An R&B vocal group from East Baltimore originally known as the 5 Kings. Members consisted of Joseph ‘Rice’ Reed (lead), Arthur ‘Boxey’ Williams (1st tenor), Gene Hawkins (2nd tenor, guitar), James Williams (baritone), and James ‘Ricky’ Stokes (bass). The group was forced to come up with another name due to another local group Bobby Hall & the Kings. Eventually they became known as the Magic Tones. Stokes had the ability to sing like the great Ravens bass vocalist Ricky Ricks. With this ability the Magic Tones featured a primary bass lead style.
In 1952 while performing at Pythians Castle with the Tilters the group impressed the management team of the Tilters and the Marylanders. The group went to New York and recorded. The songs were released in 1953 on King Records.
Stokes was drafted for the service and was replaced briefly with (bass vocalist of the Marylanders). In 1954 the group toured with a King Records revue which featured the Midnighters, Checkers, and Bull Moose Jackson. Lewis could not continue due to his commitment with the Marylanders and the group soon broke up.
After Stokes’ discharge from the service he formed a new Magic Tones. The group featured original members Stokes (1st tenor), Williams (baritone), and Hawkins (guitar) along with new members Bobby ‘Tray’ Jackson (lead), and Robert ‘Shue’ McGee (2nd tenor). This line-up traveled to New York and recorded the sides which were released on the local Howfum label in 1957.
Hawkins later played for the Shyndell’s Band.
Record releases by the Magic Tones include:
1953 King 4665 When I Kneel Down to Pray / Good Googa-Mooga
1953 King 4681 Cool, Cool Baby / How Can You Treat Me This Way
1957 Howfum 101 Tears in My Eyes / Spanish Love Song
