Formed in West Baltimore in 1946 as the Oakaleers, they were pioneers of R&B and went on to become one of the premier R&B vocal groups in Baltimore as well as in the nation. The early lineup featured Herman ‘Junior’ Denby (lead vocals, bass), Earl Hurley (guitar, vocals), Frederick ‘Money’ Johnson (guitar, vocals), Norris ‘Bunky’ Mack (piano, drums, bass vocals), Lawrence Coxson (1st tenor), and Irving Taylor (vocals). In 1949 Coxson left the group and was replaced with vocalist Eddie Rich. The group signed with King Records in 1951 and became known as the Swallows. Denby’s musical resume reads “the group consisted of five guys from the neighborhood (including myself) who were friends and had a common interest in music. We would sing on street corners, at parties, and anywhere else we could be heard. Upon hearing one of our rehearsals, King Records signed us to a contract. Our name was then changed to ‘The Swallows.’ While under contract to King Records, we sang at the Royal Theater in Baltimore, the Howard Theater in Washington, and the Apollo Theater in New York. We also toured the southern states.”
Managed by Irv Goldstick, a local record shop owner, the group played most of the local clubs including the Spa Club, Club Ubangi, Al Herman’s Musical Bar, Rossiter’s, Club Ambassador (whose shows were hosted by radio personality Hoppy Adams), Royal Theater, Carr’s Beach, as well as touring nationally.
Denby (see bio) left in 1952 to join the armed forces. He was replaced with Herman Williams, then with Irving Turner and finally Hurley taking over lead vocals. Mack left and was replaced with Al France, and Dee Ernie Bailey was added as 2nd tenor. The group released a single on the After Hours label.
In 1956 France and Taylor left. Joining the band for a brief stint was Buddy Crawford and Ohio native Bobby Hendricks (who went on to become lead singer for the Drifters) but the group soon split up. Rich went on to join the Honey Boys in 1957 only to return in ‘58, and Calvin Kollette (ex-Honey Boys) joined the group.
Club ads 1957:
The group re-formed as the Swallows Quintet in 1958. They secured a contract with King records and released several singles on the subsidiary Federal label. Members at this time included Hurley (guitar), Mack (piano), Rich (vocals), Johnson (guitar), Kollette (vocals), along with Roger Clark (bass ex-Casanovas), and Bus Greene (drums). They could be seen locally in local clubs including Rossiter’s, Spot Bar, Lincoln Tavern, Club Paree.
In the ‘80s-90s Eddie Rich led an incarnation of the group which did a number of recordings on Val Shiveley’s Starbound label. Denby joined the Ink Spots in mid-’90s.
Singles by the Swallows include:
1951 King 4458 Will You Be Mine / Dearest
1951 King 4466 Wishing for You / Since You’ve Been Away
1951 King 4501 Eternally / It Ain’t the Meat
1951 King 4515 Tell Me Why / Roll, Roll, Pretty Baby
1952 King 4525 Beside You / You Left Me
1952 King 4533 I Only Have Eyes for You / You Walked In
1952 King 4579 Where Do I Go from Here /Please, Baby, Please
1953 King 4612 Laugh / Our Love Is Dying
1953 King 4632 Nobody’s Lovin’ Me / Bicycle Tillie
1953 King 4656 Trust Me / Pleading Blues
1953 King 4676 I’ll Be Waiting / It Feels So Good
1954 After Hours 104 My Baby / Good Time Girls
1958 Federal 12319 Angel Baby / Oh Lonesome Me
1958 Federal 12328 Rock-A-Bye Baby Rock / We Want to Rock
1958 Federal 12329 Beside You / Laughing Boy
1958 Federal 12333 Who Knows, Do You / Itchy Twitchy Feeling
19** Starbound 506 Since You’ve Been Away / Have Mercy Baby
Album by the Swallows:
19** King 500 The Best of the Swallows
Note: 1952 release “Beside You” features backing vocals by Jennie & Jay (see bio).
