The Solitaires were the embodiment of the New York sound. Relatively successful as groups of the day went, their career began during the rhythm & blues era, continued throughout the rock & roll period, and extended into the early days of soul.
The Solitaires formed on 142nd Street and 7th Avenue in Harlem. The original members were Eddie “California” Jones (lead), Nick Anderson (1st tenor), Winston “Buzzy” Willis (2nd tenor; he got the nickname “Buzzy” for the way he could “buzz” around the basketball court in High School), Rudy “Angel” Morgan (baritone), and Pat Gaston (bass).
Like so many other amateur groups of that time, the Solitaires would sing on street corners and in hallways. However, Buzzy and Pat dreamed of a professional singing career and would spend hours at the Apollo Theatre idolizing the artists who had made it professionally.
