Here's an HD version of the popular video I uploaded some years back. This lineup is from the early 1950's (also known as The Famous Ink Spots and Charlie Fuqua's Ink Spots.
I always thought it was funny that Fred would exaggerate his hand motion when he sang. Years later I learned that the lead singer wore a big diamond ring and would move his fingers so that the diamond would catch the light and sparkle into the eyes of competitive groups as a way to flex his success. The "G" might have stood for genuine.
I had no idea he was still alive! I thought he passed years ago. I am so saddened to think that I could have met him! Even though he wasnt an original Ink Spot he was a great Bass singer and his talking Bass with the various Ink Spots imposter groups he was with was always excellent. R.I.P
This is when music was beautiful and meaningful!! The Ink Spots were absolutely incredible in making beautiful music! As a small child I grew up listening to their music, so fascinated by them and still am even more today.
The Inkspots were "Beatles popular" thru the mid-thirties and into and after the war years. No TV, just radio, lots of movie and personal appearances and tons of 78's. God, I love this group. :)
Fred Sanford brought me here... Lifelong fan of the show and after a few listens along with finding Redd’s connection with Bill, I’m now a lifer for Bill Kenny And The Ink Spots... I’m only 33 and I’ll sing this to my wife all the time. Lol
The Ink Spots didn't realize it but they created Rock & Roll......They were an amazing group and should be in the R&R Hall Of Fame.....................
my favorite thing about these guys is that they're singing about love, but they actually SHOULD be singing about love! Middle aged men who for sure have had adult relationships. Unlike my generation...
The Ink Spots have had more off-shoot groups than any other in music history. The only original Ink Spot is the guitar player, but he sure recruited an excellent group here. They recorded on King Records in the '50s and they are extremely well done, in my opinion. This singer, Jimmy Holmes was a true tenor, and capable of quite operatic vocalizing (the original lead, Bill Kenny, was actually a high-baritone who frequently used falsetto to hit high notes). If one is familiar with Jimmy Holmes' looks, one can spot him singing in a reformed version of "The Rays", singing their classic, "Silhouettes", on one of the PBS oldies broadcasts.
+Brian Jonestone Hahaha Jimmy Holmes never sang with The Rays... but indeed Walter Ford does resemble Holmes! Holmes worked throughout the East Coast after he left Fuqua in 1958. He worked briefly with his own "Ink Spots" group for a year but after that never sang with a group again. He mostly worked nightclubs in the US and Canada with his instrumental trio "The Jimmy Holmes Trio" up until 1986 when he retired. He passed away 9 years later in his hometown of Philadelphia He certainly should have been more famous given not only his musical training but his amazing talent. As for Bill Kenny, he was a tenor. Infact, he didn't sing in falsetto at all. In an interview from the 1960s, he tells that a Dr. explained to him why he had such a wide vocal range with no "break" between low and high voice. It was something physical having to do with his vocal chords. He could just glide right up chromatically from his lowest to highest note with not a single break or change in tone. He supposedly had a four octave range... but if you compare his highest note (not uploaded to TH-cam yet) to his lowest on "Love Me Baby" it's got to be at least a 5 or 6 octave difference. He was out of this world.
I guess the fellow in the revival Rays just resembles Jimmy Holmes, so I wrongly assumed he was still around to fill in with the Rays for their PBS appearance - my mistake....however.... I've been a professional singer all of my life, and I know falsetto when I hear it. Bill Kenny uses falsetto often. I'm not sure what actual high note he was capable of; I only know for sure that the highest notes he hits as an Ink Spot (or any other recording I've ever heard him on) are attainable by a singer with a high baritone range.
+Brian Jonestone Perhaps Kenny's highest note(s) was attained with the use of falsetto, but his natural voice did go very high without falsetto. Kenny was a pro singer too and he said he didn't use falsetto at all... ever. I've read other pro singers say the same thing about him as well. Of course there has been debate... but one thing is certain... he was a tenor. After recovering from his accident in 1969 he found that he could hit lower notes than ever before (and probably baritone range) but from 1936 to at least '69 he was a tenor. As far as Jimmy Holmes, he DID use falsetto quite frequently and mentioned it in an interview I have from the 60s. He had great natural range, but you can hear him break into falsetto quite often including multiple times in this clip.
Well folks. I was married to the Love of my life for 54 years but Lois is gone now(11/09 and years ago I dedicated this song to her early on is our marriage.As singers go except for the original group with Bill Kenny one of the great tenors of the time these gentlemen are every bit as good. I saw both groups over time at the Sands Hotel/Casino in the late 60's eraly 70''s and they were even better in person. Thanks for your time. Larry Adams,Phoenix,AZ
Sir...Your dialogue and feelings are so right on...Knew Herb and met Bill once...what a price They paid for giving our tons of Love and Harmony..Bless You all.....Rich
That voice is thrilling. Was familiar with Bill Kennys great version but heard this one on the radio Sunday and went looking for it. Love the rolled r's.
LOL Fred Sanford brought me here On SANFORD and SON 35 anniversary he got a signet ring and showing the bling of it and singing The Ink Spots song if I dint care LOL REDD FOXX is a very funny dude.... LMAOL
I grew up listening to these crooners (even tho they were not my generation) & luckily I still have them on vinyl!! What beautiful voices - no comparisons...
Many moons a dear friend introduced me to the Ink Spots. She's gone now, but good memories and BEAUTIFUL music continue to make me smile. THANK YOU for posting this!!!!! Regards from North Central Indiana.
Jonathan Meddis Well the singer in this is a countertenor, and countertenor jazz singers have certainly not worsened in clarity and technique. My favourite jazz countertenor piece would have to be this cover of Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘time after time’: th-cam.com/video/jphqSgtg2e4/w-d-xo.html Since musical styles have changed so much, it can be a little hard to find people still covering these old songs, but you can still find the same excellence in technique in classical countertenor singing.
My parents both sing Mexican pop and but I received no training from both singing just came to me and in the span of a little more than one year I managed to build my voice from having cracks anytime I tried any highs to being able to sing New York New York perfectly. My deep voice goes with the style as well.
@@lucrio4088 Can you give an example of someone who is appreciated by large media? because he's saying the BIG figures cannot sing like this anymore. Of course there are good singers out there, but none of them make it big, the ones who need auto tune are the big ones.
You, my man, speak the words going around in my head. I may be young, and maybe even naïve, but im sure loving this music. And these songs tell a tale of whatever the artist wants to bring, or is going through, and bring them with love. For amusing us, and (Most of the time) not for the money. :)
During WWII Glenn Miller had a hit record "Juke Box Saturday Night". In this song the lyrics go "We love to hear that tenor croon, whenever the Ink Spots sing a tune" and I never knew who these Ink Spots were until I found your video here tonight! Thanks for the upload.
i take it back, on further examination they first recorded "if i didn't care" in 1939 soooo .. maybe. I was introduced to the song from Shawshank Redemption
The uploader of this clip simply copy and pasted a description of one of my videos for a different lineup... The 2nd Tenor here is not Charlie Owens but the great Essex Scott. Just wanted to clear that up. Not that anyone cares :P
+Michael Gregory Lol I'm glad. Maybe if Scott wasn't such a great singer I wouldn't have bothered with the correction, but he was one of the greats so you've got to respect his legacy. I'm also a stickler for accuracy. Lol Thank you!
I wish we still had this level of professionalism in class in modern singing.
It’s out there, singers of this caliber are no longer famous.
we got autotune now
This masterpiece may have been lost in obscurity if it wasn’t for Fred G Sanford.
You will put respect on fallout lol
You said it👌
So true!!
And the G stands for genius.
I always thought it was funny that Fred would exaggerate his hand motion when he sang. Years later I learned that the lead singer wore a big diamond ring and would move his fingers so that the diamond would catch the light and sparkle into the eyes of competitive groups as a way to flex his success. The "G" might have stood for genuine.
Smooth as silk. Back in the day when people had class, taste and real talent.
I listen to this rendition at least a half dozen times a year. The lead vocal range is beyond amazing. 👍👌👍👌
The Mills Brothers and The Ink Spots that's a daily double a sure winner
WOW. That lead singer is amazing.
He sings the song too fast, otherwise,pretty good
He does a nice Bill Kenny impersonation.
@@jupiter2540 He couldnt of done it any better
@@iVenge He does a better Jimmy Holmes impersonation. As an original he doesn't need to impersonate anybody
@@graememcgregor8407 An original what? He was not the voice on the recordings, and was not part of the original hit making lineup.
I am sooo glad I was alive when this happened. This is real music.
this song is so classy and delightful
Where are you from buddy?
Fabulous. Jimmy Holmes is superbly talented and should be in the pantheon of the great singers.
The original Inkspots with Bill Kenny split up in 1952 but this later group with Jimmy Holmes were also fabulous .
I love The Ink Spots!
Thanks Fallout 3 and Bioshock for making me know great music like this :)
I had no idea he was still alive! I thought he passed years ago. I am so saddened to think that I could have met him! Even though he wasnt an original Ink Spot he was a great Bass singer and his talking Bass with the various Ink Spots imposter groups he was with was always excellent. R.I.P
Just found out my father kenneth ellis used to sing with this group but do not see him in any of the pictures
It doesn't get smoother than this. What a wonderful group they were.
This is when music was beautiful and meaningful!! The Ink Spots were absolutely incredible in making beautiful music! As a small child I grew up listening to their music, so fascinated by them and still am even more today.
2:50 his voice gets so high .amazing
WOAH
Voice crack if you listen very closely
@@thomaswalker4279 Deliberately as style. Jimmy had a five-octave voice, no need to push any boundaries and risk any cracks :)
3:08 !😮
The Inkspots were "Beatles popular" thru the mid-thirties and into and after the war years. No TV, just radio, lots of movie and personal appearances and tons of 78's. God, I love this group. :)
So smooth no auto tune, no lip sync pure vocals.
This is wonderful. People don't sing, or write lyrics, like this any more.
Fred Sanford brought me here... Lifelong fan of the show and after a few listens along with finding Redd’s connection with Bill, I’m now a lifer for Bill Kenny And The Ink Spots...
I’m only 33 and I’ll sing this to my wife all the time. Lol
My goodness I've just grown a love for the ink spots music and the 40's
i'm producer of modern music as a job...but this right here, this is real music. its a shame that it's lost on my generation. such great music.
Best version of this song in my opinion, shame it's never been cleaned up
The Ink Spots didn't realize it but they created Rock & Roll......They were an amazing group and should be in the R&R Hall Of Fame.....................
I am 87 years old and I saw this group at the Playboy Club in Dallas late 70ish
They were great!
What a superb "falsetto". Great songs, great vocalists. The Ink Spots are my favorite vocal group.
They were such amazing singers. I wish modern singers had this level of skill and class.
Wow! beautiful old school.
MY GOD !!!!! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!
my favorite thing about these guys is that they're singing about love, but they actually SHOULD be singing about love! Middle aged men who for sure have had adult relationships. Unlike my generation...
Wonderful. Can't stop listening to it. They sure don't have singers nor songs like this and more's the pity.
Shawshank Redemption....
Man, I wish there were honest and truthful lyrics like this today.
The Ink Spots have had more off-shoot groups than any other in music history. The only original Ink Spot is the guitar player, but he sure recruited an excellent group here. They recorded on King Records in the '50s and they are extremely well done, in my opinion. This singer, Jimmy Holmes was a true tenor, and capable of quite operatic vocalizing (the original lead, Bill Kenny, was actually a high-baritone who frequently used falsetto to hit high notes). If one is familiar with Jimmy Holmes' looks, one can spot him singing in a reformed version of "The Rays", singing their classic, "Silhouettes", on one of the PBS oldies broadcasts.
+Brian Jonestone Hahaha Jimmy Holmes never sang with The Rays... but indeed Walter Ford does resemble Holmes! Holmes worked throughout the East Coast after he left Fuqua in 1958. He worked briefly with his own "Ink Spots" group for a year but after that never sang with a group again. He mostly worked nightclubs in the US and Canada with his instrumental trio "The Jimmy Holmes Trio" up until 1986 when he retired. He passed away 9 years later in his hometown of Philadelphia He certainly should have been more famous given not only his musical training but his amazing talent.
As for Bill Kenny, he was a tenor. Infact, he didn't sing in falsetto at all. In an interview from the 1960s, he tells that a Dr. explained to him why he had such a wide vocal range with no "break" between low and high voice. It was something physical having to do with his vocal chords. He could just glide right up chromatically from his lowest to highest note with not a single break or change in tone. He supposedly had a four octave range... but if you compare his highest note (not uploaded to TH-cam yet) to his lowest on "Love Me Baby" it's got to be at least a 5 or 6 octave difference. He was out of this world.
I guess the fellow in the revival Rays just resembles Jimmy Holmes, so I wrongly assumed he was still around to fill in with the Rays for their PBS appearance - my mistake....however....
I've been a professional singer all of my life, and I know falsetto when I hear it. Bill Kenny uses falsetto often. I'm not sure what actual high note he was capable of; I only know for sure that the highest notes he hits as an Ink Spot (or any other recording I've ever heard him on) are attainable by a singer with a high baritone range.
+Brian Jonestone Perhaps Kenny's highest note(s) was attained with the use of falsetto, but his natural voice did go very high without falsetto. Kenny was a pro singer too and he said he didn't use falsetto at all... ever. I've read other pro singers say the same thing about him as well. Of course there has been debate... but one thing is certain... he was a tenor. After recovering from his accident in 1969 he found that he could hit lower notes than ever before (and probably baritone range) but from 1936 to at least '69 he was a tenor. As far as Jimmy Holmes, he DID use falsetto quite frequently and mentioned it in an interview I have from the 60s. He had great natural range, but you can hear him break into falsetto quite often including multiple times in this clip.
Thanks for the info.
This man had the greatest singing voice of all time, even old recordings like this are flawless, the other guys were all amazing also, in a word magic
I love this old time music! I was born in the 1940s and fondly remember this song!!!
Loved it for over 50 years
Well folks. I was married to the Love of my life for 54 years but Lois is gone now(11/09 and years ago I dedicated this song to her early on is our marriage.As singers go except for the original group with Bill Kenny one of the great tenors of the time these gentlemen are every bit as good.
I saw both groups over time at the Sands Hotel/Casino in the late 60's eraly 70''s and they were even better in person. Thanks for your time. Larry Adams,Phoenix,AZ
remember when Fred sang this during one of the "Hawaiian" episodes?? LOL Redd Foxx must have been the unofficial sponsor for the Ink Spots! Nice vid
Wow what memories.
Wish I could travel back in time and meet them. Great performance to them !
They HIT that joint! PERFECT performance.
Sir...Your dialogue and feelings are so right on...Knew Herb and met Bill once...what a price They paid for giving our tons of Love and Harmony..Bless You all.....Rich
My 3 year long romance living with my fiance just fell apart,
this song means so much to me now
I've watched this a bunch of times and its the first time that I've noticed the bass man playing a cello like it's a double bass.
That voice is thrilling. Was familiar with Bill Kennys great version but heard this one on the radio Sunday and went looking for it. Love the rolled r's.
I love at 1:37 that guy just talking through it. His hand movements and voice is almost mesmerizing in a sort of way.
This is real music. Not screaming.!!!!!!!!!!
Ok boomer
Smooth as silk. Thank you.
For me the Jimmy Holmes/Charlie Fuqua Ink Spots are the only offshoot group worthy of the name. This is great stuff.
Amen
LOL Fred Sanford brought me here On SANFORD and SON 35 anniversary he got a signet ring and showing the bling of it and singing The Ink Spots song if I dint care LOL REDD FOXX is a very funny dude.... LMAOL
he got ta wavin that hand ontop that step 🤣🤣
Craig A. ballard same here I had to hear the song for myself 😂😂😂🤣🤣💀💀lmao
I grew up listening to these crooners (even tho they were not my generation) & luckily I still have them on vinyl!! What beautiful voices - no comparisons...
Fred G Sanford fans take note.
No auto tune, no lip sync,
Fantastic song, I love it!
Many moons a dear friend introduced me to the Ink Spots. She's gone now, but good memories and BEAUTIFUL music continue to make me smile. THANK YOU for posting this!!!!! Regards from North Central Indiana.
People can't sing like that today. It's lost.
kentchr76 I don’t agree at all. You’re just looking in the wrong places.
@@lucrio4088
Give an example of a contemporary singer with that vocal technique, I'm curious
Jonathan Meddis Well the singer in this is a countertenor, and countertenor jazz singers have certainly not worsened in clarity and technique. My favourite jazz countertenor piece would have to be this cover of Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘time after time’: th-cam.com/video/jphqSgtg2e4/w-d-xo.html
Since musical styles have changed so much, it can be a little hard to find people still covering these old songs, but you can still find the same excellence in technique in classical countertenor singing.
My parents both sing Mexican pop and but I received no training from both singing just came to me and in the span of a little more than one year I managed to build my voice from having cracks anytime I tried any highs to being able to sing New York New York perfectly. My deep voice goes with the style as well.
@@lucrio4088 Can you give an example of someone who is appreciated by large media? because he's saying the BIG figures cannot sing like this anymore. Of course there are good singers out there, but none of them make it big, the ones who need auto tune are the big ones.
Beautiful! Thank you for post!!!
One of the very best vocal groups OF ALL TIME.
Greatest group ever!!! Thanks that for sharing the video.
Wonderful! Its like discovering an new kind of music.
phenomenal. thank you!
Best love song of all time and great to dance to.
Absolutely oooozes with class, so well presented and so entertaining....how lucky we are to have these treasures!!
Thanks lots for posting.
Brilliant song from a magical era.
so sweet!! Thank you
this is the most amazing live performance I have ever seen
You, my man, speak the words going around in my head.
I may be young, and maybe even naïve, but im sure loving this music.
And these songs tell a tale of whatever the artist wants to bring, or is going through, and bring them with love. For amusing us, and (Most of the time) not for the money.
:)
This was AWESOME! It makes you understand Sanford & Son a little more
This is fantastic!
During WWII Glenn Miller had a hit record "Juke Box Saturday Night". In this song the lyrics go "We love to hear that tenor croon, whenever the Ink Spots sing a tune" and I never knew who these Ink Spots were until I found your video here tonight! Thanks for the upload.
is that nikola tesla on the sax in the backround?
Omg xD. I think it may just be.
A shocking cameo ;)
except this recording is from 1950"s and tesla died in 1943
i take it back, on further examination they first recorded "if i didn't care" in 1939 soooo .. maybe. I was introduced to the song from Shawshank Redemption
Graham Garrett Can we at least acknowledge the fact that there are no saxophones in this band/song??!?!?!?
Simply beautiful x
I am just 50 but I love this. Awesome
The uploader of this clip simply copy and pasted a description of one of my videos for a different lineup... The 2nd Tenor here is not Charlie Owens but the great Essex Scott. Just wanted to clear that up. Not that anyone cares :P
+Austin Casey Accuracy does matter, thank you.
+Austin Casey We care. WE CARE! Thank you.
+Michael Gregory Lol I'm glad. Maybe if Scott wasn't such a great singer I wouldn't have bothered with the correction, but he was one of the greats so you've got to respect his legacy. I'm also a stickler for accuracy. Lol Thank you!
+Austin Casey You are a big provider of great music.
+Austin Casey If we didn't care, would we feel this way? ;)
Absolutely Fantastic
I bet when this guy liked a lady he just sang at her till she jumped him
Slightly worried that he might not have liked a lady :) but I get the idea!!!
Hahaha lol..😂😅
If I allow myself, I could let emotion overtake me at the end of this song. His vocal command is breathtaking.
"Plasmids changed everything. They destroyed our bodies, our minds; we couldn't handle it."
I'm 15 and love this music! Thanks to my stepmom and some choice games!
Redd Fox Brought me here, If I didn't care. I never knew where he got that song from, util now.
Just superb
..'Love Beyond Compare'...Superb!
I'm picturing Fred G. Sanford singing this tune...anyone else? And ceck out Mr Bass Man 'rapping' over the beats...nice.
i love this version
Beyond amazing
Beautiful 😍
Beautiful...
A great performance with great expression
if this dose not bring a tear to your eye.....nothing will.........
Brilliant!
fabulous
Beautiful..
Gone.....but NOT forgotten.
I'm never gonna get over that..I'm an old man..Thanks a lot..I'm gonna bother my kids and friends until they die with this one
wonderful
Great Ink Spots !!!!!!
Beautiful music
It's very nice to be with someone that long till the end. Too bad life has end.
i love the talking part halfway through the song, wish we saw that kinda thing in music today more.
Superb.