Soul Survivors (band)
| Soul Survivors | |
|---|---|
|
Soul Survivors in 1969 (l-r Charlie Ingui, Kenny Jeremiah, Richie Ingui) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | R&B |
The Soul Survivors are an American, Philadelphia-based, Soul Music and R&B group, founded by New York natives Richie and Charlie Ingui along with Kenny Jeremiah. The Soul Survivors are known for their 1967 hit single "Expressway to Your Heart", which was the first hit by Philadelphia soul record producers and songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.[1] The Soul Survivors are still performing and recording new music and covers, most recently working with David Uosikkenen of the The Hooters and his project "In The Pocket" which is paying tribute to the vast catalog of music created in Philadelphia.
History
The Soul Survivors first played together in New York under the name The Dedications, founded by member Kenny Jeremiah, who released several singles under this name in 1962 and 1964. They adopted the name Soul Survivors in 1965. They signed to Philadelphia label Crimson Records, who put them in touch with Gamble & Huff. "Expressway to Your Heart" was a #1 hit regionally in Philadelphia and New York in the fall of 1967, and the tune reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 nationally. "Expressway to Your Heart" spent 15 weeks in the charts and sold over one million copies.[1]
The follow-up was "Explosion in Your Soul,"[2] which was not as successful (U.S. #33); a third release, "Impossible Mission", also was a minor hit in 1969 (U.S. #68). They quit playing for a few years, but re-formed with a different lineup in 1972. They had one more hit, "City of Brotherly Love" in 1974.[2] In the 1970s, the group lost its record contract and its manager and eventually disbanded.[3] Charlie Ingui became a landscaper, Richie Ingui became a house painter, Paul Venturini became a restaurateur, and drummer Joe Forgione owned an auto body shop.[3] In 1987, the Inqui brothers began playing occasional gigs as the original Soul Survivors and signed a five-record contract in 1991 with Society Hill Records.[3] As of 2006, they were playing occasional dates in the Eastern United States.
Chuck Trois also went on to release a solo 45 rpm single on A&M Records in August 1969, with "Mr. Holmes" on one side, and "A National Band" on the other.
Richie Ingui died of heart failure on January 13, 2017, at the age of 69.[4][5][6]
Members
- Charlie Ingui - vocals
- Richie Ingui - vocals (November 15, 1947 – January 13, 2017)[7]
- Kenny Jeremiah - vocals
- Joe Forgione - drums
- Paul Venturini - organ
- Chuck Trois - guitar
- Edward Leonetti - guitar
- John (Beedo) Dzubak Sr. - drums
- Billy Collins - bass
- Ralph Capobianco - drums and percussion (was one of the later drummers)
- Sal Rota - keyboards
- Novac Noury (Jerry Noury) - organ and bass pedals during 1966
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Record Label | B-side | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | R&B | |||||
| 1967 | "Expressway to Your Heart" | 4 | 3 | Crimson Records | "Hey Gyp" | When the Whistle Blows Anything Goes |
| "Explosion in Your Soul" | 33 | 45 | "Dathon's Theme" | |||
| 1968 | "Impossible Mission (Mission Impossible)" | 68 | – | "Poor Man's Dream" | ||
| "Turn Out the Fire" | – | – | Atco Records | "Go Out Walking" | Take Another Look | |
| 1969 | "Mama Soul" | 115 | – | "Tell Daddy" | ||
| 1970 | "Temptation 'Bout to Get Me" | – | – | "Still Got My Head" | ||
| 1974 | "City of Brotherly Love" | – | 75 | TSOP Records | "The Best Time Was the Last Time" | Soul Survivors |
| "What It Takes" | – | – | "Virgin Girl" | |||
| 1975 | "Lover to Me" | – | – | "Your Love" | ||
| 1976 | "Happy Birthday, America, Pt. 1" | – | – | Philadelphia International Records | "Happy Birthday, America, Pt. 2" | |
Albums
| Year | Album | Billboard 200 | R&B | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | When the Whistle Blows Anything Goes | 123 | 25 | Crimson Records |
| 1969 | Take Another Look | – | – | Atco Records |
| 1974 | Soul Survivors | – | – | TSOP Records |
| 1997 | Expressway to Your Heart | – | – | Collectables Records |
Note
The Soul Survivors are not the same as the 1960s Denver-based rock and roll band, also known as the Soul Survivors. They included Bob Raymond, who was later with Sugarloaf.[8]
References
- 1 2 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 230. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- 1 2 Bill Dahl. "The Soul Survivors | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
- 1 2 3 Logan, Joe (January 2, 1991). "Still Surviving Fame Was Fleeting For Charlie And Richie Ingui, Who Hit It Big In 1967 With "Expressway to Your Heart". But The South Jersey Brothers Known As The Soul Survivors Are Driving For A Comeback.". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Soul Survivors Singer Richie Ingui Dies at Age 70". ABC News Radio. January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ↑ "Richie Ingui of 'Expressway to Your Heart' Philly Sound group Soul Survivors has died". Philly.com. January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ↑ "Richie Ingui, ‘Expressway to Your Heart’ Singer, Dies". Best Classic Bands. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
- ↑ "Richie Ingui". godsjukebox.com. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
- ↑ "Moonrakers page 2". Moonrakers.us. Retrieved 2015-08-19.