The Innocents (US band)
| Company type | Vocal group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Sun Valley, California , United States |
| Products | Music recordings |
The Innocents were a California-based American pop ensemble originating from Sun Valley, primarily active between 1958 and 1964, with a reunion occurring during the 1990s.
Career
This vocal trio, childhood neighbors united by their enthusiasm for harmonizing, caught the attention of Herb Alpert and initially signed with Andex Records under the name The Echoes. After departing from Andex, they adopted the moniker The Innocents—taken from their automobile club—and secured a contract with Indigo Records. Their debut single on Indigo, "Honest I Do," produced by Gary Paxton, climbed to No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1960. The follow-up track, "Gee Whiz," matched this chart position in January 1961. Their 1961 release, the album Innocently Yours, is distinguished by its cover art, which was featured in the publication 1000 Album Covers (Taschen).
Indigo Records also signed Kathy Young, with The Innocents providing backing vocals on her recordings. To enhance her visibility, the label promoted these releases as "Kathy Young with The Innocents"; notably, "A Thousand Stars" peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1960.
According to a June 1961 report in NME, The Innocents participated in Alan Freed's touring show alongside artists such as Brenda Lee and Jerry Lee Lewis. Although they released seven more singles on various labels including Trans World, Reprise, Decca, and Warner, none of these tracks reached the charts. Nevertheless, they continued to support Kathy Young on her successful singles.
The group dissolved in 1964. James West embarked on a solo path and later owned a high-end Arts and Crafts boutique in Hollywood; Al Candelaria transitioned to work as a session musician. The Innocents reunited for performances during the 1990s.
Members
- James West – Lead vocals, first tenor
- Darron Stankey – Second tenor
- Al Candelaria – Baritone
Albums
| Year | Album | U.S. label |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Innocently Yours | Indigo Records |
Singles
| Year | Single | U.S. label | Billboard Hot 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | "Tick Tock / The Rat (Instrumental)" | Trans World 7001 | – |
| 1960 | "Honest I Do / My Baby Hully Gullys" | Indigo 105 | 28 |
| 1960 | "Gee Whiz / Please Mr. Sun" | Indigo 111 | 28 |
| 1961 | "Kathy / In the Beginning" | Indigo 116 | – |
| 1961 | "Beware / Because I Love You So" | Indigo 124 | – |
| 1961 | "Donna / You Got Me Goin'" | Indigo 128 | – |
| 1961 | "Pains in My Heart / When I Become a Man" | Indigo 132 | – |
| 1962 | "Time / Dee Dee Di Oh" | Indigo 141 | – |
| 1962 | "Oh How I Miss My Baby / Be Mine" | Reprise 20112 | – |
| 1963 | "Oh How I Miss My Baby / You're Never Satisfied" | Reprise 201125 | – |
| 1963 | "Come On Lover / Don't Cry" | Decca 31519 | – |