The Swans (3)

The Swans (3) (Toledo, OH.)


Personnel :

Tommy Jones

Byron Thomas

Earl Fontain

Henry Goodwin



Discography :
 

Paul Lewis (The Mighty Swamba) & The Swans (3)
1954 - Wedding Bells Oh Wedding Bells / Little Senorita (Fortune 813)
 

The Swans (3)
1955 - Mister Cool Breeze / I'll Forever Love You (Fortune 822)


Biography :

Fortune Records was formed by composer-lyricist Devora Brown and her husband Jack in 1946 in Detroit. Jack and Devora decided to establish their own record company with the main purpose to record Devora's songs. In the beginning, they operated out of their home, then they rented a place on Linwood Avenue in Detroit. Their first record was "Jane" by Russ Titus. It was a hit in Detroit. The elusive national hit record was "Jealous Love" by The Davis Sisters in 1952. Two years later "Adios My Desert Love" and "The Wind" by Nolan Strong & The Diablos was a triumph in Black vocal group harmony.

The Swans with disc jockey Lady B (Fran Belcher) (L to R) Earl Fontain, Tommy Jones, Lady B, Byron Thomas and Henry Goodwin

Fortune released records by Rhythm & Blues artists Blues Legend John Lee Hooker, Nolan Strong & The Diablos, Andre Williams, Nathaniel Mayer and many others. In addition, the label featured product by Rockabilly, Country and Gospel artists. Fortune's Biggest National Hit was "Village Of Love" by Nathaniel Mayer. Released in May, 1962, the record reached #22 on the Billboard Pop Chart.

In November 1954, a group of Four Fellows From Toledo named the Swans and constituted by Tommy Jones, Byron Thomas, Earl Fontain and Henry Goodwin signed a recording contract with Fortune Records. The Swans were managed by Paul lewis, a reverend prophet from Toledo. Lead singer Tommy Jones wrote two songs "Wedding Bells Oh Wedding Bells " and  "Little Senorita ". Paul lewis recorded the two songs backed by the group. The single was released in December 1954 by Paul Lewis (The Mighty Swamba) & The Swans. Finally, early 1955, the Swans recorded their single "Mister Cool Breeze" b/w "I'll Forever Love You", both wrote by Tommy Jones.



Discography :

The Swans (3)

  
Mister Cool Breeze                               I'll Forever Love You
 

Paul Lewis (The Mighty Swamba) & The Swans (3)

  
              Little Senorita                    Wedding Bells Oh Wedding Bells

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