The Velvets Biography
This Texas-based 50s-styled R&B vocal group were fronted by Virgin Johnson (29 December 1935, Odessa, Texas, USA) and included Clarence Rigsby (lead tenor), Robert Thursby (tenor), William Solomon (baritone) and Mark Prince (bass). Formed by English teacher Johnson and four of his students in 1960, the group were spotted by Roy Orbison who helped get them on the Monument label. Their recording career started with a catchy revival of "That Lucky Old Sun". The quintet had their only US Top 40 hit with the follow-up "Tonight (Could Be The Night)" in May 1961, which was penned by Johnson. However, their next release, a Roy Orbison song called "Laugh", became their last chart entry. The group released another six singles before going back to teaching and studying.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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