Terry Johnson joined the Flamingos in 1956, soon after their first Rhythm & Blues chart success "I'll Be Home", on Checker Records. Among their other hits were "A Kiss from Your Lips", "Nobody Loves Me like You Do" and "Golden Teardrops". With his musical and harmony influence, the Flamingos soon enjoyed Pop chart success at End Records, after Terry wrote the song "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" in 1958. But it was 1959, when he re-arranged and produced the music and the harmonies, that the Flamingos' national anthem was born, "I Only Have Eyes for You". After that he wrote other Flamingo favorites such as "Mio Amore", "You, Me and The Sea", "At The Prom", "Heavenly Angel" and many more.
The Flamingos formed in 1952, originally known as the Swallows, with Jake Carey, Zeke Carey, Paul Wilson and Johnny Carter. The later additions of Earl Lewis and lead vocalist Sollie McElroy made the group a sextet. New singer Tommy Hunt and guitarist/singer 1st tenor Terry (Buzzy) Johnson joined in 1956.
The group appeared with Alan Freed at the Brooklyn Paramount, the Brooklyn Fox, and his major concerts and in his movies "Rock, Rock, Rock" (1956) and "Go Johnny Go" (1958). They also appeared on American Bandstand in 1958, 1959 and 1960.
Moving from Chicago to New York City in 1958, the Flamingos now consisted of Zeke and Jake Carey, Paul Wilson, Nate Nelson, Tommy Hunt and guitarist/singer Terry (Buzzy) Johnson. Their satiny signature song, "I Only Have Eyes For You" was arranged by Terry Johnson. He wrote the exquisite "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" at that time.
After leaving the Flamingos, Terry became writing and producing partners with Smokey Robinson at Motown Records. He wrote and co- produced for many artists such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Supremes' #1 hit in Europe "Sweet Thing" and co-produced "Love Child". He received a BMI award for his co-writing and co-producing "Baby, Baby Don't Cry" with Smokey Robinson.
With the invasion of the British bands during the sixties, the Flamingos popularity waned, but they continued to record and perform thru the decades. Terry Johnson has carried on the same smooth style and harmonies that the original Flamingos had. He has added four outstanding harmony singers and their shows are still a classic example of why the Flamingos were admired and imitated. Terry still has that satiny lead voice that you will recognize as he sings "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" and "I Only Have Eyes For You". Don't miss their show!
The Flamingos received the Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Award in 1996, the United Group Harmony Association Award, were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2001.
Both prolific and seminal in their influence and impact, the Flamingos are considered by many as the greatest harmonizing vocal ensemble ever, and are certainly among the premier units of the Doo-Wop/Rhythm & Blues era.
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The Flamingos
That's Terry Johnson is in the upper
right hand corner, with the guitar
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