#1 An American doo-wop group. … Read Full Bio ↴There are more bands known as The Flares:
#1 An American doo-wop group. Also known as The Debonaires, The Flairs and The Peppers.
As The Flares, their biggest hit was the 1961 release "Foot Stompin' Part 1", which hit #20 on the Black Singles chart and #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
#2 A 70's Jazz outfit known for eccentric dressing and a song from the original 'Hairspray'
#3 A small time Cornish band active from 2005-2007 who played a number of small gigs and gained local notoriety for their fashion sense.
#4 A hungarian guitar band who playes covers and tributes in Budapest.
#1 The Flares (Flairs) were an American doo-wop group based in Los Angeles. They went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members included Richard Berry (writer of 'Louie Louie') and Cornell Gunter, who would go on to being a member of The Coasters.
In 1952, an African-American musical group calling themselves The Debonaires had formed in Los Angeles, with members Arthur Lee Maye, Pete Fox, Obediah Jessie, Joe Winslow, and A.V. Odom. Winslow dropped out, leaving the qroup a quartet. Bass man Odom was out soon after, and was replaced by Richard Berry. Maye began putting baseball ahead of singing (he would later be a professional baseball player for the Milwaukee Braves), and the group brought in Beverly Thompson to replace him. Cornell Gunter, who had recently left the earliest lineup of The Platters, came in to make the group a quintet. The Debonaires made a handful of recordings for Recorded In Hollywood Records with no real success.
The group then found Modern Records, and were transferred to Flair Records, owned by a brother of the owner of Modern. At this point, they changed their name to The Flairs. Although named after the label, they had little success there. They recorded several singles through 1953, beginning with "I Had a Love". The next was "Rabbit On A Log", which was credited to The Hunters, to avoid competition with "I Had A Love". More singles followed into 1954. Thompson left in the summer of 1954. The group performed as a quartet, and brought in Charles Jackson as a fifth member on recordings.
Shortly after Thompson's departure, Berry left as well. He had been working with Arthur Lee Maye's new group, The Crowns, as well as his own second group, The Dreamers. This caused friction in the Flairs. His replacement was Randy Jones (who also did some bass spots with the Crowns). The group continued recording, with one of their singles, "Love Me, Love Me, Love Me", being credited to The Chimes. Jackson left to join The Chimes at this time, and Jones left to fill the bass spot in The Penguins. Gunter, Jessie, and Fox continued as The Jac-O-Lacs, recording for Tampa Records. The group broke up at this point. Jessie recorded one more Jac-O-Lacs single, "Mary Lou", backed by The Cadets. He got to know this group and, when a baritone was needed a few years later, recommended fellow Flair Pete Fox for the job. Jessie continued as a soloist.
With Fox joining the Cadets and Jessie recording solo (as Young Jessie), Cornell Gunter formed a new group, The Ermines, with new members George Hollis, Thomas Miller[disambiguation needed], and his cousin, Kenneth Byley. After a brief stint with Loma Records, they signed up with manager Buck Ram, and moved to ABC-Paramount Records, taking the name The Flairs. After recording for ABC a short time, they moved to Modern, then to Aladdin Records. Old Ermine's tracks continued to be released by Loma. Also, during this time, they frequently backed up Gunter's sister, Shirley.
Gunter was out in late 1957, and was replaced by Vince Weaver. The group recorded into the summer of 1958 for Ram's Antler Records. Later that year, Weaver and Byley both left the group. The Cadets were again associated with The Flairsâthey had just split, and ex-Cadets Willie Davis and Aaron Collins joined The Flairs. Former Flair Pete Fox was also a member of the Cadets when they split, and he did not join The Flairs. The fourth Cadet, Will "Dub" Jones, filled one of two recent vacancies in The Coasters, the other being filled by recent Flair departee Cornell Gunter.
Miller, Hollis, Davis, and Collins recorded only briefly as The Flairs, before changing their name to The Flares, in 1959. Buck Ram had actually proposed a different name, The Peppers. After a two year break, the Flares began to record again. By this time, however, both of the former Cadets had left, and the group was now Miller, Hollis, Eddie King, Robbie Robinson[disambiguation needed], and Beverly Harris. This lineup recorded for Felsted Records. Then the lineup returned to Miller, Hollis, Willie Davis, and Aaron Collins (possibly featuring Harris). They recorded as Bennie Bunn and The Cadets for Sherwood Records in 1960.
At that time, Hollis left and was replaced by a former Flair, Randy Jones. Patience Valentine was added as a fifth member. Once again as The Flares, the group recorded for Jan-Lar Records. The groups lineup shifted rapidly at this point- later, Davis was out and Hollis was in. Then, Jones and Valentine were out, and Davis and Collin's sister Rose Collins were in. Rose was only in shortly, then she and Aaron's sister Betty Collins. Then, Davis was out again, replaced by the returning Vince Weaver for a short time, before Davis returned.
As The Flares, their biggest hit was the 1961 release "Foot Stompin' Part 1", which hit #20 on the Black Singles chart and #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1961, the group took Buck Ram's previous suggestion and recorded as "The Peppers" for Ensign Records. Then it was back to The Flares for Ram's Press Records. They alternated between The Peppers and The Flares through 1964. At that point, the group split.
Foot Stomping
The Flares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Learn how to rock and roll
Listen, here's something new
Everybody's lookin' to
Foot stomping
With each other
Only dance and listen
Listen to the jerkin' beat
Shake your head and stomp your feet.
Foot stomping
With each other
Even just the other day
Taught it to my sister kay
Fat leg-ged mr. blue
Can do foot stompin' too.
Foot stomping
With each other
Meet me at the dance hall
We're gonna have a ball
Sure cue, 4 thorn
4 thorn, 3 thorns
Foot stomping
With each other
The Flares's "Foot Stomping" is a classic rock and roll song that encourages everyone to learn how to dance to the jerkin' beat and stomp their feet. The song is upbeat and lively, evoking a sense of excitement and joy that is typical of rock and roll music. The lyrics suggest that both the young and the old can participate in this form of dance and that it is something new that everybody's looking for.
The song's focus is on the foot-stomping dance, which is characterized by rhythmic, repetitive foot movements that are meant to mirror the beat of the music. The lyrics encourage listeners to join in and learn this dance, suggesting that it is a fun and accessible way to enjoy rock and roll music. Even the singer's sister and the "fat-legged Mr. Blue" are able to participate in the foot-stomping dance, suggesting that it is an inclusive and welcoming activity.
The "Foot Stomping" song also encourages listeners to come together and enjoy this activity as a community. The lyrics invite listeners to meet at the dance hall and have a ball together, emphasizing the social aspect of rock and roll music and the foot-stomping dance in particular. Overall, The Flares's "Foot Stomping" is a lively, upbeat rock and roll song that celebrates the joy of dance and community.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody young and old
This song is for everyone, regardless of age.
Learn how to rock and roll
The Flares want to teach you to dance to this energetic music style.
Listen, here's something new
The song has a fresh and exciting sound that people haven't heard before.
Everybody's lookin' to
Everyone wants to join the fun and dance along.
Foot stomping
This dance involves stomping your feet to the beat of the music.
With each other
The Flares want everyone to dance together and enjoy the music as a community.
You're wondering how to dance
If you're unsure how to dance to this genre, the Flares are here to help.
Only dance and listen
Just go with the flow and let the music guide your body movements.
Listen to the jerkin' beat
The song has a distinctive and lively rhythm that you should pay attention to.
Shake your head and stomp your feet.
The dance involves moving your entire body along with the beat of the music, particularly your head and feet.
Even just the other day
Recently, one of the band members taught the dance moves to their sibling.
Taught it to my sister kay
The band member taught the moves to their sister, whose name is Kay.
Fat leg-ged mr. blue
Even someone who is overweight or has large legs can enjoy and participate in the dance.
Can do foot stompin' too.
Regardless of who you are, you can enjoy and participate in the dance moves.
Meet me at the dance hall
The Flares want people to come together and dance at the local dance hall.
We're gonna have a ball
It's going to be a fun and festive event.
Sure cue, 4 thorn
This line is nonsensical and may just be a call to signal the start of the dance.
4 thorn, 3 thorns
This is another nonsensical line that may indicate a transition in the song.
Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: AARON COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arthurharrison1345
Everybody young 'n' old
Learns how to rock 'n' roll
Listen hear somethin' new
Everybody's jumpin' to
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
A good time
No wondering and a-guessin'
Don't need dancin' lessons
Listen to the jerky beat
Shake your head and stomp your feet
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
A good time
Even just the other day
Taught it to my sister Mae
Bad leg Mr. Blue
Can do the foot stompin' too
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
A good time
(break)
Meet me at the dance hall
We're gonna have a ball
Sure cure for a corn
'Fore long real gone
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
Foot stompin', foot stompin'
A good time
Foot-stompin'
A-foot-stompin'
A good time
@LeannFang
Love this song and if you haven't already listen to Bowie's cover, you really should. He does an amazing job on this song!
@lindacollins6939
love it!
@Retroscoop
disagreed for 500 %. No added value whatsoever.
@Dejahthoris22
Benoit Vanhees Bowie brought them here
@eldridgedeets
Love bowies cover \â/
@peterscoop2647
What are you talking about, this is completely different
@v.a.993
I love, love, love this song and Hairspray is one of my all-time favorite films!
@lindadee2053
There was a special dance step to this song. It was a very easy step but it was murder on the ankles after about a minute or two of doing it. Still, remembering that pain brings back wonderful memories of very happy times.
@cynthiahawkins2389
The entire junior class at my high school would get up and stomp in unison. What a memory!!!
@evilnursemd1826
Cynthia Hawkins dellareasedontyouknow