The Artistics
Encyclopedia
The Artistics were an American
R&B vocal group in the 1960s and early 1970s. Their biggest hit
was "I'm Gonna Miss You", recorded in 1966.
in Chicago, Illinois with a line-up of Curt Thomas (lead), Larry Johnson (first tenor), Jesse Bolian (second tenor; June 8, 1941 – August 24, 1994) and Aaron Floyd (baritone bass). In 1960 Thomas left and was replaced by lead singer Robert Dobyne. The group performed at the 1960 Democratic National Convention
, and began singing backup for Major Lance
, including on his record "Monkey Time". Record producer Carl Davis
signed the group to OKeh Records
in 1963, but their early records were not successful. Dobyne left in 1964, later writing for The Temptations
and recording for Motown though his recordings were not released at the time. Lead singer duties for the Artistics were taken over first by Charles Davis, previously of The Dukays, and then by Marvin Smith (born October 8, 1940, Palestine, Arkansas
), previously of The El Dorados
.
They had their first local hit with "Get My Hands On Some Lovin'", co-written and first recorded by Marvin Gaye
, and followed it up with the more successful "This Heart of Mine", written by Barrett Strong
. The single reached no. 25 on the Billboard
R&B chart following its release in late 1965. The group released an LP
, Get My Hands on Some Lovin (1966), with several tracks written by Strong, but their next two singles
for OKeh were unsuccessful, and they moved to Brunswick Records
where Carl Davis had become A&R
Director. Their first record on the label was "I'm Gonna Miss You", written by Smith, Bolian and Johnson of the group and produced by Davis, which rose to no. 9 on the R&B chart and no. 55 on the pop chart at the end of 1966. Marvin Smith left the group for a solo career before the record made the charts, and was replaced by Tommy Green. Smith continued to collaborate on writing material, and sang on some of the group's records until 1970. The group's next single, "Girl I Need You", with Green on lead vocal, was also a minor hit, and the group recorded an LP
, I'm Gonna Miss You. Several further singles on Brunswick were less successful, but they recorded two further albums, The Articulate Artistics (1968) and What Happened (1969), produced by Carl Davis with Eugene Record
who also wrote some of their material. The albums are now regarded as high points of Chicago R&B recordings of the period and their tracks are highly regarded by fans of Northern soul
. The group's last chart record was "Make My Life Over" in 1971, with Fred Pettis replacing Green on lead vocal. The group left Brunswick in 1973, and split up soon afterwards.
The albums I'm Gonna Miss You and The Articulate Artistics were reissued on CD in 1998, and a compilation CD of their recordings was issued the following year. Smith briefly reformed the group in 1999, to undertake some recordings for Ian Levine
's Motorcity Records
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B vocal group in the 1960s and early 1970s. Their biggest hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
was "I'm Gonna Miss You", recorded in 1966.
Career
The group was formed in 1958 at Marshall High SchoolJohn Marshall Metropolitan High School
John Marshall Metropolitan High School is a public 4-year high school located on the West Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It serves the students of the East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Humboldt Park neighborhoods. Marshall's principal is Kenyatta Butler...
in Chicago, Illinois with a line-up of Curt Thomas (lead), Larry Johnson (first tenor), Jesse Bolian (second tenor; June 8, 1941 – August 24, 1994) and Aaron Floyd (baritone bass). In 1960 Thomas left and was replaced by lead singer Robert Dobyne. The group performed at the 1960 Democratic National Convention
1960 Democratic National Convention
The 1960 Democratic National Convention was held in Los Angeles. In the end, the Kennedy-Johnson ticket was assembled and went on to secure an electoral college victory and a narrow popular vote plurality in the fall over the Republican candidates Richard M...
, and began singing backup for Major Lance
Major Lance
Major Lance was an American R&B singer. After a number of US hits in the 1960s, including "The Monkey Time" and "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um", he became an iconic figure in Britain in the 1970s among followers of Northern soul.-Life:Major Lance was born in Winterville, Mississippi...
, including on his record "Monkey Time". Record producer Carl Davis
Carl Davis (record producer)
Carl H. Davis is an American record producer and music executive, who was particularly active in Chicago in the 1960s and 1970s when he was responsible for hit R&B records by Gene Chandler, Major Lance, Jackie Wilson, The Chi-Lites, Barbara Acklin, Tyrone Davis and others.-Life and career:He was...
signed the group to OKeh Records
Okeh Records
Okeh Records began as an independent record label based in the United States of America in 1918. From 1926 on, it was a subsidiary of Columbia Records.-History:...
in 1963, but their early records were not successful. Dobyne left in 1964, later writing for The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
and recording for Motown though his recordings were not released at the time. Lead singer duties for the Artistics were taken over first by Charles Davis, previously of The Dukays, and then by Marvin Smith (born October 8, 1940, Palestine, Arkansas
Palestine, Arkansas
Palestine is a city in St. Francis County, Arkansas, United States, along the L'Anguille River. The population was 741 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Palestine is located at ....
), previously of The El Dorados
The El Dorados
The El Dorados were an American doo-wop group, who achieved their greatest success with the song "At My Front Door", a no. 1 hit on the R&B chart in 1955.-Career:...
.
They had their first local hit with "Get My Hands On Some Lovin'", co-written and first recorded by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, and followed it up with the more successful "This Heart of Mine", written by Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
. The single reached no. 25 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
R&B chart following its release in late 1965. The group released an LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, Get My Hands on Some Lovin (1966), with several tracks written by Strong, but their next two singles
Singles
Singles may refer to:In society:* Single persons and associated businesses and discussionsIn retail commerce:* United States one-dollar bills, particularly when requesting change from, or implicitly comparing to, larger denomination bills...
for OKeh were unsuccessful, and they moved to Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
where Carl Davis had become A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
Director. Their first record on the label was "I'm Gonna Miss You", written by Smith, Bolian and Johnson of the group and produced by Davis, which rose to no. 9 on the R&B chart and no. 55 on the pop chart at the end of 1966. Marvin Smith left the group for a solo career before the record made the charts, and was replaced by Tommy Green. Smith continued to collaborate on writing material, and sang on some of the group's records until 1970. The group's next single, "Girl I Need You", with Green on lead vocal, was also a minor hit, and the group recorded an LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, I'm Gonna Miss You. Several further singles on Brunswick were less successful, but they recorded two further albums, The Articulate Artistics (1968) and What Happened (1969), produced by Carl Davis with Eugene Record
Eugene Record
Eugene Record was the American lead vocalist of the Chicago, Illinois based band, The Chi-Lites, during the 1960s and 1970s.He was born Eugene Booker Record in Chicago...
who also wrote some of their material. The albums are now regarded as high points of Chicago R&B recordings of the period and their tracks are highly regarded by fans of Northern soul
Northern soul
Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged from the British mod scene, initially in northern England in the late 1960s. Northern soul mainly consists of a particular style of black American soul music based on the heavy beat and fast tempo of the mid-1960s Tamla Motown sound...
. The group's last chart record was "Make My Life Over" in 1971, with Fred Pettis replacing Green on lead vocal. The group left Brunswick in 1973, and split up soon afterwards.
The albums I'm Gonna Miss You and The Articulate Artistics were reissued on CD in 1998, and a compilation CD of their recordings was issued the following year. Smith briefly reformed the group in 1999, to undertake some recordings for Ian Levine
Ian Levine
Ian Levine is an English songwriter, producer, and DJ. He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show Doctor Who.Levine attended Arnold School in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970...
's Motorcity Records
Motorcity Records
Motorcity Records is a British record label formed by producer Ian Levine in 1989. The label aimed to record new material with former Motown artists.-History:...
.
Chart singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
|||
| 1965 | "This Heart of Mine" | 115 | 25 | |
| 1966 | "I'm Gonna Miss You" | 55 | 9 | |
| 1967 | "Girl I Need You" | 69 | 26 | |
| 1970 | "Just Another Heartache" | - | 48 | |
| 1971 | "(I Want You To) Make My Life Over" | - | 48 | |
Albums
- Get My Hands On Some Lovin (OKeh, 1966)
- I'm Gonna Miss You (Brunswick, 1967)
- The Articulate Artistics (Brunswick, 1968)
- What Happened (Brunswick, 1969)
- I Want You To Make My Life Over (Brunswick, 1971)
- Look Out (Brunswick, 1973)
- I'm Gonna Miss You & The Articulate Artistics (Edsel CD, 1998)
- The Best of the Artistics (Brunswick, CD, 1999)