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.
Slipping Into Darkness
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Slipping Into Darkness' by these artists:
2Pac Yeah! ha ha yeah thats right! The FA's comin striaght from T…
Carl Bradney Yeaaaah Uoh oh oh oh Darkness darkness darkness Slippin' int…
Funky Aztecs Yeah! ha ha yeah thats right! The FA's comin striaght from T…
Hit-Boy Artists livin' comfortably, yeah Yeah, let me fly Never se…
Hit-Boy & The Alchemist Artists livin' comfortably, yeah Yeah, let me fly Never se…
HIT-BOY&The Alchemist Artists livin' comfortably, yeah Yeah, let me fly Never se…
Hit‐Boy Artists livin' comfortably, yeah Yeah, let me fly Never se…
John Morales Ah Well, well, well, well, well, well, well Wow, wow, wow …
Kings and Priests Rocket Lock and Load, rock bottom Pockets Profit Got some Aw…
The Senior Allstars & Ammoye Darkness darkness darkness Slippin' into darkness Yeah yeah…
War Ah Well, well, well, well, well, well, well Wow, wow, wow (h…
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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@kimberlyc84
STILL jammin' to this is 2024!
I Heard the instrumental this morning by Hugh Masekela on the ride in & pulled up the video to jam to as we inched along.
Came here for the groove!
This week, my school celebrates Black History Month and there's a program this week. So all week staff is participating (some, not all) by themes.
Yesterday school was closed. Today is wear something black, green, gold/yellow, & red.
Tomorrow is African garb/attire dashiki day.
Thursday is HBCU jersey/shirt day (my bonus dad has DOZENS of University of TN shirts).
But Friday...oh Friday...get ready for the Hippest trip in America!! It's the Souuuul train 🚂!!
CanNOT wait!! Let the bell bottoms swing!!
Sock it to me! Rock it to me! Can ya dig it BaBAYYY?!!
@robertmarino7011
When music was music, not the BS that's out there today.
@nowitsabadtime
We have the advantage of Time on our side. Some day people will talk about Justin Bieber like we are talking about this!
@djzio
This is a masterpiece, but there's a lot of good music out there nowadays. 65 and hear lots of new sounds all the time.
@carlosbright9615
I am still listening to Grazing In The Grass on January 1, 2024. Hearing this song takes me back to 1970 when I was at Whitted Junior High School in Durham, North Carolina. I wish I had a Time Machine and I could go back to 1970. I didn't have a care in the world and I was young, attractive, and in good health. I am currently 68 years old soon to be 69 in June 2024 with aches and pains. Many of my Junior High and High School classmates are dead. I haven't seem most in over 50 years.😭
@user-jw6he1xb8j
I'm 59 and I feel ya
@Sacto43
The kids today with their healthy bodies will not have this music or your memories. You saw a time of history that may never be repeated or topped. Best wishes!
@estedetringham7528
I'm right there with you, carlosbright9615 as every part of your comment applies to me as well. The music from our time keeps me going. The fact that Gen x, y, and z actually like our music says a lot about us, both the creators of our music, and the lovers of it. On a nice day, take whatever mode of portable music that you have, something to sit on, go outside, find a spot under some trees, put on "Grazing in the Grass," and watch as the sun is "beaming down..." Genius lyrics, by the way. I do this, and then listen to more of our music. Sometimes it makes me feel happy, sometimes sad, but somehow I always feel more energized. For a few minutes I don't feel almost 69. Our music is our time machine.
@kenbanner1332
Carlos call them go find them you will be glad you did . We get together here in Edmonton Alberta with lots of old class mates and football guys . You wont regret it !!!
@gomogo2000
I turned 60 this year...so I figured I'm officially old. BUT I have found the fountain of youth, which alot of people our age are also doing...a Carnivore Diet. Pains and aches...and lots of other symptoms fall away. It's sad that we can't go back to those wonderful days, but you can start to relive thise much healthier, happier, and attractive days again...😊 Dr. Chaffee on YT is a GREAT place to start. 👍
@dannyrand1733
Is it me, because I just can't take my eyes off the woman in the purple dress. She's like the energizer bunny; like she's grooving to a workout video, lol.