In early 1951, the Moonglows, mostly featuring Fuqua on lead vocals, began recording, first for Freed's Champagne record label and then for Chicago's Chance Records, achieving local success in the midwest with a bluesy sound. By mid 1954, the group had become more polished (as evidenced by their Lester-led cover of Doris Day's "Secret Love"), and signed with the bigger Chess Records label. Their first Chess record was also their first R&B hit, the Fuqua-penned "Sincerely" (1954), with a lead vocal by Lester (and covered for the pop market by The McGuire Sisters). "Sincerely" was followed by a series of original R&B hits in 1955 and 1956, including "Most of All", "In My Diary" (later recorded by The Spinners), "When I'm With You" (all led by Lester) and the uptempo "See Saw" (featuring Fuqua). 1957 saw the release of the Fuqua led "Please Send Me Someone to Love" (originally by Percy Mayfield in 1950).
Through this period, the group perfected their patented, breathy, "blow harmony," which inspired countless 1950s doo-wop groups and 1960s soul groups, and even the 1970s The Chi-Lites.
Generally, Fuqua sang lead on the uptempo and blues-based tunes, while Lester was the group's romantic lead. Occasionally, on songs like "We Go Together" (1956), they sang a duet lead. Fuqua and Lester also "Moonlighted" on the Checker Records label as the "Moonlighters", recording a local hit "Shoo-be-doo (My Lovin' Baby)" in 1955. The group appeared in Rock Rock Rock a movie produced by, and starring Alan Freed. The last recording by the original five was the hit "10 Commandments of Love" (released in early 1958). It featured Fuqua on lead, with Billy Johnson doing the spoken recitation. By 1957, Fuqua had begun to re-assert himself as lead vocalist and manager, with Lester being pushed to the background. This created a great deal of friction within the group.[citation needed]
Also in 1957, a Washington, D.C. based group known as The Marquees was struggling to make it. The members were Marvin Gaye, Reese Palmer, Chester Simmons, and James Knowland. They decided to give an impromptu audition to Fuqua, as the Moonglows had come to town for a concert. Fuqua was so impressed with them that he decided to fire the entire group and take on the Marquees as the "New Moonglows." Fuqua recorded with these four (later including fifth member Chuck Barksdale), as Harvey & The Moonglows through 1960, when the group dispersed. Gaye went on to a huge solo career.
Fuqua produced the Spinners in the early 1960s, even singing on a few of their records (but not 1961's "That's What Girls are Made For", which featured Bobby Smith imitating Harvey's style). Fuqua became a staff writer and record producer for Motown Records through the 1960s, and later road-managed Smokey Robinson. Lester returned to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and opened a nightclub. Barnes moved to Mississippi and retired from professional singing after an automobile accident in 1969.
Meanwhile, in 1964, Pete Graves restarted the Moonglows with Doc Green of The Drifters, George Thorpe, and Bearle Easton. This group recorded briefly for Lana Records, Times Square Records, and Crimson Records.
Yet another new Moonglows formed in 1970, featuring Lester and a Louisville group called the Aristocrats, who consisted of Lester's cousin Gary Rodgers, plus Albert Workman, Robert Ford, and Billy McPhatter (son of Clyde McPhatter). This group performed once in 1971 at a show in New York, but the Aristocrats decided to return to Louisville. Dallas, inspired by the reception his group received, reunited with Harvey Fuqua and Pete Graves, plus new members Doc Williams and Chuck Lewis, and the Moonglows were back.
They recorded an LP released on RCA Records in 1972, charting their last single, "Sincerely '72", a funky re-working of their 1954 hit.
This line-up split up after 1972, and Lester began singing with local Louisville singers again, including at times Rodgers, Ford, Robert Lee Davis, Bruce Martin, and Peter Lawford. This group recorded a mostly a cappella, live album Moonglows in 1979.
Lester died in his hometown of Louisville from cancer in 1980, and Billy McPhatter returned to the group, with Rodgers taking over most of the leads in what was now billed as "Bobby Lester's Moonglows." McPhatter was later replaced by Bobby Lester, Jr. Harvey reunited with the remainder of his 1972 Moonglows in 1983 for a Grammy performance (minus Lester, and Barksdale who had rejoined The Dells, and plus guitarist Johnson), and they toured until 1986 as Harvey & the Moonglows.
In 2000, Bobby Lester's Moonglows, consisting of Rodgers, Martin, Lawford, and Gene Kelly, appeared on the PBS special Doo Wop 50, backing up Harvey Fuqua on "Sincerely" and "10 Commandments of Love." Fuqua, now in his mid-70s, still sings occasionally, sometimes backed up by Lester's Moonglows, sometimes a 50s R&B group called the Magnificents, and sometimes by local "pick-up" groups. Fuqua also produces and manages gospel acts. Reese Palmer is a member of The Legendary Orioles, as well as leading a new version of The Marquees. Chuck Barksdale is still with the Dells. Billy Johnson died in Los Angeles in 1987, Gary Rodgers died in 2005, and Prentiss Barnes died in 2006.[1].
Harvey Fuqua passed away in 2010.
The Moonglows were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. They were also inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000. "Sincerely" was named one of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll.
In My Diary
The Moonglows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lot of things I'm gonna write
Write about the moon
And that lonely night
In my diary
Will tell all about you
Tell of all your charms
And the things you do
And all the people we've met
But my diary is about you
And I don't want to forget
In my diary
I'll write as plain as I can
Paint a picture with words
So the world can understand
Diaries are made of things we do
And all the people we've met
But my diary is about you
I don't want to forget - in my diary
In my diary
I'll write as plain as I can
Paint a picture with words
So the world can understand
So the world can understand
The Moonglows' song “In My Diary” is a heartwarming tune about love and memory. The lyrics speak about the power of diaries to chronicle the important moments of our lives, particularly those that involve people we hold dear. The singer of the song has a diary that is dedicated entirely to someone special - perhaps a lover or a close friend - and vows to write everything down so that they never forget the special moments they share.
The opening lines of the song set the stage for what's to come. The singer sings: “In my diary, a lot of things I'm gonna write / Write about the moon and that lonely night.” This suggests that the subject of the diary entries is someone they associate with the moon and a particular night. As the song progresses, the singer provides more details about this person, describing their charms and what they do. It's evident that this person is incredibly significant to them, and they want to immortalize their memories in their diary.
The third verse highlights the power of language and storytelling, as the singer vows to “write as plain as I can” and “paint a picture with words” so that the world can understand the depth of their love. It's a beautiful sentiment that speaks to the power of communication in all its forms - through speech, music, art, or writing. The song ends with a repeat of the chorus, underscoring the importance of keeping these memories alive in the pages of a diary.
Overall, “In My Diary” is a touching song that celebrates the beauty of love and memories. It's a reminder that even though people may come and go in our lives, the moments we share with them can be eternalized through the power of storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
In my diary
This is a personal account of my thoughts and feelings
A lot of things I'm gonna write
I have a lot to share and express
Write about the moon
The moon is a symbol of beauty and mystery
And that lonely night
The night brings out the feeling of loneliness
Will tell all about you
This diary is about you and what you mean to me
Tell of all your charms
I will describe your unique qualities that I admire
And the things you do
I will share my observations of your actions and behavior
Diaries are made of things we do
Diaries are a record of our experiences
And all the people we've met
They also include the people who have impacted our lives
But my diary is about you
My diary is a tribute to the special place you hold in my heart
And I don't want to forget
I want to cherish and remember all our moments together
I'll write as plain as I can
I will use simple words to convey my feelings
Paint a picture with words
I will create a vivid image of our relationship using language
So the world can understand
I want others to see how important you are to me
So the world can understand
I want others to see how important you are to me
Contributed by Christian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
. jazzzzlvr
Came of age in fabulous '50s Brooklyn listening to DJ Alan Freed every night on a vacuum-tube radio while doing my HS homework. No time was ever sweeter and more exciting. Those surely were the best days to be alive. Oh the memories ... and oh that incredible Doo Wop blow harmony! This song was my favorite ... and still is.
montaukmania
Bay Ridge in da house!
Alex Haber
. I know how you feel. Me and my friend Jimmy supplied Freed with his records. Alex
Cecil Shaw
One the finest songs, of the 50's or any other period. Pete Graves blows the roof off the joint,when he does his unreal falsetto licks. Bobby Lester on lead and Pete coming , in and out, with that tremendous falsetto, is the best that I have ever heard.
Cecil Shaw
0k
Robert Cummings
What an era for GREAT songs and GREAT Performers - and this is one of the best !
Creole Lady
Robert Cummings
You are so right, this was when music touched your heart and love was innocent.
Ruthann Brafford
Beautiful songs this group gave us. A talented bunch of guys.
. jazzzzlvr
Thanks to Cleveland & NYC DJ Alan Freed who brought them together.
AaronRecords Gomez
I love reading all the below comments of what people had went thru and experienced. This is history.