At the end of the Second World War, economics forced the big bands to trim their once great size and thus, the Jump Blues combo was born. Between 1946-1954, rhythm and blues laid the tracks for what was to become Rock n’ Roll. So how come, 75 years later, this vibrant and influential music is still so unknown to so many? Matt The Cat is going to change that with the radio program, “Juke In The Back.” These were the records that you couldn’t hear on the jukebox in the front of the establishment. To hear all this great 1950s rhythm & blues, you had to go to “Juke In The Back.”
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Episode #708 – Earl Lewis & The Channels
Air Week: November 27-December 3, 2023
Earl Lewis & The ChannelsThe “Juke In The Back” is proud to feature The Channels, one of New York City’s finest and most influential vocal groups of the mid-1950s. At only 15 years, Earl Lewis fronted the group who recorded one of Doo Wop’s most classic tunes, the self-penned, “The Closer You Are” for Bobby Robinson’s Whirlin’ Disc label out of Harlem. Earl Lewis joins Matt The Cat to tell his story in his own words. You’ll hear The Channels classic Whirlin’ Disc sides as well as the 2 singles they recorded for George Goldner’s Gone Label in ’57 a fantastic record cut for Robinson’s Fury Records in ’59. Earl Lewis sheds some light on a few long-standing questions and opens up about what it was like to lead a 1950s vocal group. Don’t miss Earl Lewis and the Channels on this week’s “Juke In The Back.”
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