The Cadillacs an American doo-wop group from Harlem, New York were formed i… Read Full Bio ↴The Cadillacs an American doo-wop group from Harlem, New York were formed in 1953 and are noted for their 1955 hit "Speedoo".
The group came together as The Carnations, with lead vocalist Earl "Speedo" Carroll (November 2, 1937 – November 25, 2012), Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake (bass vocalist), and Gus Willingham. As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them. The group's first recording came in July 1954, with Josie Records #765, featuring Gloria and Wonder Why.
In 1955, Willingham and Clark left the group and were replaced by Earl Wade and Charles Brooks. At this time, the group first began to experiment with choreography, suggested by manager Esther Navarro. Later that year came the group's biggest hit, "Speedoo", Carroll's nickname. Lavern Drake left the group in 1956 and was replaced by J. R. Bailey.
In 1957, differences in opinion caused the group to split. One group was initially known as The Four Cadillacs, with current bass J. R. Bailey, former bass Lavern Drake, and new members Roland Martinez and Bobby Spencer. The previous year, Bobby Spencer had written the "My Boy Lollipop" pop song shuffle for Barbie Gaye, which was played by Alan Freed and secured Barbie Gaye a spot in his 1956 Christmas Show opening for Little Richard. In 1964, an Ernest Ranglin produced ska version of the song became a multi-million seller for Jamaican teenager Millie Small and made producer Chris Blackwell rich, leading to further development of his Island Records label.
The other four current members - Carroll, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips - continued recording separately, later as Earl Carroll and the Cadillacs. Bailey's group also included former group saxophonist Jesse "Tex" Powell, and recorded in early 1958 as Jesse Powell and the Caddys. Both groups recorded simultaneously on Josie Records. Later in 1958, the groups combined back into one. Carroll's backup vocalists, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips, all decided to retire and Carroll joined Bailey, Drake, Martinez and Spencer. Carroll's lead spot had been given to Spencer and Bailey, and he left shortly thereafter, creating a new group, Speedo and the Pearls, which recorded briefly in 1959. In 1959, the Cadillacs are also featured in the movie Go Johnny, Go
The group split and re-formed in 1960, with Carroll, Martinez, Kirk Davis, and bass Ronnie Bright. Later the group was Carroll, Martinez, the returning Bobby Spencer, Milton Love, and Reggie Barnes. Martinez, Love and Barnes were all members of The Solitares at one time.
In 1961, the group began to resemble The Coasters in their music. The lineup shifted again, now with Carroll, Martinez, Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, and Irving Lee Gail. Carroll was out by 1963 to enter the group they'd been emulating, The Coasters, with Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, and former Cadillac Ronnie Bright. 1963 also ended the group's run on Josie Records.
Brewster and Martinez brought in former members Bobby Spencer and J. R. Bailey and continued to record through 1963. The group split, with Bailey joining the Jive Five. Brewster brought in former Cadillac/Solitare Milton Love with Solitares Bobby Baylor and Fred Barksdale. This group recorded briefly in 1964. Spencer became lead vocalist, with Joey Levine (Ohio Express, Reunion) as backing vocalist, for Crazy Elephant, a bubblegum music group, in 1969.
The Cadillacs were back in 1970 with J. R. Bailey, Bobby Spencer, original member Bobby Phillips (who had retired from Speedo's group during the split), and new member Leroy Binns, of The Charts. Steven Brown later replaced Phillips. Teddy Pendergrass came on as the groups drummer. The group split into the mid-1970s and some members joined Herold Melvin and the Bluenotes, including Teddy Pendergrass as drummer. In 1979 Earl Carroll, Earl Wade, Bobby Phillips, and Steven Brown came together for a Subaru commercial.
Carroll had remained with the Coasters during this time, and left in the early 1990s to permanently re-form the Cadillacs with Phillips, Brown, Gary K. Lewis, and musical director Eddie Jones. Brown left in 2003. Phillips died in March 2011.
The Cadillacs were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
The group came together as The Carnations, with lead vocalist Earl "Speedo" Carroll (November 2, 1937 – November 25, 2012), Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake (bass vocalist), and Gus Willingham. As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them. The group's first recording came in July 1954, with Josie Records #765, featuring Gloria and Wonder Why.
In 1955, Willingham and Clark left the group and were replaced by Earl Wade and Charles Brooks. At this time, the group first began to experiment with choreography, suggested by manager Esther Navarro. Later that year came the group's biggest hit, "Speedoo", Carroll's nickname. Lavern Drake left the group in 1956 and was replaced by J. R. Bailey.
In 1957, differences in opinion caused the group to split. One group was initially known as The Four Cadillacs, with current bass J. R. Bailey, former bass Lavern Drake, and new members Roland Martinez and Bobby Spencer. The previous year, Bobby Spencer had written the "My Boy Lollipop" pop song shuffle for Barbie Gaye, which was played by Alan Freed and secured Barbie Gaye a spot in his 1956 Christmas Show opening for Little Richard. In 1964, an Ernest Ranglin produced ska version of the song became a multi-million seller for Jamaican teenager Millie Small and made producer Chris Blackwell rich, leading to further development of his Island Records label.
The other four current members - Carroll, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips - continued recording separately, later as Earl Carroll and the Cadillacs. Bailey's group also included former group saxophonist Jesse "Tex" Powell, and recorded in early 1958 as Jesse Powell and the Caddys. Both groups recorded simultaneously on Josie Records. Later in 1958, the groups combined back into one. Carroll's backup vocalists, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips, all decided to retire and Carroll joined Bailey, Drake, Martinez and Spencer. Carroll's lead spot had been given to Spencer and Bailey, and he left shortly thereafter, creating a new group, Speedo and the Pearls, which recorded briefly in 1959. In 1959, the Cadillacs are also featured in the movie Go Johnny, Go
The group split and re-formed in 1960, with Carroll, Martinez, Kirk Davis, and bass Ronnie Bright. Later the group was Carroll, Martinez, the returning Bobby Spencer, Milton Love, and Reggie Barnes. Martinez, Love and Barnes were all members of The Solitares at one time.
In 1961, the group began to resemble The Coasters in their music. The lineup shifted again, now with Carroll, Martinez, Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, and Irving Lee Gail. Carroll was out by 1963 to enter the group they'd been emulating, The Coasters, with Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, and former Cadillac Ronnie Bright. 1963 also ended the group's run on Josie Records.
Brewster and Martinez brought in former members Bobby Spencer and J. R. Bailey and continued to record through 1963. The group split, with Bailey joining the Jive Five. Brewster brought in former Cadillac/Solitare Milton Love with Solitares Bobby Baylor and Fred Barksdale. This group recorded briefly in 1964. Spencer became lead vocalist, with Joey Levine (Ohio Express, Reunion) as backing vocalist, for Crazy Elephant, a bubblegum music group, in 1969.
The Cadillacs were back in 1970 with J. R. Bailey, Bobby Spencer, original member Bobby Phillips (who had retired from Speedo's group during the split), and new member Leroy Binns, of The Charts. Steven Brown later replaced Phillips. Teddy Pendergrass came on as the groups drummer. The group split into the mid-1970s and some members joined Herold Melvin and the Bluenotes, including Teddy Pendergrass as drummer. In 1979 Earl Carroll, Earl Wade, Bobby Phillips, and Steven Brown came together for a Subaru commercial.
Carroll had remained with the Coasters during this time, and left in the early 1990s to permanently re-form the Cadillacs with Phillips, Brown, Gary K. Lewis, and musical director Eddie Jones. Brown left in 2003. Phillips died in March 2011.
The Cadillacs were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Down the Road
The Cadillacs Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Down the Road' by these artists:
Adam Gregory I see your tears I hear your words Girl, I feel how…
Alex and the Bandits She said "there's something about you" It's my dirty fucking…
Amarillo Cowboys When I was a boy Four houses down from me Was a…
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Burned down on the boulevard Livin' so fast and sweet and…
Bee Gees I don't need anybody . I don't need anyone. Take it…
Bill Staines Down the Road Bill Staines I do believe that there will be …
Bloden-Wedd Fighting for my dreams against the world I look into the…
C-2-C Have no place to go Have no place to go Darling Have no…
C2C feat. Derek Martin Air longplay should go Air longplay should go Darling Air…
Casey Donahew Well she's sittin in a car tryin to figure out…
Dan Fogelberg Down the road Down the road Got a little pretty girl, down…
David Holt; Doc Watson Oh, it's going down the road feeling bad Bad luck's all…
Dead Moon Stranded in the storm trying to see through the rain Looks…
Dirty Honey Lord I see you around town after we said goodbye God…
DJ Earl-e Memphis in my headlights your memory on my trail Been chasin…
Doc & Merle Watson Oh, it's going down the road feeling bad Bad luck's all…
Doc McKenzie And The Hi-Lites If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Doc Watson Oh, it's going down the road feeling bad Bad luck's all…
Don Williams I guess there's not much I can do or say Saw…
Doucette Take me down the road Lead me by the hand I don't…
Dr. John Rolling down R 40 On a nickel and dime Nowhere…
Earl Scruggs Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Earl Scruggs & The Foggy Mountain Boys Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Earl Scruggs;Lester Flatt Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
ERU9.8 I'm in it Go Driving the way Down the road…
Fenriz a.k.a. DJ V.K.O.M Whoa That's more like it Yeah These speakers are not ready O…
Flatt Scruggs Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Freddie Slack If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
GAZ Price She's got the kids, she raised them on her own He's…
Ian Gillan Fenwick-Gustafson-Gillan-Glover-Nauseef Time don't stand …
Ian Gillan Band Time don't stand still Don't hang around for the kill I've b…
J. Howells Werthman I've been down this road before I've felt like this somewhe…
Jamie Webster There′s a road sold, shows you not to think but…
Jerry Jeff Walker Django Walker/Greg Combs Took the bus out of Austin, band…
Jesse T. Reid Somewhere down the road I'll see you again I don't know when…
Jimmy Reed When I was a boy Four houses down from me Was a…
John Newman I′ve been battered, I've been bruised And though I know it′s…
Kansas (Steve Walsh / Kerry Livgren) I'm in a kind of foolish…
Kenny Chesney When I was a boy Four houses down from me Was a…
Kenny Rankin The Land Of Mystic Emerald Seas In Fields Of Soft, Sweet…
Kidd G Down the road where the blacktop ends You can find me…
KITCHEN - Little Feat I gave you high steppin' slippers But you still can't…
Left Lane Cruiser Adventurers in time and space, transcribed in future tense; …
Lester & Scruggs Earl Flatt Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Lester Flatt Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Lester Flatt Earl Scruggs The Foggy Mountain Boys Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Lester Flatt feat. Earl Scruggs Down the road Down the road Got a little pretty girl down…
Lester Flatt;Earl Scruggs;The Foggy Mountain Boys Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Little Feat Lowell George I gave you high steppin' slippers But you sti…
Mac McAnally When I was a boy Four houses down from me Was a…
Manassas When I was a young man Standin' in the door The room…
Marty Stuart Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
Matt Ballaro We saw a little blue house with three kids And the…
Mike Alarm & Peters Woke up this morning with a new kind of feeling Kicked…
Mr. Blue I will give all my love I will give all my…
O.R.k Cold rain come wash my ol' black sins down through my…
Of Mice & Men Your vacancy consumes me, Like the cold slowly creeping in …
Old Man Luedecke Down the Road Oh we found a needle and thread as…
OUTDrejas I need to fill the void There's an emptiness about me That…
Pallaso Check it (down the road) I just got a phone call…
Pinball Wizard Down the road, we walk alone A fever running in my…
Plain White T's Lost myself again and didn't care I was missing Said goodbye…
RandiVision (Intro) Yeah Yeah 909. 909. Yeah Yeah Shit it’s 909…
Restless Heart When I was a boy Four houses down from me Was a…
Richard Clapton Clapton I was turned out of Cafe Cologne As the sun came…
Rose & Ben I've been clocking the miles The sun rises and falls Trying …
Saigon I’ve been down this road before I’m still, I’m still who…
Scatterbrain Down in the dumps and feeling blue, Sitting home got nothing…
Spencer & Rains When your bridges have been Burned And you've nowhere else…
Stan Rogers Sun is rising high, burning into the day, I will say…
Stephen Stills When I was a young man Standin' in the door The room…
Stephen Stills & Manassas When I was a young man Standin' in the door The room…
Steve Earle On the blue side of evenin' When the darkness takes…
Stoner Train I've lost in space my poor soul, I try to find…
The Bluegrass Album Band Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
The Doc Watson Family Down the road, down the road, I've got a sugar baby…
The Elovaters I’ll see you on down the road Hail sleet thunder and…
The Foggy Mountain Boys Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
The Greenbriar Boys Now down the road just a mile or two Lives a…
The Hitmen Don’t drop this love Like you drop your cigarettes in the…
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band When I was a boy Four houses down from me Was a…
The Rolling Stones Now if you wanna hear some boogie like I'm gonna…
The Tiger Come on and Ease on down, ease on down the road Come…
The Wanderer I don′t wanna go Down the Road But the black-coloured paveme…
The Watson Family Chorus: Down the road, down the road, I've got a sugar baby…
Tiger Magic I stood down the road When you shut the door for…
Ugly Duckling *Young Einstein scratches and cuts "Down the road"* I got m…
Van Morrison Well it's down the road I go And I got those…
W.A.D Down on the coast road in the summertime Under blue skies…
X-Group You can't let 'em take your light, you can't let…
Your Grandparents In case you wanna go My automotive parked right right…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Cadillacs:
Ain't You Gonna (Campbell, Deery, Noyes, Nugent, Santoriello) Well, you migh…
Buzz Buzz Buzz Well, buzz, buzz, buzz goes the bumble bee Tweele, deedle, d…
Crying In The Chapel I'll never let you see The way my broken heart is…
Gitana Una vez más Para todo este publico Con ustedes Los fabulosos…
Gloria Gloria, Gloria It's not Marie Gloria, it's not Sherie Gloria…
I Cover The Waterfront I cover the waterfront, I'm watching the sea,, Will the on…
I Want to Know I don't know where to go I don't know where to…
I'm In Love (Campbell, Deery, Hackford, Noyes, Nugent, Santoriello) No, …
In The Chapel In The Moonlight How I'd love to hear the organ In the chapel in…
My Girl Friend I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside…
My Girlfriend I'm asking you, bom bom bom bom bom Please be my…
Peek a Boo Peek-A-Boo 2: 05 Trk 14 (Hammer) The Cadillacs Earl 'Speedy'…
Peek-A-Boo (Hammer) The Cadillacs Earl 'Speedy' Carroll - lead tenor Ch…
Please Mr Johnson (piano & instrumental) Our pockets are empty We are broke W…
rudolph While walking down the road Christmas morning I saw a reinde…
Speedo Well, now, they often call me Speedo But my real…
Speedoo Bom, bom, bom, Bom, bom, bom, Bom, bom, bom, bom. Now they …
Sugar Sugar Here come a girl Walkin' down the street Boy, she is sweet F…
Sugar-Sugar Here come a girl Walkin' down the street Boy, she is sweet…
Tell Me Today If you love me the way our friends say Dont tell…
That's Why I was drinkin' whiskey, you was drinkin' red Drinkin' like t…
Why Yo a vos no te creo nada ¿Cómo vos vas a…
Why Why Yo a vos no te creo nada Cómo vos vas a…
Window Lady Window, Window, Window, Window Lady Window, Window, Window, …
Woe Is Me Woe woe woe woe woe woe Yea yea yea Yea yea…
You Are Lời mẹ ru con đến những khu vườn Ru con trưa…
Zoom Bom, be doo Be doo be doo be (Bow wow) x3 Wow wow wah-wow We…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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billy smith
Phenomenal background harmony all through the song. ----- (RIP, Earl).
Ron Hennessy
I agree it was their best song. Outstanding sax solo!!!! :)
lastknowngood0
Elliott Lebron yes it is!
GeneralAlex4
Lot better than today's crap. These guys had real talent.
Raymond18806
It means let's have more of the same great stuff ! Bring it!
Renee V
great song they will never make music again like this.
kariokinho
Nice song. Thanks for sharing. I had never heard it.
C. F
Great jazz instrumentation!
Irene Morrison
My favorite Cadillacs' song.
Renee Victor
Down Down Babe love when his range goes up and down. This was our music