The Manhattans - wikipedia The Manhattans The Manhattans The Manhattans in 1972. ( L - to - R ) Richard `` Ricky '' Taylor, Gerald Alston, Walt `` Kenny '' Kelly, Ed `` Sonny '' Bivins, Winfred `` Blue '' Lovett Background information Origin Jersey City, New Jersey, United States Genres Rhythm and blues, soul Years active 1962 -- present Labels Carnival Records, Columbia Records, King Records The Manhattans are an American popular R&B vocal group. Their work includes million - selling songs `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' recorded in 1976 and 1980 's `` Shining Star ''. The Manhattans have recorded 45 chart hits on the Billboard R&B Chart, including twelve top 10 R&B hits in the United States charting on the Billboard chart for the first time in 1965. Sixteen of which reached the Billboard Hot 100, including two Top 10s and a number 1 hit with their song `` Kiss and Say Goodbye ''. Their 1983 song `` Forever by Your Side '' remains especially popular in Brazil thirty years after its release. They also charted some 8 U.S. R&B Top 20 Albums, three of which were R.I.A.A. certified gold. Contents 1 Early history 2 Later history 3 Discography 3.1 Studio albums 3.2 Live albums 3.3 Compilation albums 3.4 Singles 4 References 5 External links Early history The Manhattans, originally from Jersey City, formed in 1962 with members George `` Smitty '' Smith ( born December 28, 1939, Florida ; died December 16, 1970 ), Edward `` Sonny '' Bivins ( born Edward Jessie Bivins, Jr., January 15, 1936, Macon, Georgia ; died December 3, 2014, Basking Ridge, Bernards Township, New Jersey ), Winfred `` Blue '' Lovett ( born Winfred Lorenzo Lovett, November 16, 1936, Jersey City ; died December 9, 2014, Arizona ), Kenny `` Wally '' Kelley ( born Kenneth Bernard Kelly, January 9, 1941, Jersey City ; died February 17, 2015 ), and Richard `` Ricky '' Taylor ( born in 1940 ; died December 7, 1987 ). Bivins, Lovett, and Kelley were graduating from Lincoln High School, while Taylor and Smith were graduating from Snyder High School. All five enlisted in the armed forces and came together as a group following their discharges from their respective branches. The group 's first single was `` For the Very First Time, '' released in 1964 by Carnival Records. They continued recording successfully with songs written by various members of the group. In 1968, the group received the `` Most Promising Group '' award by NATRA. In 1969, the group moved to the De Luxe record label, a subsidiary of King Records, subsequently embarking on a college tour. While playing at Kittrell College in North Carolina, the group met another group, the New Imperials, featuring Gerald Alston, nephew of The Shirelles ' lead singer, Shirley Alston - Reeves. They were so impressed with Alston that they asked him to join the group, but he declined. Misfortune hit the group late in 1970 when George Smith fell and later took ill. With him unable to perform, the group began to search for a new lead. First they attempted to woo The Cymbals ' lead, Lee Williams, but he was unwilling to leave his current group. The group then renewed their request to Gerald Alston ( born November 8, 1951, North Carolina ), who accepted and took over the lead spot. Original lead singer George Smith died of a brain tumor on December 16, 1970, 12 days before his 31st birthday. The Manhattans continued recording throughout the 1970s with Alston singing lead vocals. They struck chart gold in 1973 with the Bivins - written song `` There 's No me Without You ''. Then their biggest song to date was `` Kiss and Say Goodbye, '' written by Blue Lovett and arranged / co-produced with the group by the Philadelphia - based record producer Bobby Martin, a former member of the MFSB band of session musicians. The song quickly became a number 1 chart topper on both the US Billboard Pop and R&B charts. It also became only the second single to go platinum, after the RIAA introduced the award in 1976. Taylor left in 1976 to concentrate on his conversion to Islam. He died in 1987 after a long illness. The group continued as a quartet, and found further success in March 1980 with the release of `` Shining Star, '' which reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the R&B Chart. Produced and co-written by the Chicago - based record producer, Leo Graham, it received a Grammy Award the following spring. In 1983, The Manhattans released the album Forever by Your Side, by Columbia Records, which brought the two singles the group that year. The first was the song `` Crazy '', the great success of this album, peaked at number 4 on the R&B chart. The second single was the title track `` Forever by Your Side '', which had moderate success in the United States, peaked at number 30 on the R&B chart, but has become a great success and a romantic classic in Brazil two years later, when she was part of the soundtrack of a soap opera in the country in 1985. The success made `` Forever by Your Side '' gain a Portuguese version the following year, called `` Pra Sempre Vou Te Amar '', which also was successful in Brazil and was recorded by several Brazilian artists. Another highlight of this album Forever by Your Side was the song `` Just The Lonely Talking Again '', written by the American singer and songwriter Sam Dees, which was originally recorded by The Manhattans this 1983 album and was later re-recorded by Whitney Houston on her second studio album `` Whitney '' in 1987. The group celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1985 with the release of Too Hot To Stop It. It included the Evans / Smith - penned `` When We 're Made As One, '' originally recorded in 1966 but covered in an a cappella, doo wop style to emphasize the group 's doo wop roots. The album was also dedicated to George Smith. The group continued until 1988. That year, Alston left to record as a solo artist, scoring with several major R&B hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s for Motown. Roger Harris was recruited as the new lead singer for the group, which moved to the new label, Valley Vue, when their Columbia recording contract expired. Later history The group 's largest shake - up was in December 1990, when Blue Lovett left the group, upon his doctor 's request, for health reasons. Kenny Kelley left to return to college to pursue his PhD. Bivins continued along with lead singer Roger Harris who had replaced Gerald Alston in 1988 - 89 along with new members. He recruited new members Charles Hardy and Harsey Hemphill, who in October 1990 had auditioned for Bivins but did n't come aboard until after Lovett and Kelly left at the end of 1990. In early 1991 Bivins added Alvin Pazant, bringing the group back to a quintet. Harris proved to be only a short - term lead, and in April 1991 he was replaced by Wade Taylor. Taylor was replaced in July 1991 when Bivins recruited Lee Williams, the person whom they had originally wanted to replace George Smith. In the 2000s, there were two versions of The Manhattans. One version featured original founding member Bivins, plus Hardy, Hemphill, Pazant and Williams. They released the CD Manhattans Now in 1994. In 1996 the group formed their own full - service music corporation company called Manhattan Entertainment Inc. In 2003 and 2007 they were featured artists in two theater plays, Girl He Aint Worth It and The Chicken Shack. In June 2013, the group released a single called `` Just For Tonite '' written by Bivins and Pazant and produced and arranged by Leroy Burgess. In 2015 Lee Williams retired and was replaced by Keni Jackson as the new lead singer. And they still continue to perform, with the same line up in 2018. The other version of The Manhattans featured original member Blue Lovett and Gerald Alston, lead singer on the group 's biggest hits. Other members include Troy May and David Tyson, brother of The Temptations ' Ron Tyson. In the past, the group also featured Eban Brown, who later spent eighteen years as lead vocalist for The Stylistics. This group has also released some CDs, including Even Now. This version of the group was featured in two PBS specials and performed at casinos and theaters across the United States. Alston appeared on Wu - Tang Clan 's album, 8 Diagrams, on the song `` Stick Me for My Riches '' in 2007. Edward `` Sonny '' Bivins, founding member of the Manhattans, died on December 3, 2014, at the age of 78. He sang on every Manhattans hit since the group 's inception, and wrote many of their hit songs. He led the Manhattans up until his death. Winfred `` Blue '' Lovett, the group 's original bass singer and songwriter, died on December 9, 2014, at the age of 78. His bass voice was heard on many Manhattans hits, including the spoken word intro to `` Kiss and Say Goodbye ''. Kenneth `` Wally '' Kelly, the last surviving original member of the group, died on February 17, 2015, at the age of 74. Lead singer Gerald Alston is the only member alive of the group 's heyday lineup. Discography Studio Albums Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label US US R&B AUS CAN NLD UK 1966 Dedicated to You -- 19 -- -- -- -- Carnival 1967 For You and Yours -- -- -- -- -- -- 1970 With These Hands -- -- -- -- -- -- De Luxe 1972 A Million to One -- 35 -- -- -- -- 1973 There 's No Me Without You 150 19 -- -- -- -- Columbia That 's How Much I Love You 160 59 -- -- -- -- 1976 The Manhattans 16 6 39 11 37 RIAA : Gold 1977 It Feels So Good 68 12 -- 78 -- -- RIAA : Gold 1978 There 's No Good in Goodbye 78 18 -- -- -- -- 1979 Love Talk 141 20 -- -- -- -- 1980 After Midnight 24 -- 77 -- -- RIAA : Gold 1981 Black Tie 86 21 -- -- -- -- Forever by Your Side 104 17 -- -- -- -- 1985 Too Hot to Stop It 171 44 -- -- -- -- 1986 Back to Basics -- -- -- -- -- -- 1989 Sweet Talk -- -- -- -- -- -- Valley Vue 2001 Even Now -- -- -- -- -- -- Beemark 2007 Reachin ' for the Sky -- -- -- -- -- -- KRB Music 2008 Men Cry Too -- -- -- -- -- -- S.D.E.G. `` -- '' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Live albums Live from South Africa ( 1999, Classic World ) Compilation Albums Year Album Peak chart positions Record label US US R&B NLD 1980 Greatest Hits 87 18 -- Columbia 1990 Dedicated to You : Golden Classics, Part 1 -- -- -- Collectables Sing for You & Yours : Golden Classics, Part 2 -- -- -- 1995 The Best of the Manhattans : Kiss and Say Goodbye -- -- -- Columbia / Legacy 2000 Love Songs -- -- 72 2002 Super Hits -- -- -- I 'm the One That Love Forgot -- -- -- Collectables 2008 Sweet Talking Soul 1965 - 1990 -- -- -- Shout ! Factory `` -- '' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Singles Year Single Peak chart Positions Certifications US US R&B US A / C AUS CAN NLD NZ UK 1964 `` For the Very First Time '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` There Goes a Fool '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1965 `` I Wanna Be ( Your Everything ) '' 68 12 -- -- 42 -- -- -- `` Searchin ' for My Baby '' ( A-side ) 135 20 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` I 'm the One That Love Forgot '' ( B - side ) 135 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Follow Your Heart '' 92 20 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1966 `` Baby I Need You '' 96 22 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Can I '' -- 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` I Bet'cha ( Could n't Love Me ) '' 128 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` It 's That Time of the Year '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1967 `` All I Need Is Your Love '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` When We 're Made as One '' -- 31 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` I Call It Love '' 96 24 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1968 `` I Do n't Wanna Go '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` ' Til You Come Back to Me '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1969 `` The Picture Became Quite Clear '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1970 `` It 's Gonna Take a Lot to Bring Me Back '' -- 36 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` If My Heart Could Speak '' 98 30 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` From Atlanta to Goodbye '' 113 48 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1971 `` Let Them Talk '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` I Ca n't Stand for You to Leave Me '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1972 `` A Million to One '' ( A-side ) 114 47 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Cry If You Wanna Cry '' ( B - side ) -- 48 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` One Life to Live '' 102 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1973 `` Back Up '' 107 19 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Rainbow Week '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` There 's No Me Without You '' 43 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Do You Ever '' -- 40 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` You 'd Better Believe It '' 77 18 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Wish That You Were Mine '' -- 19 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Summertime in the City '' -- 45 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Do n't Take Your Love '' 37 7 -- -- 65 -- -- -- `` Hurt '' 97 10 -- -- 90 12 22 BPI : Silver 1976 `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' 12 7 RIAA : Platinum BPI : Silver MC : Gold `` I Kinda Miss You '' 46 7 -- -- 45 -- -- -- 1977 `` It Feels So Good to be Loved So Bad '' 66 6 -- -- 78 -- -- -- `` It 's You '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 43 `` We Never Danced to a Love Song '' 93 10 -- -- 83 -- -- -- 1978 `` Am I Losing You '' 101 6 -- -- 96 -- -- -- `` Everybody Has a Dream '' -- 65 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1979 `` Here Comes the Hurt Again '' -- 29 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` The Way We Were '' / `` Memories '' ( medley ) -- 33 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1980 `` Shining Star '' 5 21 67 6 -- 45 RIAA : Platinum `` Girl of My Dream '' -- 30 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` I 'll Never Find Another ( Find Another Like You ) '' 109 12 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1981 `` Do You Really Mean Goodbye ? '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Just One Moment Away '' -- 19 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Let Your Love Come Down '' -- 77 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1982 `` Honey, Honey '' -- 25 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Crazy '' 72 -- -- -- -- -- 63 `` Forever by Your Side '' -- 30 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1985 `` You Send Me '' 81 20 8 -- -- -- 48 -- `` Do n't Say No '' -- 60 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1986 `` Where Did We Go Wrong ? '' ( with Regina Belle ) -- 42 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` All I Need '' -- 41 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1989 `` Sweet Talk '' -- 67 -- -- -- -- -- -- `` Why You Wanna Love Me Like That '' -- 62 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1990 `` I Wo n't Stop '' -- 79 -- -- -- -- -- -- 2001 `` Nites Like This '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2013 `` Just for Tonite '' -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- `` -- '' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. References Jump up ^ Roberts, David ( 2006 ). British Hit Singles & Albums ( 19th ed. ). London : Guinness World Records Limited. p. 346. ISBN 1 - 904994 - 10 - 5. Jump up ^ Joe Whitburn, Billboard 's R&B Charts 1942 - 2004, Billboard, ( 2004 ) Jump up ^ `` The Manhattans Story Part 1 ''. Soulexpress.net. Retrieved 9 August 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` Memorial for Winfred `` Blue '' Lovett ``. Soulful Detroit.com. January 3, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Respect 2014 ''. Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved 9 August 2018. Jump up ^ `` Manhattans, legendary group with Jersey City roots, to be spotlighted in TV documentary ''. Nj.com. 2014 - 01 - 31. Retrieved 2014 - 07 - 29. Jump up ^ `` The Dead Rock Stars Club 2014 July To December ''. Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 18 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` R.I.P. Kenneth `` Wally '' Kelly of the Manhattans ``. Soul Tracks. Retrieved 19 February 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` US Charts > The Manhattans ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2010 - 06 - 25. ^ Jump up to : Kent, David ( 1993 ). Australian Charts Book 1970 -- 1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0 - 646 - 11917 - 6. ^ Jump up to : `` CAN Charts > The Manhattans ''. RPM. Retrieved 2015 - 02 - 09. ^ Jump up to : `` NLD Charts > The Manhattans ''. MegaCharts. Retrieved 2015 - 02 - 09. ^ Jump up to : `` UK Charts > The Manhattans ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010 - 06 - 25. ^ Jump up to : `` US Certifications > The Manhattans ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2015 - 02 - 09. Jump up ^ `` NZ Charts > The Manhattans ''. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2015 - 02 - 09. ^ Jump up to : `` UK Certified Awards Search > The Manhattans ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 05. Jump up ^ `` CAN Certifications > The Manhattans ''. Music Canada. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 05. External links The Manhattans at AllMusic Official website Website of The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett The Manhattans at Wenig - LaMonica Associates The 5 - part Manhattans Story & the full discography at Soul Express On Memory of Page on Sonny Bivins ' site The Manhattans Studio albums There 's No Me Without You That 's How Much I Love You The Manhattans It Feels So Good There 's No Good in Goodbye Love Talk After Midnight Black Tie Forever by Your Side Singles `` Hurt '' `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' `` The Way We Were '' / `` Memories '' ( medley ) `` Shining Star '' `` Crazy '' `` Forever by Your Side '' `` You Send Me '' Related articles Gerald Alston MusicBrainz : 8dce8a2d - 8ed5 - 4672 - b25e - bfe198b02b82 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Manhattans&oldid=854217892 '' Categories : African - American musical groups American soul musical groups Columbia Records artists Culture of Jersey City, New Jersey Grammy Award winners Musical groups established in 1962 Musical groups from New Jersey 1962 establishments in New Jersey Ballad musicians Hidden categories : Articles with hCards All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2018 Articles with unsourced statements from March 2011 Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Português Edit links This page was last edited on 9 August 2018, at 19 : 12 ( UTC ). 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Question: who was the lead singer of the manhattans
Answer: George Smith