Eddie Seals, Homer Tankersley, Charles Speed and Floyd Gray

The Commodores (1) (Lubbock, TX)
 

Personnel :

Homer Tankersley (Lead)

Charles Speed (Tenor)

Eddie Seals (Tenor)

Floyd Gray (Bass)


Discography :

The Commodores (1)
1955 - Riding On A Train / Uranium (Dot 15372)
1955 - Cream Puff / Close To My Heart (Dot 15425)
1955 - Speedo / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (Dot 15439)
1956 - Two Loves Have I / Who Said I Said That (Dot 15461)
1957 - Sweet Angel / Not A Day Goes By (Challenge 1004)
1957 - I'll Be There (When You Get Lonely) / Faith (Challenge 1007)
1959 - Who Dat?    / Laughing With Tears (Brunswick 55126)

Darrell Glenn & The Commodores (1)
1957 - Hello Baby (Glad To Have You Home) /  Zinga Zingo (RPM 488)

Ken James
1958 - If I Had Known / Within My Heart (Un peu de toi) (Nor-Va-Jak 1321)

Ken Pepper
1961 - Just A Little At A Time / I Get The Blues When It Rains (Top Rank 535)
1961 - The Dying Soldier / Little Fish (Roulette 4375)

 

Biography :

Homer Tankersley, Floyd Gray, and Charles Speed were the originators of a singing group known as the Imperial Quartet, which, for many years, was a leader in the spiritual singing field throughout the southern states. The group (Imperial Quartet) appeared on the Texas Quality Radio Network for three years, during which time they were appearing dailv on a Dallas television station.   While the group was engaged in radio and TV work, they also did many personal appearances and concerts in the Southwest.

In August, 1954, Eddie Seals joined the quartet and through a close friendship with Artie Glenn, author of the song hit “Crying in the Chapel,” Artic was introduced to Homer, Floyd, and Speed. After watching the group work for several weeks, Artie became very interested in die talent and could see a great future in the popular field of music for the group.  Mr. Glenn encouraged the Imperial Quartet to change their name and enter the popular field. On his suggestion, the group immediately changed their name to the Commodores.

The big break came when they landed a recording contract with the Dot Record Co., of Tennessee. Their first Dot Record release. “Uranium” and “Riding on a Train.” became a smash hit in the southern slates. “Uranium” was written by Artie Glenn; Glenn also collaborated with Marvin Montgomery, a fellow musician, on the "Train” side.  The group will record three more singles on Dot records in 1955/56 before recording two more discs for the Hollywood label' Challenge in 1957. In California, The Commodores backed Darrell Glenn on "Hello Baby (Glad To Have You Home)" and  "Zinga Zingo" released by RPM the same year. The group will record a last record for Brunswick records in 1959. Homer Tankersley also recorded as Ken James on Petty’s Nor-Va-Jak label in 1958 and as Ken Pepper for Roulette in 1961.





Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Commodores (1)

     
Riding On A Train                             Uranium                                    Speedo         

     
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On         Two Loves Have I               Who Said I Said That         

     
Sweet Angel                         Not A Day Goes By                           Faith          

     
Laughing With Tears                            Who Dat?                              Cream Puff      

Close To My Heart

Darrell Glenn & The Commodores (1)

  
          Hello Baby                                 Zinga Zingo             




...