The Five Diamonds (Wilmington, Delaware)

Personnel :

William Loper (Lead)

Leonard Griffin (1st tenor)

Coleman Griffin (2nd tenor)

Jimmy Smith (Baritone)

Chick Lloyd (Bass) 

Discography :

Single :
1955 - Ten Commandments Of Love / I Cried And Cried (Treat 501)

Unreleased :
1955 - The Night (Treat)
1955 - My Love (Treat)

Biography :

The Original group consisted of: Leonard Griffin, Jimmy Smith, William Loper, Coleman Griffin, and Chick Lloyd. They would see each other around Wilmington and quickly discovered they all shared a love for vocal group harmony. They listened to songs of other artists and would practice with the songs of The Harptones, Medallions, and  The Spaniels. They would practice in the bathroom at Howard High, where they all attended, because the ceramics and porcelain walls provided an echo chamber effect. Managed by Mitch Thomas, the Five Diamonds recorded four sides on the Treat label from New York. only “The Ten Commandment of Love,”and  “I Cried and Cried,” were released in 1955. The other two tunes, “The Night” b/w “My Love,” were not release on a Treat Records 45rpm until 1973. "Ten Commandments of Love” became an instant hit on the Treat Label out of New York City. They opened for Dee Clark, Lloyd Price, Jackie Wilson and Muddy Waters and performed at many venues. The group once performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. The group broke up when some members entered the Military. In 1958 The group reformed with a few new members and became “The Five Gents”. They continued to perform at many different venues and were singing R & B classics from the 50s and 60.

Songs :

  
Ten Commandments Of Love                   I Cried And Cried          

  
The Night                                    My Love

...