The Chords

In the heart of the Bronx, around 1951, a group of high school friends decided to form The Chords. Among them were the brothers Carl and Claude Feaster, along with Jimmy Keyes, Floyd McRae, William Edwards, and the pianist Rupert Branker. These boys jumped into the world of doo-wop and soon signed with Cat Records, a label that was under Atlantic Records.

Their first single was a cover of "Cross Over the Bridge" by Patti Page, but the real magic was on the B-side. That's where "Sh-Boom", a song they wrote, began to shine. This track not only made it into the top 10 of the US pop charts, but it also marked a milestone for R&B. Although The Crew-Cuts did their own version and took it to number one, it was The Chords who gave it life first.

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However, not everything went smoothly. A conflict with Gem Records over the group's name forced them to change it to Chordcats. This change, along with other problems, made it impossible for them to repeat the success of "Sh-Boom." Despite several attempts and changes in the lineup, they couldn't regain the public's attention and eventually disbanded in 1960. Sadly, in 1961, Rupert Branker was murdered during a robbery in Los Angeles.

Despite the ups and downs, in 2007, The Chords were recognized for their contribution to doo-wop by being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Floyd McRae, the last of the original members, passed away in 2013, closing an important chapter in music history.

Details

Nacimiento: 1 ene 1951
País: 🇺🇸 United States
Género: doo-wop

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