The Vibrations
Encyclopedia
The Vibrations were an African-American
soul
vocal group from Los Angeles
, California
, active from the mid-1950s to 1976. Most notable among the group's hit singles
were "My Girl Sloopy" (1964) and "Love in Them Thar Hills" (1968). The quintet's members included Don Bradley, Carl Fisher, Dave Govan, James Johnson and Ricky Owens
.
The group initially began recording as The Jay Hawks, and had a hit in 1956 with "Stranded in the Jungle" (US #18). After a few lineup changes, the group hit again in 1961 with the song "The Watusi" (US #25); concurrently, they had a hit under the name The Marathons with "Peanut Butter" (#20).
The group recorded
a couple of Northern Soul
classics since their initial hit on Atlantic Records
in 1963. A cover version of "My Girl Sloopy", retitled "Hang On, Sloopy", was a hit for the McCoys
in 1965.
Their 1968 track "Cause You're Mine" (Epic Records
5-10418, although originally on Okeh Records
) is listed as Number 48 in The Northern Soul Top 500 by Kev Roberts. "This track knocks you sideways by the 4th bar and continues to race against time, leaving you collapsed in a heap of delight"!.
A later single "Surprise Party For Baby" attributed to The Vibrating Vibrations (Neptune Records
N-28) is listed as Number 188 in The Northern Soul Top 500, was practically a new single when exploding onto the Northern Soul scene at Blackpool Mecca
in 1971 - "The intro and subsequent 'Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey' harmony works a treat into dragging you onto the dance floor. A further hook, 'Hope She's Going To Show Up' is typical Gamble and Huff
, being highly reminiscent of The Intruders
cuts a couple of years later".
The Vibrations briefly broke up in 1971. At this time, Owens became a member of The Temptations
, although he was let go after his first few engagements. Owens and the other Vibrations regrouped and continued, eventually become a nightclub
act in the mid 1970s, before officially dissolving the group in 1976.
Ricky Owens died in 1996.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
vocal group from Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, active from the mid-1950s to 1976. Most notable among the group's hit singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
were "My Girl Sloopy" (1964) and "Love in Them Thar Hills" (1968). The quintet's members included Don Bradley, Carl Fisher, Dave Govan, James Johnson and Ricky Owens
Ricky Owens
Ricky Owens was an African-American R&B and soul singer better known as the first tenor and lead singer of the doo-wop/R&B group The Vibrations and, briefly, as member of The Temptations, the first replacement of original Temptations founding member Eddie Kendricks...
.
The group initially began recording as The Jay Hawks, and had a hit in 1956 with "Stranded in the Jungle" (US #18). After a few lineup changes, the group hit again in 1961 with the song "The Watusi" (US #25); concurrently, they had a hit under the name The Marathons with "Peanut Butter" (#20).
The group recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
a couple 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...
classics since their initial hit on 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 1963. A cover version of "My Girl Sloopy", retitled "Hang On, Sloopy", was a hit for the McCoys
The McCoys
The McCoys were a rock group that started in Union City, Indiana, in 1962.-Career:The original members, all from Union City, were guitarist Richard Zehringer , his brother Randy on drums, and bassist Dennis Kelly. This first line-up was known as The Rick Z Combo, and later known as Rick and the...
in 1965.
Their 1968 track "Cause You're Mine" (Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
5-10418, although originally on 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:...
) is listed as Number 48 in The Northern Soul Top 500 by Kev Roberts. "This track knocks you sideways by the 4th bar and continues to race against time, leaving you collapsed in a heap of delight"!.
A later single "Surprise Party For Baby" attributed to The Vibrating Vibrations (Neptune Records
Neptune Records
Neptune Records was a record label founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1969. They featured artists such as The O'Jays, The Three Degrees and Billy Paul....
N-28) is listed as Number 188 in The Northern Soul Top 500, was practically a new single when exploding onto the Northern Soul scene at Blackpool Mecca
Blackpool Mecca
The Blackpool Mecca was a large entertainment venue on Central Drive in the seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire in the North West of England, first opened in 1965. In the 1970s, it was particularly known for The Highland Room, which was a major Northern Soul music venue...
in 1971 - "The intro and subsequent 'Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey' harmony works a treat into dragging you onto the dance floor. A further hook, 'Hope She's Going To Show Up' is typical Gamble and Huff
Gamble and Huff
Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and record production team who have written and produced over 170 gold and platinum records. They were pioneers of Philadelphia soul and the in-house creative team for the Philadelphia International record label...
, being highly reminiscent of The Intruders
The Intruders
The Intruders were an American soul music group most popular in the 1960s and 1970s. As one of the first groups to have hit songs under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, they had a major influence on the development of Philadelphia soul....
cuts a couple of years later".
The Vibrations briefly broke up in 1971. At this time, Owens became a member of 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,...
, although he was let go after his first few engagements. Owens and the other Vibrations regrouped and continued, eventually become a nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
act in the mid 1970s, before officially dissolving the group in 1976.
Ricky Owens died in 1996.
Further reading
- The Northern Soul Top 500 by Kev Roberts - ISBN 0-9539291-0-8
- Discography