One of the most likeable and vocally cohesive singing groups of the late 60… Read Full Bio ↴One of the most likeable and vocally cohesive singing groups of the late 60s and early 70s, the Friends of Distinction are too often forgotten in retrospectives of that era, but their music has continued to live on. Formed by Harry Elston, Floyd Butler, Jessica Cleaves and Barbara Love in 1968, the group had a relatively short life in its original incarnation, but made some of the most memorable pop/soul music of all time.
Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi's in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension -- both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s "hip" clothing -- though the Friends' music was generally more soulful.
The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.
Their first single, "Grazin' In the Grass," was a Elston-sung vocal remake of a Hugh Masekela instrumental cut, and hit the top 5 on both Pop and Soul charts in 1969. The group's follow-up, "Going In Circles," was a brilliant ballad that also charted high. Love took some time off to have a baby, and Charlene Gibson stepped in and sang lead on the group's third big hit, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely." She also sang on the wonderful album cut, "Crazy Mary."
The Friends were quite prolific from 1969-71, releasing 5 albums (a sixth appeared in 1973). They also released a number of great singles, including "Check It Out" (later remade by Tavares) and a terrific cover of Neil Sedaka's "Time Waits for No One." Their best cuts are excellently compiled in The Best of the Friends of Distinction, which was released in 1996.
As popular music changed in the mid-70s, the Friends' fortunes declined. Jessica Cleaves was featured with Earth Wind and Fire,first appearance on the"Last Days and Time" release. A grueling touring schedule and the lack of a hit for several years led the group to call it quits in 1975. Elston and Butler continued to write and perform for a few years, then ultimately went their separate ways, taking jobs outside of music.
Over the next two decades, there was a rediscovery of the great music that the Friends had made together, and their biggest hits were remade by several artists, with "Going In Circles" charting for the Gap Band and Luther Vandross and "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" for pop artist Paul Davis. Most recently, "Grazin In the Grass" was released by Disney star Raven.
In 1990, Elston and Butler decided to bring the Friends back together. Tragically, Butler died (at Elston's side) before the group reunion could be realized. After Butler's death, Elston spent several years forming a new Friends group, ultimately bringing together Geno Henderson, Wendy Bruné and Berlando Drake to sing with Elston. That lineup currently tours and continues to entertain audiences nearly 40 years after the world first heard the Friends of Distinction.
Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi's in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension -- both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s "hip" clothing -- though the Friends' music was generally more soulful.
The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.
Their first single, "Grazin' In the Grass," was a Elston-sung vocal remake of a Hugh Masekela instrumental cut, and hit the top 5 on both Pop and Soul charts in 1969. The group's follow-up, "Going In Circles," was a brilliant ballad that also charted high. Love took some time off to have a baby, and Charlene Gibson stepped in and sang lead on the group's third big hit, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely." She also sang on the wonderful album cut, "Crazy Mary."
The Friends were quite prolific from 1969-71, releasing 5 albums (a sixth appeared in 1973). They also released a number of great singles, including "Check It Out" (later remade by Tavares) and a terrific cover of Neil Sedaka's "Time Waits for No One." Their best cuts are excellently compiled in The Best of the Friends of Distinction, which was released in 1996.
As popular music changed in the mid-70s, the Friends' fortunes declined. Jessica Cleaves was featured with Earth Wind and Fire,first appearance on the"Last Days and Time" release. A grueling touring schedule and the lack of a hit for several years led the group to call it quits in 1975. Elston and Butler continued to write and perform for a few years, then ultimately went their separate ways, taking jobs outside of music.
Over the next two decades, there was a rediscovery of the great music that the Friends had made together, and their biggest hits were remade by several artists, with "Going In Circles" charting for the Gap Band and Luther Vandross and "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" for pop artist Paul Davis. Most recently, "Grazin In the Grass" was released by Disney star Raven.
In 1990, Elston and Butler decided to bring the Friends back together. Tragically, Butler died (at Elston's side) before the group reunion could be realized. After Butler's death, Elston spent several years forming a new Friends group, ultimately bringing together Geno Henderson, Wendy Bruné and Berlando Drake to sing with Elston. That lineup currently tours and continues to entertain audiences nearly 40 years after the world first heard the Friends of Distinction.
Mardi Gras
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Mardi Gras' by these artists:
2-Tone Huh uh uh Got in my bag, pockets stuffed with the…
2baggshawty When did every day begin to feel like Mardi Gras Tiddies out…
Anathallo the things you laughed about. the things that made me sad. …
Coupons why don't you light it up we need a different scene turn…
D.O.M w/ Buddy Whittington Mardi Gras (Screwed and Chopped)…
Dave MARDI GRAS PARTY LYRICS Mardi Gras Party, in New Orleans An…
Dierks Bentley Damn she hurts the morning after Drunk on thinking I could…
Fats Domino Well I'm goin' to New Orleans I wanna see the Mardi…
Gino Vannelli I broke the doldrums of my dreary dreams The london bridge…
JUVENILE You got a problem with me? Fuck you too, all of…
Les VRP {Parlé :} Un p'tit sourire... Vivement mardi gras, qu'on…
Louisiana Avenue Alright nah, it's carnival time in New Orleans, Louisiana Co…
Maes Noxious Ça détaille toute la journée, y a mes gars toujours…
Pierre Kwenders feat. Jacobus Le Mardi Gras eye Le Mardi Gras eye Le Mardi Gras eye Le…
Pino Daniele Acqua e sapone per pulire il viso Dai segni del tempo Da…
Professor Longhair & His New Orleans Boys While you stroll in New Orleans You ought to go see…
Radio Free Earth Hey there, Mardi Gras / Remember what you saw The other…
Ridiculous Rowe Yea And they like it better when you ain't got no…
Roy Byrd Well I'm goin' to New Orleans I wanna see the Mardi…
Suka Suka I’m sick of the news political views Let’s start askin the…
Tanto Metro & Devonte and Joe It's a hot and a rockin' street All-right, all-right Burns m…
Tego Calderón Báilalo, Mai Tego Calderón Underdog (¡Hey!) Tanto dolor…
Tego Calderуn Báilalo, Mai Tego Calderón Underdog (¡Hey!) Tanto …
Terry Lightfoot and His Band How we danced, as we dreamed at the Mardi Gras Was…
Thomas Jefferson It's a God-awful small affair To the girl with the…
Yot Club Turn the car Maybe think about all of the plans that…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Friends of Distinction:
And I Love Him Never, never doubt Never, never doubt I give him all my …
Crazy Mary They call me crazy, Crazy Mary Because I still love him Thou…
Eli's Comin' Eli's comin' Eli's comin' Whoa you better hide your heart Yo…
Goin In Circles I'm an ever rollin' wheel, without a destination real I'm an…
Grazing In The Grass It sure is mellow grazin' in the grass (Grazin' in…
Great Day (spoken) It's kind of a nice day isn't it? I don't know …
I Need You My imagination starts working over time when you come near O…
It Don't Matter To Me It don't matter to me If you really feel that You need…
Let Yourself Go Hey you You say you got a problem If you don't mind I'd…
Lonesome Mood Oh yes you gone now What is there for me to…
Love Me Or Let Me Be Lonely Love me let me be lonely, Part time love I can…
This Generation Inspiration flows (from river to river) And grows (by leaps …
Time Waits For No One Time waits for no one And nobody gets away There's no except…
When A Little Love Began To Die Ay, this for you, baby, you know who I'm talkin'…
Why Did I Lose You? Why did I lose you, Baby What did I do wrong Just…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@pbs4535
@Tom Bell~ wherever
you are
and no matter
what you are
doing every time
you hear this song
your mom is sending
you her love to you
and family. imagine
if you can in
Heaven she has met
Barry White
and he was playing
this song
it’s her way of telling
you she will
be at your side when
your time has
come. the tears we
shed here make
the flowers in Heaven bloom.
@1986SSMONTECARLO
I'm 59 and I can't imagine not having grown up without Barry Whites music ...If your looking down on these comments Mr.White....Thank You so so much for making my Life more enjoyable!!!
@migueltrevino7937
Bro good music never die still forever 😊
@user-xy8pf5hl9n
😅
@zoraidaalejandro8050
I love Barry White and Ulimited Orchestra ❤😊
@IsabelMuradasVazquez
I'm 56 and I agree with you. The best music I've heart in my life
@timdorcy5134
January 1974 I worked my last shift in the steel mill. The next morning I got on a bus to the Pittsburgh airport to move to California. The temperature was close to zero degrees. My brother picked me up at the San Francisco airport and it was a glorious day driving over the Bay bridge. It was then that this song came on the radio. Was feeling like I never had before. Driving over the bay on a glorious sunny day and listening to this song. It was my start to a whole new life.
@jorgeluispadron9156
Beautiful ❤
@argeliamendoza9798
Wow imaginé cada detalle que narraste, que hermoso a mi me viene a mi mente mi niñez y mi padre en su taller oyendola ❤️
@bixenbixen4195
I was Born 1978 and Raised in Berkeley the Bay has changed I moved to Las Vegas in 2011.
Your story sounds like the great times I was raised in🌻🌞✌🏽☮️
@foreignfilmfan711
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story, it played like a movie in my mind 👍