The Magnificents
An R&B vocal group formed in 1953 from Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Magnificents in their uptempo songs brought rock 'n roll to their doo-wop and in their ballads stayed true to their R&B roots. Members were Johnny Keyes, Thurman ‘Ray’ Ramsey, Fred Rakestraw, and Willie Myles. Singing as the Tams, they were discovered by disc jockey Magnificent Montague, who gave them their name and became their manager. Their one hit, Up On The Mountain (number 9 R&B) in 1956 has come to be remembered as a goldie oldie, but also outstanding was their great ballad b-side, Why Did She Go, lead by Ramsey. But then Ramsey left to be replaced by L.C. Cooke (brother of Sam Cooke), and Barbara Arrington was added to the group as lead, the successful sound of the group was lost on the next record, Caddy Bo. The third single Off The Mountain, deserved to restore the group to prominence, but that was not to be. Keyes and rest of the group broke from Montague, who then formed a new Magnificents, whose individuals identity remains unknown. Their Don't Leave Me is one of the most beloved of the doo-wop oldies that never was a hit.