The Channels (1) (New York)
"The Early years"

Personnel :

Earl Lewis (Lead)

Larry Hampden (First tenor)

Billy Morris (Second tenor)

Edward Doulphin (Baritone)

Clifton Wright (Bass)

Discography :

1956 - The Closer You Are / Now You Know (Whirlin 100 / Port 70014)
1956 - The Gleam In Your Eye / Stars In The Sky (Whirlin 102/Port 70017)
1957 - I Really Love You / What Do You Do (Whirlin 107/Port 70023)
1957 - Flames In My Heart / My Lovin' Baby (Whirlin 109/Port 70022)
1957 - Stay As You Are / That's My Desire (Gone 5012)
1957 - All Alone / Altar Of Love (Gone 5019)
1957 - Bye, Bye Baby / My Love Will Never Die (Fury 1021/1071)
1959 - The Girl Next Door / My Heart Is Sad (Fire 1001)

Biography :

The Channels formed in 1955 around the singers Larry Hampden, Billy Morris, and Edward Doulphin; they started as a quintet with two additional part-time members, but soon after they permanently added Earl Michael Lewis and Clifton Wright, formerly of The Lotharios.  In early 1956 the group somehow got together with Bobby Robinson owner of Red Robin Records. The group signed a two year contract with Robinson's Whirlin Disc label. In their first recording session they were able to record "The Closer You Are" written by Earl Lewis who was only 15 at the time.

  
Bobby Robinson

"The Closer You Are" was an instant hit on the national airways, but because of poor distribution it never made the national charts. The song did become very popular on the East Coast and a New York street corner doo-wop favorite. The group's next release came in late 1956, the song was "The Gleam In Your Eye", also written bt Lewis. The song showcased Lewis' full range of talent.  The Channels recorded for record labels Gone, Fury, Fire. 

They enjoyed significant regional success on the East Coast but never charted a major nationwide hit. The group disbanded in late 1959, but in 1961 Jubilee Records started releasing Whirling Disc early releases as if they were new and The Channels became hot again. The lineup changed several times over the course of the band's lifetime.

Songs :

  
The Closer You Are / Now You Know          The Gleam In Your Eye / Stars In The Sky

  
I Really Love You / What Do You Do              Flames In My Heart / My Lovin' Baby

  
Stay As You Are                                         That's My Desire

  
All Alone / Altar Of Love                         Bye, Bye Baby / My Love Will Never Die


The Girl Next Door / My Heart Is Sad  

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