The Four Vagabonds

The Four Vagabonds was an American male vocal group. Active for twenty years (1933–1953), they form a bridge between vocal quartet jive of the 1930s and the rhythm and blues vocal groups that thrived after World War II.[1]

The Vagabonds

The Four Vagabonds were formed in 1933 by four African American students at Vashon High School in St. Louis: John Jordan (lead singer), Norval Taborn (baritone), Robert O'Neal (tenor), and Ray Grant (bass; Grant also played guitar accompaniment). Their early work showed strong Mills Brothers influence.[2][3][4]

They first appeared on college radio, then on WIL, and then on NBC Radio on KSD. This led to a 1936 move to Chicago radio, including Don McNeill's Breakfast Club and Garry Moore's Club Matinee. Throughout the 1940s the Four Vagabonds made network radio appearances on many national shows, including the Chesterfield Supper Club, the Nat King Cole Show, and others.[2][3][4]

On April 1, 1949, during the pioneering early days of television, the local variety show Happy Pappy premiered on the local Chicago station WENR-TV. Hosted by Ray Grant and featuring the Four Vagabonds (as well as the Modern Modes and other groups), it was the first all-African-American television show, although short-lived.[5][3]

The group continued into the 1950s, with successive replacements (Bill Sanford, Frank Houston) for Ray Grant, who had vision problems. Their last release was a re-issue "P.S. I Love You", in 1953.[2][3]

In the 1980s original member John Jordan put together a new Four Vagabonds group. In 1997 Billy Shelton, who was a member of the 1980s incarnation, started another Four Vagabonds.[3]

Deaths

Ray Grant died On December 13, 1950.

Robert O'Neal died On December 15, 1968.

John Jordan died On June 16, 1988.

Norval Taborn died On January 23, 1990.

Discography

Year Song Label Format
1941 Slow and Easy

Duke of Dubuque

Bluebird 78 RPM, 10"
Rosie the Riveter (published 1942)

I Had the Craziest Dream

Bluebird 30-0810 78 RPM, 10"
Ten Little Soldiers (On a Ten Day Leave)

Rose Ann of Charing Cross

Bluebird 30-0811 78 RPM, 10"
It Can't be Wrong (from 1942 Warner Bros. film "Now, Voyager")

Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer

Bluebird 30-0815 78 RPM, 10"
A G.I. Wish

If I Were You

Victor 20-1677 78 RPM, 10"
Ho Cake Hominy And Sassafras Tea

Kentucky Baby

Apollo 1030 78 RPM, 10"
The Pleasure's All Mine

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans

Apollo 1039 78 RPM, 10"
Dreams Are a Dime A Dozen

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

Apollo 1055 78 RPM, 10"
1947 P.S. I Love You

The Freckle Song

Apollo 1057 78 RPM, 10"
Oh My Achin' Back

Ask Anyone Who Knows

Apollo 1060 78 RPM, 10"
1947 Choo Choo

Lazy Country Side

Apollo 1075 78 RPM, 10"
That Old Gang of Mine

Heart of My Heart

Apollo 1076 78 RPM, 10"
Oh, What a Polka

I Can't Make Up My Mind

Atlas VA111 78 RPM,10"

Source:[6]

References

  1. ^ "Four Vagabonds". Singers.com. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c J. C. Marion (2004). "Remembered : The Four Vagabonds". The World of Marion – Net E-zines, Issue # 36. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "The Four Vagabonds". Harmony Train. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Jim Dunn & Nikki Gustafson. "About The Four Vagabonds". MTV Artists. MTV. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "April 1, 1949: The First all-Black Television show". Oldradio.org. April 1, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  6. ^ http://www.globaldogproductions.info/a/apollo.html
  • Rick Whitesell, Pete Grendysa, George Moonoogian, and Marv Goldberg (September 1976). "The 4 Vagabonds". Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebook. Retrieved February 12, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)