The Persuasions
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1962 in Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Studio albums (23) |
The Persuasions emerged as an American a cappella ensemble originating from Brooklyn, New York in 1962, distinguished by their fusion of gospel, soul, early rock, and jazz delivered through five-part harmonies. After being discovered by Frank Zappa, they went on to produce 23 studio albums.
Career
The Persuasions first gained visibility through appearances on public affairs programs such as Inside Bedford-Stuyvesant (WNEW-TV) and Like It Is (WABC-TV) in 1968. Their debut LP, Acappella, was produced by Frank Zappa following his discovery of the group via a phone call from a New Jersey record store. Initially, they recorded material under the management of Stan Krause for his Catamount Records label.
Impressed by their authentic street-corner soul sound, Zappa brought the group to Los Angeles to record their first album. In 1971, they performed as the opening act for The Mothers of Invention at Carnegie Hall. Many years later, devoted Zappa admirer Rip Rense contributed to the production of their tribute record Frankly A Cappella. In 1990, The Persuasions featured on the PBS special Spike Lee & Company – "Do It A Cappella". Their discography also includes tribute albums dedicated to the Grateful Dead (Might as Well) and the Beatles (The Persuasions sing the Beatles).
Herbert "Toubo" Rhoad, an original member, passed away during a tour in 1988 and was succeeded by Raymond Sanders. Other members who have died include bass vocalist Sweet Joe Russell in 2012, James Caldon Hayes in 2017, and Jerry Lawson in 2019. Currently, Jayotis Washington continues to perform actively in Brooklyn. The Persuasions have significantly influenced groups such as Take 6, Rockapella, the Nylons, and Boyz II Men, cementing their legacy within a cappella music history.
Founding members
- Jerry Lawson – tenor, baritone, lead vocalist, arranger, and producer (January 23, 1944, Fort Lauderdale, Florida – July 10, 2019, Phoenix, Arizona)
- Jimmy ‘Bro’ ‘Mr. Bass Man’ Hayes – bass (November 12, 1943, Hopewell, Virginia – May 18, 2017, New York, New York) former elevator operator
- Joseph Jesse ‘Sweet Joe’ Russell – second tenor (September 25, 1939, Henderson, North Carolina – May 5, 2012, Brooklyn, New York) former butcher
- 'Little' Jayotis Washington – first tenor, baritone (born May 12, 1941, Detroit, Michigan) former plumber
- Herbert 'Toubo' Rhoad – baritone (October 1, 1944, Bamberg, South Carolina – December 8, 1988, Sacramento, California) former shoe salesman
Other members
- Willie C. Daniels – second tenor (I Just Want To Sing With My Friends; More Than Before)
- Clifford Dawson – second tenor and first tenor (Knockin' On Bob's Door; Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions)
- Lawrence Anthony 'L.A.' Grant – bass (touring member)
- Richard Hidlebird – second tenor and baritone (touring member)
- Bernard 'B.J.' Jones – baritone (You're All I Want For Christmas; On the Good Ship Lollipop; The Persuasions Live at McCabe's; Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa; Sunday Morning Soul; The Persuasions Sing U2; Knockin' On Bob's Door)
- Elmore Martin (touring member)
- Jimmy Merchant – bass (touring member)
- Reggie Moore – baritone (touring member)
- Dave Revels – lead vocalist, second tenor, arranger and producer (The Persuasions Sing The Beatles; Knockin' On Bob's Door; Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions)
- Bev Rohlehr – soprano (No Frills)
- Raymond X. Sanders – first tenor (The Persuasions Live at McCabe's; Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa; Might As Well...The Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead; Persuasions of the Dead: Grateful Dead Sessions; A Cappella Dreams; The Persuasions Sing the Beatles; The Persuasions Sing U2; Knockin' On Bob's Door; Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions)
- Ron Simmons – bass (touring member)
- Gil Torres (touring member)
- Samuel White – baritone and second tenor (Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions)
Influences
In the liner notes accompanying their 2003 release, A Cappella Dreams, the ensemble disclosed the artists who shaped their sound:
- Sweet Joe Russell mentions the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Soul Stirrers, along with other iconic gospel figures.
- Jimmy Hayes points to Jimmy Ricks and Melvin Franklin as inspirations.
- Jayotis Washington identifies Louis Jordan as a major influence.
- Ray Sanders acknowledges the impact of the Temptations.
- Jerry Lawson lists Roy Hamilton, Sam Cooke, Al Hibbler, Brook Benton, and Elvis Presley as pivotal mentors, emphasizing Elvis's profound effect on his style.
In popular culture
The Persuasions’ rendition of Papa Oom Mow Mow was featured by Steven Spielberg in the film E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Additionally, they were depicted as musical notes in the animated feature Blue's Big Musical Movie.
Albums
- Stardust (1969 Catamount; reissued on CD by Relic)
- Acappella (1970 Reprise/Straight)
- We Came To Play (1971 Capitol; CD reissue by Collectables)
- Street Corner Symphony (1971 Capitol; CD reissue by Collectables)
- Spread the Word (1972 Capitol; CD reissue by Collectables)
- We Still Ain't Got No Band (1973 MCA)
- I Just Want To Sing With My Friends (1974 A&M; no CD release)
- More Than Before (1974 A&M; not available on CD)
- Chirpin' (1977 Elektra; CD reissued by Collectables)
- Comin' At Ya (1979 Rounder/Flying Fish)
- Good News (1982 Rounder)
- No Frills (1985 Rounder)
- Do It A Cappella (1990 Elektra)
- Live in the Whispering Gallery (1993 Hammer n' Nails)
- Toúbo's Song (1993 Hammer n' Nails)
- Ships at Sea, Sailors and Shoes (collaboration with Ned Sublette & Lawrence Weiner) (1993 Qbadisc/Excellent)
- Right Around the Corner (1994 Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- Sincerely (1996 Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- You're All I Want For Christmas (1997 Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- Man, Oh Man: The Power of the Persuasions (1997 EMI) – compilation of 1970-72 Capitol recordings
- On the Good Ship Lollipop (1999 Rhino/Kid Rhino/Music for Little People)
- Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa (2000 Rhino/EarthBeat)
- Might As Well...The Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead (2000 Arista/Grateful Dead)
- Sunday Morning Soul (2000 Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- Blue's Big Musical Movie (2000 Rhino/Kid Rhino)
- The Persuasions Sing the Beatles (2002 Chesky)
- A Cappella Dreams (2003 Chesky)
- The Persuasions Sing U2 (2005 Chesky)
- Collectables Classics (2006 Collectables) – box set featuring 1971, 1972 & 1977 albums
- Essential Recordings: A Cappella Soul (2008 Rounder) – compilation from 1979-86
- The Persuasions Live at McCabe's (2009 Rensart)
- Knockin' On Bob's Door (2010 Zoho)
- Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies and The Persuasions (collaborative album with Barenaked Ladies) (2017 Vanguard)
Non-album singles
- "Party in the Woods" / "It's Better to Have Loved and Lost" (1968 Minit)
- "One Thing on My Mind" / "Darlin'" (1975 A&M)
Guest Collaborations
- 1972 Les McCann - Talk to the People - track: "What's Going On"
- 1973 Ellen McIlwaine - We the People - track: "Farther Along"
- 1973 Garland Jeffreys - Garland Jeffreys
- 1974 Phoebe Snow - Phoebe Snow - track: "Let the Good Times Roll"
- 1974 Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale - track: "Please Don't Go"
- 1974 David Essex - David Essex
- 1976 David Soul - David Soul - track: "Bird on a Wire"
- 1978 Melanie - Ballroom Streets - track: "I Believe"
- 1978 John Hall - John Hall - track: "Messin' Round the Wrong Woman"
- 1979 Jimmy Dockett - Different Moods
- 1980 Joni Mitchell - Shadows and Light - tracks: "Why Do Fools Fall In Love," "Shadows and Light"
- 1981 The Neville Brothers - Fiyo on the Bayou - track: "The Ten Commandments of Love"
- 1987 Rory Block - Best Blues and Originals - track: "God's Gift to Women"
- 1989 Roger Christian - Checkmate - track: "Mwanzia"
- 1990 Various Artists - Spike Lee & Company: Do It a Cappella - featured on multiple songs
- 1991 Various Artists - Zappa's Universe
- 1992 Rockapella - Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? - track: "My Home"
- 1994 Various Artists - September Songs – The Music of Kurt Weill - track: "Oh, Heavenly Salvation"
- 2000 Paul Pena - New Train - track: "Gonna Move"
- 2001 Leon Redbone - Any Time - track: "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree"
Unreleased recordings by The Persuasions have also been included in:
- Various Artists: Bread & Roses: Festival of Acoustic Music (1979; Fantasy Records)
- Various Artists: Spike & Co. Do It A Cappella (soundtrack) (1990; Elektra Records)
- Ned Sublette & Lawrence Weiner: Monsters from the Deep (1997; Qbadisc/Excellent)