The Red Caps

The Red Caps

Group

Genres: jive, doo wop, rhythm and blues

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About The Red Caps

The group began in 1940 Los Angeles, moving to New York in search of fame and fortune and were one of the most prolific and influential groups of the 1940s and 1950s. They had releases on many labels, using many names and featuring diverse personnel. In mid-1943 the 4 Toppers changed their name to the 5 Red Caps and signed with the legendary producer Joe Davis. Romaine Brown said that the name had a catchy sound and it "sounded black," like the "Ink Spots." Red caps (the traditional headgear of baggage handlers on trains and planes) were rarely worn by the group (possibly only for some photo sessions, during a show at Loew's State Theater, and in a 1949 movie). Springs said that another reason for the name change was to get around the recording ban imposed at that time by the American Federation Of Musicians (the first Petrillo Ban). No union musician was permitted to make records between August 1, 1942 and November of 1943. The Red Caps name was intended as a coverup, since all the members belonged to the union and shouldn't have been recording. But it was soon discovered by the union, which fined the group. Forty three lilting, rockin' and proto-doowoppin' harmony cuts from Steve Gibson and The Redcaps one of the most popular jump and jive vocal groups of the 1940's. The Five Red Caps began in 1940 Los Angeles, moving to New York in search of fame and fortune. After meeting record label owner Joe Davis (Beacon) in 1943, the multi-talented group, who also played their own instruments, recorded 26 singles for Davis from 1943-46. From rhythm-oriented jive boogie, velvety Ink Spots-style ballads, and the earnest gospel sound, a lá groups of the 1930's such as the Golden Gate Quartet, the Five Red Caps did it all. The Redcaps enjoyed many hit records and appeared in movies, on radio and the emerging TV medium. Like many other groups of the period their roots can be traced back to the unprecedented influence of The Mills Brothers.

Taken from Last.fm

421 listeners  ·  1,591 plays via Last.fm