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Originally featuring Billy Gordon (lead singer), Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea and Sylvester Potts, they were soon joined by Hubert Johnson, a cousin of Jackie Wilson. Jackie helped them to get a recording contract with Motown.
After a few unsuccessful singles, they hit big with Do you love me. It topped the R+B charts and made the top three in the American pop charts. In Britain, both the Dave Clark Five and Brian Poole and the Tremeloes covered the song. Brian's version topped the British charts (it was the high point of Brian's career, although his backing group eventually had greater success without him) while Dave's version topped the American pop charts.
Meanwhile, the Contours continued to record great music but they didn't quite fit in with Motown's image - they weren't as slick as the other acts. Nevertheless, they had some success in America with Shake Sherrie, Don't let her be your baby, Can you do it, Can you jerk like me, First I look at the purse, Just a little misunderstanding and It's so hard being a loser - this last track being their last new hit in 1967. They had just one (minor) British hit - Just a little misunderstanding, which briefly charted in 1970, four years after its original release in America.
During the sixties, the Contours underwent many line-up changes. Joe Stubbs (cousin of Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops) and Dennis Edwards (later of the Temptations) were the most notable names to join the group. The group continued for many years as a live act, performing on the oldies circuit at least until the nineties. Joe Billingslea and Sylvester Potts, two of the original members, appear to have stayed with the group through all the changes. Hubert Johnson committed suicide in 1981.
This compilation contains all their hits and several other great tracks. If Motown had had more faith in them, perhaps the Contours would have been more successful. Nevertheless, their music is well worth a listen.
If you're a sixties Motown fan and you have not come across the Contours before, I guarantee you won't be diappointed !!!!
This is very early Motown and it's great to see its contribution to the overall development of that genre of music. The album is sort of a cross between early 1950s rock n roll and early motown, so historically very important and significant as you can hear how rock n roll began to develop into the Motown phenomenon that we now know and love.
This is in addition to the entire album being really pleasant and easy to listen to. Essential for any fans of The Contours, Motown and early rock n roll music.
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