In 1957, they were known as the Chesters: Clarence Collins, Tracy Lord, Nathaniel Rodgers and Ronald Ross. Anthony Gourdine, a former member of the Duponts, joined up as lead vocalist. Ernest Wright took over from Ross, and the group became the Imperials because R&B groups named after cars were hot at the time – remember the Edsels and the Cadillacs?
Alan Freed, the DJ who inserted his fingers into everything in the early days of rock and roll, named Gourdine “Little Anthony.” The microphones of the era hid the fact that Gourdine spoke with a pronounced lisp.
This was a two-sided hit. The other side was “Two People in the World,” a celebration of male and female, a view that is considered old fashioned and politically incorrect today. It was co-written by Richie Barrett, who would later become one of the great producers in the business for decades, playing a role well into the Disco Era.
The band was to surprise everyone six years later when they recast themselves with a new producer and new sound to record hits all over again.