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.
Lovely Way to Spend an Evening
The Ink Spots Lyrics
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Some are content with an evening spent home by the radio
Some like to live for the moment, some like to just reminisce
But whenever I have an evening to spend. just give me one like this
This is a lovely way to spend an evening. can't think of anything I'd rather do
This is a lovely way to spend an evening, can't think of anyone as lovely as you
A casual stroll through a garden. a kiss by a lazy lagoon
This is a lovely way to spend an evening
I want to save all my nights and spend them with you
Catching a breath of moonlight, humming our favorite tune
This is a lovely way to spend an evening
I want to save all my nights and spend them with you
The Ink Spots' "Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" perfectly captures the feeling of being in love and cherishing the simple yet beautiful moments that make up a perfect evening. The lyrics describe how the singer prefers a quiet, intimate evening with their lover over going out to movies, dances or shows. They enjoy reminiscing about the moments they've shared and look forward to creating new memories together.
The song paints a picture of a romantic evening spent walking through a garden, sharing a kiss by a lazy lagoon and catching a breath of moonlight while humming their favorite tune. These moments are what make the evening so lovely, and the singer wants to save all their nights to spend with their partner. The song is a declaration of love and a reminder to cherish the moments spent together.
Overall, "Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" is a timeless classic that celebrates the beauty of love and the joy of spending intimate moments with a partner. The song's sweet lyrics and smooth melody make it a perfect choice for a romantic evening spent with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Some like a night at the movies, some like a dance or a show
People have different preferences for how they spend their time, such as going to the movies, dancing, or watching a show.
Some are content with an evening spent home by the radio
Others are satisfied with staying at home and listening to the radio for entertainment.
Some like to live for the moment, some like to just reminisce
Some people prefer to focus on enjoying the present while others prefer to reflect on memories of the past.
But whenever I have an evening to spend. just give me one like this
The artist enjoys spending their evenings in a particular way, such as the one described in the following lines.
This is a lovely way to spend an evening. can't think of anything I'd rather do
The artist thinks that the way they are spending their evening is wonderful and cannot imagine doing anything else.
This is a lovely way to spend an evening, can't think of anyone as lovely as you
The singer is spending their evening with someone special and thinks that they are truly lovely.
A casual stroll through a garden. a kiss by a lazy lagoon
The singer describes taking a leisurely walk through a garden and sharing a romantic kiss by a calm body of water.
Catching a breath of moonlight, humming our favorite tune
The artist is enjoying the moonlight and humming a song that they both love with their companion.
I want to save all my nights and spend them with you
The artist wants to spend all their evenings with their companion because they enjoy their time together so much.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Adams, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Overlord5591
I love their Iconic intro to almost every song!
Archie L.
If you love their music, you wouldn't type out "every damn song" in caps. You'd say "I admire this intro; it's like their trademark." Or "hey, I heard this in every song I heard from them, and not every single song they make because I obviously haven't heard every single song the Ink Spots made." Respect, my friend, respect.
justalocalaussie
very true
B C
I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Kenny in Glasgow Scotland and what a lovely man he was as well as a wonderful singer.
TM
Tell me what you remember!
EV Shioji
I love Ink spots's intro <3
xxjarahbooxx
This is beautiful.
Damian Grant
I live in the South East of England within very easy reach of London but the London of today is not the London of my youth......I remember the wonderful Lyceum Ballroom close to the Strand ...everyone enjoyed themselves in a civilised manner and of course we all made sure we had learned to perfection all the various steps to whichever type of dance it was we took part in. And of course there was always a vocalist who added to the sheer pleasure of it all. I never remember anyone getting too drunk and of course .. drug taking was unknown as far as I recall. And you always had a partner and we always had to proceed in the accepted manner of civility and decorum. How long ago it all seems now...and SO much has changed since then........but I suppose, time moves on and everything changes ......for the better? Well.....I will pass on that one!!!! I don't want to upset the young people of today.
Peter Taylor
Well, I'm here to say it....Not for the better. If all was good they wouldn't be upset, it's just that they haven't experienced that kind of life and they don't know how great it was.
Dr. Edwconr
Song music written in 1943 by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Harold Adamson. The memorable words spoken by Ms. Iris P. Frederick at her 80th Birthday party. Thanks so much for posting.