Soul vocal group from East Baltimore featuring the great harmonies of James Gill, Jr. (first tenor), Leroy Priester aka ‘Fish’ (baritone), Freddie Lewis (bass), James Harlee aka ‘Little James’ (baritone), and William Brown, Jr. (second tenor).
Harlee had previously been a member of the Tabs. Priester and Gill were formerly of Johnny & the Sextons. Members joined forces and formed the Persians in 1966.
Disc jockey Al Jefferson brought the Persians to the attention of George Kerr and they subsequently released a string of singles starting with “Too Much Pride” (ABC Records) in 1968. The record charted nationally and sold over 500,000 copies. Through 1972 the Persians released five more singles with two reaching the R&B charts.
Brown was replaced with Lewis Crawley in 1971. Backing band included Stanton Greene (keyboards)…
The Persians performed all over Baltimore and surrounding areas. They wore turbans as part of their stage attire. Local performances included the Club Casino, Black Jack, Mother Lode’s Wild Cherry, Carr’s Beach, 5th Regiment Armory, Best Western, the Double Soul Explosion at the U.A.W. Hall on Friday, August 9, 1968 along with Bob Brady & the Con Chords. They were also seen at Cardinal Gibbons on November 15, 1969 on a double bill with the rock band White Lightning. Outside of Baltimore they traveled to New York (Apollo Theater), Philadelphia (Uptown, Spectrum), Newark (Hurley’s Lounge), Boston (Sugar Shack), Albany, Youngstown, and many other towns. They shared stages with a virtual who’s who of R&B music including the Temptations, Drifters, Dells, Spaniels, Manhattans, Fantastic Four, O’Jays, Intruders…
In addition to record releases the Persians recorded radio commercials for Hamm’s beer and Schlitz. On television they appeared on the Kerby Scott Show, and the Ken Hawkins Show in Cleveland. Their music was included on 1968 Paramount film “Uptight.”
The group was once managed by Glenny Moore aka ‘Duke,’ who also worked with Sonny & the Dukes, Collections & Civics…
After William Brown passed away in the ‘70s the group disbanded.
A new group featuring Sonny Collins, James Gill, Leroy Priester, and Reggie Thomas later became known as the Select Four.
In 2003 original members Gill, Harlee, and Priester re-formed the Persians adding Sonny Collins and Rodney Jones (ex-Savvy…). Collins was once a member of ‘50s recording group the Kool Gents. Manager Edwin Johnson recruited guitarist William Douglas to form and lead the Persians Band. Members included keyboardists Joel Holmes, and Michael Dell, Phil Mazadera (sax), Tony Douglas (percussion ex-Mirage), James Bush (bass), and Ronnie Bowen (drums).
This version of the group performed at Coppin State College, Gentlemen 10, The Sphynx Club, Sisters, the hotel circuit Marriott, Best Western, Holiday Inn…
A 2009 Persians Band lineup featured Lindsay Addison (keyboard and band director ex-Perpetual Motion, e-Nitra-Fuse Records), Walter Porter (keyboard ex-Mirage, State of Affairz), James Bush (bass), and Ronnie Bowen (drums). The Mighty Mighty Persians continued performing at weddings, cabarets, and special concert events…
Recordings by the Persians include:
1968 ABC 11087 Too Much Pride / That’s If You Want Me To
1969 ABC 11145 I Only Have Eyes for You / The Sun’s Gotta Shine in Your Heart
1969 GWP 509 I Don’t Know How (To Fall Out of Love) / Here It Comes
1970 Grapevine 201 Detour / I Can’t Take It Anymore
1972 Capitol 3230 Your Love / Keep on Moving
1972 Capitol 3333 I Want to Go Home / Baby Come Back Home
1972 Capitol 3414 I Won’t Cry for You Anymore / Give Me a Little Time
