(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.

Ring Telephone Ring
The Ink Spots Lyrics

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I'm lonesome tonight
Ring, telephone, ring
I'm through with pretending
There's no way to forget
I miss her tonight
Ring, telephone, ring
This night has no ending
Dreams of her linger here

Like a couple of fools
We parted, I vowed
I'd never call
Now, I give my all
To have her with me
But where can she be
I need her tonight
Ring, telephone, ring
If I could I but here her
Oh, what joy it would bring
I'll wait for her, please, please
Ring, telephone, ring
I need her tonight
Ring, telephone, ring
If I could but hear her
Oh, what joy it would bring

I'll wait for her, please, please
Ring, telephone, ring

Overall Meaning

The Ink Spots's song "Ring Telephone Ring" is a lamenting ballad about a man who is feeling incredibly lonely and longing for his lost love's company. The song begins with the singer stating that he is feeling lonely and wishes for the phone to ring, hoping that it would be his former love calling him. He admits that he has been pretending to be over her, but in reality, he cannot forget her. His heart aches to be with her again, on this endless night. He mentions that his dreams are filled with thoughts of her, and he feels foolish for parting from her. He vows that he would never call her, but now wishes that he had the courage to call her and have her by his side again.

The song presents a sense of longing and desperation that is deeply felt by anyone who has been in a similar situation. The singer's emotion is conveyed through his melancholic voice and slow tempo of the music, which perfectly captures the mood of the song. The use of the telephone ringing symbolizes the man's hope that his former love will call him, and it builds up suspense throughout the song.

Ring Telephone RingThe Ink Spots Lyrics

Ring Telephone Ring
The Ink Spots Lyrics