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The Top Notes

The Top Notes were an American rhythm and blues vocal group active in the early 1960s, originally formed in the late 1950s as The Pearls before changing their name during the payola scandal.^[1] Centered around singers Derek Martin (tenor) and Howard Guyton, with supporting members including George Torrence (baritone), Roy (the "Black Indian"), and Johnny (tenor), the group signed with Atlantic Records in 1960.^[1] They are best known for recording the original version of the song "Twist and Shout" in 1961, produced by Phil Spector at Atlantic Studios, which served as the B-side to "Always Late" but failed to chart at the time.^[1]^[2] The group's Atlantic tenure included several other singles, such as "Wonderful Time" / "Walkin' with Love" (1960), "Say Yes" / "Warm Your Heart" (1960), and "Hearts of Stone" / "The Basic Things" (1961), none of which achieved commercial success, leading to their departure from the label after four releases.^[1]^[3]^[4] Following Atlantic, they recorded for the Festival label, issuing "Wait for Me Baby" / "Come Back Cleopatra" (1961).^[1]^[5] They later released "I Love You So Much" / "It's All Right" (1963, as Derek & Howard) on ABC-Paramount.^[6] The lineup occasionally featured guest vocalists, including Barbara Wells and Dionne Warwick, reflecting the fluid nature of early R&B groups.^[1] The Top Notes disbanded shortly after their Festival recordings, with Martin and Guyton pursuing solo careers.^[1] Despite their lack of hits, The Top Notes' legacy endures through "Twist and Shout", which was revitalized by the Isley Brothers' 1962 cover that peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart.^[7] The song achieved even greater fame with the Beatles' 1963 recording, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US in 1964 and No. 1 on the UK EP chart, cementing its status as a rock and roll classic.^[8] Co-written by Bert Berns (under the pseudonym Bert Russell) and Phil Medley, the track's energetic call-and-response style and shout-along chorus influenced subsequent R&B and pop interpretations.^[1]

History

Formation

Derek Martin, born on July 2, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, began his musical journey immersed in the city's vibrant gospel and R&B scenes.^[9] As a young performer, he sang in school choirs alongside figures like Little Willie John and participated in amateur shows with emerging talents such as Marvin Gaye and members of the early Temptations.^[1] His early exposure to Detroit's blues and gospel traditions laid the foundation for his tenor vocals, which would later define his contributions to vocal harmony groups.^[10] Howard Guyton, born around 1938 and a cousin to pianist Dave "Baby" Cortez, also hailed from musical roots in the R&B world.^[11] Guyton established himself as a lead vocalist in early doo-wop and R&B ensembles, drawing from family connections in the industry and performing in groups that blended gospel influences with emerging rhythm and blues styles.^[1] The Top Notes originated from the remnants of earlier vocal groups like The Five Pearls, a Detroit-based ensemble that Martin joined as a tenor singer in the mid-1950s.^[1] Formed initially in Detroit and later active in New York City after being discovered at the Apollo Theater, The Five Pearls recorded for labels such as Aladdin in 1954 and faced challenges from the late-1950s payola scandals that plagued the music industry, prompting a strategic rebranding to distance the group from tainted associations.^[1] By around 1960, in New York City, The Top Notes coalesced as a new entity, merging Detroit's raw gospel-driven energy with the polished urban R&B sounds of the East Coast.^[1] The initial lineup centered on lead vocalists Martin and Guyton, supported by harmony singers including George Torrence, Roy, and Johnny, creating a versatile ensemble ready for major label opportunities.^[1] This formation marked a pivotal shift, leading shortly thereafter to their signing with Atlantic Records.^[1]

Atlantic Records era

In 1960, The Top Notes signed with Atlantic Records, attracted by the label's prominent expertise in rhythm and blues music and facilitated by personal connections to artists like The Raelettes through group affiliates Dorothy and Ethel.^[12]^[1] This move marked a significant step for the group, which had roots in earlier Detroit vocal ensembles, allowing them to leverage Atlantic's production resources for their doo-wop-infused R&B sound.^[1] The group's Atlantic debut came with the single "A Wonderful Time" b/w "Walkin' with Love" (Atlantic 45-2066), released in July 1960, where Howard Guyton handled lead vocals on the A-side and Derek Martin on the B-side, showcasing their alternating lead dynamic over harmonized backups.^[1] This was quickly followed by "Say Yes" b/w "Warm Your Heart" (Atlantic 45-2080) in November 1960, continuing the focus on upbeat, vocal-driven tracks that highlighted the duo's chemistry amid group harmonies. By 1961, production shifted to emerging talent Phil Spector, who helmed the group's next efforts at Atlantic Studios. "Hearts of Stone" b/w "The Basic Things" (Atlantic 45-2097), released in March 1961, featured Spector's production and Teddy Randazzo's arrangements, with standout contributions from saxophonist King Curtis, pianist Ernie Hayes, drummer Panama Francis, and backup vocals by ex-members of The Cookies and The Raelettes, including Dorothy Jones, Darlene McCrea, and Beulah Robertson.^[1]^[13] The recording exemplified the era's orchestral doo-wop style, blending tight vocal harmonies with rhythmic brass and percussion to emphasize emotional delivery.^[1] Later that year, Spector produced "Always Late (Why Lead Me On)" b/w "Twist and Shout" (Atlantic 45-2115), released in August 1961, with the latter track—an original composition by Bert Berns and Phil Medley—led by Howard Guyton in a lively, Latin-tinged arrangement that underscored the group's versatile doo-wop harmonies.^[1]^[14] Throughout this period, dynamics centered on Martin and Guyton's shared lead roles, supported by members like George Torrence, Roy, and Johnny, fostering a collaborative vocal interplay that defined their early Atlantic output despite modest commercial results.^[1]

Later career and disbandment

After departing from Atlantic Records in 1961, The Top Notes transitioned to Festival Records, where they released the single "Wait for Me Baby" backed with "Come Back Cleopatra" in 1962.^[5] This release, credited in some instances to the duo Derek Martin and Howard Guyton, failed to recapture the modest chart momentum of their earlier Atlantic efforts like "Twist and Shout."^[15] In 1963, the group signed with ABC-Paramount Records for their final outing, issuing "I Love You So Much" backed with "It's All Right."^[6] Like its predecessor, the single did not achieve commercial breakthrough, reflecting the broader challenges of sustaining success in the competitive R&B market amid shifting personnel and label instability.^[16] By late 1963, declining sales and internal shifts led to the group's disbandment.^[16] Lead vocalist Derek Martin opted to launch a solo career that year, debuting with a cover of "Daddy Rolling Stone" on Crackerjack Records.^[17] Howard Guyton, meanwhile, continued performing and later joined a touring iteration of The Platters.^[18]

Members

Derek Martin

Derek Martin, born Derek Don Martin on July 2, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, grew up immersed in music through his family's influence, with both parents playing piano and exposing him to blues and gospel traditions. He attended Northwestern High School, where he sang in the choir alongside future R&B star Little Willie John, and began performing in local amateur talent shows as a teenager. Although several secondary sources claim Martin joined Duke Ellington's revue at age 17 in the mid-1950s, he clarified in a 2015 interview that this collaboration actually took place nearly two decades later, during the early 1970s, including a final performance in Montreal shortly before Ellington's death in 1974. During the 1950s, Martin transitioned from gospel roots to R&B and doo-wop, singing with groups like the Five Pearls before helping form The Top Notes in 1960, where his versatile voice shaped the ensemble's early sound. As the primary lead vocalist for The Top Notes, Martin delivered commanding performances on the majority of the group's singles, including their seminal 1961 recording of "Twist and Shout," arranged and produced by Phil Spector for Atlantic Records. His energetic delivery and ability to blend gospel inflections with emerging R&B rhythms were instrumental in the group's formation and their distinctive harmonic style, establishing him as the enduring creative force amid lineup changes. Martin's contributions extended beyond vocals, as he helped recruit members and navigate the competitive New York music scene during the early 1960s. After The Top Notes disbanded in 1963, Martin pursued a solo career, releasing singles on independent labels such as Crackerjack and Roulette Records throughout the 1960s, where he explored soulful uptempo tracks and ballads under producers like Teddy Randazzo. He later expanded into songwriting, co-crediting several compositions, and maintained a steady output as a performer, including world tours with artists like Dionne Warwick in the late 1960s and recordings into the 2000s. By the 1980s, Martin had relocated to Paris, where he continued collaborating, notably on the 2012 track "Happy" with the French hip-hop group C2C, demonstrating his adaptability across genres. Martin's career spans over six decades, marked by resilience and international appeal; he has lived in France since the 1980s, performing at European soul festivals well into his later years. In a 2015 interview with Soul Express at Italy's Porretta Terme Soul Festival, he shared insights into his journey from Detroit's gospel stages to global stages, emphasizing the joys of longevity in an evolving industry.

Howard Guyton

Howard Guyton, born around 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, was a pivotal figure in the early New York R&B scene, beginning his career as the lead singer of the Five Pearls in 1954.^[1] As the cousin of keyboardist Dave "Baby" Cortez—who occasionally performed with him and fellow vocalist Derek Martin in an earlier group—Guyton immersed himself in the vibrant Harlem-based doo-wop and R&B circles, recording singles like "Please Let Me Know" for Aladdin Records and "Shadows of Love" for Atco.^[1] His distinctive vibrato and tenor range established him as a sought-after talent in the mid-1950s New York music landscape. In The Top Notes, formed in 1960, Guyton served as co-lead vocalist alongside Derek Martin, sharing frontman duties on their Atlantic Records output and providing essential harmonies that defined the group's energetic sound.^[19] He was particularly key in harmonizing on tracks like the 1960 single "Say Yes," contributing to the quartet's raw R&B style during their brief but influential Atlantic era.^[19] Guyton's leads and backing vocals helped shape hits such as their original version of "Twist and Shout," produced by Phil Spector in 1961.^[1] After The Top Notes disbanded around 1963, Guyton pursued a limited solo career, releasing the upbeat soul single "I Watched You Slowly Slip Away" on Verve Records in 1965, backed by a driving rhythm section that highlighted his emotive delivery.^[20] He briefly joined a touring iteration of The Platters as lead singer later that decade, performing internationally but focusing more on live work than further recordings.^[1] Guyton's life ended tragically on October 22, 1977, when he suffered a heart attack in his Buenos Aires hotel room at approximately age 39, while on tour with The Platters in Argentina.^[1]

Other contributors

In addition to the core duo of Derek Martin and Howard Guyton, The Top Notes featured a fluid lineup typical of the short-lived R&B groups of the era, with transient members and guests contributing to recordings and performances.^[11] George Torrence Jr. served as a background vocalist and baritone during the group's early sessions; he later became a pastor in Duncan, Oklahoma, and continued singing.^[11] Singers known as Roy (the "Black Indian") and Johnny (tenor) provided harmonizing support for several singles released between 1960 and 1961.^[11] Barbara Wells joined as a female backing vocalist on select tracks following the group's label change in 1961.^[11] Notable guests included Dionne Warwick, who made a brief appearance as a backup singer in 1961, and Rosco King, a bassist and singer formerly with The Five Pearls, who contributed vocals and bass arrangements to some recordings.^[11]

Discography

Singles

The Top Notes, an R&B vocal group active in the early 1960s, issued six singles across three labels—Atlantic Records, Festival Records, and ABC-Paramount—focusing on doo-wop and rhythm and blues styles without releasing any full-length albums. Their output emphasized harmonious vocals and upbeat tracks typical of the era's East Coast R&B scene. During their tenure with Atlantic Records from 1960 to 1961, the group released four singles. The debut was "A Wonderful Time" b/w "Walkin' with Love" in 1960 (Atlantic 2066).^[3] This was followed later that year by "Say Yes" b/w "Warm Your Heart" (Atlantic 2080, November 11, 1960).^[14] In 1961, they issued "Hearts of Stone" b/w "The Basic Things" (Atlantic 2097).^[21] Their final Atlantic release was the Phil Spector-produced "Twist and Shout" b/w "Always Late (Why Lead Me On)" (Atlantic 2115, August 1961).^[22] The group moved to Festival Records for one single in 1962: "Wait for Me Baby" b/w "Come Back Cleopatra" (Festival 1021).^[5] Their sole release on ABC-Paramount came in 1963 with "I Love You So Much" b/w "It's All Right" (ABC-Paramount 10399).^[23] This marked the end of their recording career as a group.

Chart performance and notable releases

The Top Notes achieved limited commercial success on the national charts, with none of their singles attaining major peaks on the Billboard Hot 100 during their Atlantic Records era from 1960 to 1961. Their recordings, including early efforts like "Walkin' with Love" and "Say Yes," received modest airplay but failed to break through broadly in the competitive R&B landscape.^[24] A standout release was the 1961 single "Twist and Shout" b/w "Always Late (Why Lead Me On)" (Atlantic 2115), produced by Phil Spector and featuring a raw, energetic vocal delivery that marked it as a proto-soul precursor amid the emerging soul genre. Though it did not chart nationally and was described as a commercial flop at the time, the track gained some regional R&B airplay, particularly in Northeast markets near the group's Philadelphia origins.^[24]^[25]^[26] Equally notable was their 1961 cover of "Hearts of Stone" b/w "The Basic Things" (Atlantic 2097), revisiting the 1954 R&B chart-topper originally by the Charms; produced by Spector with saxophone from King Curtis, this version infused doo-wop harmonies with a budding soul edge but similarly saw no significant chart placement.^[19]^[15] The brevity of the Top Notes' career restricted their output to six singles across labels like Atlantic, Festival, and ABC-Paramount, with no original albums issued during their 1960–1963 run. Subsequent reissues on R&B compilations, such as the 2011 Atlantic Vocal Groups collection, have preserved and contextualized their contributions, highlighting their role in early 1960s vocal group dynamics.^[27]

Legacy

Impact of "Twist and Shout"

"Twist and Shout" was written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns in 1961 and first recorded by The Top Notes at Atlantic Studios in New York City on February 23 of that year. The session was produced by Phil Spector, who arranged the track with a rock-oriented sound featuring a quicker tempo and doo-wop influences, setting it apart from subsequent soul interpretations.^[28]^[29] The single was released on Atlantic 2115 as the B-side to "Always Late (Why Lead Me On)," achieving only modest sales and failing to chart. Despite its commercial underperformance, the recording highlighted the group's vocal prowess, with Derek Martin's dynamic lead delivery conveying urgency and Howard Guyton's supporting harmonies adding to the track's raw, infectious energy.^[2]^[30] Emerging amid the twist dance craze that swept the U.S. following Chubby Checker's breakthrough in 1960, the song captured the era's youthful exuberance and physicality. The Top Notes' rendition bridged doo-wop traditions with rock 'n' roll's driving rhythm, its call-and-response format and upbeat groove aligning perfectly with the dance's popularity. Although the group continued releasing singles through 1962, "Twist and Shout" became their most recognized effort, overshadowing their other Atlantic recordings and contributing to their effective disbandment by 1963.

Influence on R&B and later artists

The Top Notes' original 1961 recording of "Twist and Shout" exerted a profound influence on R&B through its reinterpretations by subsequent artists, transforming a modest release into a cornerstone of the genre. The Isley Brothers' 1962 cover, produced by Bert Berns, peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B chart, infusing the song with a raw, gospel-inflected energy that bridged early R&B and emerging soul styles.^[7]^[31] This momentum carried into the rock era with The Beatles' 1963 version, recorded in a single take during an exhausting session, which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1964 and introduced the track to international audiences, amplifying its role as a high-energy vocal showcase.^[8]^[32] The covers highlighted the group's innovative harmony and rhythmic drive, contributing to the shift from doo-wop's structured vocals to soul's emotive improvisation in early 1960s R&B ensembles. The members' post-Top Notes paths further extended the group's legacy in R&B traditions. Lead vocalist Derek Martin's solo career in the mid-1960s, marked by energetic singles like "Daddy Rolling Stone" on Crackerjack Records, echoed Motown's upbeat soul sound and inspired later artists through collaborations with Temptations and Marvin Gaye affiliates, blending gospel roots with polished production.^[10]^[1]^[33] Howard Guyton's tenure with a touring incarnation of The Platters in the late 1960s connected him to the era's premier harmony groups, preserving and evolving the smooth, multi-voiced arrangements that defined R&B vocal heritage; he died in 1977 while touring with the group in Argentina. In the 2000s, reissues of The Top Notes' originals, including compilations featuring "Twist and Shout," gained traction in Northern Soul revivals, spotlighting their raw R&B energy for new audiences in underground dance scenes across Europe and the U.S.^[34]

References

[1]
Derek Martin Interview | Soul Express
Dec 20, 2015 · In the 60s more Top Notes appeared, as well as in the 70s, including Ernie and the Top Notes. “Howard Guyton and I stayed together. David Cortez ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[2]
The Top Notes - Twist And Shout
### Summary of "Twist and Shout" by The Top Notes
[3]
https://www.discogs.com/release/11714527-The-Top-Notes-Walkin-With-Love-Wonderful-Time
[4]
https://www.discogs.com/release/8718150-The-Top-Notes-Say-Yes-Warm-Your-Heart
[5]
https://www.discogs.com/release/6550100-The-Top-Notes-Wait-For-Me-Baby-Come-Back-Cleopatra
[6]
The Isley Brothers | Biography, Music & News | Billboard
Chart History. The Isley Brothers. Billboard Hot 100™. Billboard Hot 100 ... Twist And Shout. The Isley Brothers. 06.02.62. 17 12 Wks. 08.11.62. 16. Love The ...
[7]
April 4, 1964 - Billboard Hot 100™
Debut Position. 27. Debut Chart Date. 03/28/64. Peak Position. 1. Peak Chart ... Twist And Shout. The Beatles. LW; 3. PEAK; 2. WEEKS; 4. LW; 3; PEAK; 2; WEEKS; 4 ...
[8]
Artist: Derek Martin | SecondHandSongs
Aliases: Derek Ray ; Personal name: Derek Don Martin ; Born: July 2, 1938 ; Country: United States ; Comments. Soul singer from Detroit.
[9]
Derek Martin Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... - AllMusic
Explore Derek Martin's discography including top tracks, albums, and reviews. Learn all about Derek Martin on AllMusic.
[10]
The Top Notes (2) - Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues - Eklablog
Feb 18, 2019 · Biography : The Top Notes was a rhythm and blues vocal group, centered around the singers Derek Martin and Howard Guyton. They released a number ...
[11]
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/the-top-notes-2-a159215984
[12]
The Top Notes - Hearts Of Stone / The Basic Things - Atlantic ... - 45cat
Full track listing and details of the 7" vinyl record The Top Notes - Hearts Of Stone / The Basic Things - Atlantic - USA (1961), on 45cat.
[13]
The Top Notes - Always Late (Why Lead Me On) / Twist And Shout
THE TOP NOTES: Derek Martin, Howard Guyton (vcls), King Curtis (ten), Ernie Hayes (pno/elec pno), John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, Allen Hanlon (gtrs), Abie Baker ...Missing: era 1960-1961 group dynamics
[14]
topnotes - Soulful Kinda Music
Festival 25004 - Daddy Rolling Stone / Um Gowa – 1962. Derek & Howard. Festival 25005 - Wait For Me Baby / I Love You So Much - 1963. The Top Notes ABC ...
[15]
https://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/topnotes.htm
[16]
‎The Top Notes - Apple Music
... the Top Notes that signed to Atlantic in 1960. Featuring vocalists Derek Ray and Guy Howard, this lineup made its Atlantic debut with "A Wonderful Time ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
[17]
Derek Martin
### Biography
[18]
https://www.discogs.com/release/11875375-Howard-Guyton-You-And-I
[19]
The Top Notes
### Singles Released by The Top Notes on Atlantic Records (1960-1961)
[20]
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1209165-Howard-Guyton
[21]
The Top Notes | Music Hub | Fandom
The Top Notes signed to Atlantic Records in 1960, releasing two singles ... A Wonderful Time" (b/w "Walkin' with Love") and "Say Yes" (b/w "Warm Your Heart").
[22]
https://www.discogs.com/release/9629162-The-Top-Notes-Always-Late-Twist-And-Shout
[23]
https://www.discogs.com/release/33798567-The-Top-Notes-I-Love-You-So-Much-Its-All-Right
[24]
20 Billboard Hot 100 Hits You Didn't Know Were Covers
Jun 10, 2016 · “Twist and Shout,” The Isley Brothers (1962) and the Beatles (1964). It's common knowledge that the Beatles' “Twist and Shout” was a remake ...
[25]
LET'S SOUL DANCE Vol. 1 2CD - Rhythm & Blues Records
In stock... proto-soul sounds coming from Detroit, New York, Chicago and the deep ... Twist and Shout The Top Notes. Additional information. Weight, 0.25 kg. Share On ...
[26]
The Top Notes - Apple Music
Rhythm and blues combo the Top Notes formed in Philadelphia circa 1950. According to an article in the e-zine JammUpp, the group featured vocalist and ...
[27]
Reissues review for Atlantic Vocal Groups compilation
Nov 26, 2011 · The Top Notes try to sound like Ray Charles in a 1961 revamping of ... The notes also tell us that young Atlantic hesitated to record ...
[28]
Twist and Shout — The Isley Brothers and The Beatles were the twin ...
Jul 5, 2020 · ... Phil Medley's Shake It Up, Baby was retitled Twist and Shout. First recorded by The Top Notes at Atlantic Studios in New York City in February ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
[29]
Story of Twist and Shout - Rock'n'Roll Unravelled
May 18, 2022 · The Top Notes originally recorded Twist and Shout with producer Phil Spector. This was shortly after he started as a house producer at Atlantic Records.Missing: members | Show results with:members
[30]
How the Beatles helped 'Twist and Shout' conquer the world
Apr 27, 2017 · The Top Notes (1961). Berns (also known as Bert Russell) wrote “Twist and Shout” with a slight Afro-Cuban swing to it. Atlantic Records ...
[31]
Twist And Shout by The Isley Brothers - Songfacts
"Twist and Shout" is a song written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell. Berns was the fellow who told Phil Specter he had messed it up and then went on to produce ...Missing: contributors | Show results with:contributors
[32]
https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/twist-and-shout/
[33]
https://www.discogs.com/release/4285829-Derek-Martin-Daddy-Rollin-Stone-Dont-Put-Me-Down-Like-This