While numerous personnel changes have taken place within the group in its 60+ years of existence, the familiar close harmonies remain The Ink Spots' stock in trade. Making up the current group are bass singer-narrator Harold Winley, second lead Sonny Hatchett, lead tenor Grant Kitchings; and the newest Ink Spot, baritone and guitarist, Morris Dow.
The Ink Spots' story begins in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1932, when four young men - Deek Watson, Charles Fuqua, Orville "Hoppy" Jones and Jerry Daniels - formed the first version of the group. The quartet performed as the Riff Brothers and the Percolating Puppies before settling on the Ink Spots name. In search of a recording contract, the group headed to New York City, where they met up with singer Bill Kenny, who replaced Daniels as the group's lead tenor in 1936. Three years later, The Ink Spots had their first million-selling record, If I Didn't Care. The song, which would be their biggest hit, ultimately sold 19 million copies.
Kenny left the group for a solo career in 1945. The replacement was Jim Nabbie and the hits continued over the next decade; I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, To Each His Own, My Prayer, I'll Never Smile Again, A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening, Java Jive, Maybe, Into Each Life Some Rain May Fall, We Three, It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Prisoner of Love ... and on and on. After the remaining original members left the group, it was up to Nabbie to keep things going. Frustrated by acts billing themselves as The Ink Spots, Nabbie acquired the rights to the Ink Spots' name and registered it as a trademark. While the frequency of hits slowed in the mid '50's, The Ink Spots' influence was heard in the many doo-wop vocal groups formed during this period, as well as many groups, like the Temptations, which would come along later. The Ink Spots' musical impact was recognized formally in 1987 when inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. They have been inducted into the Apollo Hall of Fame and, in 1997, into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Nabbie and the rest of the Ink Spots continued to tour, in the neighborhood of some 200 dates a year. Especially pleasing were the 10 to 20 college dates the group would perform each year, where young people, many of whose parents weren't born at the time of The Ink Spots' first hits, would get their first chance to hear the quartet. Nabbie claimed that he was always amazed that younger audiences would accept the "old timers" music so enthusiastically.
In September 1992, Jim Nabbie, "Mr. Ink Spots" for 47 years, passed away, just before the start of an European tour. The Ink Spots were faced suddenly with the prospect of carrying on without their longtime friend and colleague.
More recently, the band has been introduced to a new, or perhaps, younger audience through the highly successful 'Fallout ' series of RPGs, which features the songs 'I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire' (Fallout 3) and 'Maybe' (Fallout).
But carry on the group has! Grant, who had been with The Ink Spots many years ago, was welcomed immediately by audiences with standing ovations. And so it appears that The Ink Spots will remain a viable musical entity for many years to come.
The Ink Spots Bios:
HAROLD WINLEY
Bass Singer/Narrator
His association with The Ink Spots goes back more than fifty years; before he became an original member of THE CLOVERS. It is now more than twenty-five years that he has been performing with THE INK SPOTS on a continual basis. The deep resonance of his voice has thrilled audiences worldwide. He is the "intellectual" of the group and is interested in everything and anything . . . but photography and music are his passions. Born in Washington, DC where most of his family still resides, he was a resident of New York City for many years. He now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
SONNY HATCHETT
Second Lead/Second Tenor
Sonny is the Group's comedian . . . both on-stage and off-stage . . . and has appeared as a single artist nationally and internationally. Sonny has many comedy albums to his credit. He is also a songwriter and comedy writer and you'll often see his smiling face in movies and commercials filmed in the Miami area. He has been a member of THE INK SPOTS for more than twenty-five years and has earned his nickname of "Twinkle Toes" for his intricate steps on stage. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he now makes his home in the Fort Lauderdale area.
HERMAN DENBY
Lead Tenor
When Grant Kitchings (lead singer 1995-2001) became ill while performing with THE INK SPOTS on the Mississippi Queen, Herman responded immediately and was on the next flight to New Orleans. Those were big shoes to fill, but he did so very well. We are proud to have Herman as a permanent member of the group now that Grant has sadly passed. Herman is a very modest man but he is a published poet, a writer and a songwriter. He was an original member of the "Doo-Wop Hall of Fame" group THE SWALLOWS and wrote most of their songs. He is a life long friend of Sonny Hatchett. He was also born in Baltimore but now makes New York City his home.
MORRIS DOW
Baritone/Guitarist
A native of Philadelphia, he now makes his home in Baltimore, Maryland. He has scored music for many motion pictures and television and radio commercials. Also known as one of the finest jazz harmonica players in the country today, he is a guitarist extraordinare. He is also a writer and has recently had a beautiful book published. Before joining THE INK SPOTS, he toured with many famous artists including Jimmy McGriff and Nancy Wilson. He also worked with Herb Kenny, the brother of THE INK SPOTS' original lead singer, Bill Kenny.
When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano
Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
The Ink Spots' song "When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano" portrays the longing of a lover who is hoping for their partner to return to them on the day the swallows come back to Capistrano. Capistrano is a town in California and the song is talking about the natural phenomenon that happens every year when the swallows migrate back to the town. The lyrics talk about the day the lover said farewell and left, which coincides with the day the swallows flew out to sea, signifying a desire for their lover to come back to them.
The use of the mission bells and chapel choir in the lyrics emphasize the religious undertones of the song and adds a nostalgic and romantic feeling. The happiness that the lover brings will live in the singer's memory and they pray for their partner to come back to them on the day the swallows return. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, symbolizing the hope that the singer has for a reunion with their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
The singer is using the annual return of the swallows to Capistrano as a symbol of hope for the return of someone they love.
That's the day you promised to come back to me
The singer is holding on to a promise from their loved one to return on the day the swallows come back.
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
The departure of the swallows mirrors the moment when the singer's loved one said goodbye to them in Capistrano.
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
The day the swallows leave Capistrano marks the beginning of the artist's loved one's absence from their life.
All the mission bells will ring
The artist is imagining the joyful atmosphere in Capistrano when the swallows return, including the ringing of mission bells.
The chapel choir will sing
The singer is also imagining the chapel choir singing in celebration of the swallows' return.
The happiness you'll bring
The singer believes that their loved one's return will bring them immense happiness.
Will live in my memory
The memory of this happy day will stay with the artist forever.
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
The artist is expressing their hope that their loved one will keep their promise and return on the day the swallows come back to Capistrano.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEON T. RENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frederick W.
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
<3
Brenda Lynn
I dedicate this song to my great grandpa Paul Anacleto Arbiso. He rang the old historical mission bells for 70 years welcoming the Swallows back to San Juan Capistrano every March 19th, St. Joseph's Day.
The good old days of San Juan...
I miss you & love you grandpa ❤🔔🔔❤
Orlin and Kathy Brommer
Cool.. This story is from my childhood in the 1950's. Now I have your grandfather's name to add to my story. Thank you, Orlin
Shaun Veysey
Played this at my parents' funeral last Wednesday. Was my Mother's favourite song. Will cherish it until my time comes. RIP Mum and Dad
v-town1980
Jesus, you lost both at once?
TRAX MUSIC VIDEOS
My dad used to sing these at the weekend....I loved 'em and still do at 62!
Luke Franklin
as a 13 year old boy in 2021, no music can compare to this, I wish we had more music like this.
garthl
You have a fabulous wonderland of music ahead of you, young man!! How privileged you are you will only fully realise over time!! The pendulum must inevitable swing as what poses for "music" these days, banging trashcan lids and crotch groping, inane grunts and cussing will, hopefully, finally fizzle out but while you have the vast treasure chest of choices, keep enjoying what resonates with your soul, not fashion! 🥰
sjhssjjsjs
@garthl what
v-town1980
@sjhssjjsjs Did they hurt your feelings by trashing today's trash?
Malc Hurrell
Sends shivers up my spine.