The Harptones
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1953 in Manhattan, New York, United States |
| Headquarters | Manhattan , United States |
| Products | Music recordings |
The Harptones emerged as a doo-wop ensemble originating from Manhattan, New York, in 1953.
Despite never securing a top forty spot on the pop charts or appearing on the US Billboard R&B listings, the group is distinguished by lead vocalist Willie Winfield and pianist/arranger Raoul Cita. Their recordings were released through Coed Records among other labels. They are possibly recognized as the first doo-wop group to employ a dedicated arranger, with Cita crafting musical arrangements that highlighted Winfield's vocal abilities. Among their most celebrated tracks are "A Sunday Kind of Love" (1953), "Why Should I Love You?" (1954), "Life is But a Dream" (1955), "The Shrine of St. Cecilia" (1956), and "What Will I Tell My Heart" (1961).
In 1956, The Harptones contributed several songs to the movie Rockin' the Blues, including "Mambo Boogie," "Ou Wee Baby," and "High Flying Baby."
Their song "Life is But a Dream" was featured in the 1990 motion picture GoodFellas and included on its official soundtrack.
1951–1954
- Willie Winfield (lead vocalist)
- Billy Brown (bass)
- Claudie "Nicky" Clark (first tenor)
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- William "Dicey" Galloway (baritone)
- Raoul Cita (pianist; baritone)
Early 1955
- Willie Winfield (lead)
- Billy Brown (bass)
- Claudie "Nicky" Clark (first tenor)
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- Freddy Taylor (baritone)
- Raoul Cita (piano; baritone)
In November 1954, Dicey Galloway was drafted into military service.
Late 1955
- Willie Winfield (tenor)
- Billy Brown (bass)
- Claudie "Nicky" Clark
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- Bernard "Jimmy" Beckum (baritone)
- Raoul Cita (piano; baritone)
Early 1956
- Willie Winfield (tenor)
- Bobby Spencer
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- Bernard "Jimmy" Beckum (baritone)
- Raoul Cita (piano; baritone)
1956 film Rockin' The Blues
- Willie Winfield (tenor)
- Freddy Taylor
- Billy Brown
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- Raoul Cita (piano; baritone)
Early 1957
- Willie Winfield (tenor)
- Billy Brown
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- William "Dicey" Galloway
- Toni Williams
- Raoul Cita (piano; baritone)
Billy Brown passed away from a drug overdose in the spring of 1957.
Late 1958
- Willie Winfield (tenor)
- William Dempsey (second tenor)
- William "Dicey" Galloway
- Toni Williams
- Curtis Cherebin
In October, Dicey Galloway departed and was briefly succeeded by Milton Love of The Solitaires before the group disbanded temporarily. Galloway died on July 18, 2017, in Quincy, Massachusetts, aged 84, after suffering from various illnesses.
1959–1963
- Willie Winfield
- Nicky Clark
- William Dempsey
- Curtis Cherebin
- Raoul Cita
After several months, Nicky Clark left and was replaced by Wilbur "Yonkie" Paul, followed by Hank "Pompi" Jernigan.
Early 1964
- Willie Winfield
- Nicky Clark
- William Dempsey
- Jimmy Beckum
- Raoul Cita
Late 1964
- Nicky Clark
- William Dempsey
- Curtis Cherebin
- Hank "Pompi" Jernigan
- Raoul Cita
Nicky Clark died in July 1978 at the age of 43.
1970–1972
- Willie Winfield
- Curtis Cherebin
- Jimmy Beckum
- William Dempsey
- Raoul Cita
1972–mid-1990s
- Willie Winfield
- Marlowe Murray
- Linda Champion
- Raoul Cita
Mid 1990s–1999
- Willie Winfield
- Marlowe Murray
- Linda Champion
- William Dempsey
- Raoul Cita
This ensemble was featured on Doo Wop 50. Linda Champion departed the group around 2000 due to health complications.
2000–2008
- Willie Winfield
- Marlowe Murray
- Vicki Burgess
- William Dempsey
- Raoul Cita
2008–2014
- Willie Winfield
- Don Cruz
- Vicki Burgess
- William Dempsey
- Raoul Cita
- Tommie Shider
Legacy
Billy Brown passed away from a drug overdose in 1957.
Marlowe Murray succumbed to cancer on December 11, 2008, at the age of 73.
Raoul J. Cita died from liver and stomach cancer on December 13, 2014, aged 86.
Willie Winfield experienced a fatal heart attack on July 27, 2021, at 91 years old. William Dempsey is currently the sole surviving original member of The Harptones.
Awards and recognition
The Harptones hold the record for the most appearances by any group in the United in Group Harmony Association's official top 500 vocal group recordings list (1996–2000). They were honored with induction into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.