The Willows (group)

The Willows were an American doo-wop group formed in Harlem, New York, in 1950. The group was an influential musical act that performed into the mid-1960s and had a Top 20 R&B hit with "Church Bells May Ring", a song which was covered for greater commercial success by the Diamonds.

Before the Willows, the group was known as the Dovers, which originally built a reputation in Harlem nightclubs and by practicing with other Harlem doo wop acts like Gloria Lynne's all-female group the Deltones. The first line-up included members Bobby Robinson (lead vocals), Richie Davis (tenor), Ralph Martin (tenor), Joe Martin (baritone), and John Steel (bass), before Robinson departed to open a record store on 125th Street where he later established Fury Records and Red Robin Records. In 1952, aspiring boxer Tony Middleton joined the Dovers on the nightclub circuit where they became revered for their competitive charisma in battle of the bands-type performances.

Record producer Peter Doraine spectated at one of the Dovers gigs, offered the group his services as manager, and change their name to the Five Willows to record the group's debut single, "Please Baby", for his PeeDee label. Soon after Doraine partnered his company with Victor Allen to form Allen Records, and record the Five Willow's follow-up "My Dear Dearest Darling" in late 1953. Even though it was a regional hit in Harlem and Los Angeles, the group's subsequent offerings on the label did not fare as well and by early 1954 Allen Records had dissolved. In June 1954, the Five Willows signed with Herald Records; however, after two unsuccessful singles, the group was cut from the roster the next year.

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