1) The Escorts were formed by Reginald Haynes in 1968, and originated their smooth vocal sound within the walls of New Jersey's infamous Rahway State Prison. After many failed attempts to allow them to perform on stage, they were finally given the green light. Two years later they were performing on stage at the infamous Rahway State Prison as prison officials, prison guards, visitors and hardcore inmates cheered, stomped, clapped. Little did they know that the late, great Linda Jones (Hypnotized), sister to one of their fellow inmates, was sitting in the audience accompanied by her producer/manager, George Kerr. Kerr, who was a veteran from the stable of Barry Gordy, Jr. and the early motown days, was in his own words" shocked and amazed to find this type of raw, pulsating talent in prison." After the show George Kerr approached Reginald and told him that he thought The Escorts were stupendous. Then he said something that would change Reginald's life forever and earn them both permanent residence in world history. Kerr said "I want to do something that's never been done in the history of the entertainment world. I want to record The Escorts here in Rahway State Prison". Reginald was elated at the prospect of turning professional and so their journey into the entertainment history books began.
The first live concert of The Escorts outside prison walls at Symphony Hall in Newark, NJ on February 17, 1973 created a sensation and two LPs were produced for Alithea Records during this era while some members were still incarcerated: All We Need Is Another Chance, followed by 3 Down 4 To Go. The latter title refers to the fact that three members had been released since the prison's singing group was formed, while the others continue serving their sentences.
2) The Escorts were a Merseybeat band from Liverpool, England. In 1963, they were voted the ninth most popular group in Liverpool by readers of Mersey Beat magazine.
They originally consisted of:
Terry Sylvester - guitar/lead vocals (born Terence Sylvester, 8 January 1946, Liverpool)
John Kinrade - lead guitar/vocals (born 1946)
Mike Gregory - bass guitar/vocals (born Michael Gregory, 7 November 1946, Liverpool)
Pete Clarke - drums (born Peter Gaskell, 1946) replaced by Kenny Goodlass from The Kirkbys; replaced by Pete Clark; replaced by Tommy Kelly of Earl Preston's Realms; replaced by Paul Comerford of The Cryin' Shames.
Sylvester was replaced by Frank Townsend from The Easybeats (1962 - 65) and the Beachwoods, who was later to become a member of Tony Rivers and the Castaways. Paddy Chambers (ex-Faron's Flamingos and The Big Three) subsequently replaced Townsend. Sylvester left to join The Swinging Blue Jeans in 1966, before replacing Graham Nash in The Hollies. He now lives in Florida and travels all over the United States and Canada playing concerts with such as Billy J. Kramer, Peter Noone, Joey Molland and other British Invasion acts. Sylvester also does a one man show.
Paul McCartney played tambourine on their last record "From Head To Toe" in 1966.
Gregory would also leave The Escorts in 1967 to join The Swinging Blue Jeans, and stayed until 1971, whereupon after leaving and doing sessions for a couple of years, he formed a group with Johnny Goodison of the original Brotherhood of Man called Big John's Rock 'n' Roll Circus in 1975. Gregory stayed in 'The Circus' until its demise in 2005, and is now a solo artist.
Kinrade stopped playing after The Escorts split up in 1967, and is now a hairdresser with two salons. Clarke became the in house session drummer for Apple Music. He did sessions for Kiki Dee and Billy Preston and, after a brief stint in Badfinger, is now living in the US
Although they never released a full album, during their short time together, at the instigation of Elvis Costello, Edsel Records released an LP containing all twelve songs from the six singles in 1983. It was released on CD in 1995 as EDCD 422 and entitled From the Blue Angel, as a reference to the club where they began performing in 1962. Costello also released a single which was a cover of The Escorts last recording - "From Head To Toe" / "Night Time".
3) The Escorts - Brisbane pop band from 1967
Ooo Baby Baby
The Escorts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I did you wrong, my heart went out to play
And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Mistakes I know I've made a few,
But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Ooh baby baby
Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope
'cause I feel someday I'll hold you near,
Whisper I still love you
Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.
Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
The lyrics to The Escorts' song Ooo Baby Baby are a heartbreaking reflection of a person who has lost their lover due to their own mistakes. The singer admits to doing wrong and playing around with their heart, leading to the loss of the person they loved. The price they have to pay for their actions is immense and they are left to cry and mourn their loss. They acknowledge that they have made mistakes but argue that everyone is human and therefore bound to make mistakes. As such, they plead with their lover not to give up on them, and instead, hold onto hope that someday things will change and they will be reunited. Until then, the singer vows to keep trying and expressing their love in the hope that it will be enough to bring them back together again.
The lyrics to Ooo Baby Baby have been described as one of the most beautiful and soulful love songs ever written. It was originally recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in 1965 and was later covered by various artists including Linda Ronstadt, who had a hit with it in 1978. The song has endured for over five decades and is regarded as one of the greatest Motown ballads of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh la, la, la, la.
Expressing excitement and anticipation for the love that is to come.
I did you wrong, my heart went out to play And in the game I lost you, what a price to pay!
Admitting to having made a mistake and lost the one they love as a result.
I'm cryin', ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Expressing the pain and sadness of losing their lover, and the desire to win them back.
Mistakes I know I've made a few, But I'm only human; you've made mistakes too!
Acknowledging that both parties in the relationship have made mistakes and it's important to forgive and move forward.
Ooh baby baby Ooh baby baby I'm just about at the end of my rope.
Feeling like they're at the end of their emotional rope and barely holding on to hope for the relationship.
But I can't stop tryin', I can't give up hope 'cause I feel someday I'll hold you near, Whisper I still love you Until that day is here ooh I'm cryin'.
Refusing to give up on their love and holding on to hope for the future, expressing how much they love their partner.
Ooh baby baby ooh baby baby
Continuing to express the pain and heartbreak of losing their lover and the deep desire to win them back.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind