THE CLOVERS - ’’LOVE POTION NO.9’’ (1959)

This US R&B vocal ensemble formed in Washington, DC, in 1946, and built a career recording smooth ballads and bluesy jumps for New York independent Atlantic Records, in the process becoming one of the most popular vocal groups of the 50s. By the time the group first recorded for Rainbow Records in early 1950, the Clovers comprised John ’Buddy’ Bailey (1930, Washington, DC, USA; lead), Matthew McQuater (tenor), Harold Lucas (baritone) and Harold Winley (bass), with instrumental accompaniment from Bill Harris (b. 14 April 1925, Nashville, North Carolina, USA, d. 5 December 1988; guitar). Later in the year the Clovers joined the fledgling Atlantic label. In 1952 Charles White (b. 1930, Washington, DC, USA), who had earlier experience in the Dominoes and the Checkers, became the Clovers’ new lead, replacing Buddy Bailey who was drafted into the US Army. In late 1953 Billy Mitchell (d. 5 November 2002, Washington, DC, USA) took over from White. Bailey rejoined the group in 1954 but Mitchell remaine