The Moonglows
This R&B vocal group was formed in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in 1952. If there were any group that best signalled the birth of rock ‘n’ roll—by which R&B emerged out of its black subculture into mainstream teen culture—it was the Moonglows. The group's career paralleled that of their mentor, legendary disc jockey Alan Freed, who in his rise in rock ‘n’ roll made the Moonglows the mainstays of his radio programmes, motion pictures, and stage shows. Their membership comprised lead singer Bobby Lester (b. 13 January 1930, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, d. 15 October 1980), Harvey Fuqua (b. 27 July 1929, Louisville, Kentucky, USA), Alexander Pete Graves (b. 17 April 1930, Cleveland, Ohio, USA), and Prentiss Barnes (b. 1921, Cleveland, Ohio, USA). After recording for Freed's Champagne label in 1953, the group signed with Chicago-based Chance, where the group managed to get a few regional hits, most notably a cover of Doris Day's Secret Love in 1954. Joining the group at this time was guitarist Billy Johnson (b. 1924 Hartford, Connecticut, USA, d. 1987). Freed used his connections to sign the Moonglows to a stronger Chicago label, the fast-rising Chess Records, and the group enjoyed a major hit with Sincerely (number 1 R&B/number 20 pop 1954). 
Using a novel technique they called ‘blow harmony’, other great hits followed: Most Of All (number 5 R&B 1955), We Go Together (number 9 R&B 1956), See Saw (number 6 R&B/number 25 pop 1956), all which featured Lester on lead; a remake of Percy Mayfield's Please Send Me Someone To Love (number 5 R&B/number 73 pop 1957) and Ten Commandments Of Love (number 9 R&B/number 22 pop 1958), which featured Fuqua on lead. The original Moonglows disbanded in 1958, and Fuqua put together a new group that included Marvin Gaye. In 1960 Fuqua disbanded this group and he and Gaye went to Detroit to work in the industry there. Fuqua worked with Berry Gordy's sister, Gwen Gordy on the Anna label and Gaye joined Berry Gordy's Motown operation. Fuqua carved out a very successful career as a producer and record executive, work ing with Motown artists in the '60s and a stable of Louisville artists in the '70s on the RCA label.