Soul group evolved out of Cathy & the Starlighters featuring lead vocalist Cathy Jones (ex-Shalimars). Bobby Starr (see bio ex-Variations) took over on lead vocals and the group became known as Bobby Starr & the Starlighters, then later changed name to the Versatiles. In addition to Starr, the group included Melvin Coles (guitar), Tommy Smith (bass), and Ralph Fisher (drums)…
“All four of us sang” recalled Tommy. “We played everywhere. We didn’t have any trouble finding work with a small four-piece group.” The Versatiles could be seen locally at the Rally Club, Fox’s Den, Upton Lounge, North End Lounge, Club Casino, Comedy Club, and Hollywood Park where they shared the stage in friendly competition with Tommy Vann & Echoes/Professionals. National groups they opened for included the Manhattans… The group also toured the southeast. Hugh Rogers booked them in Atlanta, Augusta, and they played venues throughout Florida and Alabama…
Bobby remembered that they admired Tommy Vann and his group, being the impetus to take their sound to the next level. “We had a lot of fun. We did all the Motown stuff… Every week we would learn two more new songs… We played five and six nights a week. Individually, Ralph was probably the best, but collectively I’d put the group up against anybody.”
‘Tiny,’ manager of the Carousel, put the group in touch with producer Joe Shamwell. They released the single “Let Me Be Yours (Part 1)” b/w (Part 2). Songs written, arranged, and produced by Shamwell, a D.C. native who also wrote “Just the Two of Us” for Peaches & Herb, and went on to become a staff writer for Stax, Malaco record labels.
The Versatiles also performed on local television.
Starr became the lead singer of the Intruders from 1970-73.
1972 Soul House 1002 Let Me Be Yours (Pt. 1) / Let Me Be Yours (Pt. 2)
