Little Anthony and the Imperials: Solid gold Rock 'n' Roll revival

Amazing as it may seem, Little Anthony and the Imperials have recently begun to take concert stages by storm once again. Officially reuniting in early 1992, the group had not performed together for over 17 years, yet the magic returned immediately and audiences are continuing to show their approval with thunderous applause.

This successful reunion has already brought the group to sold out appearances at concert halls and fairs throughout the U.S., including Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Hollywood Palace in Los Angeles. They've made appearances on Dick Clark's 40th Anniversary TV special, and were honored as recipients of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Fourth Annual Pioneer Award.

NY Daily News writer David Hinckley wrote, '...some traditions never die and Little Anthony and the Imperials are working to insure this one doesn't...the magic quartet of Anthony Gourdine, Sammy Strain, Ernest Wright, and Clarence Collins have made an amazing, sentimental and exciting reunion...'

Gourdine, born and brought up in the Fort Greene projects of Brooklyn, NY, began singing as a teenager, doing pop songs on the Startime Studios shows. By his mid-teens, he wanted to do what other teens in Boys High School were doing: singing with a group. He put together a quartet in 1955 that started doing songs for their friends, making appearances at local school dances before moving on to club dates. Gourdine's group, The Duponts, were signed to Royal Roost Records in '57 and recorded 'Prove It Tonight,' a pop/R&B hit. The group appeared as an opening act on Alan Freed's Easter show at the NY Paramount.

After high school, Gourdine left to join The Chesters, who were looking for a lead voice. The lineup consisted of Gourdine (lead), Tracy Lord (tenor), Ernest Wright (second tenor), Clarence Collins (baritone) and Glouster Rogers (bass). They cut one single, a Gourdine ballad, 'The Fires Burn No More,' for the Apollo label.

In early '58, Richard Barrett, An A&R man for End Records spotted the group and signed them to a contract and named then The Imperials. Their first record for End was a double-sided ballad smash. The A side, 'Tears On My Pillow,' instantly launched their career into musical history. This would be their biggest-selling hit, selling over one million copies and it has been one of the most enduring love ballads of the '50s. The flip side, 'Two People In the World,' made this one of the most popular double-sided ballad records in vocal group history.

Gourdine was sitting on a Brooklyn park bench one evening, listening to WINS radio DJ Alan Freed coming over the radio. As Alan announced the next record, Gourdine heard, '...and here's a new record that's making a lot of noise,...LITTLE Anthony and the Imperials...singing 'Tears On My Pillow...' ' The nickname Little Anthony stuck and the new group name was official. Several follow-up singles were released ('So Much,' 'Wishful Thinking,' 'A Prayer and A Jukebox'), then in 1959 the group recorded the doo wop novelty tune 'Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop.' It was the group's second million-seller, and it's been a favorite of The Imperials' fans ( and it was the last song that Alan Freed played when he resigned from WINS radio in 1960).

Followup single releases 'My Empty Room' and 'Please Say You Want Me' failed to make the charts, and by the end of '61 with the pressure to 'go solo,' Gourdine left The Imperials. Neither he or the three artists working as The Imperials made any headway in the hit record arena and in late '63 the group reformed, minus Lord and Rogers and adding Sammy Strain. Gourdine and Collins were Boys High alumni while Wright and Strain were graduates of Brooklyn's Alexander Hamilton HS.

Their manager brought them to a long-time admirer, Teddy Randazzo, who loved their sound. Randazzo put together the perfect song for them, 'I'm On the Outside Looking In,' another huge hit.

The group was signed to a new record contract in '64 for DCP Records (Don Costa Productions). They enjoyed a great resurgence with more ballads under the tutelage of producer/composer Randazzo. With an appearance on NY's Murray the K's Paramount show billed as 'The Return of Little Anthony and the Imperials,' 'I'm On the Outside Looking In' became their biggest hit since 'Tears On My Pillow.'

In '69 the group moved to United Artists and recorded more chart singles. In '73 and '74 they recorded an album with writer/producer Thom Bell on one side, and Randazzo on the other. From this came the Thom Bell produced hit 'I'm Falling In Love With You.'

History tells it all. 17 pop and R&B hits. They have an unmistakable sound that make them a cut above the rest. Gourdine's voice and captivating personality is well recognized by music industry leaders along with their devoted fans. It was in 1992 that Little Anthony and the Imperials came together for their reunion show in NYC and decided to get back together. They haven't looked back since.

Sounding as good, if not better than ever, with amazing style, choreography, songs and a show that is unparalleled in today's market, Little Anthony and the Imperials plan to stay together forever and continuing bringing their music to the world.