Earl Carroll (vocalist)
Encyclopedia
Earl Carroll is the lead vocalist for the doo wop group The Cadillacs
. The group's biggest hit was "Speedo", Carroll's subsequent nickname
. It was released in 1955. He later joined The Coasters
. Carroll left The Coasters in the early 1990s to permanently reform The Cadillacs.
In the 1990s, a newspaper feature discovered that Carroll had made a successful life for himself as a custodian at PS 87, a New York elementary school, where according to the later book, he was a beloved figure whom the children called "Speedo". Earl was chosen to be the subject of a children's book, That's Our Custodian, by Ann Morris (Brookfield, Connecticut
): Millbrook Press). The publicity helped him to revive his career. He became a mainstay of the PBS series honoring doo wop, hosted by Jerry Butler
.
The Cadillacs
The Cadillacs were an American rock and roll and doo-wop group from Harlem, New York; active from 1953 to 1962. The group was noted for their 1955 hit "Speedoo", which was instrumental in attracting White audiences to Black rock and roll performers.-History:...
. The group's biggest hit was "Speedo", Carroll's subsequent nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
. It was released in 1955. He later joined The Coasters
The Coasters
The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
. Carroll left The Coasters in the early 1990s to permanently reform The Cadillacs.
In the 1990s, a newspaper feature discovered that Carroll had made a successful life for himself as a custodian at PS 87, a New York elementary school, where according to the later book, he was a beloved figure whom the children called "Speedo". Earl was chosen to be the subject of a children's book, That's Our Custodian, by Ann Morris (Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield is a town located in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 16,452 at the 2010 census. First settled in 1710 by John Muirwood and several other colonial founders who bartered for the land From the Wyantenuck Nation Under the Sachem Waramaugs who lived...
): Millbrook Press). The publicity helped him to revive his career. He became a mainstay of the PBS series honoring doo wop, hosted by Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler (singer)
Jerry Butler is an American soul singer and songwriter. He is also noted as being the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group, The Impressions, as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.Butler is also an American politician...
.