Little Anthony and The Imperials

Little Anthony and The Imperials, one of the few 1950s black vocal groups to survive and prosper in the 1960s. membership: “Little” Anthony Gourdine, lead voc. (b. Brooklyn, N.Y., Jan. 8, 1940); Tracy Lord, 1st ten.; Ernest Wright, 2nd ten.; Clarence Collins, bar.; and Gloucester “Nate” Rogers, bs. voc. Sammy Strain (b. Dec. 9, 1940) joined in 1964.

In 1954 “Little” Anthony Gourdine formed a vocal quartet in Brooklyn to perform at local shows. Becoming The Duponts in 1955, the group recorded their first single, “You,” for Winley Records. They later recorded for Royal Roost Records and performed at Alan Freed’s Easter Show at N.Y.’s Paramount Theater in 1957.

Later in 1957 Gourdine formed The Chesters with tenor Tracy Lord, second tenor Ernest Wright, baritone Clarence Collins and bass singer Gloucester “Nate” Rogers. Initially recording for Apollo Records, The Chesters were signed by Richard Barrett to George Goldner’s End label, where they scored a smash pop and R&B hit with “Tears On My Pillow” in 1958 as The Imperials. As Little Anthony and The Imperials, they managed a major R&B hit with “So Much” in 1959 and a major pop and R&B hit with “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop” at year’s end.

By late 1961 Anthony Gourdine had left The Imperials to pursue a solo career. Neither The Imperials nor Anthony Gourdine solo enjoyed much success, and Gourdine reunited with The Imperials in 1963. Brought to songwriter Teddy Randazzo, the group was signed to DCP Records. Now comprised of Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and first tenor Sammy Strain, the group recorded a series of pop and R&B hits with songs written and produced by Randazzo through 1966. These included “I’m on the Outside (Looking In),” the pop smash “Goin’ Out of My Head,” the pop and R&B smash “Hurt So Bad,” and “Take Me Back.”

During the late 1960s, Little Anthony and The Imperials recorded for Veep and United Artists Records, managing their last major R&B hit with “I’m Falling in Love with You” in 1974 on Avco Records. Sammy Strain joined The O’Jays in 1975, and Little Anthony and The Imperials subsequently disbanded. By 1980 Anthony Gourdine had begun pursuing a career as a lounge entertainer and gospel recording artist. In 1992 Little Anthony and The Imperials reunited with Anthony Gourdine, Ernest Wright, Clarence Collins and Sammy Strain.

Discography

THE IMPERIALS: We Are Little Anthony and The Imperials (1959); Shades of the 40s (1960). little anthony and the imperials:I’m on the Outside (Looking In) (1964); Goin’ Out of My Head (1965); Best (1966); Payin’ Our Dues (1967); Reflections (1967); Movie Grabbers (1967); Best, Vol. 2 (1968); Forever Yours (1969); Out of Sight, Out of Mind (1969); Little Anthony and The Imperials (1970); On a New Street (1974); Shimmy, Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop (1995). LITTLE ANTHONY: Daylight (1980); Little Anthony Sings the Gospel (1996).

—Brock Helander