The Challengers (2) (Cleveland, Ohio)
aka The Challengers III

Personnel :

Anne Bogan (Lead)

George Hendrix

Dorothy Hutchinson

James Hutchinson

Discography :

The Challengers (2)
1962 - Honey, Honey, Honey / Stay With Me (Tri-Phi 1012)

The Challengers III
1962 - Honey, Honey, Honey / Stay With Me (Tri-Phi 1012)
1963 - Every Day / I Hear An Echo (Tri-Phi 1020)

Biography :

Harvey Fuqua discovered Anne Bogan singing in a church on Quincy Avenue in Cleveland and championed the shy, petite soul singer's career. The original Challengers consisted of two neighborhood (79th & Central/Quincy area) friends: Dorothy and James Hutchinson and George Hendrix.  Harvey issued their first release in 1962 on Tri-Phi Records a label he ran with his wife,  Gwen Gordy-Fuqua.

(L to R) Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy, Gwen Gordy Fuqua and Harvey Fuqua

"Honey, Honey, Honey" did well where it got played. Bogan delivers a bloodcurdling performance on the underrated self-written ballad that's also known as "Honey Three Times." Tri-Phi just didn't have the clout or the resources to put it over the top.  The Challengers next Tri-Phi release was "I Hear an Echo," written by Bogan, Harvey Fuqua, and Pa Colman; it was similar to "Honey," complete with another thrilling vocal from Bogan, but was less successful.

On this release they became the Challengers III featuring Ann Bogan. Cleveland native, George Hendricks, substituted for Hutchinson when James couldn't make a gig, but gigs weren't plentiful, so the work didn't amount to much. Hendricks would befriend Choker Campbell, Motown's road bandleader, and record for Campbell's company. As the Challengers III, their career was over,

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

The Challengers (2) III

  
   Stay With Me                        Honey, Honey, Honey

  
Every Day                     I Hear An Echo

 ...