Gloria (doo-wop song)
Encyclopedia
"Gloria" is a doo-wop
song written by Leon René
in the 1940s.
's former vocalist Bob Hayward
. The following year it was recorded by Ray Anthony
, and also by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
, another group on René's label which featured vocalist Charles Brown
. In 1948 it received a notable resurgence in popularity as a single by The Mills Brothers.
recorded a revamped version of the song which became their debut record. That initial record listed no writer credit, but later releases of The Cadillacs' recording—and several subsequent covers of the song by other artists—give sole writing credit to Esther Navarro; other mentions of the altered composition list Navarro as having revised René's song. In fact, Navarro was actually the band's manager. Though she received writing credit for many Cadillacs songs, Cadillacs lead singer Earl Carroll
claims she never wrote (or re-wrote) the songs.
With over 30 groups performing it, "Gloria" is one of the most covered songs in doo-wop music history. A version of the song was recorded in 1975 by jazz fusion group The Manhattan Transfer
for their debut album The Manhattan Transfer
, which led a revival of the doo-wop and jazz styles in popular music. Other notable performances include The Modernaires
,
The Passions
, Vito & The Salutations
, Earl Lewis & The Channels, Reminisce
, Kenny Vance & The Planotones, The Legends of Doo-Wop, & Larry Chance & The Earls
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
song written by Leon René
Leon René
Leon René was an American music composer of R&B and rock and roll songs in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. He sometimes used the songwriting pseudonym Jimmy Thomas. He also established several record labels...
in the 1940s.
"Exclusive" debuts
René began his own record label, Exclusive Records, in 1945, and the song was first recorded and released on the label that year by the Buddy Baker Sextet, featuring Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
's former vocalist Bob Hayward
Bob Hayward
Robert D. Hayward was a Canadian powerboat racer who was a three-time winner of the Harmsworth Cup as the pilot of Miss Supertest III....
. The following year it was recorded by Ray Anthony
Ray Anthony
Ray Anthony is an American bandleader, trumpeter, songwriter and actor.- Biography :...
, and also by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
Johnny Moore's Three Blazers
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers were a successful and influential African-American vocal and instrumental group in the 1940s and 1950s.The original members were :-Johnny Moore and his younger brother Oscar grew up in Texas and then Phoenix, Arizona, where they both started playing guitar and formed...
, another group on René's label which featured vocalist Charles Brown
Charles Brown (musician)
Charles Brown , born in Texas City, Texas was an American blues singer and pianist whose soft-toned, slow-paced blues-club style influenced the development of blues performance during the 1940s and 1950s...
. In 1948 it received a notable resurgence in popularity as a single by The Mills Brothers.
The Cadillacs' version
In 1954, The CadillacsThe 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:...
recorded a revamped version of the song which became their debut record. That initial record listed no writer credit, but later releases of The Cadillacs' recording—and several subsequent covers of the song by other artists—give sole writing credit to Esther Navarro; other mentions of the altered composition list Navarro as having revised René's song. In fact, Navarro was actually the band's manager. Though she received writing credit for many Cadillacs songs, Cadillacs lead singer Earl Carroll
Earl Carroll (vocalist)
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...
claims she never wrote (or re-wrote) the songs.
With over 30 groups performing it, "Gloria" is one of the most covered songs in doo-wop music history. A version of the song was recorded in 1975 by jazz fusion group The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
for their debut album The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
, which led a revival of the doo-wop and jazz styles in popular music. Other notable performances include The Modernaires
The Modernaires
The Modernaires are an American vocal group, best known for performing in the 1940s alongside Glenn Miller- Career :The Modernaires began in 1935 as a trio of schoolmates from Lafayette High School in Buffalo, New York...
,
The Passions
The Passions
The Passions were a British band which formed in 1978, and disbanded in 1983. They were one-hit wonders with their misty song, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star". which was released in early 1981.-Career:...
, Vito & The Salutations
Vito & the Salutations
Vito & the Salutations is a New York doo wop group from the 1960s, whose first popular recording, "Gloria," was a regional hit.Vito & the Salutations scored a success in 1963 with an up-tempo version of the song "Unchained Melody," which reached number 60 on the Cash Box hit parade and made the top...
, Earl Lewis & The Channels, Reminisce
Reminisce
Reflections is a greatest hits album by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, released in the United States on December 12, 2006 by Geffen Records. The album hasn't been certified by the RIAA but has sold 900,000 copies in the United States...
, Kenny Vance & The Planotones, The Legends of Doo-Wop, & Larry Chance & The Earls