The Robins – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

The Robins Biography

The Robins were a popular and important American R&B group in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and one of the first vocal groups to pioneer the doo-wop sound. Their song “Since I First Met You” is well-known. Ty Terrell and twin brothers Billy and Roy Richards created the band. Bobby Nunn was quickly added to the lineup. They began their career as the Bluebirds, but in May 1949, they changed their name to the Robins and began recording.

In June of 1949, the Robins released their first song, “Around About Midnight” b/w “You Sure Look Good To Me.” Only a few weeks later, a second Aladdin single, “Don’t Like The Way You’re Doing” b/w “Come Back Baby,” was released. They were then signed to the Savoy label, along with the rest of Otis’ touring band, resulting in a series of recordings that included Johnny Otis playing with them and their participation on the single “Double Crossin’ Blues,” which featured his main singer Esther Jones supporting him (aka Little Esther). The later album went on to be one of Savoy’s most popular. To add to the promise they looked to have that year, “Double Crossin’ Blues” went on to become an even bigger hit, reaching the top of the R&B charts.

The Robins appeared to be on the road to success. Then, in the spring of 1950, their initial run of success came to an abrupt end. On the eve of what would have been their first national tour, they addressed Johnny Otis about the amount of money they were earning, and Otis replied by sacking the Robins from his performance. The Robins had left Otis’ orbit and their recording contract, but thanks to the large stockpile of recordings they’d left behind, Savoy issued several Robins singles over the following months; additionally, Bobby Nunn, who had already cut some sides on his own, recorded some singles in the aftermath of the split. In the summer of 1950, they signed a new contract with Dolphin Records, which resulted in the singles “Race of Man” and “Bayou Baby Blues.” Later in the year, it went off to the Bihari Brothers’ RPM and Modern Records imprints.

Due to the military drought, which caught up with the Richards brothers and Terrell in mid-1951, the foursome went on hiatus. For the next year, Bobby Nunn was the only member not in uniform, and during that time, he released a run of songs under his own name, as well as collaborating with Little Esther on a few Federal sides. The four originals reformed in late 1952, kicking off what was effectively the second part of the group’s career, and they did so by welcoming Grady Chapman as a fifth member.

The band couldn’t decide whether to stay on the West Coast or sign with Atlantic Records and relocate to the East Coast in 1955. As a result, there was a schism within the group. Former Robins members Nunn and Carl Gardner were recruited as singers Leon Hughes and Billy Guy, and the Coasters were founded by music producers and songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The founding Richards brothers and Tyrell continued to record as the Robins until 1961 only.

The Robins Discography

Johnny Otis Presents The RobinsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Rock & Roll ‎SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Best Of The RobinsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Best Of The RobinsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Dance By The Light Of The MoonSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Rock ‘n’ Roll with the RobinsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Group Was Originally Known As The Robins?

The group that was originally known as the Robins was a vocal harmony group from the United States. The group was formed in 1955 and they are best known for their recordings with rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry. The original members of the group were Marvin Tarplin, Ronnie White, Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, and Pete Moore. The group changed their name to The Miracles in 1958. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

How Many Albums Has The Robins?

The Robins have released four albums: “A Band of Angels” (1957), “The Great Robins Sound” (1959), “The Soulful Robins” (1965), and “One Step Forward” (1967). They have also released several singles, including “Riot in Cell Block Number Nine” (1954), “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” (1955), and “Just Like Romeo and Juliet” (1964). The Robins were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Which Album The Robins For Made Famous?

The album that the robins are most famous for is their self-titled debut album, which was released in 1965. The album includes the singles “Ain’t That Lovin’ You” and “I’ll Never Let You Go”.

How Many Members Of The Robins Group?

There are four members of the robins group. Two are males and two are females. The males are called Bob and Mark, and the females are called Lisa and Sarah.

Most Searched For Robins Songs

Since I First Met YouSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Riot In Cell Block No. 9SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Smokey Joe’s CaféSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Hatchet ManSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
All Night BabySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Double Crossing BluesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
FramedSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Wrap It UpSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I Must Be Dreamin’SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
One KissSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon