The Valadiers
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Headquarters | Detroit, Michigan , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
The Valadiers represent an American vocal ensemble originating from Detroit, Michigan, distinguished as the pioneering white vocal group to be signed by Motown during the early 1960s.
The group was established in 1959, featuring Stuart Avig (lead vocals), Marty Coleman (lead, bass, baritone), Art Glasser (second tenor), and Jerry Light (bass, baritone). After successfully auditioning, they secured a contract with Motown. Their track "Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)", co-authored with Motown writers Robert Bateman, Brian Holland, and Ronnie Dunbar, was issued on the Miracle label—a Motown subsidiary for which it was the sole hit. This single attained position #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961. Throughout their career, The Valadiers toured alongside notable R&B performers such as Marv Johnson, the Isley Brothers, and Wilbert Harrison, releasing sporadic singles until their disbandment in 1964.
Following the group's dissolution, Avig enlisted in the US Army, pursued a solo career under the name Stuart Ames, and intermittently performed using The Valadiers moniker. Coleman transitioned into a Motown songwriting role under the name Martin Cohen, contributing compositions to artists including The Spinners and Gladys Knight & the Pips, and achieving success with The Precisions' "If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)". Avig also established a career within the precious metals sector. During the 1980s, producer Ian Levine recorded Avig alongside other vocalists as The Valadiers for his Motorcity label.
In 2003, Avig revived the group with members Andy Alonzo, Donald Revels, and Nick Marinelli—who was originally part of The Shades of Blue. This configuration performed under both The Valadiers and The Shades of Blue names. The current lineup—comprising Avig, Revels, Charlie Valverde, and Charles Davis—continues to perform using both group titles.