Little Anthony & The Imperials Biography

Little Anthony, the lead vocalist, was known for his high-pitched falsetto voice, which was influenced by Jimmy Scott. Clarence Collins, Tracy Lord, Nathaniel Rodgers, and Ronald Ross were members of the doo-wop group The Chesters in 1957. As lead vocalist, Anthony Gourdine, a former member of The Duonts, has joined the band. Ernest Wright took over for Ross, and the band recorded for Apollo Records shortly after. In 1958, they changed their name to The Imperials and signed with End Records. Tears On My Pillow, their debut track, was an instant smash. (D.J. Alan Freed coined the term Little Anthony while playing this song.) Two Kinds of People, the B side, was also a smash. In 1960, the ensemble released Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop. Little Anthony left to pursue a solo career as their fame waned in 1961. After several departures, the lineup was reduced to Collins, Wright, Sammy Strain, and George Kerr. After a short period, Kerr was replaced by Kenny Seymour. This lineup didn't farewell. In 1963, Little Anthony took over for Seymour. They had success with the Motown songs I'm On The Outside Looking In (1963), Goin' Out Of My Head (1964), Hurt So Bad (1965), I Miss You So (1965), Take Me Back (1965), and Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind (1965) with the aid of producer/songwriter Teddy Randazzo (1969). In 1971, Ernest Wright joined Tony Williams' Platters. He was succeeded by Kenny Seymour, who was replaced by Bobby Wade after a short period. In 1972, Strain departed to join The O'Jays, and was replaced by Harold Jenkins (who had previously served as the group's choreographer). Jenkins and Seymour have worked together earlier in The Impacts. Little Anthony went on to try his hand at a solo career for the second (and more successful) time. Collins, Wade, and Jenkins remained together as The Imperials. In 1988, Clarence Collins stepped down, and Sherman James took his position. Bobby Wade's Imperials was their touring name. In 1992, James stepped down and was succeeded by Ron Stevenson. Collins, Wright, Strain, and Little Anthony reunited for a concert at Madison Square Gardens the following year. When the foursome decided to tour together again, Wade dropped the Imperials moniker and changed his band's name to Bobby Wade's Emperors. In Las Vegas, Nevada, they became the house band of Caesar's Palace. In 2002, the band decided to call it a day. As Little Anthony and the Imperials, Little Anthony, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, and Sammy Strain continue to travel. Harold Jenkins took over for Strain after he retired in 2004.

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