The Penguins only had one hit on the pop charts, but what a song it was. Written by Jessie Belvin and Curtis Williams (who was a bass/baritone with the group), the group reached No. 8 on the charts (#1 on R&B). As was a common practice because of segregated radio, The Crew Cuts did their version and reached #1 in 1955. They signed a contract with Mercury (who wanted The Penguins) as a 2 for 1 deal where the company received The Penguins and The Platters which were managed by the same guy. Ironically enough, The Platters did well, while after one top 20 R&B hit, never charted again. The group saw turnover through the years, but Cleveland Duncan was a constant and as of 2001 were still touring. Interesting note: They named themselves after Willie the Penguin which was the cartoon advertising character for Kool cigarettes. (get it, the group is cool??).
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Penguins--Earth Angel (1954)
Tenor Cleveland Duncan turns 76 today....
The Penguins only had one hit on the pop charts, but what a song it was. Written by Jessie Belvin and Curtis Williams (who was a bass/baritone with the group), the group reached No. 8 on the charts (#1 on R&B). As was a common practice because of segregated radio, The Crew Cuts did their version and reached #1 in 1955. They signed a contract with Mercury (who wanted The Penguins) as a 2 for 1 deal where the company received The Penguins and The Platters which were managed by the same guy. Ironically enough, The Platters did well, while after one top 20 R&B hit, never charted again. The group saw turnover through the years, but Cleveland Duncan was a constant and as of 2001 were still touring. Interesting note: They named themselves after Willie the Penguin which was the cartoon advertising character for Kool cigarettes. (get it, the group is cool??).
The Penguins only had one hit on the pop charts, but what a song it was. Written by Jessie Belvin and Curtis Williams (who was a bass/baritone with the group), the group reached No. 8 on the charts (#1 on R&B). As was a common practice because of segregated radio, The Crew Cuts did their version and reached #1 in 1955. They signed a contract with Mercury (who wanted The Penguins) as a 2 for 1 deal where the company received The Penguins and The Platters which were managed by the same guy. Ironically enough, The Platters did well, while after one top 20 R&B hit, never charted again. The group saw turnover through the years, but Cleveland Duncan was a constant and as of 2001 were still touring. Interesting note: They named themselves after Willie the Penguin which was the cartoon advertising character for Kool cigarettes. (get it, the group is cool??).
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