(1934-1954)
The Ink Spots were a vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s … Read Full Bio ↴(1934-1954)
The Ink Spots were a vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop. They gained much acceptance in both the white community and black community largely due to the ballad style introduced to the group by lead singer Bill Kenny. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of fame in 1999.
Their songs usually began with a guitar riff, followed by the tenor Bill Kenny, who sang the whole song through. After Kenny finished singing, the bass would either recite the first half, or the bridge of the song, or would speak the words, almost in a free form, that were not part of the song, commonly using the words "Honey Child", or "Honey Babe", expressing his love for his darling in the song. This was followed by Kenny, who finished up singing the last refrain or the last half of the song. On some songs Deek Watson would sing the lead rather than Bill Kenny. This was mostly on the uptempo "Jive" songs.
The Ink Spots formed in the early 1930s in Indianapolis. The founding members were :-
Orville "Hoppy" Jones (b. 17 February 1902, Chicago, Illinois – d. 18 October 1944, New York City) (bass) (Played cello in the manner of a stand up bass)[1]
Ivory "Deek" Watson (b. 18 July 1909, Mounds, Illinois – d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 – d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 – d. 21 December 1971, New Haven, Connecticut)
(baritone) (Played guitar)
*** BILL KENNY ***
The voice that made them famous Bill Kenny (Mr. Ink Spot) was born June 12th 1914 in Philadelphia PA, and died Mar 23rd 1978 in New West Minister, British Columbia. When Bill Kenny joined the group in 1936 they were mostly a "Jive" ensemble, performing swinging uptempo songs. It wasn't until The Ink Spots 1939 recording of "If I Didn't Care" that Bill Kenny's voice began being regularly featured on Ballads, which it was until The Ink Spots disbanded in 1954. Hits that feature Bill Kenny include "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire", "We Three", "The Gypsy", "Address Unknown", "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming", "So Sorry", "Bless You", "My Prayer", "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall", "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie", It Isn't A Dream Anymore", and dozens of others. Bill Kenny has been listed as an influence by such great artists as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Sonny Till, Clyde McPhatter and many others. Bill Kenny is often noted as the father of Doo Wop for his high tenor singing and his introduction of the popular "Top & Bottom" format used by virtually every Doo Wop group in the 50's and 60's.
Since Bill Kenny broke up The Ink Spots in 1954 there have been well over 500 black vocal Quartets calling themselves The Ink Spots none of which have or had any original members. There are even groups still touring as The Ink Spots today. It is largely accepted that if the group didn't contain Bill Kenny then the group was/ is a fake.
The Ink Spots were a vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s … Read Full Bio ↴(1934-1954)
The Ink Spots were a vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop. They gained much acceptance in both the white community and black community largely due to the ballad style introduced to the group by lead singer Bill Kenny. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of fame in 1999.
Their songs usually began with a guitar riff, followed by the tenor Bill Kenny, who sang the whole song through. After Kenny finished singing, the bass would either recite the first half, or the bridge of the song, or would speak the words, almost in a free form, that were not part of the song, commonly using the words "Honey Child", or "Honey Babe", expressing his love for his darling in the song. This was followed by Kenny, who finished up singing the last refrain or the last half of the song. On some songs Deek Watson would sing the lead rather than Bill Kenny. This was mostly on the uptempo "Jive" songs.
The Ink Spots formed in the early 1930s in Indianapolis. The founding members were :-
Orville "Hoppy" Jones (b. 17 February 1902, Chicago, Illinois – d. 18 October 1944, New York City) (bass) (Played cello in the manner of a stand up bass)[1]
Ivory "Deek" Watson (b. 18 July 1909, Mounds, Illinois – d. 4 November 1969, Washington, D.C.) (tenor) (Played guitar and trumpet)
Jerry Daniels (b. 14 December 1915 – d. 7 November 1995, Indianapolis, Indiana) (tenor) (Played guitar and ukulele)
Charlie Fuqua (b. 20 October 1910 – d. 21 December 1971, New Haven, Connecticut)
(baritone) (Played guitar)
*** BILL KENNY ***
The voice that made them famous Bill Kenny (Mr. Ink Spot) was born June 12th 1914 in Philadelphia PA, and died Mar 23rd 1978 in New West Minister, British Columbia. When Bill Kenny joined the group in 1936 they were mostly a "Jive" ensemble, performing swinging uptempo songs. It wasn't until The Ink Spots 1939 recording of "If I Didn't Care" that Bill Kenny's voice began being regularly featured on Ballads, which it was until The Ink Spots disbanded in 1954. Hits that feature Bill Kenny include "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire", "We Three", "The Gypsy", "Address Unknown", "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming", "So Sorry", "Bless You", "My Prayer", "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall", "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie", It Isn't A Dream Anymore", and dozens of others. Bill Kenny has been listed as an influence by such great artists as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Sonny Till, Clyde McPhatter and many others. Bill Kenny is often noted as the father of Doo Wop for his high tenor singing and his introduction of the popular "Top & Bottom" format used by virtually every Doo Wop group in the 50's and 60's.
Since Bill Kenny broke up The Ink Spots in 1954 there have been well over 500 black vocal Quartets calling themselves The Ink Spots none of which have or had any original members. There are even groups still touring as The Ink Spots today. It is largely accepted that if the group didn't contain Bill Kenny then the group was/ is a fake.
Goin' To Kansas City
The Ink Spots Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Goin' To Kansas City' by these artists:
Gerry Mulligan I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come I'm…
Jimmy Witherspoon I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come I'm…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Ink Spots:
11 Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream;…
13. Do I Worry Do I worry cause you're stepping out Do I worry cause…
1940 Maybe Maybe you'll think of me When you are all alone Maybe the…
1941 It s a Sin To Tell a Lie Be sure it's true when you say I love you It's…
A Lonely Way to Spend An Evening Some like a night at the movies, some like a…
Address Unknown Address unknown, not even a trace of you Oh what I'd…
All My Life All my life I′ve been waiting for you My wonderful one, I've…
Always Always The Ink Spots Written by Irving Berlin This version …
Back in Your Own Backyard We leave home expecting to find a blue bird, Hoping ev'ry…
Best Things In Life Are Free The moon belongs to everyone The best things in life are…
Bewildered Bewildered Lost in a dream of you Where is the love I…
Bless You Bless you, for being an angel Just when it seemed that…
Bless You for Being an Angel Bless you, for being an angel Just when it seemed that…
Blueberry Hill I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill On Blueberry Hill where…
Bye Bye Blackbird Blackbird, blackbird singing the blues all day Right outsid…
Charmaine I can't forget the night we met How bright were stars…
Christopher Columbus Mr. Christopher Columbus Sailed the sea without a compass W…
Cold Cold Heart I tried so hard, my dear, to show That you're…
Coquette Hear me, why you keep fooling Little coquette, making fun of…
Cow Cow Boogie Out on the plains down near Santa Fe I met a…
Cow-Cow Boogie Out on the plains down near Santa Fe I met a…
cow-cow-boogie Out on the plains down near Santa Fe I met a…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Did You Ever See A Dream Walking Did you ever see a dream walking? Well, I did.…
Do I Worry Do I worry cause you're stepping out Do I worry cause…
Do I Worry- Do I worry cause you're stepping out Do I worry cause…
Do I Worry? Do I worry cause you're stepping out Do I worry cause…
Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me Do nothin' till you hear from me Pay no attention to…
Don Don't sweetheart me if you don't mean it Don't talk sweet…
Don't Believe Everything You Dream Don't believe everything you dream, Your imagination may be …
Don't Get Around Much Any More Missed the Saturday dance Heard they crowded the floor Cou…
Don't Get Around Much Anymore Missed the Saturday dance Heard they crowded the floor Could…
Don't Laugh At Me Don't sweetheart me if you don't mean it Don't talk sweet…
Don't Sweetheart Me Don't sweetheart me if you don't mean it Don't talk sweet…
Don't Tell A Lie About Me Dear Don′t tell a lie about me, dear And I won't tell…
Don’t Get Around Much Any More Missed the Saturday dance Heard they crowded the floor Cou…
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore Missed the Saturday dance Heard they crowded the floor Could…
Dream Awhile Dream a while We′ve only a while to dream Love is sweet But…
Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream;…
Ebb Tide Great Songs Of Our Times Sung By The Ink Spots…
for Sentimental Reasons I love you for sentimental reasons I hope you do believe…
Gypsy In a quaint caravan There's a lady they call the Gypsy She…
He'll Have To Go Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone. Let's…
I If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
I Can Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
I Can't Give You Anything But Love Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
I Can't Stand Losing You I′ve been kicked around In my search for happiness I've been…
I Cover the Waterfront I cover the waterfront, I'm watching the sea,, Will the one …
I Didn't Care If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
I Don I don't want to set the world on fire I just…
I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire I don't ever care to rise to power I would rather…
I Love You Truly I love you truly, truly, dear Life with its sorrows, life…
I Never Had a Dream Come True "Never Had A Dream Come True" Everybody's got something the…
I Still Feel the Same About You don"t know how it happened I don"t know who"s to blame I…
I Wish You the Best of Everything You made me love you, now say that we're through. You…
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain I'd climb the highest mountain, If I knew that when I'd…
I'll Get By I'll get by as long as I have you Though there…
I'll Get By As Long As I Have You I'll get by As long as I have you Though there be…
I'll Never Smile Again I'll never smile again Until I smile at you I'll never laugh…
I'm Beginning to See the Light I never cared much for moonlit skies I never wink back…
I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You Never thought I'd fall, But now I hear love call, I'm gett…
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You Never thought I'd fall, But now I hear love call, I'm gettin…
I'm Making Believe I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I…
I've Got the World on a String I've got the world on a string I'm sitting on a…
If If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
If I Didn If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
If I Didn't Care If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
If I Didn't Care - Single Version If I didn't care, more than words can say-If I…
If I Didn't Care For You If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
If I didnt care If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
If I Don´t Care If I didn't care more than words can say If I…
If You Should Say Goodbye [chorus:] If you should say goodbye, the road would fade and…
In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town I'm up in the world, but I'd give the world to…
In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree In the shade of the old apple tree Where the love…
Information Please Information please, tell me am I the lucky one? Information …
into each life Into each life some rain must fall But too much is…
Into Each Life Rain Must Fall Into each life some rain must fall But too much is…
It Be sure it's true when you say I love you It's…
it had to be you It had to be you, it had to be you. I…
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie Be sure it's true when you say I love you It's…
It's All Over It's all over but the crying And nobody's crying but me Frie…
It's Funny to Everyone But Me It's funny how you loved me Then forget so suddenly It's fun…
It's Only a Paper Moon Say, it's only a paper moon Sailing over a cardboard sea But…
Its a Sin to Tell a Lie Be sure it's true when you say I love you It's…
It’s All Over But The Crying It's all over but the crying And nobody's crying but me Frie…
I´ll never smile again I'll never smile again Until I smile at you I'll never lau…
I´m Getting Sentimental Over You Never thought I'd fall, But now I hear love call, I'm gett…
I’ll Get By I'll get by as long as I have you Though there…
I’ll Never Smile Again I'll never smile again Until I smile at you I'll never laugh…
I’m Beginning To See The Light I never cared much for moonlit skies I never wink back…
I’m Getting Sentimental Over You Never thought I'd fall, But now I hear love call, I'm gettin…
I’m Making Believe I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I…
Java Jive I love coffee, I love tea I love the java jive…
Just For A Thrill Just for a thrill You changed the sunshine to rain Just for…
Just For Me Just for a thrill You changed the sunshine to rain Just fo…
Just for the Thrill Just for a thrill You changed the sunshine to rain Just for…
Keep Cool Fool Keep cool, fool, if you don't know what you're doin' Keep…
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off Things have come to a pretty pass, Our romance is…
Lets Call The Whole Thing Off Things have come to a pretty pass, Our romance is…
Lovely Way to Spend an Evening Some like a night at the movies, some like a…
Mafia 2: The Best Things In Life Are Free The moon belongs to everyone The best things in life are…
Making Believe I'm making believe that you're in my arms though I…
Marie Maybe you'll think of me when you are all alone Maybe…
Maybe Maybe you'll think of me When you are all alone Maybe the…
Maybe It's All for the Best Maybe you'll think of me when you are all alone…
Memories of You Waking skies At Sunrise, Ev'ry sunset too, Seems to be Bring…
Mine All Mine My My My, my, my, ain′t that pretty? My, my, my, meet that…
My Greatest Mistake My greatest mistake was falling in love, falling in love wit…
My Prayer My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
My Wild Irish Rose My wild Irish rose The sweetest flower that grows You may se…
No Orchids For My Lady No orchids for my lady No sparkle in the wine For other…
Nothin' Do nothin' till you hear from me Pay no attention to…
Ol' Man Mose Now one time there lived an old man With a very…
People Will Say We're in Love Why do they think up stories that link my name…
Prisoner Of Love Alone from night to night you'll find me Too weak to…
Puttin' and Takin' I'm puttin', puttin' troubles far behind Taking, taking all …
Ring Telephone Ring I'm lonesome tonight Ring, telephone, ring I'm through with …
Say Something Sweet To Your Sweetheart Say something sweet to your sweetheart Tell her how much you…
Shine On Harvest Moon Shine On Harvest Moon The Ink Spots Written by Jack Norworth…
Shine On, Harvest Moon Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky I…
Shoo Shoo You've seen him up and down the avenue And now he's…
Shoo Shoo Baby You've seen him up and down the avenue And now he's…
Side By Side Walked with no one and talked with no one And I…
Sincerely Yours Sincerely yours, I sign my heart Sincerely yours, while we'r…
Slap That Bass Slap that bass Slap it till it's dizzy Slap that bass Keep t…
So Sorry Oh... there's nothing to avoid me so it's not it's…
Some One's Rocking My Dream Boat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream…
Somebody's Rocking My Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream;…
Someday I'll Meet You Again Someday, I′ll meet you again Tell me where; tell me when Som…
Someone Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream…
Someone Is Rocking My Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream;…
Someone's Rockin My Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream…
Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream;…
Somone's Rocking My Dreamboat Someone's rocking my dreamboat, Someone's invading my dream…
St. Louis blues I hate to see that evening sun go down, I…
Stairway To The Stars Let's build a stairway to the stars And climb that stairway…
Star Dust And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the…
Stardust And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the…
Stars Fell On Alabama Moonlight and magnolia, starlight in your hair All the worl…
Stompin Savoy, the home of sweet romance Savoy, it wins you at…
Stompin' at the Savoy Savoy, the home of sweet romance Savoy, it wins you at…
Stop Pretending Stop pretending, stop pretending, That you'd walk a mile Jus…
Stranger in Paradise Great Songs Of Our Times Sung By The Ink Spots…
Street of Dreams Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight Come on and trade i…
Streets of Dreams Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight Come on and trade …
Sunny Side Of The Street Walked with no one and talked with no one And I…
Sweet Sixteen You were sweet sixteen, you were sweet sixteen I love you…
Swing Gate Swing Swing high, swing low Swing to and fro Not fast, not slow A…
That Slap that bass Slap it till it's dizzy Slap that bass Kee…
and many more tracks by The Ink Spots.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@CPorter
Record Reviews by Billboard.
"The Ink Spots, a real sob ballad and an excellent phono bet, as more and more Ops are finding out their pleasure. Guaranteed to add a few tears to ones beer." (Billboard 4/29/39)
"The Four Ink Spots are still wringing pleasurable tears out of beer-sippers and nickel-droppers, with as sentimental a disc as has been waxed in some time. Bob Crosby adds a dance arrangement, but thus far Jukebox Operators have been slightly Apathetic towards the disc. It May Catch On However." (Billboard 5/6/39)
"This sob ballad was listed under Operators' Specials for several weeks during in the spring, and it was though The Ink Spots disc of it would live and die in the category. Belatedly however, the song seems to be catching on with the general public and with bandleaders. It's been getting Air Plugs and selling copies. (No. 7 on this week's best selling list isn't bad.) So a revival in the Jukeboxes would seem to be in order. The Ink Spots did well with it once and should again, and for dancing there's Bob Crosby's version." (Billboard 6/17/39)
"Seems as if this Ink Spots ballad wont leave it's slot. The Already famous quartet has made many sides since this one, and while many of them are still getting a play, It's the first love that still strong and keeping the needle grinding away" (Billboard 8/5/39)
A Record so good it got 4 reviews from Billboard. This Ink Spots record I've been searching for since I got into 78s years ago. Sure I could have bought it online, but I like to leave the Ink Spots up to fate to bring them to me. Every time I have been blessed with finding an Ink Spots 78, the song has given a much deeper meaning to me because of what's going on in my life at the time I find it. It's done that for all Ink Spots songs I've found myself. Plus, I get this almost adrenaline rush from finding a record that I love in person, rather than finding it online and then having to wait for days upon days, I'm sorry for making such a long description and Follow-up comment, And I Won't do it again in the future. It's just this one means a lot to me.
@TheAloweWolf
Yes !!!!! Both of these songs sound incredible !!!!! Recordings like this are legendary !!!!!!
@jyttethagaardnielsen3568
Wauw A great rythme - lovely singing !!!!! The Ink Spots are fantastic!!!!!!!!!
@henkgloudemans8886
Great song !!!!!!
@AllMy78s
Just read your description, that was a great read after listening to a great song... I love the history and popping over now for the A-side...
@CPorter
Thanks! But hopefully there won't be another description like it. It was so long I had to put the other part Inn the comments!
@GramophonicReevolution
Oh yes, that's awesome
@rocketaroo
Jivey!