The Four Vagabonds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Four Vagabonds were an American male vocal group. Active for twenty years (1933–1953), they formed a bridge between the vocal quartet jive of the 1930s and the rhythm and blues vocal groups that thrived after World War II.[1]
The Vagabonds
The Four Vagabonds were formed in 1933 by four African American students at Vashon High School in St. Louis: John Jordan (lead singer), Norval Taborn (baritone), Robert O'Neal (tenor), and Ray Grant (bass; Grant also played guitar accompaniment). Their early work showed strong Mills Brothers influence.[2][3][4]
They first appeared on college radio, then on WIL, and then on NBC Radio on KSD. This led to a 1936 move to Chicago radio, including Don McNeill's Breakfast Club and Garry Moore's Club Matinee.[5] Throughout the 1940s the Four Vagabonds made network radio appearances on many national shows, including the Chesterfield Supper Club, the Nat King Cole Show, and others.[2][3][4]
On April 1, 1949, during the pioneering early days of television, the local variety show Happy Pappy premiered on the local Chicago station WENR-TV. Hosted by Ray Grant and featuring the Four Vagabonds (as well as the Modern Modes and other groups), it was the first all-African-American television show, although short-lived.[6][3]
The group continued into the 1950s, with successive replacements (Bill Sanford, Frank Houston) for Ray Grant, who had vision problems. Their last release was a re-issue "P.S. I Love You", in 1953.[2][3]
In the 1980s original member John Jordan put together a new Four Vagabonds group. In 1997 Billy Shelton, who was a member of the 1980s incarnation, started another Four Vagabonds.[3]
Deaths
Discography
| Year | Song | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | "Slow and Easy"
"Duke of Dubuque" |
Bluebird | 78 RPM, 10" |
| "Rosie the Riveter" (published 1942)
"I Had the Craziest Dream" |
Bluebird 30-0810 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "Ten Little Soldiers (On a Ten Day Leave)"
"Rose Ann of Charing Cross" |
Bluebird 30-0811 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "It Can't be Wrong" (from 1942 Warner Bros. film Now, Voyager)
"Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer" |
Bluebird 30-0815 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "A G.I. Wish"
"If I Were You" |
Victor 20-1677 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "Ho Cake Hominy And Sassafras Tea"
"Kentucky Baby" |
Apollo 1030 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "The Pleasure's All Mine"
"Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans" |
Apollo 1039 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "Dreams Are a Dime A Dozen" | Apollo 1055 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| 1947 | "P.S. I Love You"
"The Freckle Song" |
Apollo 1057 | 78 RPM, 10" |
| "Oh My Achin' Back"
"Ask Anyone Who Knows" |
Apollo 1060 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| 1947 | "Choo Choo"
"Lazy Country Side" |
Apollo 1075 | 78 RPM, 10" |
| "That Old Gang of Mine"
"Heart of My Heart" |
Apollo 1076 | 78 RPM, 10" | |
| "Oh, What a Polka"
"I Can't Make Up My Mind" |
Atlas VA111 | 78 RPM,10" |