Artis Rucker

The Five Letters (1) (Sumter, South Carolina)

Personnel :

Artis Rucker (Lead)

Henry Postel

Louis Carpenter

John Josey

Julius Colcolough

Discography :

1957 - Your First Love / Hold Me Baby (Ivy 102)

Biography :

Lincoln High School, an institution in Sumter, has a one-legged  tackle, 17 year old  Artis  Rucker,  who  lost his right leg in a train accident when he was eight yearsold. Five years later he got an artificial limb and reported to foothall practice in 1957.  Reputedly capable of running 100  yards in 13  seconds  in  football  togs,  his Coach Robert Jenkins, who calls him "my best defensive lineman."  Artis Rucker became co-captain of the Football team and leads his small vocal group composed of Henry Postel, Louis Carpenter, John Josey and Julius Colcolough. In 1957, the Five Letters recorded "Your First Love" b/w "Hold Me Baby" released by Ivy Records owned by Stan Feldman and Ed Portnoy with offices at 1697 Broadway.

Songs :

  
Your First Love                                 Hold Me Baby

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