Billy Ward and His Dominoes

about

This article is about the R&B group from the 1950s. For the drummer, see Billy Ward. Billy Ward and the Dominoes were one of the top American R&B groups of the 1950s, and launched the careers of both Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson. Billy Ward (b Robert Williams, 19 September 1921, Los Angeles – d. 16 February 2002, Inglewood, California) grew up in Philadelphia, and was a child musical prodigy, winning an award for a piano composition at the age of 14. Following military service he studied music in Chicago, and at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. While working as a vocal coach and part-time arranger on Broadway, he met talent agent Rose Marks, who became his business and songwriting partner. The pair set out to form a vocal group from the ranks of his students. The group was at first called the Ques, and comprised Clyde McPhatter (lead tenor), Charlie White (tenor), Joe Lamont (baritone), and Bill Brown (bass). Ward acted as their pianist and arranger. After the group made successful appearances on talent shows in the Apollo Theater and on the Arthur Godfrey show in 1950, Rene Hall recommended them to Ralph Bass of Federal Records, a subsidiary of King, where they were signed to a contract and renamed the Dominoes. Their first single release, "Do Something For Me", with McPhatter’s lead vocal, reached the R&B charts in early 1951, climbing to #6. After a less successful follow-up, the group released "Sixty Minute Man", on which Bill Brown sang lead, and boaste

top songs

albums

GoodFellas - Music from the Motion Picture

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lux and ivy's favorites volume one

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Lost River (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]

Goodfellas (Soundtrack Album)

Goodfellas

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Goodfellas - Soundtrack

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R&B Jukebox Hits - 1953 - Volume 1

Yours Forever

Billy's Doo-Wop (Classic Songs Remastered)

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Billboard Top 100 of 1957

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Goodfellas Music From the Motion Picture

GoodFellas Soundtrack

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