# The Manhattans

The Manhattans are an American R&B vocal group. Their songs "Kiss and Say Goodbye", recorded in 1976, and 1980's "Shining Star", both sold millions of copies. The Manhattans have recorded 45 hits on the Billboard R&B Chart, including twelve top-10 R&B hits in the United States, starting in 1965. Sixteen of their songs have reached the Billboard Hot 100, including two top 10s and a number-one hit with their song "Kiss and Say Goodbye". They also charted eight U.S. R&B top 20 Albums, three of which were RIAA certified gold. The Manhattans were inducted into The Atlantic City Walk of Fame in September 2024.

## Early history

The Manhattans, originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 1962 with members George "Smitty" Smith (December 28, 1939 – December 16, 1970), Edward "Sonny" Bivins (January 15, 1936 – December 3, 2014), Winfred "Blue" Lovett (November 16, 1936 – December 9, 2014), Kenny "Wally" Kelly (January 9, 1941 – February 17, 2015), and Richard "Ricky" Taylor (1940 – December 7, 1987). Bivins, Lovett, and Kelly graduated from Lincoln High School, while Taylor and Smith graduated 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. The Manhattans continued recording successfully with songs written by various members of the group. In 1968, the group received the "Most Promising Group" award by NATRA (the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers). In 1969, the group moved to the De Luxe record label, a subsidiary of King Records, and subsequently embarked 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 Smith fell ill. The value of this dynamic lead singer can neither be undervalued nor forgotten, with songs such as "I'm the One Love Forgot" and others that first established the group's popularity. With Smith 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), who accepted and took over the lead spot. 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 was their March 1976 release "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 the second ever single to go platinum, after the RIAA introduced that certification level 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 had two singles 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 it was included as part of the soundtrack of a soap opera in the country. The success led to a Portuguese version the following year, called "Pra Sempre Vou Te Amar", which also was successful in Brazil, and has been 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 for 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 Kelly 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 didn'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, plus Gerald Alston, the lead singer on the group's biggest hits. Other members include Troy May and David Tyson (died 2022), brother of The Temptations' Ron Tyson. In the past, the group also featured Eban Brown, who later spent 18 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". He was replaced by Gerald Alston's cousin, Dwight Fields in The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston till his death on August 26, 2016.
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.
David Tyson, a member of The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston died of an illness on February 17, 2022, at the age of 62.
On September 23, 2024, The National R&B Music Society inducted The Manhattans into The Atlantic City Walk of Fame. Gerald Alston, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Kenneth Kelly, Richard Taylor and George Smith were the indutees. Gerald Alston was in attendance to accept the honor. Blue Lovett's widow Anna, and daughter, and Sonny Bivins son Mark, and daughter Pamela were also in attendance.

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Record label |
| Year | Album | US | US R&B | AUS | CAN | NLD | UK | Certifications | Record label |
| 1966 | Dedicated to You | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | | Carnival |
| 1967 | For You and Yours | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Carnival |
| 1970 | With These Hands | — | — | — | — | — | — | | De Luxe |
| 1972 | A Million to One | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | | De Luxe |
| 1973 | There's No Me Without You | 150 | 19 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1974 | That's How Much I Love You | 160 | 59 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1976 | The Manhattans | 16 | 6 | 39 | 11 | 3 | 37 | RIAA: Gold | Columbia |
| 1977 | It Feels So Good | 68 | 12 | — | 78 | — | — | RIAA: Gold | Columbia |
| 1978 | There's No Good in Goodbye | 78 | 18 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1979 | Love Talk | 141 | 20 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1980 | After Midnight | 24 | 4 | — | 77 | — | — | RIAA: Gold | Columbia |
| 1981 | Black Tie | 86 | 21 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1983 | Forever by Your Side | 104 | 17 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1985 | Too Hot to Stop It | 171 | 44 | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1986 | Back to Basics | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Columbia |
| 1989 | Sweet Talk | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Valley Vue |
| 2001 | ...Even Now... | — | 83 | — | — | — | — | | Beemark |
| 2008 | Men Cry Too | — | — | — | — | — | — | | S.D.E.G |
| 2021 | The Legacy Continues | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Love Song Touring |
| "—" 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 | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Record label |
| Year | Album | US | US R&B | NLD | Record label |
| 1980 | Greatest Hits | 87 | 18 | — | Columbia |
| 1990 | Dedicated to You: Golden Classics, Part 1 | — | — | — | Collectables |
| 1990 | Sing for You & Yours: Golden Classics, Part 2 | — | — | — | Collectables |
| 1995 | The Best of the Manhattans: Kiss and Say Goodbye | — | — | — | Columbia/Legacy |
| 2000 | Love Songs | — | — | 72 | Columbia/Legacy |
| 2002 | Super Hits | — | — | — | Columbia/Legacy |
| 2002 | 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 | Peak chart Positions | Peak chart Positions | Peak chart Positions | Peak chart Positions | Peak chart Positions | Peak chart Positions | Peak chart Positions | Certifications | Album |
| Year | Single | US | US R&B | US A/C | AUS | CAN | NLD | NZ | UK | Certifications | Album |
| 1964 | "For the Very First Time" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1964 | "There Goes a Fool" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1965 | "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" | 68 | 12 | — | — | 42 | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1965 | "Searchin' for My Baby" (A-side) | 135 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Dedicated to You |
| 1965 | "I'm the One That Love Forgot" (B-side) | 135 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Dedicated to You |
| 1965 | "Follow Your Heart" | 92 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Dedicated to You |
| 1966 | "Baby I Need You" | 96 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Dedicated to You |
| 1966 | "Can I" | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Dedicated to You |
| 1966 | "I Bet'cha (Couldn't Love Me)" | 128 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1966 | "It's That Time of the Year" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1967 | "All I Need Is Your Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1967 | "When We're Made as One" | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1967 | "I Call It Love" | 96 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sing for You and Yours |
| 1968 | "I Don't Wanna Go" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| 1968 | "'Til You Come Back to Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| 1969 | "The Picture Became Quite Clear" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| 1970 | "It's Gonna Take a Lot to Bring Me Back" | — | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | With These Hands |
| 1970 | "If My Heart Could Speak" | 98 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | With These Hands |
| 1970 | "From Atlanta to Goodbye" | 113 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| 1971 | "Let Them Talk" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| 1971 | "I Can't Stand for You to Leave Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | A Million to One |
| 1972 | "A Million to One" (A-side) | 114 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | A Million to One |
| 1972 | "Cry If You Wanna Cry" (B-side) | — | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | A Million to One |
| 1972 | "One Life to Live" | 102 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | A Million to One |
| 1973 | "Back Up" | 107 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | A Million to One |
| 1973 | "Rainbow Week" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| 1973 | "There's No Me Without You" | 43 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | There's No Me Without You |
| 1973 | "Do You Ever" | — | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | A Million to One |
| 1973 | "You'd Better Believe It" | 77 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | There's No Me Without You |
| 1973 | "Wish That You Were Mine" | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | There's No Me Without You |
| 1974 | "Summertime in the City" | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | That's How Much I Love You |
| 1974 | "Don't Take Your Love" | 37 | 7 | — | — | 65 | — | — | — | | That's How Much I Love You |
| 1975 | "Hurt" | 97 | 10 | — | — | 90 | 12 | 22 | 4 | BPI: Silver | The Manhattans |
| 1976 | "Kiss and Say Goodbye" | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | RIAA: Platinum BPI: Silver MC: Gold | The Manhattans |
| 1976 | "I Kinda Miss You" | 46 | 7 | — | — | 45 | — | — | 59 | | It Feels So Good |
| 1977 | "It Feels So Good to be Loved So Bad" | 66 | 6 | — | — | 78 | — | — | — | | It Feels So Good |
| 1977 | "It's You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | | It Feels So Good |
| 1977 | "We Never Danced to a Love Song" | 93 | 10 | — | — | 83 | — | — | — | | It Feels So Good |
| 1978 | "Am I Losing You" | 101 | 6 | — | — | 96 | — | — | — | | There's No Good in Goodbye |
| 1978 | "Everybody Has a Dream" | — | 65 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | There's No Good in Goodbye |
| 1979 | "Here Comes the Hurt Again" | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Love Talk |
| 1979 | "The Way We Were" / "Memories" (medley) | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Love Talk |
| 1980 | "Shining Star" | 5 | 4 | 21 | 67 | 6 | — | 2 | 45 | RIAA: Platinum | After Midnight |
| 1980 | "Girl of My Dream" | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | After Midnight |
| 1980 | "I'll Never Find Another (Find Another Like You)" | 109 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Greatest Hits |
| 1981 | "Do You Really Mean Goodbye?" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Greatest Hits |
| 1981 | "Just One Moment Away" | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Black Tie |
| 1981 | "Let Your Love Come Down" | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Black Tie |
| 1982 | "Honey, Honey" | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Black Tie |
| 1983 | "Crazy" | 72 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 63 | | Forever by Your Side |
| 1983 | "Forever by Your Side" | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Forever by Your Side |
| 1985 | "You Send Me" | 81 | 20 | 8 | — | — | — | 48 | — | | Too Hot to Stop It |
| 1985 | "Don't Say No" | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Too Hot to Stop It |
| 1986 | "Where Did We Go Wrong?" (with Regina Belle) | — | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Back to Basics |
| 1987 | "All I Need" | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Back to Basics |
| 1989 | "Sweet Talk" | — | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sweet Talk |
| 1989 | "Why You Wanna Love Me Like That" | — | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sweet Talk |
| 1990 | "I Won't Stop" | — | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Sweet Talk |
| 2001 | "Nites Like This" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | ...Even Now... |
| 2013 | "Just for Tonite" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. ||||||||||||