Prentice Moreland
Encyclopedia
Prentice Moreland was an R&B and doo wop singer of the 1950s and early 1960s.
.
Moreland was a member of many vocal groups including The Ink Spots
, The Dominoes, The Du Droppers, The Chanteclairs, The Cadets
, The Crescendos, The Colts, The Fortunes, The Hollywood Flames, and possibly The Sevilles (the group that had a hit with "Charlena" in 1961) . Moreland replaced Ted Taylor
(who had left for a solo career) on The Cadets
' "Stranded In The Jungle" session and was the one who came up with the "Great Googa Mooga, Let Me Outta Here" line in the song. Aaron Collins
of The Cadets
said of Moreland's line "I think he picked that up from Rochester (Anderson)
. Prentice knew Rochester pretty well." At the same session, he recorded a solo version of "Memories Of You," a song that had been done by The Ink Spots
in 1939; it was released on RPM Records in 1957. He recorded along with Jackie Wilson
, Milton Merle, and Cliff Givens in The Dominoes in 1955, later returning to the group a few more times. With the Crescendos, he recorded "Finders Keepers" and "Sweet Dreams" for Atlantic Records
in 1956, alongside Bobby Relf of The Laurels, Young Jessie
of The Flairs
, and Bobby Byrd of The Hollywood Flames. He was asked by Buck Ram
to join The Platters
but Moreland refused because he had to take care of his seven kids.
Around the same time that Moreland recorded with The Chanteclairs on Dot Records
in 1954 (as "Prentice Moore"), there was a Dot recording called "You Gave Me Heartaches" by Prentice Miller. It is possible that "Prentice Miller" is actually Prentice Moreland. Moreland's name is listed as "Prince Moreland" for the recordings he did for Johnny Otis
' Dig Records in 1956. One of the songs, "My Mother's Eyes" was previously sang in the 1929 film Lucky Boy by George Jessell. Moreland also sang two Ivory Joe Hunter
songs "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "I Need You So." In the 60s, Moreland was a member of several Ink Spots groups, including those fronted by Cliff Givens, George Holmes, and Orville Brooks. He was never a member of the Decca
Ink Spots.
According to singers Young Jessie
and Bobby Nunn
, The Coasters
' big hit "Searchin'
" from 1957 had originally been put together by Moreland, Bobby Day
, Earl Nelson, and Young Jessie
at Bobby Day
's house about three years before it was recorded. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller heard their song and wrote more lyrics to the song, adding references to movie detectives.
Moreland worked in the clubs in Las Vegas, Nevada
until he died in September 1988, a year after Ted Taylor
(who Moreland had replaced in The Cadets
) had died in a car crash.
Biography
He was born on March 4, 1925 in East St. Louis, IllinoisEast St. Louis, Illinois
East St. Louis is a city located in St. Clair County, Illinois, USA, directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri in the Metro-East region of Southern Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 27,006, less than one-third of its peak of 82,366 in 1950...
.
Moreland was a member of many vocal groups including The Ink Spots
The Ink Spots
The Ink Spots were a popular vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop...
, The Dominoes, The Du Droppers, The Chanteclairs, The Cadets
The Cadets
The Cadets can refer to one of the following:* The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps* The Cadets * The Cadets - 10-part Russian TV series dealing with the Battle of Stalingrad...
, The Crescendos, The Colts, The Fortunes, The Hollywood Flames, and possibly The Sevilles (the group that had a hit with "Charlena" in 1961) . Moreland replaced Ted Taylor
Ted Taylor (musician)
Austin Taylor, better known as Ted Taylor was an American soul musician.Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Taylor sang with The Cadets/The Jacks in the 1950s...
(who had left for a solo career) on The Cadets
The Cadets
The Cadets can refer to one of the following:* The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps* The Cadets * The Cadets - 10-part Russian TV series dealing with the Battle of Stalingrad...
' "Stranded In The Jungle" session and was the one who came up with the "Great Googa Mooga, Let Me Outta Here" line in the song. Aaron Collins
Aaron Collins
Aaron Collins was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, most active in the 1950s and 1960s.-Biography:...
of The Cadets
The Cadets
The Cadets can refer to one of the following:* The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps* The Cadets * The Cadets - 10-part Russian TV series dealing with the Battle of Stalingrad...
said of Moreland's line "I think he picked that up from Rochester (Anderson)
Eddie Anderson (comedian)
Edmund Lincoln Anderson , also known as Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, was an American comedian and actor. His most famous role was that of Rochester van Jones, valet of Jack Benny, on his radio and television shows.-Early life:Anderson was born in Oakland, California...
. Prentice knew Rochester pretty well." At the same session, he recorded a solo version of "Memories Of You," a song that had been done by The Ink Spots
The Ink Spots
The Ink Spots were a popular vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop...
in 1939; it was released on RPM Records in 1957. He recorded along with Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
, Milton Merle, and Cliff Givens in The Dominoes in 1955, later returning to the group a few more times. With the Crescendos, he recorded "Finders Keepers" and "Sweet Dreams" for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in 1956, alongside Bobby Relf of The Laurels, Young Jessie
Young Jessie
Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie , is an African American R&B and jazz singer and songwriter. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs and a brief stint in The Coasters...
of The Flairs
The Flairs
The Flairs were an American doo-wop group based in Los Angeles. They went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members included Richard Berry and Cornell Gunter, who would go on to being a member of The Coasters.-Career:In 1952, an African-American musical group...
, and Bobby Byrd of The Hollywood Flames. He was asked by Buck Ram
Buck Ram
Buck Ram was an American songwriter, and popular music producer and arranger.-Biography:...
to join The Platters
The Platters
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
but Moreland refused because he had to take care of his seven kids.
Around the same time that Moreland recorded with The Chanteclairs on Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
in 1954 (as "Prentice Moore"), there was a Dot recording called "You Gave Me Heartaches" by Prentice Miller. It is possible that "Prentice Miller" is actually Prentice Moreland. Moreland's name is listed as "Prince Moreland" for the recordings he did for Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis is an American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, and impresario.He is commonly referred to as The Godfather Of Rhythm And Blues.-Personal life:Otis, the son of Alexander...
' Dig Records in 1956. One of the songs, "My Mother's Eyes" was previously sang in the 1929 film Lucky Boy by George Jessell. Moreland also sang two Ivory Joe Hunter
Ivory Joe Hunter
Ivory Joe Hunter was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid 1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recording, "Since I Met You Baby" . He was billed as The Baron of the Boogie, and also known as The...
songs "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "I Need You So." In the 60s, Moreland was a member of several Ink Spots groups, including those fronted by Cliff Givens, George Holmes, and Orville Brooks. He was never a member of the Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
Ink Spots.
According to singers Young Jessie
Young Jessie
Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie , is an African American R&B and jazz singer and songwriter. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs and a brief stint in The Coasters...
and Bobby Nunn
Bobby Nunn
Ulysses B. "Bobby" Nunn was an American singer with the musical groups The Robins and The Coasters. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S., and died of heart failure in Los Angeles, California, U.S.-Biography:...
, 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...
' big hit "Searchin'
Searchin'
"Searchin" is a song written by Leiber and Stoller specifically for The Coasters. It was released as a single on Atco Records in March 1957, and topped the Rhythm and Blues Chart for twelve weeks...
" from 1957 had originally been put together by Moreland, Bobby Day
Bobby Day
Bobby Day , was an early African American rock and roll and R&B musician.Born Robert James Byrd, , in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 15...
, Earl Nelson, and Young Jessie
Young Jessie
Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie , is an African American R&B and jazz singer and songwriter. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs and a brief stint in The Coasters...
at Bobby Day
Bobby Day
Bobby Day , was an early African American rock and roll and R&B musician.Born Robert James Byrd, , in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 15...
's house about three years before it was recorded. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller heard their song and wrote more lyrics to the song, adding references to movie detectives.
Moreland worked in the clubs in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
until he died in September 1988, a year after Ted Taylor
Ted Taylor (musician)
Austin Taylor, better known as Ted Taylor was an American soul musician.Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Taylor sang with The Cadets/The Jacks in the 1950s...
(who Moreland had replaced in The Cadets
The Cadets
The Cadets can refer to one of the following:* The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps* The Cadets * The Cadets - 10-part Russian TV series dealing with the Battle of Stalingrad...
) had died in a car crash.
Solo singles and recordings
- Memories Of You (Modern) (unreleased) (9/1956) (backup by The Cadets) (contains original chorus, different from the RPM #487 release in 1957)
- Believe Me Beloved/I’ve Never Been There (RPM #475) (10/1956) (as Prentice Mooreland)
- I Almost Lost My Mind (Dig) (unreleased) (1956) (as Prince Moreland)
- I Need You So (Dig) (unreleased) (1956) (as Prince Moreland)
- My Mother’s Eyes (Dig) (unreleased) (1956)
- Marie My Love/Memories Of You (RPM #487) (2/1957) ("Memories Of You" is overdubbed over original chorus)
- Please, Please, Please/Oh Pretty Baby (Edsel #778) (1959)
- Chinese Junk/Looking For Your Heart (Donna #1320) (1959)
- Wagon Wheels (Del-Fi) (1960) (unreleased)
- Holy Mackrel/Teacher Drives Me Crazy (Challenge #9134) (2/10/1962)
- Chubby Ain’t Chubby No More/You Are My Sunshine (Challenge #9154) (1962)
- Lover Supreme/For Your Love (Challenge #9176) (1962)
- Limbo Party/Come On Pretty Baby (Challenge #9181) (1963)
Group singles and recordings
- I've Never Been There (Groove) (3/18/1954) (unreleased) (The Du Droppers)
- You've Been Good To Everybody (Groove) (3/18/1954) (unreleased) (The Du Droppers)
- Just Whisper/How Much Longer (Groove #0013) (4/1954) (The Du Droppers) (sings lead on "How Much Longer")
- Baby Please/Someday Love Will Come My Way (Dot #1227) (1954) (The Chanteclairs) (may have been recorded without Moreland)
- Believe Me, Beloved/I’ve Never Been There (Dot #15404) (1955) (The Chanteclairs)
- Can't Do Sixty No More/If I Never Get To Heaven (Federal #12209) (2/1955) (The Dominoes) (Moreland sings lead on "If I Never Get To Heaven")
- Give Me You/Over The Rainbow (King #1502) (8/55) (The Dominoes) (Moreland appears on "Give Me You")
- Bobby Sox Baby/How Long, How Long Blues (Federal #12263) (4/1956) (The Dominoes) (Moreland appears on "Bobby Sox Baby")
- Stranded In The Jungle/I Want You (Modern #994) (1956) (The Cadets) (Moreland appears on "Stranded In The Jungle")
- Finders Keepers/Sweet Dreams (Atlantic #1109) (9/1956) (The Crescendos) (Moreland sang first tenor)
- Never No More/The Shiek Of Araby (Antler #4003) (1957) (The Colts)
- Guiding Angel/The Shiek Of Araby (Antler #4007) (1957) (The Colts)
- Tarnished Angel/Who Cares (Decca #30541) (1958) (The Fortunes)
- How Clever Of You/Trees (Decca #30688) (1958) (The Fortunes)
- Alone In A Crowd (Liberty) (unreleased) (about 1958) (The Dominoes) (Moreland sang lead)
- I’m Always Chasing Rainbows (Liberty) (unreleased) (about 1958) (The Dominoes) (Moreland sang lead)
- I’ll Be Seeing You/Sweet Dreams (Atlantic #2014) (2/1959) (The Crescendos)
- Louella/Salt Mine (JC #118) (1961) (The Sevilles) (probably included Prentice Moreland)
Various artists compilations
- Del-Fi Doo Wop Volume 3: Honey For Sale (Del-Fi #71258) (1998)
- Johnny Otis Orchestra: Rock 'N' Roll Hit Parade (Ace #774) (2000)
- Group Harmony & Jump: The Legendary Dig Masters Volume 5 (Ace #759) (2000)
- Dot Doo Wop Volume 6 (Dot #1016)
- Dot Doo Wop Volume 7 (Dot #1017)