East Baltimore based R&B vocal group formed at Dunbar High School consisting of Charlie Brown, Billy Butler, Archie Grant, Josephine, and Melvin Pottillo (also played piano). As teenagers the group traveled to New York and stayed with a friend who lived in Harlem. Through persistence and visits to the Brill Building armed with demo recordings, they made some connections with studio producers. Being so young, their parents were required to sign any contracts. As the Del-Capris they did some recordings at Canadian-American Records and released a single on the Almont label “Speak to Me of Love” (featuring Josephine, a classically trained lead vocalist) b/w “Teresa,” a new song Pottillo had just written because they needed a B-side. “Teresa” featured Grant as lead vocalist.
Upon returning to Baltimore, Josephine was replaced with vocalist Beverly Ann Henson.
In 1964 the group signed a contract with Columbia Records and recorded under the direction of producers Ray Fleming and Locke Edwards. Billed as Beverly & the Del-Capris, the group released the single “Mama I Think I’m In Love” b/w “”Mildred.” Backing music for the record was provided by a New York studio group.
The Del-Capris regular backing band featured Charles Addison (lead guitar), Harry Player (rhythm), Michael Dunston (bass), and Robert Mercer (drums). The group played all the local venues including Famous Ballroom, Club Venus, Belvedere Hotel, Carr’s Beach, and Sparrow’s Beach, many cabarets and union halls. They performed double bills with the Royalettes, and were the last featured band to play on the Buddy Deane Show. On the road the group traveled throughout the mid-Atlantic region to D.C., Philadelphia, and New York’s Harlem and Greenwich Village…
Addison was also with the Ravenettes, and the Chapells… Butler, Grant, Addison, Mercer, and Dunston went on to form the Optimistics.
Del-Capris / Beverly & the Del-Capris discography:
1963 Almont 304 Speak to Me of Love / Teresa
1964 Columbia 4-43107 Mama I Think I’m In Love / Mildred
