The Turbans Biography
This Philadelphia R&B group consisted of Al Banks (Andrew Banks, 26 July 1937, d. 1977; lead), Matthew Pratt (tenor), Charles Williams (baritone) and Andrew "Chet" Jones (bass). The Turbans have gone down in rock 'n' roll history as proverbial one-hit-wonders for their Mambo beat classic, "When You Dance" (US R&B number 3 and pop number 33 in 1955). It achieved a historic mystique by being one of the first rock 'n' roll tunes (as an early cross-over hit) and one of the selections on Art Laboe's Oldies But Goodies from 1960. No other records by the Turbans ever charted, but their "Congratulations' (1957), is a highly esteemed example of doo-wop balladry in which Banks" falsetto voice comes to the forefront. Following their last release in 1962, the Turbans broke up.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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