The Vocaleers

The original members of this vocal group from Harlem, New York, USA, were Joe Duncan (lead), Herman Curtis (first tenor), William Walker (second tenor), Melvin Walton (baritone) and Teddy Williams (bass). One of the pioneering groups of the R&B era, the Vocaleers’ great hit, ‘Is It A Dream?’ (number 4 R&B, 1953), became a part of the repertoires of a myriad of street-corner groups across the country. The group was formed in 1951 and the following year signed with Bobby Robinson’s Red Robin label. Their first release was the ballad ‘Be True’, which established the group’s sound of Duncan’s plaintive lead answered by Curtis’ falsetto, and earned the group local notices. Williams left the unit at this time and was replaced with Lamar Cooper. The Vocaleers made their last record in 1954, after Herman Curtis was replaced with Joe Powell; Curtis joined the Solitaires. The Vocaleers, with slightly different personnel, reunited in the late 50s, but after a few uninteresting records they disbanded for good in 1961. ~ Rovi