The Flamingos

Boogaloo Party/Nearness Of You BF 1483 -Philips 1966

The Flamingos released one massive soul record that rocked Manchester's soul clubs apart. It was eventually  re- released due to its popularity in 1969 and reached the top thirty! Tommy Hunt was the lead singer and as a result was well respected in soul circles in Manchester.




From Chicago, Illinois, USA, and formed in 1951 they consisted of Zeke Carey (born 24 January 1933; Bluefield, Virginia, USA), Jake Carey (born. 9 September 1926; Pulaski, Virginia, USA), Paul Wilson (born. 6 January 1935; Chicago, Illinois, USA, died. May 1988) and Johnny Carter (born. 2 June 1934; Chicago, Illinois, USA). Their first lead singer was Sollie McElroy (born. 16 July 1933; Gulfport, Mississippi, USA, died. 15 January 1995), who sang on Golden Teardrops on the Chance label in 1954. He was replaced by Nate Nelson (born. 10 April 1932; Chicago, Illinois, USA, died. 10 April 1984) who led on l'll Be Home in 1956 on Chess Records. Two members were conscripted into the army, leaving room for Tommy Hunt to join. (born. 18 June 1933; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) and Terry Johnson (born. 12 November 1935; Baltimore, Maryland, USA) and then the whole group moved to New York signing with End Records in 1958.

Lovers Never Say Goodbye and I Only Have Eyes For You and Nobody Loves Me Like You (written by Sam Cooke) became hits in the USA. In 1962  they released I Know Better.

In 1966 Boogaloo Party was the group's only UK chart hit when it reached number 26 in 1969 after being re-issued (three years earlier it was a US R 'n B number 22 hit). Its original impact upon the Northern Mod scene in Manchester and also in London soul clubs, built up enough interest for a re-release to the probable dismay of the record collectors who already had it on the Philips Label (UK).



IN 1970 Their last US chart record was Buffalo Soldier in 1970. Nate Nelson died in 1984 and Paul Wilson in 1988. Sollie McElroy, after leaving the Flamingos in 1955, joined the Moroccos (Johnny Carter had joined the Dells) and Tommy Hunt went solo. The Flamingos - without Tommy Hunt are seen live on the DVD Soultrip USA (2004) but their performance is marred by bad recording.