The Griffin Brothers

about

The Griffin Brothers were an American rhythm and blues band from Norfolk, Virginia, sometimes credited on record as the Griffin Brothers Orchestra. They made successful recordings with singer Margie Day, and had a no.1 hit on the Billboard R&B chart in 1951 with "Weepin' and Cryin'", featuring Tommy Brown. The group was formed by brothers Jimmy (born James Rudolph Griffin, Virginia, c.1921) and "Buddy" Griffin (born Edward Elijah Griffin, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, October 5, 1919–October 22, 1981). By 1920, the family lived in Norfolk, Virginia. Both Jimmy and Buddy studied music at the Juilliard School. Jimmy played trombone, and Buddy played piano. The band was completed by Wilbur Dyer (alto saxophone), Virgil Wilson (tenor saxophone), Jimmy Reeves (bass), and Emmett "Nab" Shields (drums). In the late 1940s they played local clubs in Washington, DC, as well as Virginia and North Carolina, and added a singer, Margie Day. In early 1950 the band recorded as back-up to Roy Brown on the session for DeLuxe Records that yielded his no.1 R&B hit, "Hard Luck Blues". Local music promoter Lillian Clairborne won them a recording contract with the newly formed Dot Records, established by Randy Wood. Their first record, credited to Margie Day with the Griffin Brothers Orchestra, "Street Walkin' Daddy" / "Riffin' With Griffin", became a no.7 hit on the Billboard R&B chart in late 1950, with sales reportedly reaching over 15 thousand a week. The follow-up record, "Little Red Rooster"

top songs

albums

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Blowing The Fuse - 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1952

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Blues With a Beat

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Jumping The Shuffle Blues: Jamaican Sound System Classics 1946-1960

Blues With A Beat Vol. 2

Rhythm & Blues Greats

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Little Red Rooster

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Rumba Blues 1953-1957, The Mambo Years

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Backline

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Mambo 37:Egyptian Cha-Cha

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Rhythm & Blues Lost Gems

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Rhythm & Blues Classics

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Greatest Hits of 1951, Vol. 5

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