The Main Ingredient is an American soul and R&B group best known for their … Read Full Bio ↴The Main Ingredient is an American soul and R&B group best known for their 1972 hit song "Everybody Plays the Fool".
The group was formed in Harlem, New York City in 1964 as a trio called the Poets, composed of lead singer Donald McPherson, Luther Simmons, Jr., and Panama-born Tony Silvester. They made their first recordings for Leiber & Stoller's Red Bird label, but soon changed their name to the Insiders and signed with RCA Records. In 1968, after a couple of singles, they changed their name once again, this time permanently, to the Main Ingredient. The name came from a Coke bottle.
They then teamed up with record producer/arranger Bert DeCoteaux. Under his direction, the Main Ingredient reached the R&B Top 30 for the first time in 1970 with "You've Been My Inspiration". A cover of The Impressions' "I'm So Proud" broke the Top 20, and "Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)" went into the Top 10. In 1971, they scored again, with the McPherson-penned black-power anthem "Black Seeds Keep on Growing," but tragedy struck that year. Don McPherson, who had suddenly taken ill with leukemia, died unexpectedly. Stunned, Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons re-grouped with new lead singer Cuba Gooding, Sr., who had served as a backing vocalist on some of their previous recordings and had filled in on tour during McPherson's brief illness.
The Gooding era began auspiciously with the million-selling smash "Everybody Plays the Fool", which hit number two R&B and number three pop to become the group's biggest hit. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in September 1972. The accompanying album, Bitter Sweet, became their first to hit the Top 10 on the R&B album chart; its follow-up, 1973's Afrodisiac, featured several songs written or co-written by Stevie Wonder, although it did not produce any huge successes on the singles charts. They peaked at number eight on the R&B chart in 1974 with "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely", which sold over a million copies,and also reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The track peaked at number twenty-seven in the UK Singles Chart in July 1974, although it was their only chart presence in the UK. In 1975, the group recorded several songs co-written by Leon Ware, including the R&B Top Ten "Rolling Down a Mountainside". By this point, however, Tony Silvester was harboring other ambitions; he released a solo album called Magic Touch that year, and left the group to form a production team with DeCoteaux. The two of them scored a Top 10 Pop and R&B smash with their production of Ben E. King's hit "Supernatural Thing" in 1975.
Silvester was replaced by Carl Tompkins, and Gooding departed for a solo career on Motown in 1977, which produced two albums; Simmons, meanwhile, left the music industry to work as a stockbroker. Gooding, Silvester and Simmons reunited as the Main Ingredient in 1979, and recorded two more albums, 1980's Ready for Love and 1981's I Only Have Eyes for You (the latter featured a minor hit in "Evening of Love"). The trio reunited for a second time in 1986, but their Zakia single "Do Me Right" flopped, and Simmons returned to his day job. He was replaced by Jerome Jackson on the 1989 Polydor album I Just Wanna Love You. In the wake of Aaron Neville's Top Ten revival of "Everybody Plays the Fool", Gooding resumed his solo career and issued his third album in 1993. Silvester and Simmons re-formed the Main Ingredient in 1999 with new lead singer Carlton Blount; this line-up recorded Pure Magic in 2001.
Tony Silvester died after a six-year struggle with multiple myeloma on November 27, 2006, at the age of 65, and original member Luther Simmons retired shortly thereafter. Cuba Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on April 20, 2017. The current line-up of the group consists of Jerome Jackson, and Stanley Alston.
The group was formed in Harlem, New York City in 1964 as a trio called the Poets, composed of lead singer Donald McPherson, Luther Simmons, Jr., and Panama-born Tony Silvester. They made their first recordings for Leiber & Stoller's Red Bird label, but soon changed their name to the Insiders and signed with RCA Records. In 1968, after a couple of singles, they changed their name once again, this time permanently, to the Main Ingredient. The name came from a Coke bottle.
They then teamed up with record producer/arranger Bert DeCoteaux. Under his direction, the Main Ingredient reached the R&B Top 30 for the first time in 1970 with "You've Been My Inspiration". A cover of The Impressions' "I'm So Proud" broke the Top 20, and "Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)" went into the Top 10. In 1971, they scored again, with the McPherson-penned black-power anthem "Black Seeds Keep on Growing," but tragedy struck that year. Don McPherson, who had suddenly taken ill with leukemia, died unexpectedly. Stunned, Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons re-grouped with new lead singer Cuba Gooding, Sr., who had served as a backing vocalist on some of their previous recordings and had filled in on tour during McPherson's brief illness.
The Gooding era began auspiciously with the million-selling smash "Everybody Plays the Fool", which hit number two R&B and number three pop to become the group's biggest hit. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in September 1972. The accompanying album, Bitter Sweet, became their first to hit the Top 10 on the R&B album chart; its follow-up, 1973's Afrodisiac, featured several songs written or co-written by Stevie Wonder, although it did not produce any huge successes on the singles charts. They peaked at number eight on the R&B chart in 1974 with "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely", which sold over a million copies,and also reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The track peaked at number twenty-seven in the UK Singles Chart in July 1974, although it was their only chart presence in the UK. In 1975, the group recorded several songs co-written by Leon Ware, including the R&B Top Ten "Rolling Down a Mountainside". By this point, however, Tony Silvester was harboring other ambitions; he released a solo album called Magic Touch that year, and left the group to form a production team with DeCoteaux. The two of them scored a Top 10 Pop and R&B smash with their production of Ben E. King's hit "Supernatural Thing" in 1975.
Silvester was replaced by Carl Tompkins, and Gooding departed for a solo career on Motown in 1977, which produced two albums; Simmons, meanwhile, left the music industry to work as a stockbroker. Gooding, Silvester and Simmons reunited as the Main Ingredient in 1979, and recorded two more albums, 1980's Ready for Love and 1981's I Only Have Eyes for You (the latter featured a minor hit in "Evening of Love"). The trio reunited for a second time in 1986, but their Zakia single "Do Me Right" flopped, and Simmons returned to his day job. He was replaced by Jerome Jackson on the 1989 Polydor album I Just Wanna Love You. In the wake of Aaron Neville's Top Ten revival of "Everybody Plays the Fool", Gooding resumed his solo career and issued his third album in 1993. Silvester and Simmons re-formed the Main Ingredient in 1999 with new lead singer Carlton Blount; this line-up recorded Pure Magic in 2001.
Tony Silvester died after a six-year struggle with multiple myeloma on November 27, 2006, at the age of 65, and original member Luther Simmons retired shortly thereafter. Cuba Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on April 20, 2017. The current line-up of the group consists of Jerome Jackson, and Stanley Alston.
Travelling
The Main Ingredient Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Travelling' by these artists:
Anne Marie Almedal In the grey misty morning In the pale morning light In the…
B.L.A.U.W. Every night I wear the face I picked up from an…
Ben Beal So we travel around the globe And we stop at all…
Beth Hartshorne We'll pack all the essentials And leave the rest behind And …
Country Joe McDonald I lost my baby in outer space She's up there past…
Davy Dacy Di way mi mada raise me never call fi di…
Folly and the Hunter Sometimes life can feel like it’s just dragging on. That is…
Frank Spinath Every day I travel To keep my mind quiet in its…
Gabriel & Dresden C'mon pretty baby Love me 'till the brake of dawn Get up…
Hitch Hiker & J. Dumondt From the I-95 to the Autobahn I dig grooves and rhyme…
Hollow Hearts Travelling A cloudy any other day I woke up again Not…
J.O.E.L Every night I wear the face I picked up from an…
John Mayall We'll like to welcome why'all back to the club I'm your…
Lee Hot August night and the leaves hanging down and the grass…
Mr Quimby's Beard From world to world From star to star Searching for sound …
Mr. Airplane Man See the man he is Craving for a smoke The woman she…
Paper Lion Travelling the road, last known is where I want to…
Perry Blake It's been so long since i've seen your face Since i've…
Quentin Harris feat. Cordell McClary I'm losing sleep, no time to eat Work so hard every…
Seabound Every day I travel To keep my mind quiet in its…
Sophie Zelmani Baby, don't you worry so This ain't the time to suffer And…
String Driven Thing Would you like to fly with me Out across the evening…
SUGIURUMN feat JOEL EDWARDS One step at a time Driven no matter where I go Travelling…
Tom Verlaine Favorite daughter, wear this ring It will protect you when …
Travelling Travelling the road, less known is where I want to…
Utada 仕事にも精が出る 金曜の午後 タクシーもすぐつかまる(飛び乗る) 目指すは君 「どちらまで行かれます?」 …
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Main Ingredient:
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing Everybody's got a thing But some don't know how to…
Euphrates Yesterday, I was born here And tomorrow, I′ll be gone They s…
Evening of Love Now that the hurt is gone Our love has been reborn…
Everybody Plays the Fool Okay, so your heart is broken You sit around mopin' Cryin' a…
Everybody Plays The Fool (Re-Recorded / Remastered) Okay, so you're heart broken You sit around mopin' Crying an…
Everybody Plays the Fool (Re-Recorded) Everybody plays the fool sometime There's no exception to th…
Girl Blue Hello, morning Good, good morning To the one I love Crystal …
Good Old Days Hello boy, it′s been a while Guess you'll be glad to…
Happiness Is Just Around The Bend Say girl, you look a little restless. Well you ought to…
I Am Yours Main Ingredients: I am yours You are mine For the rest Of ou…
i only have eyes for you My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
i won Wait a minute This is where I draw the line Tell me…
I Won't Let You Do That to Me Wait a minute This is where I draw the line Tell me…
Just Don I don't mind when you say that you're going away I…
Just Don't Want to Be Lonely - Remastered I don't mind when you say that you're goin' away I…
Let Me Prove My Love to You I bet you don't know how much I love you…
Magic Shoes Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba …
only My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
Rolling Down a Mountainside Losers and winners Everyone must play fair All you beginners…
Something 'Bout Love Something ′bout love That makes me crazy (crazy) Your love i…
Spinning Around I see your face cloud over like a little girl′s And…
Summer Breeze See the curtains hanging In the window In the evening of a…
Superwoman Mary wants to be a superwoman, but is that really in…
That Wait a minute This is where I draw the line Tell me…
Where Are You Mary wants to be a superwoman But is that really in…
Where Were You When I Needed You Mary wants to be a superwoman But is that really in…
Work to Do I can't wait to get home to you I got so…
You've Been My Inspiration Prettier than all the world And I'm so proud (I'm so…
You've Got To Take It Hey baby, Come over here and sit down and let me?…
Youve Been My Inspiration Prettier than all the world And I'm so proud (I'm so…
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@rofanolubis8896
The Main Ingridient
Rolling Down A Mountainside
Nothing can beat the sweetest 70s vocal soul group .
Main Ingredient these Harlem New York trio was one of those delicious lovely vocal soul group with their own elegancy.
Spin this while you have your cup of coffe in groovy saturday afternoon. `Cause we're not stones rolling down a mountainside
We all count and we've got strength and we got pride
`Cause God is on our side .. Amen !
@kelinaayers295
OUR FAMILY USE TO HAVE THIS ALBUM SO MANY YEARS & DECADES AGO, BUT YOUR GREAT
TALENT AND MUSIC WILL LIVE ON IN MY MEMORY AS A GREAT
RECORDING ARTIST OF ALL TIMES, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GREAT TALENT
WITH YOUR GIFTED TALENT TO SING ALONG WITH YOUR 2 BOYS "SONS" THAT ARE FULLY MATURED GROWN MEN NOW,
GOD HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO YOU CUBA GOODING SR. SO
IN THE MEANTIME I'LL KEEP YOU
IN MY MEMORY FOR YOUR MANY
BLESSINGS YOU CHOOSE TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD, WITH
"THE MAIN INGREDIENTS"
AND THIS MOST REWARDING TO
YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY
@domoniqueayers8056
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE AND GREAT
CUBA GOODING SR. THE LEAD SINGER 4 "THE MAIN INGREDIENTS"
OUR FAMILY USE TO OWN THIS ALBUM AS WELL NOW WHAT I
REALLY ENJOYED SO MUCH ABOUT
THIS SONG AND SO MANY OTHERS,
THEY WERE POWERFUL, POSITIVE
LYRICS "ALWAYS KEEPING IT REAL"
@InfiniteLogic718
Still a timeless classic almost 45 years later. Beautiful song and strong deeper message of how we can all push through with God on our side. Dedicated to you Mom as this was one of your favorite songs.
God Bless you all and to all of the wonderful souls that preceded us - Rest In Paradise!
@anndavis2920
Good uplifting song w/true to life lyrics. God is on my side
@edrichardson4198
CAN'T BEAT THE CLASSICS!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
@rusticization
May Cuba Gooding, Sr. rest in Soul Heaven as this song still remains relevant to this day.
@wheresperry9991
The souls BE FLYING ABOUT THE UNIVERSE....THEY'RE TRULY BUSY....7 NAMES ON THAT.....Yahweh, Allah, Messiah, Jehovah, Jesus, Buddah & Him....RESPECT ALWAYS.....21 grams (soul) on FLEEK.....LOVE IS THE ONLY WAY.....
@caneidavis4284
So true.
@swt32567
And then there were none: In 1972 the oringinal lead sing Donald Mc Phereson died from cancer. Cuba Gooding, Sr. him & the hits kept on coming. Next Tony Silvestre passed away, which left Luther Simmons. Sadly Luther passed away a few years ago, but thankfully we are left with the music & our memories of times past. It truly was "A Kinder & Gentler Time".
@giltracy505
Wow when we had real music!!!!!! God Bless you all!
@rodshaw8472
This song never fails to lift my spirits. Rest easy Brother
@AKOMADAYEveryday
Indeed it's quite inspiring