Little Ben & Cheers

Small Ben & the Cheers, from Chicago’s Southside, recorded at least 15 singles on a number of brands. Ben Norfleet was the oldest from the teens, who have been brothers and cousins: Ben Norfleet (business lead), Frank Norfleet (initial tenor), John Norfleet (second tenor), and Merlon Norfleet (bass). These were the children from the Norfleet Brothers, an extremely well-known Chicago gospel group. A present at a Chicago senior high school using the Jacksons, ahead of their Motown achievement, was a profession high light. The Jacksons documented under another name at that time for Steel City Information and emerged over from Gary, IN, to accomplish the show. Because of age and spiritual history, the Cheers performed at high institutions and hops; they didn’t play pubs or supper night clubs and lacked the cable connections for the star-studded displays on the Regal and various other venues. They lower two information for Penny Information made by Richard Pegue, who documented using the Norvells; the combo strike locally the very first time out with “(I’m Not really Prepared to) RELAX” (1967), a huge strike in Chicago that under no circumstances got much enjoy somewhere else. Its successor, “Under no circumstances Even more” b/w “I’m Gonna Obtain DESPITE HAVING You” (1967), didn’t perform aswell and prompted these to indication with Vi Muszynski’s, aka “the Record Lady’s,” Larado Information. Muszynski was the initial person to indication the Impressions to a documenting agreement. She leased these to Vee Jay Information where they strike the very first time out with “For Your Precious Like.” Unbeknownst to many historians and authors, Muszynski received factors for the Vee Jay strike; Ewart Abner finished that set up by tugging Jerry Butler from your group and putting your signature on him to a single agreement. Abner experienced legal precedent on his part as Reprise Information authorized Tony Williams (Platters) to a single offer and Mercury Information — the Platters’ label — sued and dropped. Vee Jay released some more singles from the Impressions, minus Butler, after that dropped them just like a warm potato, closing the association with Vi Muszynski. Vee Jay by no means desired the Impressions, just Butler. Using the monies from “For Your Precious Like,” Muszynski began Bandera Information and documented “Listen for me personally” b/w “Shorty’s Surely got to Go” around the Impressions; when it didn’t move, they released them using their agreement. Nobody believed Curtis Mayfield would become what he became. Ernie Hines and Ben Norfleet published the Larado solitary “Beggar of Like” (1968), a ballad that buzzed locally. Its turn, “Move That Rig,” was a nation song originally carried out on Bandera by B. J. & the Males. Via some type of offer, “Beggar of Like” dropped once again the same 12 months on Gemini Celebrity Information with “Dark brown Eyed Devil” driving shotgun, this time around credited towards the Norfleet Cousins. Actually stranger, “Beggar of Like” arrived in 1968 once again on Rush Information credited only a small amount Ben & the Cheers. The Norfleet Brothers documented “THE STORYPLOT of Martin Luther Ruler” on Hurry aswell; the label was most likely a family business. Hurry was unorthodox, they released the group’s following one “Baby You’re Mine” 3 x in 1968 with as much catalog quantities. In June 1968, Hurry leased the privileges to Bell Information who flung it out there, as well. Despite all of the interest, it didn’t sell many copies. Someplace in the blend, they documented a gospel record for Bandera as the Fleetones. The group’s insufficient success was because of inadequate administration, poor advertising, and poor timing. It really wasn’t insufficient talent, only a small amount Ben possessed a blasting tenor much like Jackie Wilson’s. In 1969 they slice “Spirit Heaven” on Sound Arts Information as Norfleet. Ben was drafted in to the armed service, therefore the name switch. Two singles on Okeh Information adopted: “I Composed My Brain” b/w “Consider Me to Heaven” (1969) and “I’m Pleased I Waited” b/w “Can’t ENABLE YOU TO GET IT DONE” (1970), the last mentioned as the Cheers. Sandwiched between your two produces was a reissue of “RELAX” b/w “Mighty, Mighty Appreciate” on Cent. Ben came back from armed forces duty leading to “BECAUSE YOU Came Into MY ENTIRE LIFE” on Mocha Information (1974) which demonstrated guarantee in Chicago and elements of the Midwest but stalled at a paltry 10,000 copies marketed. Mocha leased it to Foxcar Information but the business did nothing to boost sales. Your final discharge “Two Adores” b/w “Hardly ever Once again” on Country Information, both compiled by Ben and John Norfleet, flopped as well as the underappreciated group quit the struggle. Ben Norfleet passed away in the past due ’70s, some suspected from contact with Agent Orange while providing in Vietnam.