1958
FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE * JERRY BUTLER AND THE IMPRESSIONS * FALCON 1013 * USA
This was where it all began for the intense-yet soft sound of Soul so dominant in Black music for the next decade or so. The Impressions had come together from two groups: Sam Gooden and Arthur and Richard Brooks from The Roosters; Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield from the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers - although both Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield sang with secular groups: The Quails and The Alphatones, respectively, to help out with finances. It was as the Roosters that they sang the Jerry Butler composition For Your Precious Love that got them a deal with Vee Jay, their name was changed to The Impressions - it was also Vee-Jay who decided to highlight lead singer Jerry Butler's name [probably with an eye on launching him solo] - and the song was released on Vee-Jay 280. Ewart Abner the labels general manager, also released it on the Falcon label, which was distributed by Vee-Jay. To further complicate matters Falcon label had to change its name because of infringement rights, so it became Abner, and the record was released on Abner1013 - same catalogue number as the falcon release - so the record ended up being available on three labels! It was however a success going to number 3 R&B and 11 Pop.
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