The Five Crowns were formed at Wadleigh Junior High School in Harlem, New York, USA, in 1952. The group comprised Wilbur ‘Yunkie’ Paul (lead), brothers James ‘Poppa’ Clark, Claudie ‘Nicky’ Clark and John ‘Sonny Boy’ Clark (all tenor) and Doc Green Jnr. (d. 10 March 1989; bass/baritone). Their distinctive sound (not least because of the presence of four tenors) brought them to the attention of Rainbow Records in July 1952. They found instant success in October when ‘You’re My Inspiration’ became a major regional R&B hit. However, they failed to follow up this breakthrough, with successive singles such as ‘Who Can Be True’, ‘Why Don’t You Believe Me’ and ‘Alone Again’ faring poorly. Finding themselves in dispute with an evidently disappointed Rainbow Records, they moved to the Old Town label in July 1953. However, neither ‘You Could Be My Love’ nor ‘Lullaby Of...
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