By yoyoshep (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 07:30 pm:

Does anyone have information on a 60's group called The Cruisers? They were on the Gamble label along with the Intruders. I believe they were produced by Gamble and Huff.

By Eli (151.197.118.232) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 07:33 pm:

The Cruisers date back to the mid fifties when they had a song called "If You Knew" which was a Philly Doo Wop fave.

By yoyoshep (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 07:39 pm:

Thanks for the info Eli. Yoyoshep.

By Scratcher (65.150.228.68) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 07:42 pm:

The Cruisers were led by Gene Williams; the other members were Randy Hamilton, Paul Long and McKinley Anthony.

They cut two records that I know of in the sixties, the one Eli mentioned, which was backed with "Miss Fine" and "Crying Over You" b/w "Don't Tease Me"; both on V-Tone Records in 1960; I believe the latter was leased to Guyden.

They later cut two singles for Gamble in 1967 and 1970 respectively. I Need You So/If You Take a Chance and Picture Us/Mink and Sable Mable. Picture Us was later recorded by Bunny Sigler who co-wrote the song I believe with Phil Hurtt.

By yoyoshep (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 08:23 pm:

Scratcher thanks for the info. Yoyoshep.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 11:53 am:

MAN O MAN THE CRUISERS[I NEED YOU SO]WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER FROM ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GROUPS EVER,

By Soulaholic (208.57.215.10) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 11:59 am:

Hello Yoyoshep:

copied from the AMG site:
The Cruisers from Philadelphia, PA never had a significant record. Patterning themselves after the Harptones, group leader Gene Williams, Randy Hamilton, Paul Long, and McKinley Anthony began recording on V-Tone Records. The deal resulted in two single releases in 1960: "Miss Fine" b/w "If I Knew," and "Don't Tease Me" b/w "Crying Over You;" the latter got pegged for mass distribution two years later by Guyden Records only to die a second time. Five years passed before their next deal in 1967 with Gamble Records, who were charting with the Intruders' records. "I Need You So" b/w "Take A Chance," reeked with sentiment but despite its charm didn't sell, and the Cruisers languished for nearly three years before their final release. Bunny Sigler brought the Cruisers' doo-wop skills out the closet with "Picture Us" b/w "Mink and Sable Mable," but Gamble Records only seem able to get hits on Sonny & the Intruders; while others including Ruth McFadden, the Jaggerz, the Futures, the Butlers, and the Epsilons always came up empty. Sigler later cut a solo version of "Picture Us" on Philadelphia International Records, and the Cruisers went on with their lives.

By Chad (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 12:12 pm:

AMG stuff is protected by copyright, you can't paste their info Soulaholic. You can link but you can't paste.

By soulaholic (208.57.215.10) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 12:16 pm:

Hello Chad:

Thanks for the info; I thought by giving the credit it would be alright.

Now I know better.

Thanks

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 12:44 pm:

HEY SOULAHOLIC,I NEED YOU SO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BIG NATIONWIDE,BUT IT WAS A MONSTER IN D.C.IN THE SUMMER OF 67.

By soulaholic (68.41.47.183) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 07:43 pm:

Het R&B:

having been a Billboard reporter in my past life it was amazing to see how often there were regional hits.

I myself would always scan the Billboard dance charts or other trades back in the 70's Discotechin B or Dance Music (it had an earlier name before that, forgive me I just can't remember it right now) and look for them.

I believe we could do a whole post on songs or artist that just hit it in one city or a region.

Soulaholic

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:38 am:

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH SOULAHOLIC,AIN'T IT THE TRUTH!

By yoyoshep (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 12:06 pm:

Soulaholic thanks for the info. Yoyoshep.

By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 05:08 pm:

Tony Drake was a valet for the Crusiers for
a couple of years.

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 06:10 pm:

Thanks Chad.

This happens quite often folks. Understandable, but we've got to do it by the book.

Please copy in the link, that's all it takes, and it's more effective IMO.

Thanks
David