Originally comprised of six teenagers from the Avondale neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Students began singing locally in 1956 as the D’Italians. This group- lead Leroy King (1943-1998), first tenor Dorsey Porter, second tenor Roy Ford (1941-1981), baritone John Bolden (1941-1982), bass Richard Johnson, and guitarist-vocalist Ralph Byrd, came to the attention of William “Prez” Tyus (1939-2022), a local high school student who offered them two of his compositions, “I’m So Young” and “Every Day of The Week”. Through a record distributor, Mel Herman, they landed a contract with Chess/Checker Records and, through the distributor’s brother, Jerry, a rehearsal space in Indianapolis with Jimmy Coe’s band. Mel changed the group’s name to the Students and eventually a deal was struck where the group’s songs were recorded at Chess in Chicago and released nationally on Checker, and later, Argo Records, while in Indiana and Ohio they would appear on Jerry Herman’s Note label. At the time of the recordings in 1958, the Students were all 16 except for lead singer King who was just 14. At the time, the record sold well regionally. A second session in 1959 produced “My Vow To You” and “That’s How I Feel”, originally issued exclusively on Note.
In 1961, Time Square Records in New York persuaded Chess to reissue “I’m So Young” and “Every Day of the Week”. Released on their Argo subsidiary, it actually made the national R&B charts. Subsequently the Students’ second single was reissued on Checker. Despite this activity and success, the Students themselves had no idea of any of this, although they did receive royalties. By 1962, the group had drifted apart. Later, popular New York area disc jockey Gus Gossert, an ardent fan of the Students, played their four recordings regularly, which sustained interest in the group. In 1971, Prez Tyus was contacted, and he arranged to bring a Students group to the popular Academy of Music rock revival series of concerts in New York City. The lineup consisted of originals John Bolden and Richard Johnson with new members, lead Ricky Kennedy and tenor Frank Stanford (1943-2015).
On April 5, 1975, at a subsequent Academy of Music revival show celebrating the return of Gus Gossert, the Students were invited to return. The 1975 lineup differed from the previous one in that original bass Richard Johnson was now joined by original first tenor, Dorsey Porter. Ricky Kennedy was still singing lead, but original baritone John Bolden had been replaced by an unidentified member who is only acknowledged as “Sweet Pea”. Efforts to determine his identity from Porter, who apparently still lives in Ohio, have been unsuccessful.
Beginning in the early 1970s, Boston-area disc jockey, concert host and producer, historian and enthusiast, Little Walter DeVenne began documenting the pioneers of vocal group harmony, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll using Super 8 movie film, reel to reel tape recorders, and whatever means were available to him.
After Walter died in 2021, his close friend and longtime disc jockey, Mike Bollea ensured that these rare recordings would be preserved. Through Mike’s generosity and a desire to see Walter’s historic films shared with fans and devotees of this music, we present the Little Walter’s Time Machine Official Archives series, remixed and synched by Todd Baptista, from the original source material. For the best in “oldies but goodies” from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, listen to Mike Bollea on MIXCLOUD and follow his discjockeymike page to hear new shows. To leave comments or connect with Mike, send him a friend request and visit his Facebook page Michael Bollea (Not Just Another DJ) and the Mike Bollea’s Radio Friends Group or e-mail him at [email protected].
Footage was shot at both the 7:30 PM and 11 PM shows, hence the change in wardrobe and camera angles. These 12 minutes of film begin with the opener, “Every Day of the Week”. As the Super 8 film reels of the day only lasted three minutes before they needed to be changed, only the last few seconds of the second song, “My Vow To You”, were recorded. “I’m So Young”, the Students’ signature hit follows, with a spirited version of “That’s How I Feel” serving as the encore. Ford and Bolden had passed away by the time the Students made their final marquee appearance at Radio City Music Hall in 1983. In later years, Johnson organized his own Students group for the occasional doo wop show. In 2007, Porter and Johnson joined Kid Kyle in a filmed concert performance for PBS-TV.