R&B group originally formed in Turner’s Station area of East Baltimore. The original group was formed in 1954 and also known as the Imperial Orchestra. Members included Carroll Williamson aka ‘Bubbles’ (guitar), Howard Spinney (guitar), Percy Brown (sax), Mike Mitchell (sax), Robert Reason (trombone), Bunky Davis (trumpet)… The group featured various vocalists throughout the 1950’s-60s including Harry ‘Soul Stirrer’ Young, Aretha Copeland, Mary Sands, and ‘Tiny Tim’ Harris.
The first incarnation of the group performed at the Baltimore Coliseum, Chick’s Monday night jazz shows, Castle Bar, Clover Club… They played as backing band for recording stars Thurston Harris, Gloria Lynne, Gene Chandler (at the 5th Regiment Armory), and toured as backing band for Sonny Til & the Orioles.
Spinney left to form the Howards in 1958.
When Little Anthony & the Imperials came out, the Imperials changed their name, dropping the “i” they became the Imperals.
In 1960 he returned and formed the second ‘Imperals’ group which featured Webster Lewis (keyboards), Harold Adams (tenor sax), Arthur Martins (sax), Jay Barber (sax), Melvin Coles (guitar ex-Houserockers, Soul Twisters, Cardinals), and drummers included Willie Barber, Bill Mabrid, Joe West, and Bernard Purdie. This second version of the Imperals lasted until around 1964 and released an instrumental single on Howfum Records. The group played behind the Supremes, and the Shirelles at their performances in Baltimore.
Spinney went on to join the Corvettes briefly before returning to form a third version of the Imperals which lasted from 1964 to 1968. This group included Spinney (bass), Williamson (guitar), Harvey Harriston (tenor sax ex-Flat Top & the Soul Twisters), Earl Washington (tenor sax ex-Paxton’s), Dorsey Davis (sax player from Norfolk Virginia), and Joe West (drums). They played regularly at Dotson’s.
Spinney and Williamson formed Howfum Records and had an office at 707 Park Avenue. The name Howfum was derived from the names of the group that operated the label: HO=Howard Spinney, W=Williamson, F=Gratis Felder (business partner), and M=Mike Mitchell.
The Imperals released an instrumental single on Howfum “Perciful” b/w “Baltimore Serenade.”
Other single releases on Howfum Records were by the Magic Tones, and the Marlettes. The groups recorded at Bell Sound in New York. Masters were cut in New Jersey and 1,000 copies of each record were pressed. Williamson also wrote and produced a single by the Antwinetts that was released on RCA Records.
Adams went on to join the Soul Brothers… Washington was later with the Sound Track Band. Purdie went on to an illustrious career as a session drummer for countless recording stars. Lewis (see bio), Adams, and Willie Barber joined the Soul Brothers. Mike Mitchell also played for Joe Allen’s Alley Cats, the Howards, Joyriders, and led his own jazz trio.
196* Howfum 3687/3688 Perciful / Baltimore Serenade
