The Channels

The Channels were an American doo wop group from New York City.

This article is about the American doo wop group formed in 1955. For the rock band formed in 2003, see Channels (band). For other uses, see Channel (disambiguation).
The Channels
OriginNew York City, U.S.
Genres
Years active1955–present
Labels
Past members
  • Larry Hampden
  • Billy Morris
  • Edward Dolphin
  • Earl Michael Lewis
  • Clifton Wright
  • John Felix
  • Henry Fernandez

History

An R&B/soul group of the 1950s, The Channels formed in 1955 around the singers Larry Hampden, Billy Morris, and Edward Dolphin; they started as a quintet with two additional part-time members, but soon after they permanently added Earl Michael Lewis and Clifton Wright, formerly of The Lotharios. Lewis was the group's main songwriter, writing (among others) their regional hit "The Closer You Are" (1956).

The Channels recorded for record labels Gone, Fury, Port, Hit, Enjoy, and Groove. The lineup changed several times over the course of the group's lifetime. They enjoyed significant regional success on the East Coast but never charted a major nationwide hit.[1]

Other notable (though not nationally charted) singles include "Bye Bye Baby" b/w "My Love Will Never Die," "That's My Desire," "The Gleam in Your Eye," "Anything You Do," and "You Can Count On Me."

Legacy

"The Closer You Are" was included in Robert Christgau's "Basic Record Library" of 1950s and 1960s recordings, published in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981).[2]

Frank Zappa recorded "The Closer You Are" on his album Them or Us (1984).

Discography

Singles
Year Single U.S. label
1956 "The Closer You Are / Now You Know" Whirlin 100 / Port 70014
1956 "The Gleam In Your Eye / Stars In The Sky" Whirlin 102 / Port 70017
1957 "I Really Love You / What Do You Do" Whirlin 107 / Port 70023
1957 "Flames In My Heart / My Lovin' Baby" Whirlin 109 / Port 70022
1957 "Stay As You Are / That's My Desire" Gone 5012
1957 "All Alone / Altar Of Love" Gone 5019
1957 "Bye, Bye Baby / My Love Will Never Die" Fury 1021/1071
1959 "The Girl Next Door / My Heart Is Sad" Fire 1001
1963 "In My Arms To Stay / You Hurt Me (Over Again)" Hit 700

References
  1. The Channels at Allmusic.com
  2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "A Basic Record Library: The Fifties and Sixties". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 0899190251. Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
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