The Esquires
Encyclopedia
The Esquires were an American R&B group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, principally active from 1957 to 1976.
and auditioned for Curtis Mayfield
, who was not interested in signing them. They then attempted to sign with Constellation Records, but the record label went under at the end of 1966; they signed instead with Bunky Records, Constellation's successor. Bunky was distributed by Scepter Records
on the national level.
Their debut record for Bunky/Scepter was "Get on Up", which became a major hit in the United States, peaking at #11. Following the release they played Chicago's Regal Theater
and the Apollo Theatre
in New York City
. Further singles were also successes, and the group released one full-length LP. After five singles on Bunky the group signed a deal with Scepter themselves late in 1968. They later returned to Bunky and then, in 1970, signed with Capitol Records
for one single ("Reach Out") and Lamarr Records in 1971 for "Girls in the City".
Perry Moore
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, principally active from 1957 to 1976.
History
The Esquires first formed in 1957 around the Moorer family, whose Gilbert (died: 28 August 2008), Alvis, and Betty all became members. They went through many lineup changes over their first decade, which saw them aiming mostly for local recognition. In 1966 they moved to ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and auditioned for Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
, who was not interested in signing them. They then attempted to sign with Constellation Records, but the record label went under at the end of 1966; they signed instead with Bunky Records, Constellation's successor. Bunky was distributed by Scepter Records
Scepter Records
Scepter Records is a record company founded in 1959 by Florence Greenberg. She had just sold Tiara Records with The Shirelles for $4000 to Decca Records. When The Shirelles didn't produce any hits for Decca, they were given back to Greenberg, who promptly signed them. By 1961 Greenberg launched a...
on the national level.
Their debut record for Bunky/Scepter was "Get on Up", which became a major hit in the United States, peaking at #11. Following the release they played Chicago's Regal Theater
Regal Theater, South Side (Chicago)
The Regal Theater, located in the heart of Bronzeville, was an important night club and music venue in Chicago.Part of the Balaban and Katz chain, the lavishly decorated venue, with plush carpeting and velvet drapes featured some of the most celebrated black entertainers in America.The Regal also...
and the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Further singles were also successes, and the group released one full-length LP. After five singles on Bunky the group signed a deal with Scepter themselves late in 1968. They later returned to Bunky and then, in 1970, signed with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
for one single ("Reach Out") and Lamarr Records in 1971 for "Girls in the City".
Members
- Gilbert Moorer
- Alvis Moorer
- Betty Moorer
- Sam Pace (1961-)
- Shawn Taylor (1965–1967)
- Millard Edwards
Perry Moore
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 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 Black Singles | ||
| 1967 | "Get on Up" | 11 | 3 |
| "And Get Away" | 22 | 9 | |
| 1968 | "Why Can't I Stop" | - | 48 |
| "You Say" | - | 41 | |
| "You've Got the Power" | 91 | 29 | |
| 1969 | "I Don't Know" | - | 37 |
| 1970 | "Girls in the City" | - | 18 |
| 1976 | "Get on Up '76" | - | 62 |