On this day in 1978 {August 22nd} the Stylistics performed "First Impressions" on the nationally syndicated weekday-afternoon television program, 'The Mike Douglas Show'... At the time the song was at position #24 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, the following week it would peak at #22 {for 1 week}... Between 1971 and 1992 the Philadelphia quintet* had thirty two records on the Hot Soul Singles chart, thirteen made the Top 10 with their biggest hit being "Betcha By Golly, Wow", it peaked at #2 {for two weeks} in 1972, and for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "In The Rain" by the Dramatics... Russell Allen Thompkins Jr., the falsetto voiced lead singer of the group, celebrated his 68th birthday five months ago on March 21st, 2019... *Even though the above photo shows only four, there were five members in the group; Russell Thompkins Jr., Herb Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn...
The reason there was just 4 was because James Dunn quit in 78 leaving it 4 guys. Then James Smith also dropped out in 79 leaving just 3. That's when Raymond Johnson who had been guitarist with the group stepped up to take their place Making it 4 again. He stayed for 8 years and quit . It was just a trio until 1999 when Russell also left..along with most all of band choreographer and music director.... Raymond sings now for last 20 years with Russell Thompkins Jr and New Stylistics...the band and Kenny T the music/ stage director.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE STYLISTICS. FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE MISLEADING. ITS A GAME, TO TRY AND GET WHO YOU WANT! ALL THE TIME ITS LIED BEING TOLD TO GET HER?
