This month we pay tribute to one of Yukon’s favorite groups, the Channels.  While they never quite put together a string of big hits like others, the Channels were one of the most popular East Coast Doo-Wop groups.  Their sound epitemizes Doo-Wop group singing.

The original members of the group were Larry Hampden, Billy Morris, and Edward Doulphin. They originally had two other part-time members who left the group early on.  They then added lead vocalist Earl Lewis and Clifton Wright from other group - the Lotharios.   Its not clear when the Channels officially formed.  Some sources say 1955 and others say 1956.  However, the location was definitely Harlem, home to numerous Doo-Wop groups.  The original members went to a record store in Harlem owned by Bobby Robinson.  Robinson was recording new groups at the time and he listened to the Channels perform the Gleam in Your Eyes.  Robinson obviously liked what he heard and he recorded the group the next day on the Whirlin Disc record label.  That was June 30, 1956.  That record was the Closer You Are which became  a big hit and is probably the one song most identified with the Channels (although in my opinion not their best song).  It was written by Earl Lewis.  They were performing in Harlem a month later.  The Channels would continue to perform with such groups as The Dells, The Five Satins, The Mello-kings, The Flamingoes and The Spaniels.

In 1957 the Channels moved to the End/Gone record label. Richard Barrett of Gone Records (and Valentines fame) produced their next hit That's My Desire.  Then it was onto the Fury label where they recorded Bye Bye Baby backed with My Love Will Never Die which was one of their biggest hits.  Later the Channels recorded the Girl Next Door in 1959 on the Fire label.

One of the original things that the Channels did for Doo-Wop was to start off a verse singing together in five-part harmony and then Earl Lewis would sing lead in the bridge.  Most Doo-Wop songs/groups did it the other way around with the lead singer singing most of the song all the way through.  But the Channels had such a great sound, it was a real treat to hear their harmony for most of the record. Lewis’ high falsetto lead is probably one of the best, if not the best off all time as evidenced in such great records as The Gleam in Your Eye and I Really Love You.  Sadly, they were not big hits for the Channels.

The Channels continued to perform and recorded on their own record label (Channels) during the 1970’s.  Currently, Earl Lewis is still performing and has a new record with some new Channels entitled Especially for You.  You can read more about that record at this web site:  http://www.canaan-lake.com/all%20music%20page.htm.