Amazing
as it may seem, Little Anthony & the Imperials have recently
begun to take concert stages by storm once again. Officially
reuniting in early 1992, the group had not performed together
for over 17 years, yet the magic returned immediately and audiences
are showing their approval with thunderous applause.
This successful reunion has already brought the group to sold
out appearances at concert halls and fairs throughout the U.S….including
Madison Square Garden in New York and the Hollywood Palace in
Los Angeles. They’ve made an appearance on Dick Clark’s
“American Bandstand’s 40th Anniversary TV special”
and were honored as recipients of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s
Fourth Annual Pioneer Award. They are just now receiving
a long-overdue recognition of their artistry and lifelong contributions
to rhythm and blues music.
In early ’58, Richard Barrett, an A&R man for End
records spotted the group and signed them to a contract and
named them The Imperials. Their first record for End was
a double-sided ballad smash. The”A” side, “Tear
On My Pillow”, instantly launched their career into musical
history. This would be their biggest selling hit, selling
over one million copies and has been one of the most enduring
love ballads of the ‘50’s. The flip side hit,
“Two People In The World”, made this one of the
most double-sided ballad records in vocal group history.
Their manager then, and still today, brought them a long-time
admirer, Teddy Randazzo, who loved Anthony’s sound. Teddy
put together a perfect song for him, “I’m On The
Outside Looking In”, another huge hit.
The group was signed to a record contract in the Summer of ’64
for DCP Records. Under the tutelage of producer/composer
Randazzo, the group enjoyed a great resurgence with more ballads. “I’m
On The Outside Looking In” became their biggest hit since
“Tears On My Pillow” and reached #15 on the charts. The
follow up, “Goin’ Out Of My Head” rose to
#6 on the pop charts and #11 in R&B and the follow-up single,
“Hurt So Bad” reached #10.
This is one of the few groups that successfully maintained a
star presence through the Motown sound and the British Invasion.
In 1975, the group broke up with Little Anthony officially separating
from The Imperials. It was an amicable separation.
History tells all. Seventeen pop and 12 R&B chart hits,
they had an unmistakable sound that made them a cut above the
rest. Their lead singer’s voice and captivating personality
is well recognized by music industry leaders along with the
fans of the music. It was in 1992 that Little Anthony &
the Imperials came together for their first reunion show in
New York City and decided to get back together.
With amazing style, choreography, songs and a show that is unparalleled
in today’s market, they now plan to stay together forever
and bring their music to the world.