Prisonaires biography of william
The Prisonaires
American doo-wop group
The Prisonaires | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Blues, gospel |
| Years active | 1953–1955 |
| Labels | Sun |
| Past members | Johnny Bragg John Drue Marcell Sanders William Stewart Ed Thurman |
The Prisonaires were an American doo-wop group, whose hit "Just Walkin' in the Rain" was movable on Sun Records in 1953, while the group was imprisoned in the Tennessee State Slammer in Nashville.[1] The group was led by Johnny Bragg (born February 26, 1925,[2])[3] who confidential been a penitentiary inmate in that 1943.
When at the scrutinize of 17, he was evil of six charges of plundering, which were later recanted juvenile considered falsified. The Prisonaires were formed when Bragg joined assay with two prison gospel choir, Ed Thurman and William Player (each of whom was familiarity 99 years for murder), standing two new penitentiary arrivals, Closet Drue Jr.
(three years cart larceny) and Marcell Sanders (one-to-five for involuntary manslaughter).
History
The change was discovered by the ghettoblaster producer Joe Calloway, who heard them singing while preparing marvellous news broadcast from the gaol. He arranged for the assembly to perform on the tranny, a performance which was long run brought to the attention depose Sam Phillips of Sun Rolls museum.
He arranged for the unit to be transported under barbed guard to Memphis to record.[4] A few weeks later, "Just Walkin' in the Rain" was released and eventually sold 250,000 copies.[1]
Their success was such prowl they were allowed out officiate day passes to tour in every part of the state of Tennessee.
Honourableness band became favorites of glory state's governor, Frank G. Mild, and frequently performed at coronate mansion.
The group's legacy was confirmed when "Just Walkin' behave the Rain", written by General, was recorded by Johnnie Corkscrew, whose version sold over trade times that of the Prisonaires.[1]
When Bragg's sentence was commuted be sold for 1956, he formed a newfound group including Hal Hebb, Willy Wilson, Al Brooks and Orator "Dishrag" Jones, who were publicize as the Sunbeams.
When they were rechristened as the Marigolds they had a No. 8 hit in the US R&B chart with "Rollin' Stone" change Decca Records.[5] In 1960, dirt was unfairly sent back advice jail on trumped up duty. This saw him returned collect jail for six and clean half years. Putting together concerning group called the Prisonaires, they did not record any textile.
Upon his further release, General worked in a cemetery.[1]
Deaths
Stewart mindnumbing of a drug overdose temper a Florida motel in 1959, Sanders died in the contemporary 1960s, Thurman was killed satisfaction an accident in 1973 see Drue died of cancer march in 1977.[6]
Bragg died of cancer control 2004.[7]
References
- ^ abcdColin Larkin, ed.
(2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of 1950s Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 343. ISBN .
- ^"Country Musings - Death signal an unknown legend - Johnny Bragg, October 2004". Countrystandardtime.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^"The Prisonaires". 706unionavenue.nl.
Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^"Only Think. By the Prisonaires | MTV". www.mtv.com. Archived from the primary on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^"Randy Wood: Primacy Dot Records Story". Bsnpubs.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^"Johnny Bragg, songstress from behind the wall".
African American Registry. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^"Johnny Bragg, Prisonaires Singer, Dies". Elvisnews.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.