THE   “MARQUEES”

 

One of the most over looked groups in the Washington area, Until now.  Spell it any way you like. There were a lot of groups called the Marquees around in the 50’s.  The “MARQUEES, who are the subject, fit nicely in the middle, recording for OKEH records, in 1957.  They were the only ones who went on to greater fame, although not under that name, until years later.

 

Today’s voices of the “MARQUEES” are Reese Palmer -  second tenor, Earnest “just mike” Gilbert - baritone,  Dexter Combs - Bass, Gayle (the boss lady) James - Soprano/alto, and Larry L .Jordan, Music &Vocal Arranger first tenor, and rhythm guitar. 

 

The MARQUEES, were from the East Capital Dwellings of Washington, D.C. The group formed in 1957 when the guys were between 18 and 22.  Reese Palmer (first tenor), Marvin Gay (second tenor/baritone; he’d change the spelling to “Gaye” later on, when he became a soloist), James Noland (second tenor/baritone), and Chester Simmons (bass).  All but Noland had attended Cardozo High School.

 

As groups do, they would sing on street corners of the projects.  They did talent shows at various D.C. high schools and also the ones held at the Lincoln Theater.  The “MARQUEES” like many other young singing groups, hung out in the basement recording studio of the legendary Bo Diddley, who has relocated to this area at that time.  Reese wrote the songs, “Hey Little School Girl”, “Wyatt Earp.”  Which, the “MARQUEES” recorded on the OKEH label in 1957.  The “MARQUEES” song “Mama Loochie” featured Marvin Gaye, leading for the first time.

 

The “MARQUEES” were recruited by the Moonglows lead singer, Harvey Fuqua and became the “New Moonglows” after the original group disbanded. The “New Moonglows”, also included Chuck Barksdale of the “Dells”.  This group recorded at least six sides for Chess in 1959. (Strangely, considering the size of Chess Records, recording dates from this period are unknown.)  The tunes were: “Twelve Months Of The Year” (with recitations by Marvin), “Mama Loochie”, “She’s Alright With Me” That’s What Girls Are Made For” (recorded by the New Moonglows before the Spinners, questions still loom if the so called Spinners recording were not really the New Moonglows with and added voice, and “Love, I’m So Glad I Found You. “Twelve” was recorded around February: Unemployment,” “Mama,” and Alright,” were done during the summer, and the other tunes were just done as demos.  They also backed up a singer named George Stevens at the Chess studios, but the title remains unknown.  Another singer whom they backed up was a little more famous: Chuck Barry.  Listen for the Marquees (without Harvey, but with the addition of Etta James) on “Almost Grown” and “Back in The U.S.A.”  The female inclusion has remained a trademark of The Marquees, (with the addition of Gayle James) which has brought a unique and elegant sound of a female doing street corner harmony.

 

Over the years all members of the current “MARQUEES” have performed with other groups most notable the “Flamingo’s”.  (Jordan, can be seen of the PBS specials, as second lead) with the late founder of the Flamingo’s Mr. Zeak Curry.

 

The current Marquees, are only the second set of members who have recorded as such.  There new CD “CONTINUING JOURNEY”  contains song previously recorder but not released as well as there other hits along with a duet by Jordan & Palmer, “The Girl that I lost” written by Palmer in 1959, and under the musical direction of Jordan.  Palmer, now calls Mike Gilbert the new voice of the Marquees, even thought each and every member have strong lead voices, and do switch to that position often.