The Halos
Encyclopedia
The Halos were an American doo wop group from The Bronx
.
The group formed with members Al Cleveland, J.R. Bailey, Harold Johnson, and Arthur Crier (bass). Phil Johnson replaced J.R. Bailey shortly after the recording of "Nag". (Bailey later joined The Cadillacs
).
The group got its start as session musicians, backing up vocalists recorded by producer Morty Craft. Their first single, "L-O-V-E", was released in 1960 under the name The Craftys. Their second release, "Nag", became a hit, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1961. Further singles were not successful, but the group continued as a studio ensemble, appearing on the Phil Spector
-produced tunes "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" by Curtis Lee
and "Every Breath I Take" by Gene Pitney
, as well as Barry Mann
's Who Put the Bomp
.
Member Arthur Crier's son, Sabu Crier, was later a member of GQ, and his grandson is Keith Sweat
.
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
.
The group formed with members Al Cleveland, J.R. Bailey, Harold Johnson, and Arthur Crier (bass). Phil Johnson replaced J.R. Bailey shortly after the recording of "Nag". (Bailey later joined The Cadillacs
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 got its start as session musicians, backing up vocalists recorded by producer Morty Craft. Their first single, "L-O-V-E", was released in 1960 under the name The Craftys. Their second release, "Nag", became a hit, reaching #25 on the 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...
in 1961. Further singles were not successful, but the group continued as a studio ensemble, appearing on the Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
-produced tunes "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" by Curtis Lee
Curtis Lee
Curtis Lee is an American singer of the early 1960s, who twice over was one of the beneficiaries of 1961 productions by Phil Spector. These were "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" and "Under the Moon of Love" Curtis Lee (born October 28, 1941, Yuma, Arizona, U.S.) is an American singer of the early...
and "Every Breath I Take" by Gene Pitney
Gene Pitney
Eugene Francis Alan Pitney, known as Gene Pitney , was an American singer-songwriter, musician and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the...
, as well as Barry Mann
Barry Mann
Barry Mann is an American songwriter, and part of a successful songwriting partnership with his wife, Cynthia Weil.-Career:...
's Who Put the Bomp
Who Put the Bomp (song)
"Who Put the Bomp " is a Doo-wop style hit song from 1961 co-written and recorded by Barry Mann. He was backed up by The Halos, who had previously backed up Curtis Lee on the song "Pretty Little Angel Eyes"...
.
Member Arthur Crier's son, Sabu Crier, was later a member of GQ, and his grandson is Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat is an American R&B/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the new jack swing era.-Music career:...
.