Bob & Earl: Difference between revisions

Bob & Earl
Bob & Earl
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	R&B; soul;
Years active	1957–1973
Labels	Class Records; Marc; Loma Records; Uni Records
Past members	Earl Nelson; Bobby Byrd (aka Bobby Day); Bobby Relf (aka Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino)

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Bob & Earl were an American music singing duo in the 1960s, best known for writing and recording the original version of "Harlem Shuffle".^[1]^[2]

Career[edit]

The original duo were Bobby Byrd and Earl Nelson. They had both been members of The Hollywood Flames, a prolific doo-wop group in Los Angeles, California whose major hit was "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz" in 1958, on which Nelson sang lead.^[1] By 1957, Byrd had started a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as Bobby Day.^[1] He wrote and recorded the original version of "Little Bitty Pretty One", and had a hit of his own with "Rockin' Robin" (1958).^[1] In 1957, Day/Byrd and Nelson began recording together as Bob & Earl, on the Class record label. However, these releases had relatively little success, and Day/Byrd restarted his solo career.

In 1962, Nelson recruited a second "Bob", Bobby Relf, who also used the stage names of Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino. Relf had already led several Los Angeles based acts in his career, including the Laurels, the Upfronts, and Valentino and the Lovers. The latter two groups also featured the then pianist and bass singer Barry White.

This duo of Relf and Nelson recorded several singles for different labels, before "Harlem Shuffle" in 1963.^[1] The song was written by Relf and Nelson, arranged by Gene Page,^[3]^[4] and produced by Fred Smith. It was based on a number called "Slauson Shuffletime" (named after a boulevard in Los Angeles) by another Los Angeles singer, Round Robin.^[5] When released on the Marc label, "Harlem Shuffle" became a modest hit on the US Billboard chart. However, its main success came as late as 1969, when it was re-released in the UK and became a Top Ten hit there.^[1] Reportedly,^[6] George Harrison called it his favorite record of all time.

In 1964, the duo signed to Loma Records.^[7] They recorded for the label but no singles were released. By 1965, Nelson had achieved further success as a solo artist under the alias of Jackie Lee with "The Duck", a hit dance record which reached No. 14 in the U.S.^[1] When "Harlem Shuffle" became successful on reissue, Nelson and Relf reunited as Bob & Earl to tour.^[1] The duo split up for the last time in the early 1970s. Relf composed the song "Bring Back My Yesterday", recorded by Barry White on his first 20th Century Records album, 1973's I've Got So Much to Give.^[8]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Harlem Shuffle (1964)
Bob & Earl (1969)

Singles[edit]

Year	Title	Peak chart positions
Year	Title	US Pop ^[9]	UK ^[10]
1957	"That's My Desire"	―	―
1958	"Sweet Pea"	―	―
1958	"When She Walks"	―	―
1962	"Oh Baby Doll"	―	―
1962	"Don't Ever Leave Me"	85	―
1963	"Harlem Shuffle" (original release)	44	―
1964	"Puppet on a String"	111	―
	"Your Time Is My Time"	―	―
	"The Sissy"	―	―
1966	"Baby It's Over"	―	―
1969	"Everybody Jerk"	―	―
1969	"Harlem Shuffle" (reissue)	―	7
1970	"Pickin' Up Love's Vibrations"	―	―
1970	"Honey, Sugar, My Sweet Thing"	―	―
1973	"I Can't Get Away"	―	―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 158. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
^ Eder, Bruce. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
^ White, Barry (June 1, 1995). "Telephone interview with Larry Katz". The Katz Tapes. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ Nelson, Valerie J. (July 25, 2008). "'Harlem Shuffle' co-writer was part of the soul duo Bob & Earl". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
^ "The Times & The Sunday Times". The Times. December 14, 2007. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
^ "Earl Nelson". Rockabillyeurope.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
^ "Signings". Billboard. November 7, 1964. p. 10.
^ "I've Got So Much to Give – Barry White | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
^ "Bob & Earl Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
^ "BOB & EARL - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

External links[edit]

Bob & Earl discography at Discogs
Obituary of Earl Nelson in The Independent, 30 July 2008

[Larkin-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 158. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.

[AllMusic-2] Eder, Bruce. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

[katz-3] White, Barry (June 1, 1995). "Telephone interview with Larry Katz". The Katz Tapes. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

[val-4] Nelson, Valerie J. (July 25, 2008). "'Harlem Shuffle' co-writer was part of the soul duo Bob & Earl". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2016.

[5] "The Times & The Sunday Times". The Times. December 14, 2007. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2017.

[6] "Earl Nelson". Rockabillyeurope.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2017.

[7] "Signings". Billboard. November 7, 1964. p. 10.

[8] "I've Got So Much to Give – Barry White | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2019.

[9] "Bob & Earl Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

[10] "BOB & EARL - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|American soul musical group}}
-{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
+{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
-| name                = Bob & Earl
+{{Infobox musical artist
-| image                 =
-| caption            =
+| name            = Bob & Earl
-| image_size            =
+| image           =
-| background          = group_or_band
+| caption         =
-| alias               =
+| image_size      =
+| alias           =
-| origin              = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
-| genre               = [[soul music]]
+| origin          = Los Angeles, California, United States
-| years_active        = 1960-1970s
+| genre           = {{Flatlist|
+*[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]
-| label               = Class<br>Marc<br>[[Warner Bros. Records]]<br>[[Uni Records]]
+*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
-| associated_acts     = [[The Hollywood Flames]]<br>[[Bobby Day]]<br>[[Barry White]]
-| website                 =
+| years_active    = 1957–1973
+| label           = [[Class Records]]<br>Marc<br>[[Loma Records]]<br>[[Uni Records]]
-| current_members     =
+| associated_acts = [[The Hollywood Flames]]<br>[[Bobby Day]]<br>[[Barry White]]
-| past_members        = Earl Nelson<br>Bobby Byrd (aka [[Bobby Day]])<br>Bobby Relf (aka Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino)
+| website         =
-}}'''Bob & Earl''' were an [[United States|American]] [[soul music]] singing [[duet (music)|duo]] in the 1960s, best known for [[songwriter|writing]] and [[sound recording and reproduction|recording]] the original version of "[[Harlem Shuffle]]".
+| current_members =
+| past_members    = [[Earl Nelson (singer)|Earl Nelson]]<br>Bobby Byrd (aka [[Bobby Day]])<br>[[Bob Relf|Bobby Relf]] (aka Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino)
+}}
+'''Bob & Earl''' were an American music singing [[duet (music)|duo]] in the 1960s, best known for writing and [[sound recording and reproduction|recording]] the original version of "[[Harlem Shuffle]]".<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=158}}</ref><ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last1=Eder|first1=Bruce|title=Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-earl-mn0000046450/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref>
 ==Career==
-The original duo were [[Bobby Day|Bobby Byrd]] and Earl Nelson (born Earl Lee Nelson, 8 September 1928, [[Lake Charles, Louisiana|Lake Charles]], [[Louisiana]] – 12 July 2008, [[Los Angeles]])  They had both been members of [[The Hollywood Flames]], a prolific [[doo-wop]] group in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]] whose major [[chart-topper|hit]] was "[[Buzz-Buzz-Buzz]]" in 1958, on which Nelson sang lead.
+The original duo were [[Bobby Day|Bobby Byrd]] and [[Earl Nelson (singer)|Earl Nelson]]. They had both been members of [[The Hollywood Flames]], a prolific [[doo-wop]] group in Los Angeles, California whose major [[chart-topper|hit]] was "[[Buzz-Buzz-Buzz]]" in 1958, on which Nelson sang lead.<ref name="Larkin"/> By 1957, Byrd had started a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as [[Bobby Day]].<ref name="Larkin"/> He wrote and recorded the original version of "[[Little Bitty Pretty One]]", and had a hit of his own with "[[Rockin' Robin (song)|Rockin' Robin]]" (1958).<ref name="Larkin"/> In 1957, Day/Byrd and Nelson began recording together as Bob & Earl, on the Class record label. However, these releases had relatively little success, and Day/Byrd restarted his solo career.
+In 1962, Nelson recruited a second "Bob", [[Bob Relf|Bobby Relf]], who also used the stage names of Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino. Relf had already led several Los Angeles based acts in his career, including the Laurels, the Upfronts, and Valentino and the Lovers. The latter two groups also featured the then pianist and [[bass (vocal range)|bass]] singer [[Barry White]].
-By 1957, Byrd had started a parallel [[solo (music)|solo]] career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as [[Bobby Day]].  He wrote and recorded the original version of "[[Little Bitty Pretty One]]", and had a hit of his own with "[[Rockin' Robin (song)|Rockin' Robin]]" (1958).  In 1960, Day/Byrd and Nelson began recording together as Bob & Earl, on the Class [[record label]].  However, these releases had relatively little success, and Day/Byrd restarted his solo career.
+This duo of Relf and Nelson recorded several [[single (music)|singles]] for different labels, before "Harlem Shuffle" in 1963.<ref name="Larkin"/> The song was written by Relf and Nelson, [[arrangement|arranged]] by [[Gene Page]],<ref name=katz>{{cite web|author=White, Barry|url=http://thekatztapes.com/barry-white/|title=Telephone interview with Larry Katz|date=June 1, 1995|website=The Katz Tapes|accessdate=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704083214/http://thekatztapes.com/barry-white/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=val>{{cite news|author=Nelson, Valerie J.|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/25/local/me-nelson25|title='Harlem Shuffle' co-writer was part of the soul duo Bob & Earl|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 25, 2008|accessdate=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924062526/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/25/local/me-nelson25|archive-date=September 24, 2008}}</ref> and produced by [[Fred Sledge Smith|Fred Smith]]. It was based on a number called "Slauson Shuffletime" (named after a boulevard in Los Angeles) by another Los Angeles singer, Round Robin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3047219.ece|title=The Times & The Sunday Times|website=The Times|date=December 14, 2007|access-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724213006/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3047219.ece|archive-date=July 24, 2008}}</ref> When released on the Marc label, "Harlem Shuffle" became a modest hit on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[record chart|chart]]. However, its main success came as late as 1969, when it was re-released in the UK and became a [[Top 40|Top Ten]] hit there.<ref name="Larkin"/> Reportedly,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockabillyeurope.com/references/messages/earl_nelson.htm|title=Earl Nelson|website=Rockabillyeurope.com|access-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908121707/http://www.rockabillyeurope.com/references/messages/earl_nelson.htm|archive-date=September 8, 2006}}</ref> [[George Harrison]] called it his favorite record of all time.
-In 1962, Nelson then recruited a second "Bob", [[Bob Relf|Bobby Relf]]  (January 10, 1937 – November 20, 2007), who also used the stage names of Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino.  Relf had already led several Los Angeles based acts in his career, including the Laurels, the Upfronts, and Valentino and the Lovers.  The latter two groups also featured the then [[pianist]] and [[bass (vocal range)|bass]] [[singer]], [[Barry White]].
+In 1964, the duo signed to Loma Records.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 7, 1964|title=Signings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SSAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=loma+march+1964+billboard&pg=PA10|magazine=Billboard|pages=10}}</ref> They recorded for the label but no singles were released. By 1965, Nelson had achieved further success as a solo artist under the alias of Jackie Lee with "[[The Duck (song)|The Duck]]", a hit dance [[gramophone record|record]] which reached No. 14 in the U.S.<ref name="Larkin"/> When "Harlem Shuffle" became successful on reissue, Nelson and Relf reunited as Bob & Earl to tour.<ref name="Larkin"/> The duo split up for the last time in the early 1970s. Relf composed the song "Bring Back My Yesterday", recorded by Barry White on his first [[20th Century Records]] album, 1973's ''[[I've Got So Much to Give (album)|I've Got So Much to Give]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ive-got-so-much-to-give-mw0000115402|title=I've Got So Much to Give – Barry White &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref>
-This duo of Relf and Nelson recorded several [[single (music)|singles]] for different [[record label|labels]], before "Harlem Shuffle" in 1963.  The song was written by Relf and Nelson, [[arrangement|arranged]] by Barry White,<ref>[http://oldies.about.com/od/70spopandsoul/p/barrywhite.htm Barry White Profile – History of Barry White – Songs and music by Barry White<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/barrywhite/biography Barry White: Biography : Rolling Stone<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[record producer|produced]] by [[Fred Sledge Smith|Fred Smith]]. It was based on a number called "Slauson Shuffletime" (named after a boulevard in Los Angeles) by another Los Angeles singer, Round Robin.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3047219.ece Bobby Relf obituary – Times Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> When released on the Marc label, "Harlem Shuffle" became a modest hit on the [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]]. Its [[human voice|vocal]] interplay directly influenced later duos such as [[Sam and Dave]].  However, its main success came as late as 1969, when it was re-released in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and became a [[Top 40|Top Ten]] hit there.  Reportedly,<ref>[http://www.rockabillyeurope.com/references/messages/earl_nelson.htm Earl Nelson<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[George Harrison]] called it his favourite record of all time.  (The original version can be found on Oldies but Goodies which is at: https://archive.org/details/OldiesButGoodies-Cd.05_853).
+==Discography==
-By that time, Nelson had achieved further success as a solo artist under the alias of Jackie Lee, with "The Duck", a hit [[dance music|dance]] [[gramophone record|record]] released in 1965, which reached #14 in the U.S. (Jackie was Nelson's wife's name and Lee his own middle name).  When "Harlem Shuffle" became successful on reissue, Nelson and Relf reunited as Bob & Earl to tour. The duo split up for the last time in the early 1970s.  Relf composed the song "Bring Back My Yesterday", recorded by Barry White on his first [[20th Century Records]] album, ''[[I've Got So Much to Give (album)|I've Got So Much To Give]]'', as well as another White song, "Your Sweetness is my Weakness".
+===Studio albums===
+* ''Harlem Shuffle'' (1964)
+* ''Bob & Earl'' (1969)
+===Singles===
+{| class="wikitable"
+|-
+! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
+! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
+! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions
+|-
+! style="width:40px;"| <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Pop]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|title=Bob & Earl Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|url=https://www.musicvf.com/Bob+%2526+Earl.art|website=Music VF|access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref>
+! style="width:40px;"| <small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|title=BOB & EARL - full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13578/bob-and-earl/|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref>
+|-
+| rowspan="1"| 1957
+| "That's My Desire"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="2"| 1958
+| "Sweet Pea"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| "When She Walks"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="2"| 1962
+| "Oh Baby Doll"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| "Don't Ever Leave Me"
+| align=center | 85
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="1"| 1963
+| "[[Harlem Shuffle]]" <small>(original release)</small>
+| align=center | 44
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="3"| 1964
+| "Puppet on a String"
+| align=center | 111
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| "Your Time Is My Time"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| "The Sissy"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="1"| 1966
+| "Baby It's Over"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="2"| 1969
+| "Everybody Jerk"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| "Harlem Shuffle" <small>(reissue)</small>
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | 7
+|-
+| rowspan="2"| 1970
+| "Pickin' Up Love's Vibrations"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| "Honey, Sugar, My Sweet Thing"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| rowspan="1"| 1973
+| "I Can't Get Away"
+| align=center | ―
+| align=center | ―
+|-
+| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
+|}
 ==References==
@@ Line 31: / Line 121: @@
 ==External links==
+* {{Discogs artist}}
-*[http://www.secondhandlps.de/interpreten/index/0/showip/3245/Bob--amp;-Earl.html  Further information]
+* [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/earl-nelson-half-of-bob--earl-880270.html  Obituary of Earl Nelson in ''The Independent'', 30 July 2008]
-*[http://www.rockabillyeurope.com/references/messages/earl_nelson.htm  Further information]
-*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3047219.ece Obituary of Bobby Relf in ''The Times'', 14 December 2007]
-*[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/earl-nelson-half-of-bob--earl-880270.html  Obituary of Earl Nelson in ''The Independent'', 30 July 2008]
 {{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Earl, Bob and}}
-[[Category:African-American musicians|Bob and Earl]]
+[[Category:African-American musical duos|Bob and Earl]]
-[[Category:1928 births|Nelson, Earl]]
+[[Category:Musical duos from California|Bob and Earl]]
-[[Category:American musical duos|Bob and Earl]]
 [[Category:Class Records artists]]
 [[Category:Sue Records artists]]
-[[Category:American soul musical groups|Bob and Earl]]
 [[Category:Northern soul musicians|Bob and Earl]]
-[[Category:Warner Bros. Records artists]]
+[[Category:Loma Records artists]]
 [[Category:Uni Records artists]]
 [[Category:Jay Boy artists]]
-[[Category:Musical groups established in 1960]]
+[[Category:Musical groups established in 1957]]
+[[Category:Rhythm and blues duos]]
+[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
+[[Category:American rhythm and blues musical groups]]
+[[Category:American soul musical groups]]
+[[Category:1957 establishments in California]]

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