The ‘EarlyRnB.com Honor Roll’
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The El Dorados’ Jewel Jones Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Jewel Jones, an original member of the R&B/doo wop group The El Dorados, was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Lifetime Achievement Award on February 12 in Harlem, NY. Along with a certificate, Jones was given two original artworks, including one done by EarlyRnB.com Editor-In-Chief Kirk Lang; was treated to a performance of his group’s biggest hit by a young Mississippi bluesman via iPhone’s Facetime feature; and was driven to Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, where he performed on multiple occasions in the 1950s. |
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Two Members of The Persuasions Honored with Awards in Brooklyn Two members of The Persuasions – also known as “The Kings of A Cappella” – were honored in Brooklyn, New York on August 25. Jayotis Washington, who joined the group as its first tenor in the early 1960s, was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Lifetime Achievement Award. Dave Revels, the group’s current lead singer, was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Keeping the Music Alive Award. In addition to his work with The Persuasions, Revels has performed with The Drifters and he produces a show called Shadows of the ‘60s – Tribute to Motown Super Groups. |
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Clarence “Frogman” Henry Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award By Kirk Lang New Orleans-based R&B singer Clarence “Frogman” Henry was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Lifetime Achievement Award on May 25, 2023. “I appreciate it,” said Henry, who first gained fame with the 1956 release of “Aint Got No Home,” a song in which Henry sings in his voice, as a woman using a high falsetto, and thirdly, as a frog. |
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Bobby Hendricks, Former Lead Singer of The Drifters Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award
by Kirk Lang Bobby Hendricks, a former lead singer of The Drifters in the 1950s, was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Lifetime Achievement Award on March 14, 2022. Hendricks was diagnosed with Alzeheimer’s in 2016 and retired from singing two years later. The EarlyRnB.com Lifetime Achievement Award was his first honor in retirement, according to his wife. “We have it in the family room, where it can be seen, and when everyone comes in, they’ll look at it and his face brightens up,” said Ruth, who added, “It makes him feel good because he knows they’re talking about him. It’s really nice. I really, really appreciate it and I know that he does.” |
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 Kirk Lang (EarlyR&B.com) and Fred Parris |
Five Satins’ Lead Singer/Founder Fred Parris Honored with Original Artwork and “Living Legend” Award
by Kirk Lang There were many great early R&B/doo-wop artists in the 1950s and 1960s but Fred Parris, founder and lead singer of The Five Satins, has proven himself to be amongst the elite. From his work with his pre-Satins group The Scarlets – “Dear One” – to the absolute gems recorded under Fred Parris and the Restless Hearts in the 1960s, never mind quality cuts in the 70s recorded with other group names, Parris has a body of work that can stack up against anyone. |
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Richie Freeman, a New Haven native who joined The Five Satins in 1958 – just six months after graduating high school – was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Lifetime Achievement Award Monday afternoon, September 14, 2020.
“I was very surprised and happy,” said Freeman one day after making the trek from New York to his old stomping grounds. “It was the first time I received something like that. It was real thoughtful.” |
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Tony Middleton, former lead singer of The Willows, a Harlem-based R&B/doo-wop group, was honored with an EarlyRnB.com Living Legend Award Friday afternoon, November 20, 2020.
Along with a certificate, Middleton was given a microphone trophy. |