Charlie Fuqua's Ink Spots LIVE from a 1955 Texas television program. Jimmy Holmes - Lead Vocal Essex Scott - 2nd Tenor Vocal Charlie Fuqua - Baritone Vocal & Guitar Harold Jackson - Bass Vocal
Always a pleasure to listen to Jimmy Holmes. As time goes on, the more inclined I am to put him almost beside Bill Kenny... but not quite. But still, definitely one of my favourite singers, whose technical ability and style were just completely, utterly superb. He's not given anywhere near the credit he deserves.
I dont think the man singing in this video is Jimmy Holmes (b.1947) and more than likely Deek Watson (b.1909) or Bill Kenny (b. 1914) who were original members of the Ink Spots who left the original group and started another group called The Brown Spots. Jimmy Holmes would have only been 8 years old when this episode of the Swift Show Wagon (1955) was traveling state to state. Deek would have been 46 years old and Bill 41 so either of the two seems more appropriate guess of the guy singing in this clip. Perhaps the announcer (Hoarce Heidt and the American Way) had the name of the group wrong since there were many groups who used the name back then.
@@hitirussantosa7116 That's Jimmy Holmes. He was not born in 1947 and sang with the group from 1953 to 1957 recording for King Records and Verve Records. Deek Watson left the group just before they recorded for King Records. It's certainly not Bill Kenny.
An interesting thing this video confirms... Hal Jackson was actually playing his Cello, not using it as a prop like Herb Kenny did. You can hear him throughout and it’s noticeable when a drops out for his talking part then comes in a few beats afterwards. This isn’t all that surprising considering Jackson was an accomplished Bass player, but still interesting. It wasn’t totally necessary for him to play it since there was a Bass player playing off screen too but it’s cool that he was playing it like Hoppy used to.
Me too. He was classically trained and it’s evident. It contributed greatly to the uniqueness of his style and approach and naturally his technical abilities. .
That's my mom and dad's era. This takes me right back to when I was little--and it's great to actually see them performing and not just a pic on a record album! Thanks for posting!
@@AustinCasey Great to make your acquaintance, Austin. And where did you find this clip? Where has it been hiding since 1955?? How did you get your hands on it? Tell us the story!
Thanks so much Austin! Such a great clip. I can never get enough Essex, even just his harmony. But this is my favorite ensemble of Ink Spots, Jimmy and Harold are amazing too! This group seemed to be the most swinging of the bunch. Thanks so much for saving these clips and sharing them with the world!
Holmes's vocal control is incredible! In my opinion he is absolutely on par with Bill Kenny as a frontman for the Ink Spots. And Jackson makes for a great talking bass as well. It seems to me that Fuqua's group in the 50s was even closer to the original Ink Spots sound than the actual Ink Spots were in the late 40s and early 50s. That's especially noticeable on their songs with Deek Watson
Brilliant. With the US and the UK going down the drain, this is what we need to pull us through. And don't forget the epoch these guys had to go through. -- Phil, London, England
I just love the sound of this group....as did and do many. I am of the beatles generation but am a definite fan of these guys. I would like to have heard groups from my generation do covers of inspots songs .... Can you imagine a beatles version of "If I didnt care" produced by Martin? I have their greatest hits cd....very interesting. Thank you Inkspots ....their wikipedia page is really interesting.
I want Ink Spots children great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren I'm 59 years old and I hear your father's music everybody background music being play over and 2021
Redd Foxx was imitating his friend Bill Kenny who was the lead singer of the ORIGINAL Ink Spots (not the group seen in this video). Herb Kenny was Bill Kenny's brother who did the talking part "Honeychile, if I didn't care". The man in this video is Jimmy Holmes who was also imitating Bill Kenny.
That's correct. The title of this video is essentially "click bait". In 1952, Charlie Fuqua left The Ink Spots to form his own competing group that was supposed to be called "The New Ink Spots" but he never really did that and just called his group "The Ink Spots". This caused great confusion and was the beginning of imposter and spin-off groups forming all over the world even to this date! For more info you can search "After the Ink Spots" in Google. Its really incredible. So, this is Charlie Fuquas Ink Spots... NOT The Ink Spots. Hope that helps!
@@AustinCasey You're right, this is Jimmy Holmes and he was the lead singer Redd Foxx would imitate. Jimmy Holmes was very dramatic and descriptive with his hands to show off his flashy rings, watches and bracelets. Bill Kenny only wore a wedding ring.
@@alanmorris7669 Absolutely false my friend. Bill Kenny wore a very large diamond ring he designed himself. You can see it in many of his press photos and he speaks of it in an interview with NBC radio found here on my channel. In addition, there are numerous quotes from singers of his time that describe his shows where he would "wave his large hands as the spotlights cast sparkling reflections from his large diamond ring". Just Google search "Bill Kenny diamond ring" and you'll probably find many quotes. You could also search "Bill Kenny Redd Foxx". Jimmy Holmes was quite literally imitating Bill Kenny in singing and presentation.
This is actually an entirely different group led by Kenny's guitarist Charlie Fuqua. Fuqua hired 3 different guys that were never with the original Ink Spots.
If I go back in the time will never know the Ink Spots existed I'm 59 years old the ink spots and the original Dells we will never know they existed and the world is still present today stealing my music the ink spots the Dells
So, Bill Kenny is indeed the original?also, there's a few members I seen with Bill Kenny who aren't here. This is like a whole different group, Same name.
@@AustinCasey I was wondering the same thanks for solving our doubt, by the way I have 16 years old and I really enjoy this music, is a melody for my soul, it makes me feel melancholy for a time I wasn't be alive hahaha
Hmm, debatable. Kenny is great but Holmes has spectacular control and his range is comparable to Kenny’s. Kenny is undeniably more iconic but Holmes might be a technically better singer
His natural voice is higher than Bill's. Bill sung mostly in a falsetto, but this guy is singing many of his notes in full voice, and doing an extremely well job of it. I'd never seen him until this video.
He was phenomenal. I highly recommend you check it his recorded work with Fuquas Ink Spots including gems like this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Gh3sulEgwXk.html&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE