There were three bands called The Escorts: 1) an American soul band, 2) a B… Read Full Bio ↴There were three bands called The Escorts: 1) an American soul band, 2) a British Merseybeat band, 3) and an Australian pop band.
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
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
Sing A Happy Song
The Escorts Lyrics
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
If the tempo's too fast
Slow it down
Slow it down
Slow it down
When you're feelin' the beat
Break it down
Break it down
Break it down
Time will always go by
Let it fly
Let it fly
Let it fly
And sing a happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
If you're not swinging with him
That's alright
That's alright
That's alright
Do it in your own rhythm
Get it tight
Get it tight
Get it tight
When it's all flowing free
Let it be
Let it be
Let it be
And sing a happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing it
Sing it
Sing a happy song
Won't you sing this song
Sing it
Sing it
Sing a happy song
Come on, sing along
Sing it
Sing it
Oh sing the song sing the song
Come on now
Come on now
Come on now sing a happy happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a song and the world feels so much so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a song make it last forever and ever
You've got nothing to prove
So let go
So let go
So let go
When you get in the groove
Let it flow
Let it flow
Let it flow
When it all seems to float
Take a note
Take a note
Take a note
And sing a happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
C'mon sing this happy happy song
Sing it for you sing it for me
Sing it for all the world to hear and see
Sing the song sing the song
Everybody sing along
C'mon and sing
This happy happy happy song
Oh it's a happy happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
If the tempo's too fast
Slow it down
Slow it down
When you're feelin' the beat
Break it down
Break it down
Break it down
Time will always go by
Let it fly
Let it fly
Let it fly
And sing a happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
If you're not swinging with him
That's alright
That's alright
That's alright
Do it in your own rhythm
Get it tight
Get it tight
Get it tight
When it's all flowing free
Let it be
Let it be
Let it be
And sing a happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a happy song make it last forever and ever
Sing it
Sing it
Sing a happy song
Won't you sing this song
Sing it
Sing it
Sing a happy song
Come on, sing along
Sing it
Sing it
Oh sing the song sing the song
Come on now
Come on now
Come on now sing a happy happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
Sing a song and the world feels so much so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a song make it last forever and ever
You've got nothing to prove
So let go
So let go
So let go
When you get in the groove
Let it flow
Let it flow
Let it flow
When it all seems to float
Take a note
Take a note
Take a note
And sing a happy song
Sing a happy song
Sing a song and the world feels so much better
Sing a happy song
Sing a song make it last forever and ever
Sing a happy song
C'mon sing this happy happy song
Sing it for you sing it for me
Sing it for all the world to hear and see
Sing the song sing the song
Everybody sing along
C'mon and sing
This happy happy happy song
Oh it's a happy happy song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Herschel Edmund Sr. Dwellingham, Harley E. Hackett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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