- The Vibrations
The Vibrations were an 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 andRicky 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). [ [http://wc01.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09frxq85ldhe~T1 The Marathons] at Allmusic.com]
The group recorded a couple of
Northern Soul classics since their initial hit onAtlantic Records in 1963.Their 1963 track "Cause You're Mine" (
Epic Records 5-10418, although originally onOkeh 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 atBlackpool 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 typicalGamble and Huff , being highly reminiscent ofThe 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 anightclub act in the mid 1970s, before officially dissolving the group in 1976.Ricky Owens died in 1996.
References
Further reading
* "The Northern Soul Top 500" by Kev Roberts - ISBN 0-9539291-0-8
* [http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/vibrations.htm Discography]
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