It's that time again when Classic Urban
Harmony turns the spotlight on a legendary harmony "Sound of the Season".
The Cameos - "Merry Christmas"
From Philadelphia, this group only made one
record in November 1957 as "The Cameos," but the group members were no
strangers to the Philly R&B group harmony recording scene. Named after
the Cameo label for this one release, the Cameos personnel included
Oscar "Cisco" Williams, John "Pancho" Christian, Reggie Price, Rufus Hunter
and Tony Lewis.
Cisco Williams, Pancho Christian and Reggie
Price were from North Philadelphia and had previously sung with the Quadrells
(Whirlin' Disc label). Rufus had been with the Magnificents out
of Chicago. Later, Cisco, Reggie and Pancho (along with Kent Peeler of
the Dreamers on Grand and Roosevelt Simmons of the Sensations) would
form the core of the Universals ("Again"). Cisco, Pancho and Reggie
would also sing with the later Turbans.
Cisco did the lead on this up tempo
Christmas classic. Scroll down and click on the YouTube to hear the
song.
(From the Classic Urban
Harmony Archives)
Cameos' Reggie Price (upper
left) and Pancho Christian (upper right)
appear in this 1957 Universals photo.
Top row: Reggie Price, Kent
Peeler, Charlie Horner, Pancho Christian.
Bottom row: Gene Morris, Pat Griffin.
The Universals visit Charlie Horner's radio show in the early 1980's.
(Photo property of the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
To see prior Sounds of the
season click Drifters
or Orioles.
Again, happy holidays. -
Charlie & Pam
(c) 2010, Classic Urban
Harmony LLC. All rights reserved.
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