The Vibrations
| Company type | Vocal group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | mid-1950s |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Soul music recordings and performances |
The Vibrations represented a prominent American soul vocal ensemble originating from Los Angeles, with their career spanning from the mid-1950s until 1976. Among their most recognized tracks were "My Girl Sloopy" (1964) and "Love in Them There Hills" (1968). They also achieved popularity in the UK with the energetic "Surprise Party for Baby" (1971), which became a staple within the Northern soul community. The principal lineup included Don Bradley, Carl Fisher, Dave Govan, James Johnson, and Ricky Owens.
History
The group initially recorded under the name The Jay Hawks and made a chart impact in 1956 with "Stranded in the Jungle," reaching No. 18 on the US charts. Following several personnel adjustments, they attained another charting single with "The Watusi" in 1961, which peaked at No. 25 in the US. Concurrently, performing as The Marathons, they secured a No. 20 position with "Peanut Butter," a reinterpretation of the Olympics' "Hully Gully."
After signing with Atlantic Records in 1963, the group produced multiple tracks that became Northern soul favorites. Their composition "My Girl Sloopy," which was later renamed "Hang On Sloopy," gained widespread recognition when covered by the McCoys in 1965.
Released by Epic Records in 1968, their song "Cause You're Mine" is ranked number 48 in The Northern Soul Top 500. Another notable single, "Surprise Party for Baby," issued under the alias The Vibrating Vibrations on Neptune Records, also appears on this list and was a popular dance hit at Blackpool Mecca during 1971.
The Vibrations temporarily disbanded in 1971; during this period, Owens briefly joined the Temptations but was soon released. The group later regrouped and continued performing as a nightclub attraction through the mid-1970s before ultimately disbanding in 1976. Ricky Owens died in 1995.
Albums
- Watusi! (Checker Records, 1961)
- Peanut Butter (Arvee Records, 1961) (as the Marathons)
- Misty (Okeh Records, 1964)
- Shout! (Okeh Records, 1965)
- New Vibrations (Okeh Records, 1966)
- Taking a New Step (Mandala Records, 1972)
Singles
| Year | Song | US Pop | US R&B | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | "Stranded in the Jungle" | 18 | 9 | ― |
| 1960 | "So Blue" | 110 | ― | ― |
| 1961 | "The Watusi" | 25 | 13 | 17 |
| 1961 | "Peanut Butter" | 20 | 25 | ― |
| 1961 | "The Junkernoo" | 112 | — | ― |
| 1964 | "My Girl Sloopy" | 26 | 10 | ― |
| 1964 | "Sloop Dance" | 109 | — | ― |
| 1965 | "Keep On Keeping On" | 118 | ― | ― |
| 1965 | "End Up Crying" | 130 | ― | ― |
| 1965 | "Misty" | 63 | 26 | 27 |
| 1966 | "And I Love Her" | 118 | 47 | ― |
| 1967 | "Pick Me" | ― | 39 | ― |
| 1968 | "Love in Them There Hills" | 93 | 38 | ― |
| 1968 | "Cause You're Mine" | — | ― | ― |