The Orioles were an American R&B group, one of the earliest such vocal band… Read Full Bio ↴The Orioles were an American R&B group, one of the earliest such vocal bands. Sonny Til formed the band in Baltimore with Alexander Sharp, George Nelson, Johnny Reed and Tommy Gaither and called the group The Vibra-Naires. A local shopgirl and songwriter named Deborah Chessler became the manager for the Vibra-Naires. They soon signed to It's a Natural Records, a subsidiary of Jubilee Records, changed their name to the Orioles, and released "It's Too Soon to Know" (1948), which became a huge R&B hit and was one of the first "race" songs to cross over into mainstream markets. 1949 saw a series of singles by the Orioles, including "Tell Me So" and "Forgive and Forget".
Tragedy struck the group in November 1950. The group was traveling in two cars near Baltimore. Gaither drove one, with Reed and Nelson as passengers. He took a corner too fast and lost control of the car. It rolled down an embankment and crashed into a drive-in restaurant. Gaither was killed and Nelson and Reed were severely injured. Til and Sharp, in the other car, were not near enough to witness the accident. They heard about it when they arrived home. For a short time, only Til and Sharp performed as the Orioles.
They soon added two new members: guitarist/second tenor Ralph Williams and pianist Charlie Harris. Nelson returned in a few days, and Reed a few weeks later. Just a year after their tragic accident, they were involved in another accident in Akron, Ohio, but there were no injuries.
George Nelson left in 1953, to be replaced by Gregory Carroll, formerly of the Four Buddies. This new line-up had several hits in 1953, including "Crying In the Chapel" and their final big hit, "In the Mission of St. Augustine". Williams left briefly in late 1953, and was replaced, for a few weeks, by Chauncy Westbrook. In February of 1955, Reed left and eventually joined an The Ink Spots group. He was replaced by Maurice Hicks. Williams and Harris left soon after. The group continued a short time and disbanded.
Left without the Orioles, Til picked up another group, The Regals, whose members were Tex Cornelius, Diz Russell, Jerry Holeman, Billy Adams, and pianist Paul Griffin. This group became the new Orioles. Til liked the Regals' modern harmony style, and the existing tunes were rearranged to match the Regals' style (in many cases, sounding rather different than they formerly had). During this time, they were often billed as "Sonny Til and his New Orioles". Now without Chessler, they were self-managed. They left Jubilee and signed with Vee-Jay Records.
They continued with this arrangement until 1957 when Cornelius left the group. He was replaced for a short time by Frank Todd, who was replaced by Jimmy Brown. This lineup went until the last day of 1959. Holeman left the group, and Russel the next day, after finding Sonny's car (their means of transportation) repossesed. This was the end of the second Orioles.
Til recorded briefly as a solo artist before putting together the third Orioles group, with members Delton McCall, Billy Taylor, and Gerald Gregory, former bass of The Spaniels. They continued recording, this time for Charlie Parker Records. Gregory left after a couple of years and was replaced by Lawrence Joyner. This group split up in the mid 1960s.
In 1966, Til met Bobby Thomas, a long time Orioles fan. Bobby was singing in a group known as "The Vibrannaires"; coincidentally named the same as the Orioles' original name. This group consisted of Thomas, Clarence Young, Harry Accoo, and Mike Robinson. Thomas, Young, and Robinson joined Til to become the fourth Orioles group. Gregory Carroll was occasionally a member of this group. They recorded until 1975.
Following the breakup of that Orioles group, Til joined George Holmes' Ink Spots, who were Til, Holmes, Ann Lawson, and Larry Reed. With the addition of George "Pepi" Grant in 1977, they began touring as both The Ink Spots and The Orioles (as the Orioles, Lawson was billed as a special guest). Til and Grant alternated leads, and Holmes sang bass. They recorded briefly in 1977.
In 1977, Til formed the sixth Orioles group with former members: Diz Russell and Jerry Holeman from the second group, and Billy Taylor from the third group. The group also sometimes featured Eddie Palmer. This group was together in 1981, when Til died from a heart attack. He was 56.
The group continued, and by the late 1990s featured Russell, Reese Palmer, Skip Mahoney, Larry Jordan (who also tours with The Flamingos) and musical director Eddie Jones, who also works with The Cadillacs. Jones and Mahoney were later replaced by George Spann and Royal Height. Bobby Thomas started his own Orioles group following Til's death. Johnny Reed played with this group until his death in June of 2005.
The Orioles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Both groups were featured in the PBS special Doo Wop 51 in 2000, with the groups alternating verses on "Crying in the Chapel" (with Bobby Thomas and Larry Jordan on lead).
Tragedy struck the group in November 1950. The group was traveling in two cars near Baltimore. Gaither drove one, with Reed and Nelson as passengers. He took a corner too fast and lost control of the car. It rolled down an embankment and crashed into a drive-in restaurant. Gaither was killed and Nelson and Reed were severely injured. Til and Sharp, in the other car, were not near enough to witness the accident. They heard about it when they arrived home. For a short time, only Til and Sharp performed as the Orioles.
They soon added two new members: guitarist/second tenor Ralph Williams and pianist Charlie Harris. Nelson returned in a few days, and Reed a few weeks later. Just a year after their tragic accident, they were involved in another accident in Akron, Ohio, but there were no injuries.
George Nelson left in 1953, to be replaced by Gregory Carroll, formerly of the Four Buddies. This new line-up had several hits in 1953, including "Crying In the Chapel" and their final big hit, "In the Mission of St. Augustine". Williams left briefly in late 1953, and was replaced, for a few weeks, by Chauncy Westbrook. In February of 1955, Reed left and eventually joined an The Ink Spots group. He was replaced by Maurice Hicks. Williams and Harris left soon after. The group continued a short time and disbanded.
Left without the Orioles, Til picked up another group, The Regals, whose members were Tex Cornelius, Diz Russell, Jerry Holeman, Billy Adams, and pianist Paul Griffin. This group became the new Orioles. Til liked the Regals' modern harmony style, and the existing tunes were rearranged to match the Regals' style (in many cases, sounding rather different than they formerly had). During this time, they were often billed as "Sonny Til and his New Orioles". Now without Chessler, they were self-managed. They left Jubilee and signed with Vee-Jay Records.
They continued with this arrangement until 1957 when Cornelius left the group. He was replaced for a short time by Frank Todd, who was replaced by Jimmy Brown. This lineup went until the last day of 1959. Holeman left the group, and Russel the next day, after finding Sonny's car (their means of transportation) repossesed. This was the end of the second Orioles.
Til recorded briefly as a solo artist before putting together the third Orioles group, with members Delton McCall, Billy Taylor, and Gerald Gregory, former bass of The Spaniels. They continued recording, this time for Charlie Parker Records. Gregory left after a couple of years and was replaced by Lawrence Joyner. This group split up in the mid 1960s.
In 1966, Til met Bobby Thomas, a long time Orioles fan. Bobby was singing in a group known as "The Vibrannaires"; coincidentally named the same as the Orioles' original name. This group consisted of Thomas, Clarence Young, Harry Accoo, and Mike Robinson. Thomas, Young, and Robinson joined Til to become the fourth Orioles group. Gregory Carroll was occasionally a member of this group. They recorded until 1975.
Following the breakup of that Orioles group, Til joined George Holmes' Ink Spots, who were Til, Holmes, Ann Lawson, and Larry Reed. With the addition of George "Pepi" Grant in 1977, they began touring as both The Ink Spots and The Orioles (as the Orioles, Lawson was billed as a special guest). Til and Grant alternated leads, and Holmes sang bass. They recorded briefly in 1977.
In 1977, Til formed the sixth Orioles group with former members: Diz Russell and Jerry Holeman from the second group, and Billy Taylor from the third group. The group also sometimes featured Eddie Palmer. This group was together in 1981, when Til died from a heart attack. He was 56.
The group continued, and by the late 1990s featured Russell, Reese Palmer, Skip Mahoney, Larry Jordan (who also tours with The Flamingos) and musical director Eddie Jones, who also works with The Cadillacs. Jones and Mahoney were later replaced by George Spann and Royal Height. Bobby Thomas started his own Orioles group following Til's death. Johnny Reed played with this group until his death in June of 2005.
The Orioles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Both groups were featured in the PBS special Doo Wop 51 in 2000, with the groups alternating verses on "Crying in the Chapel" (with Bobby Thomas and Larry Jordan on lead).
My Prayer
The Orioles Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'My Prayer' by these artists:
Adam Watts Blister on my tounge I can't speak a word of this…
Ambrose and His Orchestra My silent prayer is for the love we knew If it…
Amelia Ong I hope that life's been kind to you I hope your…
Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra My silent prayer is for the love we knew If it…
bjéar It's much like the movies Or that courtyard in the country Y…
Boa Oh neul doh nahn jah mi deul gi juh neh…
Bobby Hatfield When the twilight is gone And no songbirds are singing When …
Brenda Lee When the twilight is gone And no songbird is singing When th…
Brian McKnight I have been so far away Counting the time until today So…
Chris Rice Fresh page, new pen Where do I begin? Words fail, tears come…
Connick Harry Jr. My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
D.O.C. The I know by myself I get bad days Even when I…
Darin & Brooke Aldridge When my life gets dreary And I'm feeling weary From trying t…
Dave & Margaret Gloyd This is my Prayer My desire Lord to be At each day's…
David S. Currie There is something at the horizon That curls up just like…
Dee Daniels Father, awake the potential in me Make me aware so that…
Deitrick Haddon Let our children live And not die in the streets Like the…
Devotion Dear God....... I knoe that she's out der The one I'm suppos…
Eero ja Jussi & The Boys There's a room that I can go to And I feel…
Eric Benét I don't want to live this way no more I don't…
Ernie Fields and His Orchestra My silent prayer is for the love we knew If it…
Fin.K.L Hear my Prayer, o Lord And let my crying come unto…
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
Freegeegaah To you oh Lord I lift up my soul In YOU…
Gerry Monroe My prayer is to linger with you at the end of the…
Glenn Miller When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing when…
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Feat. Ray Eberle My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
Glenn Miller and His Orchestra;Ray Eberle My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
Glenn Miller Orchestra My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
Glenn Miller Orchestra Ray Eberle My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
Harry Connick Jr. My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
Helmut Zacharias and his orchestra My silent prayer is for the love we knew If it…
Ink Spots My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
j. Stokkermans when the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing when…
James Blood Ulmer & Alison Krauss When the curtains of night are pinned back by the…
Jay & The Americans My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
Jerry Vale My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
Joe Longthorne When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
Joe Nina Father Here I am Please hear my prayers Father here I am Pl…
John Lloyd Young When the twilight is gone And no songbirds are singing When …
Johnnie & Joe Father Here I am Please hear my prayers Father here I am Pl…
Junior Boy This is a banger Hallay, alalay alaley I be the gurldemsuger…
Les Platters When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
M.D. West Yeah... Uh... I don't know if I should say dear…
Mark Isham When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
Melo-D-Heirs I know by myself I get bad days Even when I…
Mergence Said this is my prayer, and I know it seems lost Said…
Mike Brant When the twillight is gone And no song bird is singing. When…
Niyola Odun lọ sí òpin oh Oh Lord Guide me Lord guide me Eeeh…
Otis Redding This is my lover's prayer I hope it'll reach out to…
P. J Proby when the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing when…
Persephone I don't pray to be aware of all dangers Let me…
PJ Proby when the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing when…
Platters The When the twilight is gone And no songbirds are singing When…
Ray Conniff When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
Ray Eberle My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
Rice Chris Fresh page, new pen Where do I begin? Words fail, tears come…
Roy Orbison When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
Sam Zalta Put your hopes on me Turn the radio on Listen to its…
Shelley Fabares My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
SheWolf 8. MY PRAYER Not long ago I found myself Lost in a…
Sun Eats Hours Letting my heart's words free No one is stronger than me. …
Superdrag Took some pain 'cause nothing good is free I love you And…
The D.O.C. 기도합니다 간절한 마음으로 주께 당신의 평강이 반석으로 날 인도해 기도합니다. 간절한 마음으로 주께 당…
The Four Seasons My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
The Frank & Joe Show Jesus here is my soul Remold it and shape it And make…
The Glenn Miller Orchestra My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
The Impressions When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
The Ink Spots My prayer is to linger with you At the end…
The Inkspots My prayer is to linger with you At the end of…
The Platters When the twilight is gone And no songbirds are singing When…
THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE 溢れてくる この想いを 止められない 胸の鼓動を 今 目の前に君がいる この偶然はきっと運命だから ふたり繋いだ手の…
The Righteous Brothers When the twilight is gone And no songbirds are singing When …
The Road Cruisers When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
The Silencers The night is ours In all its glory And all we have…
The Starlite Orchestra & Singers When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
Tom Jones When the twilight is gone and no songbirds are singing When…
±¦¶ùBoa Oh neul doh nahn jah mi deul gi juh neh…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Orioles:
a Lonely Christmas It's gonna be a lonely Christmas Just won't be a holiday I'l…
At Night I dream uh-of you,/(Ooooooo.) My heart wanders all the day./…
Baby Please Don't Go Baby, please don't go. (Baby, please don't go.) Baby, please…
Chapel In The Moonlight How I'd love to hear the organ In the chapel in…
Crying In the Chapel You saw me crying in the chapel The tears I shed…
Don't Mess Around With My Love Doh Da Doh Da Doh da Doh Doh Doh Doh Doh…
For All We Know For all we know We may never meet again Before we go Make…
Gettin' Tired Tired Tired chorus. gettin tired, tired, tired, pretty baby, (repeat x3 …
Have You Heard My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
Hold Me Squeeze Me Hold me, hold me Never let me go Until you've told me,…
I Challenge Your Kiss i challenge your kiss to make me love you more,…
I Cover the Waterfront I cover the waterfront, I'm watching the sea,, Will the one …
I Love You Mostly Love you, love you, love you Oh, for just the chance…
I May Be Wrong I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful I may…
I Miss You Those happy hours I spent with you That lovely afterglow…
I Miss You So Those happy hours I spent with you That lovely afterglow…
I Only Have Eyes for You My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
I Promise You Love you, love you, love you Oh, for just the chance…
If It's to Be It's gonna be a lonely Christmas Just won't be a holiday I'l…
In the Chapel in the Moonlight How I'd love to hear the organ In the chapel in…
It It's gonna be a lonely Christmas Just won't be a holiday I'l…
It Ain't Gonna Be Like That i fell for your line and took you in stride…
It's Gonna Be a Lonely Christmas It's gonna be a lonely Christmas Just won't be a holiday I'l…
It's Too Soon to Know Does she love me? It's too soon to know Can I believe…
kiss me baby Hold me, hold me Never let me go Until you've told me,…
Lonely Christmas It's gonna be a lonely Christmas Just won't be a holiday I'l…
Miss You So Those happy hours I spent with you That lovely afterglow…
Moonlight How I'd love to hear the organ In the chapel in…
Night And Day Like the beat, beat, beat, Of the tom-tom; When the jungle…
O Holy Night O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the…
Once in a While Once in a while will you try to give One little…
See See Rider Well now see, C. C. Rider, well now see, see what…
Tell Me So if you don't love me tell me so don't tell…
Till Then Till then, my darling, please wait for me Till then, no…
What Are We Doing New Year's Eve Maybe it's much too early in the game Oh, but I…
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? Maybe it's much too early in the game Oh, but I…
What are you doing new year's eve_ Maybe it's much too early in the game Oh, but I…
Would I Love You Love you, love you, love you Oh, for just the chance…
You Belong to Me See the pyramids along the Nile Watch the sun rise on…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 74yo Aussie fan.
What a fantastic voice......
Fantupo Marsupialis
never heard this one, So COOL
cammoguy2
So elegant!
Robert Klein
Nice. But, I'd like to have the rest of The Orioles singing harmony behind this wonderful lead vocal.
Keith M
I agree. It’s nice to hear Sonny’s voice alone, but the rest of the group would make this an excellent ballad. Same goes for his other solo records. I’ve got a promo 78 of “Fool’s World” / “For All We Know.” Great songs, but they’d be better with backing vocals.
Nick S
I can’t seem to Google this! I wonder why not!
It would sound good with the rest of the Orioles with him.
Steve
Beats me....
Neal Hugh Hurwitz
xoxo