"GLORIA"! Who Sang it Best?

[marv2]

The song "Gloria" is probably one of the greatest of the Doo-Wop laments about the goil.........hehehehehehe.....! It's been covered many times by many singers. Big question. Who do you think sang it best. Here's one of my choices, The Cadillacs and their version:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U28e4EEC2j4

[edafan]

There are too many to list

edafan

[marv2]

Here's a good version by Vito & the Salutations from '62:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhvl7BwvUrg

[Mary G Jive Five]

Speedo & The Cadillacs verson is the definitive one in my opinion, especially when they did it live.

~~Mary~~

[marv2]

Speedo & The Cadillacs verson is the definitive one in my opinion, especially when they did it live.

~~Mary~~

I've been trying to remain impartial [[until we received more responses....) but I have to vote along with you Mary.

[stephanie]

The Cadillacs!

[Mary G Jive Five]

Here are Speedo & the guys doing it live:


http://youtu.be/VT_RfLKXJnU

~~Mary~~

[Mary G Jive Five]

Here's a great photo of three good friends who toured the UK together:

8434

Left to right - Harvey Fuqua, Eugene Pitt & Earl "Speedo" Carrol. Each of them sang lead on their own hits and the others sang background for them. They played "Rhythm Riot" and other venues.

~~Mary~~

[marv2]

What a great picture! Thank you Mary.

[Soul Sister]

Cadillacs, of course!


S.S.
***

[Soul Sister]

Then there's that different "Gloria" by Enchantment that is fabulous!!!

;),
S.S.
***

[Mary G Jive Five]

You're welcome, Marv.:cool:

~~Mary~~

[marv2]

Ok, ok here's another "contenda"! LOL! The Manhattan Transfer's version with Alan Paul on the lead........."Gloria"!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4pmz_G_CfU

[marv2]

Here we have several groups [[including Vito & the Salutations, the Cadillacs, Earl Lewis & the Channels and others....) taking turns singing their versions of the Doo Wop Anthem...."Gloria"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0CEMcC3LX8

[marv2]

Now in between the Cadillacs version in 1954 and Vito & the Saluations version in 1962, the Passions delivered their version in 1960:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ef-oJSpc-Q

[Mary G Jive Five]

I'll take Manhattan Transfer's version as number 2. :)

~~Mary~~

[marv2]

I'll take Manhattan Transfer's version as number 2. :)

~~Mary~~

He really put it out there huh? Marvin Gaye style! LOL!!!

[marv2]

Ok these guys were coming in a little late by 1964, but still worth a listen......the Love Notes and "Gloria"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5u-dFHJu58

[marv2]

Nicky Addeo & the Darchaes - "Gloria" from 1963 . These guys stuck pretty much to the popular 50's version:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzLlvAGwzcw

[robb_k]

8443
The Cadillacs is the best. But, I also like The Mills Brothers '40s version.

[smark21]

Laura Branigan

[marv2]

8443
The Cadillacs is the best. But, I also like The Mills Brothers '40s version.

Yes the Mills Brothers did a great version too. I think theirs may have been the first one.

[PhillyKen]

Cadillacs original and has to be given most of the consideration, Nicky Addeo & Darchaes from right near me in Asbury Park NJ [[and still singing and going strong) as to be best by a Caucasian group and surprised noone mentioned Earl Lewis and the Channels with a great job too.

[soulster]

The first song I thought about was the completely different one from the Van Morrison band Them.

[imnokid]

Sir Mac Rice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1-6titAbtc

[marv2]

Sir Mac Rice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1-6titAbtc

That is a good performance Kevin, I mean he is really tearing it up, that's a different "Gloria" song from the Doo Wop one.

[sunshineonacloudyday]

The Cadillacs version--with the great Earl Carroll effortlessly slipping in and out of falsetto--seems to be the definitive version attempted by numerous other groups since 1954. Some of them are decent efforts, like this one by The Ubans,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfpml51C1hg

Originally credited to songwriter Leon Rene, The Cadillacs version and a host of subsequent covers, is credited to their manager Esther Navarro. Although it's said she did not contribute to the song.

Several songs from this CD deviate from the Mills Brothers/Cadillacs version quite a bit--but all retain their heartfelt devotion to the woman named "Gloria"
8511

[robb_k]

8512
Many of those songs titled "Gloria" listed above are completely different songs. But the song by The Cadillacs is the same song, note for note and word for word as the Leon Rene original, and was sung by The Mills Brothers.

[marv2]

The Cadillacs version--with the great Earl Carroll effortlessly slipping in and out of falsetto--seems to be the definitive version attempted by numerous other groups since 1954. Some of them are decent efforts, like this one by The Ubans,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfpml51C1hg

Originally credited to songwriter Leon Rene, The Cadillacs version and a host of subsequent covers, is credited to their manager Esther Navarro. Although it's said she did not contribute to the song.

Several songs from this CD deviate from the Mills Brothers/Cadillacs version quite a bit--but all retain their heartfelt devotion to the woman named "Gloria"
8511

AH! HA! How did you find this? I knew there were a lot of versions of "Gloria" but not by some of the artists represented on this CD. Amazing! Thank you!

[sunshineonacloudyday]

Haha, Marv...This CD is likely a bootleg compiled by fanatics of the song & genre. Definitely not something that would be marketed to the general consumer, lol!
I think I picked it up when I visited NYC a few years ago. It's still around, I just saw there are 3 copies for sale on Amazon.

Yes robb, some of the songs are different, as I said above.
The Cadillacs version [[lead) is not an easy song to pull off for the average singer, though likely inspired many to try over the years.

[marv2]

Haha, Marv...This CD is likely a bootleg compiled by fanatics of the song & genre. Definitely not something that would be marketed to the general consumer, lol!
I think I picked it up when I visited NYC a few years ago. It's still around, I just saw there are 3 copies for sale on Amazon.

Yes robb, some of the songs are different, as I said above.
The Cadillacs version [[lead) is not an easy song to pull off for the average singer, though likely inspired many to try over the years.

Sunshineonacloudyday, I am going to check it out to hear some of the other versions. Thank you!