The Velvets (1) (Harlem, New York)

Personnel :

Charles Sampson (Lead)

Donald "Razor" Raysor (Tenor)

Bearle Ashton (Baritone)

George Thorpe (Bass)

Joe Brisbane (Tenor)


Discography :

The Velvets (1)
1953 - They Tried / She's Gotta Grin (Red Robin 120)
1953 - I / At Last (Red Robin 122 / Pilgrim 706 / Event 4285)
1954 - I Cried / Tell Her (Red Robin 127)
1958 - Dance Honey Dance / I-I-I (Love You So-So-So) (Fury 1012)

Charles & Carl
1955 - Lucky Star / One More Chance (Red Robin 137)


Biography :

Teenage vocal group from the Sugar Hill area, just south of Washington Heights in Harlem, NY, in the early 1950s composed by George Thorpe, Bearle Ashton, Charles Sampson, Donald Razor, and Joe Brisbane. "They Tried" b/w "She's Gotta Grin" Issued circa September 1953 as Red Robin 120 was their first of three releases on Bobby Robinson's legendary Red Robin label. Born in Union, South Carolina, in 1917, Morgan C. “Bobby” Robinson moved to New York City in 1946, where he opened "Bobby's Record Shop" (later called "Bobby's Happy House") on the corner of 125th Street and 8th Avenue.

   
Donald "Razor" Raysor                                                                                                                   

It was the first black-owned business on Harlem’s famed 125th Street. In 1951, Robinson started the Robin (later changed to Red Robin) record label. "I" b/w "At Last" was their second record and breaking strong on the charts. In early spring 1954, The Velvets spent over three hours on what would become their last Red Robin Singles "I Cried", this was done during the same session where the Scarlets were given to cut "Dear One" and another Ballad called "I’ve Lost."

  
                                                                                               Bobby Robinson

In late 1954 Donald Razor replace Carl Hogan in The Valentines, Carl Hogan would leave the group before a session at Old Town Records, after a fight with the rest of the group.  In 1955, Velvet’s lead singer Charles Sampson & Carl Hogan from the Valentines recorded "Lucky Star" b/w "One More Chance". In 1957, Carl Hogan fronted The Miracles on Fury. In 1958, Fury Records, also owned by Bobby Robinson released the last record of the group with "Dance Honey Dance" b/w "I-I-I (Love You So-So-So)". Members of the group changed on this last single with Carl Hogan and Leon Briggs, brother of Raymond Briggs from The Valentines. Donald Razor & Leon Briggs will be part of The Clippers who recorded "Bella Marie" and "I’m Yours" released by Gee Records and The Du Mauriers on Fury.


Songs :

The Velvets (1)

  
They Tried                                          She's Gotta Grin

  
  I                                                     At Last

  
I Cried                                            Tell Her

  
         Dance Honey Dance                    I-I-I (Love You So-So-So)

Charles & Carl

  
       Lucky Star                                 One More Chance


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