The Students

The Students were an American doo-wop vocal group, which formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, in 1957.[1] Although they only released four sides, two of them – "I'm So Young" and "Every Day of the Week" – became doo-wop standards. "I'm So Young" in particular became popular and durable, and has been covered by the Beach Boys, Rosie and the Originals, The Ronettes and Kid Kyle and "The Students".

The Students
OriginCincinnati, Ohio, United States
GenresDoo-wop
Years active1957–1962, 1971, 1983
Past membersLeroy King
Dorsey Porter
Roy Ford
John Bolden
Richard Johnson
Ralph Byrd
  • Ricky Kennedy
  • Frank Stanford

The Students won the second-place prize at the amateur talent show at the Apollo Theater in New York City in 1956. Their winning song, "Jenny Lee" (composed by “Prez” Tyus, who also wrote “I’m So Young”), was later released as the B-side of a song by the Heartbreakers (which was live at the Apollo, also in 1956) on Fordham Records in 1964.[2]

Both "I'm So Young" and "Every Day of the Week" were written by William H. "Prez" Tyus, Jr., a local Cincinnati high schooler. Tyus wrote the songs and gave them to a local African-American vocal group called the D'Italians. After the group secured a recording contract with Checker Records, they renamed themselves the Students, and it was under this name that Tyus's two songs were recorded.[3]

On May 29, 1961, the Students original of "I'm So Young" on Argo Records, reached No. 26 on the US Billboard R&B chart.[4][5]

On their recordings, all lead vocal parts were undertaken by Leroy King.

William "Prez" Tyus Died On December 23rd, 2022.[6]

Members
  • Leroy King, lead vocals(Born September 19, 1943 - Died December 24, 1998)
  • Dorsey Porter, first tenor(Born January 17,1942)
  • Roy Ford, second tenor
  • John Bolden, baritone(Born October 24, 1941 - April 24, 1982)
  • Richard Johnson, bass
  • Ralph Byrd, guitar

Discography

On Fordham Records

  • 109 "Jenny Lee" (Prez Tyus) (split 45 with the Heartbreakers recording of "Come Back My Love") - 1964 (recorded in 1956)[7]

On Note Records

  • 10012 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1958
  • 10013 "Wazoo!!" / "Shuffle Stroll" - Jimmy Coe Orchestra - 1958 (The Students sang backup on Coe's recording of "Wazoo!!")[8]
  • 10019 "My Vow To You" / "That's How I Feel" - 1959

On Chess Records

  • Checker Records (subsidiary of Chess)
    • 9024 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1958
    • 1004 "My Vow To You" / "That's How I Feel" - 1962
    • 9024 "I'm So Young" / "My Vow To You" - 1973
  • Argo Records (another subsidiary of Chess)
    • 5386 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1961
  • Cadet Records (another subsidiary of Chess; note: same catalog numbers as Argo)
    • 5386 I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1964[1][9]

References
  1. Rosalsky, Mitch (December 24, 2002). Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups. Scarecrow Press. pp. 542/3. ISBN 9780810845923 – via Google Books.
  2. Gottlieb, Martin (January 17, 1993). "POP MUSIC; The Durability of Doo-Wop". The New York Times. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  3. "The Students | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  4. "*STUDENTS (2) - doo-wop". Doo-wop.blogg.org. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  5. "The Students Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  6. "Latest R&B, Doo Wop and Group Harmony News & Updates". us6.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  7. "Heartbreakers* / Students* - Come Back My Love / Jenny Lee". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  8. "The Jimmy Coe Discography". Campber.people.clemson.edu. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  9. "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - STUDENTS". Uncamarvy.com. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
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