The Pipes

Oakland, CA-based R&B combo the Pipes formed due to the city’s McClymonds SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL in 1953. Based on Marv Goldberg’s profile within the Apr 1979 problem of Goldmine, the initial group — business lead tenor Louis Candys, tenors Irving Swanigan and Harold Foreman, baritone Huey Roundtree, bass Leevern Ball, and pianist Ed Kelly — initial performed because the Great Shades; after Swanigan’s leave, the rest of the quintet journeyed to LA searching for a recording offer, but had been summarily dismissed because of their youngsters. After graduating in 1955, the group came back to L.A. and agreed upon with Dootone. At that time, they slipped the Cool Shades moniker and only the Pipes, motivated with the “Danny Boy” lyric “The pipes, the pipes are contacting.” Dootone owner Dootsie Williams even so hedged his wagers by announcing towards the trade press the putting your signature on of two brand-new groupings: the Great Tones as well as the Pipes. The last mentioned name gained out by enough time their debut one, “Be Good,” strike retail in early 1956. Though an area strike, the Pipes hardly ever journeyed beyond the California circuit as well as the one stalled. “YOU HAPPEN TO BE an Angel” implemented that summertime. Hampered by minimal advertising work, it quickly vanished so when their Dootone agreement expired, the Pipes opted against renewal, time for Oakland and contenting themselves with the casual weekend gig. In 1958 they founded their very own label, Jacy, release a a rare one titled “SUCH A LONG TIME.” A season afterwards, the Pipes came back to Dootone to record one last program that Williams shelved. The group dissolved once and for all soon after.