The Avalons

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The Avalons By Marv Goldberg Based on interviews with Bernard Purdie and George Cox © 2003 by Marv Goldberg The Avalons were one of the four R&B groups from Newport News, Virginia to record in the 50s (the others were the 5 Keys, the Leaders, and the Chateaus). Although both the Leaders and the Chateaus were highly influenced by the 5 Keys, the Avalons, as we'll see, were much more intertwined with them. Our story begins around 1947, with the formation of a group called the Chimes. Singing both gospel and R&B, they consisted of Charles “Bobby” Crawley (tenor/baritone), Ulysses Hicks (tenor), George Leroy Harris (baritone), and Bernard Purdie (bass). The biggest influence on the Chimes was the Orioles, many of whose songs they placed in their repertoire. Strangely, Bernard says that he wasn't influenced by Jimmy Ricks of the Ravens, never particularly liking bass singers! In 1948, Ulysses Hicks left, to be replaced by second tenor Maryland Pierce. (In 1952, when lead singer Rudy West was drafted, the 5 Keys would tap Ulysses Hicks to replace him.) When Maryland joined, the “Chimes” became the “4 Bees.” At shows, the 4 Bees' sang a little ditty put together by Maryland: “Hucklebuck With Jimmy.” Used as their closing number, “it was our 'bombshell' tune,” said Maryland. The other Newport News event in the 40s was the formation of the Sentimental Four, a gospel group, consisting of two sets of brothers: Rudy West (tenor) and Bernie West (bass); Ripley Ingram (tenor)

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