West Baltimore based R&B vocal harmony group originally known as the Equadors. The group consisted of George Jackson (lead), James Lawson (baritone), Steve McDowell (tenor), and Thurmon Thrower (bass). They were ‘discovered’ at the Royal Theater by Zell Sanders who owned J&S Records. Zell changed their name to the Plants and recorded them at her studios in New York. Two singles were released but without the needed promotion the records only attained limited popularity. The Plants also reportedly backed up Baby Washington on some of her J&S recordings.
The Plants performed locally at the Royal Theater and in 1958 they appeared on the Buddy Deane Show. Tours took them to many clubs throughout the East Coast from New York to the Carolinas.
The Plants were managed briefly by DJ Hot Rod Hulbert until finally splitting up in 1959. Meanwhile Zell formed a completely different group in New York and released a record “I Searched the Seven Seas” b/w “I Took a Trip Way Over the Sea” as by the Plants (J&S 248/249).
Jackson went on to a solo career as a soul vocalist (see bio).
Record releases by the Plants:
1957 J&S 1602 Dear I Swear / It’s You
1957 J&S 1617/18 From Me / My Girl
