The Flamingos

Induction Year: 2001

Induction Category: Performer

Inductees: Jake Carey (vocals; born September 9, 1926, died December 31, 1997), Zeke Carey (vocals; born January 24, 1933, died December 24, 1999), Johnnie Carter (vocals; born June 2, 1934, died August 21, 2009), Tommy Hunt (vocals; born June 18, 1933), Terry Johnson (vocals; born November 12, 1938), Sollie, McElroy (vocals; born July 16, 1933, died January 15, 1995), Nate Nelson (vocals; born April 10, 1932, died April 10, 1984), Paul Wilson (vocals; born January 6, 1935, died May 6, 1988)

With their elegant, intricate and flawless vocal arrangements, the Flamingos are widely regarded as one of the best vocal groups in music history. The graceful vocals and sharp choreography of Motown’s biggest stars – , , the and the Miracles among them – owe a debt to the Flamingos, as do such paragons of Philadelphia soul as the Spinners and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. Though many of the Flamingos’ recordings did not make the pop charts or even get heard beyond a regional fan base, they have with hindsight acquired a reputation as vocal-group classics. In particular, their third single, “Golden Teardrops,” has been hailed as “the most perfect-sounding single of all time” and “a legendary masterpiece.” Yet it failed to reach the national pop charts upon its initial release in 1953, and a reissue eight years later stalled at #108. Still, the Flamingos charted nine singles between 1956 and 1970 and made the Top Ten with “I’ll Be Home” (#5 R&B) and “I Only Have Eyes For You” (#3 R&B, #11 pop).

The Flamingos formed in 1952 in Chicago, where they sang in a church choir. Somewhat uniquely, the congregation to which founding members Jake Carey, Zeke Carey, Paul Wilson and Johnnie Carter belonged was the black Jewish Church of God and Saints of Christ. Having mastered the minor-key melodies of Jewish hymns, they retained this influence when they began singing pop and R&B. Initially known as the Swallows, then the Five Flamingos, and eventually just the Flamingos, they became a quintet with the addition of Earl Lewis. They signed to the Chicago-based Chance label in 1953. By then, they had a new lead vocalist, Sollie McElroy, who was discovered at a talent show. They recorded in a variety of styles, including midtempo ballads (“Someday, Someway”), lowdown blues (“Blues in a Letter”), pop standards (“That’s My Desire”) and jump tunes (“Jump Children”).

From Chance, they moved to Parrot, where they recorded a handful of singles - including the ballad “Dream of a Lifetime” and the uptempo “Ko Ko Mo” - and acquired yet another lead singer, Nate Nelson. In 1955, they signed with Chess Records and released records on its Checker subsidiary. Their third 45 for Checker was “I’ll Be Home,” a dramatic ballad in which a serviceman promises a loved one that he’ll return. It became their first R&B smash and would’ve no doubt been a big mainstream hit, too, had Pat Boone not rushed out a pallid cover version. Deejay thought highly enough of the Flamingos to include them in two of his late-Fifties rock and roll flicks: Rock, Rock, Rock (in which they performed “Would I Be Crying”) and Go Johnny Go! (“Jump Children”).

In 1958, the group moved to George Goldner’s End Records, and they moved from Chicago to New York City as well. Their lineup now consisted of Zeke and Jake Carey, Paul Wilson, Nate Nelson, new singer Tommy Hunt and guitarist/singer Terry Johnson, the Flamingos cut some of their most enduring sides for End, including the exquisite “Lovers Never Say Goodbye” and their satiny signature song, “I Only Have Eyes for You” (#3 R&B, #11 pop). The latter, originally a 1934 hit for Ben Selvin, is one of the most sublime and enduring vocal-group recordings of all time. While at End the Flamingos released four albums, including Flamingo Serenade, a masterful album of pop standards by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and others.

Though the Flamingos’ popularity tailed off in the Sixties with the rise of the British Invasion bands, they continued recording and performing down the decades. After the deaths of cousins Jake and Zeke Carey, Terry Johnson continued to lead and perform with a new line-up of the Flamingos.

TIMELINE

September 9, 1926: Jake Carey of the Flamingos is born.

April 10, 1932: Nate Nelson of the Flamingos is born.

January 24, 1933: Zeke Carey of the Flamingos is born.

June 18, 1933: Tommy Hunt of the Flamingos is born.

July 16, 1933: Sollie McElroy of the Flamingos is born.

June 2, 1934: Johnnie Carter of the Flamingos is born.

January 6, 1935: Paul Wilson of the Flamingos is born.

November 12, 1935: Terry Johnson of the Flamingos is born.

1952: The Flamingos form in Chicago as a quintet comprising cousins Jake and Zeke Carey (who sing bass and tenor, respectively), Paul Wilson (baritone), Johnny Carter (tenor) and lead singer Earl Lewis (who is quickly replaced by Sollie McElroy).

February 4, 1953: The Flamingos release their first single, “Someday, Someway” b/w “If I Can’t Have You,” on Chance Records.

September 3, 1953: The Flamingos’ classic “Golden Teardrops” is released on the Chance label.

January 3, 1955: The Flamingos debut a new lead singer, Nate Nelson, who replaces Sollie McElvoy.

January 19, 1956: “I’ll Be Home,” the Flamingos third single for the Checker label - after brief stints at Chance and Parrot Records - is released. It becomes their first national hit, peaking at #5 on the R&B chart and #10 on the Best Seller chart.

July 13, 1959: “I’ve Only Got Eyes for You,” the Flamingos’ biggest hit (#3 R&B, #11 pop), enters the charts. It is among the most sublime performances of the doo-wop era.

1959: After having not released a 12-inch LP for the entirety of the Fifties, the Flamingos saw two appear in a single year: ‘The Flamingos’ (Checker) and ‘Flamingo Serenade’ (End).

March 21, 1970: The Flamingos’ “Buffalo Soldier” enters the R&B singles chart. It is their last charting single.

June 1, 1984: Nate Nelson, who’d become the lead singer of the Flamingos three decades earlier, dies of a heart attack.

May 4, 1988: Paul Wilson of the Flamingos dies.

January 15, 1995: Sollie McElroy of the Flamingos dies.

December 31, 1997: Jake Carey of the Flamingos dies.

December 24, 1999: Zeke Carey of the Flamingos dies.

March 19, 2001: The Flamingos are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the sixteenth annual induction dinner. is their presenter.

August 21, 2009: Johnnie Carter passes away.

Essential Songs

I Only Have Eyes For You
Golden Teardrops
I’ll Be Home
A Kiss From Your Lips
Lovers Never Say Goodbye
That’s My Desire
Nobody Loves Me Like You
Dream of a Lifetime
Jump Children
The Vow

Dickey Betts' (the Allman Brothers Band) 1957 Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar

Photo by Tony Festa
Collection of Brian Nelson