The Students

The Students were an American doo-wop vocal group, which formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, in 1957.[1] Although they only released five sides, two of them – "I'm So Young" and "Every Day of the Week" – became doo-wop standards. "I'm So Young" in particular became popular and durable, and has been covered by the Beach Boys, Rosie and the Originals, and The Ronettes.

The Students
Label of "I'm So Young" 45 single on Checker Records
Background information
OriginCincinnati, Ohio, United States
GenresDoo-wop
Years active1957–1962
Past membersLeroy King
Dorsey Porter
John Ford
John Bolden
Richard Johnson
Ralph Byrd

The Students won the second-place prize at the amateur talent show at the Apollo Theater in New York City. Their winning song, "Jenny Lee" (also composed by Tyus), was later released as the B-side of a song by the Heartbreakers on Fordham Records.[2]

Both "I'm So Young" and "Every Day of the Week" were written by William H. "Prez" Tyus, Jr., a local Cincinnati high schooler. Tyus wrote the songs and gave them to a local African-American vocal group called the D'Italians. After the group secured a recording contract with Checker Records, they renamed themselves the Students, and it was under this name that Tyus's two songs were recorded.[3]

On May 29, 1961, the Students original of "I'm So Young" on Argo Records, reached No. 26 on the US Billboard R&B chart.[4][5]

On their recordings, all lead vocal parts were undertaken by Leroy King.

Members
  • Leroy King, lead vocal
  • Dorsey Porter, first tenor
  • John Ford, second tenor
  • John Bolden, baritone
  • Richard Johnson, bass
  • Ralph Byrd, guitarist

Discography

On Fordham Records

  • 109 "Jenny Lee" (Prez Tyus) (split 45 with the Heartbreakers recording of "Come Back My Love") - 1964[6]

On Note Records

  • 10012 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1958
  • 10013 "Wazoo!!" / "Shuffle Stroll" - Jimmy Coe Orchestra - 1958 (The Students sang backup on Coe's recording of "Wazoo!!")[7]
  • 10019 "My Vow To You" / "That's How I Feel" - 1959

On Chess Records

  • Checker Records (subsidiary of Chess)
    • 9024 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1958
    • 1004 "My Vow To You" / "That's How I Feel" - 1962
    • 9024 "I'm So Young" / "My Vow To You" - 1973
  • Argo Records (another subsidiary of Chess)
    • 5386 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1961
  • Cadet Records (another subsidiary of Chess; note: same catalog numbers as Argo)
    • 5386 I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1964[1][8]

References
  1. Rosalsky, Mitch (December 24, 2002). "Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups". Scarecrow Press. pp. 542/3 – via Google Books.
  2. Gottlieb, Martin (January 17, 1993). "POP MUSIC; The Durability of Doo-Wop". The New York Times. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  3. "The Students | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  4. "*STUDENTS (2) - doo-wop". Doo-wop.blogg.org. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  5. "The Students Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  6. "Heartbreakers* / Students* - Come Back My Love / Jenny Lee". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  7. "The Jimmy Coe Discography". Campber.people.clemson.edu. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  8. "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - STUDENTS". Uncamarvy.com. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
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