The Mad Lads

about

The Mad Lads was an American rhythm and blues vocal group, who recorded on the Stax subsidiary label Volt in the 1960s. Their biggest hits were "Don't Have to Shop Around" (1965) and "I Want Someone" (1966). The group was formed at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The original line-up comprised John Gary Williams, Julius E. Green, William Brown and Robert Phillips. They were originally called The Emeralds, but changed their name because there was another group of that name; the name "Mad Lads" was suggested by Stax employee Deanie Parker in response to the group's behavior and also in recognition of local disc jockey Reuben "Mad Lad" Washington. They first recorded for Stax in 1964, releasing "The Sidewalk Surf", co-written by Isaac Hayes under the name Ed Lee, which was not a hit. However, their second record, "Don't Have To Shop Around", rose to no. 11 on the Billboard R&B chart, and no. 93 on the pop chart. Featuring organ by Hayes and piano by Booker T. Jones, it has nonetheless been described as "curiously anachronistic, owing more to doo-wop than southern soul," and featured "the high, innocent tenor of John Gary Williams." They followed up with "I Want Someone", "I Want A Girl" and "Patch My Heart", which were all R&B hits in 1966. However, towards the end of the year Williams and Brown were drafted. The group continued to make live appearances with the pair being replaced by Sam Nelson and Quincy Billups Jr., but the new line-up's recordi

top songs

albums

In Action

The Best Of The Mad Lads

Don't Have to Shop Around (Remastered)

Don't Have To Shop Around

The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Lads

Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959-1968

The Best of the Mad Lads (Remastered)

Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration

Madder Than Ever

The RZA Presents Shaolin Soul Selection Volume 1

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The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968

The RZA Presents Shaolin Soul Selection: Vol. 1

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