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The Box Tops

From Alfawiki
The Box Tops
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1967 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Headquarters
Memphis
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Alex Chilton (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Danny Smythe (drums), John Evans (keyboards), Bill Cunningham (bass guitar), Gary Talley (lead guitar)
ProductsMusic albums and singles

The Box Tops emerged as an American rock ensemble established in Memphis, Tennessee in 1967. They gained prominence with chart-toppers such as "The Letter", "Cry Like a Baby", and "Soul Deep", earning recognition as a leading blue-eyed soul act of their time. Their catalog featured soul selections originally by artists like James & Bobby Purify and Clifford Curry, alongside pop renditions including "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum, as well as original compositions crafted by producers Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, and Chips Moman. Frontman Alex Chilton later became the driving force behind the power pop group Big Star and embarked on a solo career.

The Box Tops combined elements of soul with mellow pop, reflecting the signature sound developed by Moman and Penn at Memphis' American Sound Studio. Their lesser-known Top 40 tracks such as "Neon Rainbow", "I Met Her in Church", and "Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March" continue to be regarded as minor classics. Music critic Lester Bangs observed that "'Soul Deep' conveys an emotional depth and authenticity that captivates listeners repeatedly."

Origins and initial period as The Devilles

Initially known as The Devilles, the group performed locally in Memphis. By January 1967, the members included founding drummer and backing vocalist Danny Smythe, guitarist/keyboardist/backing vocalist John Evans, lead singer and guitarist Alex Chilton, bassist/keyboardist/backing vocalist Bill Cunningham—who was the son of Sun Records artist Buddy Blake Cunningham and sibling to B.B. Cunningham Jr., lead singer of the 1960s Memphis band The Hombres—and lead guitarist/electric sitar player/bassist/backing vocalist Gary Talley. To avoid confusion with another contemporary band named The DeVilles from New York, they soon adopted the name The Box Tops.

Breakthrough with "The Letter" and global acclaim (1967–1969)

Guided by producer Dan Penn, The Box Tops recorded "The Letter", penned by Wayne Carson Thompson. Although under two minutes in length, it achieved worldwide success by September 1967, dominating the Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks, selling over four million copies, earning a gold record, and securing two Grammy Award nominations. From October 20 to 27, 1967, "The Letter" alongside The Hombres' "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)" occupied the top two positions on the WLS (AM) Silver Dollar Survey—a rare instance of siblings leading different top 40 acts simultaneously.

Following this success, the band released "Neon Rainbow", another Thompson composition produced by Penn. Their album The Letter/Neon Rainbow came out in November 1967. Between late 1967 and mid-1968, The Box Tops issued three albums within nine months. While some instrumental parts were performed by session musicians such as Reggie Young, Tommy Cogbill, Gene Chrisman, and Bobby Womack at American Sound Studio, the core band members contributed to key recordings including "The Letter" and all live performances.

In January 1968, John Evans and Danny Smythe left temporarily to continue their education and avoid military conscription; they were succeeded by bassist Rick Allen (formerly of the Gentrys) and drummer Thomas Boggs (from the Board of Directors).

Their 1968 single "Cry Like a Baby" sold over a million copies and reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart. Subsequent minor hits that year included "I Met Her in Church" and "Choo-Choo Train." Toward the end of 1968, production responsibilities transitioned from Dan Penn to Tommy Cogbill and Chips Moman, who oversaw the band's last hit of that year, "Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March," along with all releases through 1970.

Personnel transitions and disbandment (1969–1970)

During the summer of 1969, Thompson's lively track "Soul Deep" marked the Box Tops' last appearance in the US Top 40, reaching No. 18 on the Hot 100 chart in August. Its successor, "Turn on a Dream," attained No. 58 on the Hot 100 and climbed to No. 29 in Canada.

In August 1969, Cunningham departed to resume his education and was succeeded by Harold Cloud on bass (who passed away on July 10, 2018). Due to dissatisfaction with management and promoter treatment, the band canceled a December 1969 UK tour after a local promoter failed to fulfill their rider requirements, leaving them to perform with substandard equipment.

By February 1970, original members Talley and Chilton decided to dissolve the group. Nevertheless, Bell Records continued issuing previously recorded Box Tops singles into early 1970, including "You Keep Tightening up on Me," which peaked at No. 92 on the Hot 100.

Continuation of "The Box Tops" name (1972–74)

In the early 1970s, the Box Tops brand—owned by a management firm—retained commercial appeal. Starting in 1972, new studio ensembles without any founding members were formed in Memphis to produce recordings under the Box Tops name.

These sessions featured some original production staff but excluded any founding band members. Willie Mitchell’s Hi Records released two singles credited to the Box Tops: "Sugar Creek Woman" (1972) and "Hold On Girl" (1973). In 1974, Tommy Cogbill co-produced "Willobee and Dale" on the Stax label. None of these releases charted or received notable airplay and are typically omitted from official Box Tops retrospectives.

Chilton’s recordings (1976)

In 1976, Pickwick Records produced new versions of "The Letter" and "Cry Like a Baby," featuring lead singer Alex Chilton supported by session musicians. Although credited to The Box Tops, these recordings involved only Chilton from the original lineup and were issued in the UK on a compilation album titled The Heart Breakers and Tear Jerkers Collection.

Careers following the Box Tops

Following their departure from the group, each original member embarked on notable musical pursuits. Chilton collaborated with Big Star and Tav Falco's Panther Burns and briefly worked as a producer for acts such as The Cramps. Guitarist Talley became an accomplished session musician and songwriter based in Memphis, Atlanta, and Nashville, working alongside artists like Billy Preston, Hank Ballard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, and Sam Moore. He also recorded two albums with Fish Heads & Rice for Appaloosa Records. After obtaining a master’s degree in music, bassist Cunningham joined the White House orchestra, performing with distinguished musicians including Itzhak Perlman. During the 1980s, he earned an MBA and shifted careers. Evans occasionally played in Memphis bands while working as a luthier before transitioning into computer network administration. Smythe performed in Memphis soul and blues groups throughout the 1970s, pursued visual arts during the 1980s, and returned to music in the 1990s.

One-time reunion & subsequent activity (1989 & 1996–2010)

The Box Tops reunited for a single charity performance in Nashville in 1989 featuring Chilton, Evans, Talley, Harold Cloud (bass), and Gene Houston (drums), supported by backing vocalists Tracy Nelson, Jonell Mosser, Kim Morrison, along with a horn section.

In 1990, they appeared at Utah Lake State Park alongside the Drifters during an event sponsored by Food 4 Less and KZOL Oldies 96 FM.

Cunningham organized a full reunion of original members including Chilton in 1996. They released Tear Off!, a self-produced album recorded at Easley McCain Recording that included Talley originals alongside covers of songs by Bobby Womack and Eddie Floyd. The project featured horn arrangements by The Memphis Horns and a re-recording of "The Letter." B.B. Cunningham Jr. contributed guitar on "Trip to Bandstand," originally his novelty single from 1959. By 2000, John Evans was replaced by Nashville session player Barry Walsh; Evans subsequently joined the University of Memphis faculty.

In 2001, the band contributed a Blondie cover to the compilation album When Pigs Fly.

Sold-out performances in Germany during 2003 were broadcast on German radio. Despite individual members pursuing other careers outside music, The Box Tops maintained U.S. tours through 2005. Their final show in Memphis took place at The Memphis Italian Festival on May 29, 2009.

Lead singer Alex Chilton passed away from a heart attack on March 17, 2010.

On July 28, 2010, surviving members Bill Cunningham, Gary Talley, Ron Krasinski, along with guest Terry Manning performed a tribute concert honoring Chilton at The City Winery in New York City.

Revival of The Box Tops

Responding to persistent fan interest, Bill Cunningham and Gary Talley reassembled The Box Tops in mid-2015. On July 6, 2016, the band mourned the passing of former drummer Danny Smythe at age 67.

The 50th anniversary of "The Letter" reaching the top of the charts was commemorated on September 23, 2017. In celebration, Cunningham, Talley, and Rick Levy joined the Happy Together Tour, delivering performances to sold-out audiences throughout the United States. They shared the stage with notable acts including Flo and Eddie from The Turtles, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, The Association, The Cowsills, and Ron Dante representing The Archies.

In 2018, The Box Tops earned induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. That same year, Harold Cloud passed away in Memphis on July 10. John Evans died in December 2020 at the age of 72, while Swain Schaefer passed away on February 16, 2019, aged 70.

Band member timeline

Bold denotes founding members of the group

Current lineup
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar and vocals (1967–1970, 1996–2010, 2015–present)
  • Bill Cunningham – bass guitar and vocals (1967–1969, 1996–2010, 2015–present)
  • Rick Levy – rhythm guitar and vocals (2015–present)
  • Ron Krasinski – drums (2015–present)
  • Mike Stewart – keyboards (2020–present)
Past members
  • Alex Chilton – lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1967–1970, 1996–2010; deceased 2010)
  • Danny Smythe – drums (1967–1968, 1996–2010; deceased 2016)
  • John Evans – keyboards (1967–1968, 1996–1999; deceased 2020)
  • Thomas Boggs – drums (1968–1969; deceased 2008)
  • Rick Allen – keyboards (1968–1969)
  • Harold Cloud – bass guitar (1969–1970; deceased 2018)
  • Bobby Guidotti – drums (1969–1970)
  • Swain Schaefer – keyboards (1969–1970; deceased 2019)
  • Barry Walsh – keyboards (2000–2010, 2015–2020)
1967–1968
1968–1969
  • Alex Chilton – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar
  • Rick Allen – keyboards
  • Bill Cunningham – bass guitar
  • Thomas Boggs – drums
Sep. 1969–1970
  • Alex Chilton – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar
  • Swain Schaefer – keyboards
  • Harold Cloud – bass guitar
  • Bobby Guidotti – drums
1996–1999

Reunion with original members:

  • Alex Chilton – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar
  • John Evans – keyboards
  • Bill Cunningham – bass guitar
  • Danny Smythe – drums
2000–2010
  • Alex Chilton – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar
  • Bill Cunningham – bass guitar
  • Danny Smythe – drums
  • Barry Walsh – keyboards
2015–2020
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar and vocals
  • Bill Cunningham – bass guitar and vocals
  • Rick Levy – rhythm guitar and vocals
  • Ron Krasinski – drums
  • Barry Walsh – keyboards
2020–present
  • Gary Talley – lead guitar and vocals
  • Bill Cunningham – bass guitar and vocals
  • Rick Levy – rhythm guitar and vocals
  • Ron Krasinski – drums
  • Mike Stewart – keyboards

Discography

Additional sources

External links

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