The Spaniels

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The Spaniels were an American rhythm and blues doo-wop group best known for the hit "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight". They have been called the first successful Midwestern R&B group^[1]. Some historians of vocal groups consider Pookie Hudson to be the first true leader of a vocal group, because the Spaniels pioneered the technique of having the main singer (Pookie) solo at his own microphone while the rest of the group shared a second microphone^[2]. The original members included:

Thornton James "Pookie" Hudson - born on 11 June 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ernest Warren
Willie C. Jackson
Opal Courtney Jr
Gerald Gregory

The group debuted in late 1952 at Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana as Pookie Hudson & The Hudsonaires. They changed their name to The Spaniels that spring and, upon graduation, became one of the first two artists to sign with Vee Jay Records, the first large, independent African American-owned record company. The group recorded their initial release, "Baby It's You," on May 5, 1953. Released in July, 1953, the song reached number ten on Billboard magazine's Rhythm and Blues chart on September 5.

In spring 1954, "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight" hit number twenty-four on Billboard's Top 40 and rose to number five on the R & B chart. The Spaniels played regularly at the Apollo, and were on the tour that proved fatal for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.

The lineup changed numerous times over the ensuing years^[3].

The Spaniels were the top selling vocal group for Vee Jay. The band broke up when the label went bankrupt in 1966, but in 1969, the group reformed, releasing hits like "Fairy Tales" in 1970. An entire new generation was exposed to the group's music when "Goodnight Sweetheart" was featured prominently in the blockbuster movie "American Graffiti."

Two current Spaniels-related groups continue to perform: one in Washington, D.C. and the original group still based in Gary.

The D.C.-based group, with Pookie Hudson and Joe Herndon, appeared on the PBS special, Doo Wop 50. Hudson, who wrote but never received much credit or income from "Goodnight Sweetheart," in recent years has battled cancer.