sang lead on the recording with Paul
Wilson. This lead combo worked so well that the group later re-created the
duet magic on "Love Walked In", "Time Was" and "But Not For Me". The
group's biggest hit came in 1959 with "I Only Have For You." Three albums
and a slew of singles followed, including "Nobody Loves Me Like You", written
for the group by Sam Cooke and "Your Other Love". In 2001, the group was
inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sollie, Zeke, Jake, Paul and Nate
have all passed on and Tommy Hunt has been living in England since 1970.
Flamingos had their biggest US hits, “Lovers Never Say Goodbye,” I Only
Have Eyes For You,” and “Nobody Loves Me Like You,” the latter of which was
written by Sam Cooke. Their first big hit was "Lovers Never Say Goodbye",
written by Terry Johnson, who also sang lead on the recording with Paul
Wilson. This lead combo worked so well that the group later re-created the
duet magic on "Love Walked In", "Time Was" and "But Not For Me". The
group's biggest hit came in 1959 with "I Only Have For You." Three albums
and a slew of singles followed, including "Nobody Loves Me Like You", written
for the group by Sam Cooke and "Your Other Love". In 2001, the group was
inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sollie, Zeke, Jake, Paul and Nate
have all passed on and Tommy Hunt has been living in England since 1970.
