The Escorts (American R&B group)

The Escorts
Origin Rahway, New Jersey, United States
Genres R&B, soul, doo-wop
Years active 1970–present
Labels Alithia Records
Members Reginald Haynes, Billy Martin, La’Grant Harris[1]
Past members Lawrence Franklin, Robert Arrington, William Dugger, Stephen Carter, Frank Heard, Marion Murphy[2]

The Escorts, also known as the Legendary Escorts, are an R&B group formed in Rahway State Prison in 1970.[1]

Background

While incarcerated at Trenton State Prison in 1968, founding member Reginald Prophet Haynes began practicing doo-wop singing with fellow prisoners. In 1970, after members of the group were transferred to Rahway State Prison, they first performed as the Escorts at a prison talent show, where they caught the attention of Motown producer George Kerr.[3][4]

In 1973, Kerr returned to Rahway with a mobile recording unit, resulting in the Escorts' debut album, All We Need is Another Chance,[5] followed by Three Down, Four to Go (1974).

Legacy

The Escorts have been sampled by hip hop artists including J Dilla and Public Enemy.[5] They are the subject of Corbett Jones' 2017 documentary film, All We Need Is Another Chance,[6] and a version of the group has continued to tour as the Legendary Escorts.[1]

Discography

Albums

  • 1973: All We Need Is Another Chance
  • 1974: Three Down, Four to Go

See also

  • Lifers Group – a hip hop group formed at Rahway State Prison (now East Jersey State Prison) in 1991

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cardine, Sara (20 September 2012). "Redemption Song". Pasadena Weekly. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  2. ↑ Hamilton, Andrew. "The Escorts | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Theater of the Resist: The Escorts and Lifers Group". Metropolitan Museum of Art. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "ALL WE NEED IS ANOTHER CHANCE | Documentary Feature". All We Need Is Another Chance. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 "'All We Need Is Another Chance' Doc Looks At The Power of Music Behind Bars". Mass Appeal. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "The Power of Music in ALL WE NEED IS ANOTHER CHANCE | Montclair Film". montclairfilm.org. Retrieved 5 June 2018.


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