The Nutmegs

Leroy E. Griffin(Lead)

James "Sonny" Griffin(Tenor)

James "Coco" Tyson(Tenor/Baritone)

William James "Bill" Emery(Baritone)

Leroy "Mack" McNeil(Bass)

Formed on the streetcorners of New Haven, Connecticut in 1953, the Nutmegs began their career as the Lyres, recording lead singer and principal songwriter Leroy Griffin’s “Ship of Love” for the tiny J&G label. By 1954, they consisted of Griffin, his older brother, James “Sonny” Griffin (first tenor), Jimmy “Coco” Tyson (second tenor), baritone Billy Emery, and bass Leroy McNeil. Traveling to New York City, they were introduced to Al Silver of Herald Records, who issued their debut hit, “Story Untold”, in the spring of 1955. Their next release, a re-recording of “Ship of Love” also hit the national R&B charts, and was followed by the strong ballad, “Whispering Sorrows.” James “Sonny” Washburn, who had sung with the Five Dukes, replaced Emery in 1956. Their next releases were the Griffin-led “Key To The Kingdom” and the rocking “Comin’ Home”, featuring Tyson, in 1956. Eventually, Sonny Griffin left and was replaced with Eddie Martin, formerly of the Five Satins. The group became the Rajahs and recorded for Klik Records in 1958. A number of Leroy Griffin originals were also recorded a capella, but went unreleased. By 1962, when the Nutmegs returned to Herald for one final single, the lineup was Leroy Griffin, Washburn, Tyson, McNeil, and Griffin’s 19-year-old nephew and soundalike, Harold Jaynes. As interest in the classic 1950s vocal groups grew in the early 1960s, Times Square Records released a half-dozen singles by the Nutmegs, culled from the Rajahs’ a cappella tapes. Many became popular among enthusiasts and collectors, including “Down in Mexico” and “Hello” in 1963-64. In November of 1971, the producers of the successful Original Rock’N’Roll Show series at the Academy of Music on 14th Street in New York City brought the Nutmegs back to the stage with Harold Jaynes now singing lead, along with Sonny Griffin, Sonny Washburn, James “Coco” Tyson, and Leroy McNeil. Response to their performance was overwhelming, and additional appearances at the Academy of Music, Beacon Theater, and in the city of Boston followed through the mid-1970s. Bandleader-guitarist Billy Vera was so impressed with the Nutmegs that he brought them into the studio and produced a cappella album, “Street Corner Soul,” which was released on Strawberry Records in 1976.[4]

Leroy Griffin died from a mysterious factory accident(Pushed into or Fell into a Furnace) at the Connecticut Coke Company On September 14, 1966.[4]

On September 3, 1975, Leroy McNeil and a man got in an argument about a train schedule at a home on Congress Ave., and they ended up stabbing each other. They both died from their injuries.[4]

Bill Emery died On June 17, 1986

James Tyson was beaten and robbed in a parking lot in October of 1991. On November 7, 1991, he died due to his injuries.

Sonny Washburn died On February 17, 1998.[4]

Sonny Griffin died On December 16, 2003.[4]

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