The Gentrys
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 1963 |
| Headquarters | Memphis, Tennessee , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Gentrys were a 1960s to early 1970s American band, primarily recognized for their 1965 hit single "Keep On Dancing". In 1971, the Bay City Rollers covered the track, reaching No. 9 on the UK charts. Subsequent releases by The Gentrys charted below the Top 40, including "Every Day I Have to Cry" (1966), "Spread It on Thick" (1966), "Cinnamon Girl" (1970), "Why Should I Cry" (1970), "Wild World" (1971), and "Brown Paper Sack," which peaked at #101 in 1966.
Career
Originating from Treadwell High School in Memphis, Tennessee, the seven-piece ensemble featured Bruce Bowles (vocals), Bobby Fisher (saxophone and keyboards), Jimmy Hart (vocals), Jimmy Johnson (trumpet), Pat Neal (bass guitar), Larry Raspberry (guitar and lead vocals), drummer Larry Wall (later succeeded by Rob Straube), and Larry Butler on keyboards. Established in May 1963 as a rock 'n' roll outfit for local dance events, they rapidly gained popularity throughout the mid-South region, securing victory at the Memphis Battle of the Bands in 1964. Their initial recording "Sometimes," released under Youngstown Records in December 1964, achieved regional acclaim in early 1965.
Following a brief appearance just below the Billboard charts, The Gentrys earned widespread recognition with their million-selling track "Keep On Dancing," which climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. This achievement led to performances on television programs such as Hullabaloo, Shindig!, and Where the Action Is, as well as tours alongside The Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher. Despite this momentum, five later singles did not reach the Top 40. The group also appeared in the 1967 film It's a Bikini World before disbanding. Key contributors between 1963 and 1966 included Claude Wayne Whitehead (rhythm guitar), Ronnie Moore (bass), Sonny Pitman (bass), and producer/engineer Terry Manning who also played keyboards.
A distinctive feature of "Keep On Dancing" is its repetition of the initial segment following a false fade-out, effectively extending it to standard single duration. While Hart and Bowles served as vocalists, guitarist Larry Raspberry provided lead vocals on their most successful track.
In 1969, original member Hart revived The Gentrys as lead vocalist, initially recording under Bell Records. This iteration from 1969 to 1971 included Hart, Steve Spear (bass), David Beaver (keyboards), Jimmy Tarbutton (guitar), and Mike Gardner (drums). They produced an album in 1970 on Sam Phillips's Sun label and had two singles enter the Billboard Hot 100: "Why Should I Cry" (#61) and "Cinnamon Girl" (#52), both preceding Neil Young's renditions.
Between 1971 and 1972, The Gentrys lineup featured Hart on vocals, Wesley Stafford handling lead guitar and vocals, Alan Heidelberg on drums, and Bobby Liles playing bass. With assistance from Marty Lacker, they secured a deal with Capitol Records, releasing "Let Me Put This Ring Upon Your Finger," co-written by Hart and Stafford. Knox Phillips produced all recordings during this time frame. The band dissolved once more following this period.
Jimmy Hart later rose to prominence as a professional wrestling manager known as "The Mouth of the South," composing entrance themes for wrestlers and performing with The Wrestling Boot Band led by Hulk Hogan. His career is chronicled in The Mouth of the South, co-authored by Hart.
Larry Raspberry continued his musical journey with Alamo, releasing a self-titled album in 1971 before forming Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers, producing two albums during the mid-1970s; this band remained active as of August 2018. Periodic reunions involving Raspberry and other former Gentry members have occurred over time.
Currently, a gospel family quartet operates under The Gentrys name but has no affiliation with the original band.
Discography
Singles
- 1965: "Sometimes" (Youngstown)
- 1965: "Keep On Dancing" (Youngstown)
- 1965: "Spread It On Thick" (MGM)
- 1966: "Everyday I Have to Cry" (MGM)
- 1966: "A Woman of the World" (MGM)
- 1967: "You Make Me Feel So Good" (MGM)
- 1967: "I Can See" (MGM)
- 1968: "I Can't Go Back to Denver" (Bell)
- 1968: "Thinking Like a Child" (Bell)
- 1968: "Midnight Train" (Bell)
- 1969: "Why Should I Cry" (Sun)
- 1970: "Cinnamon Girl" (Sun)
- 1970: "He'll Never Love You" (Sun)
- 1970: "Goddess of Love" (Sun)
- 1971: "Wild World" (Sun)
- 1971: "God Save Our Country" (Sun)
- 1972: "Let Me Put This Ring Upon Your Finger" (Capitol)
- 1974: "Little Gold Band" (Stax)
- 1975: "High Flyer" (Stax)
Albums
- 1965: Keep on Dancing (MGM)
- 1966: Gentry Time (MGM)
- 1970: The Gentrys (Sun)