R.I.P. Fred Parris (26 Mar 1936 - 13 Jan 2022)

Sadly there are a few more soul artists departed in the last week to report. Fred Parris (13 Jan aged 85), Marvin Holmes (11 Jan), Ohio Players drummer Greg Webster (14 Jan aged 84) as well as Ronnie Spector (12 Jan aged 78) (aka Veronica Yvette Bennett of The Ronettes).

The name Fred Parris is probably best know to doo-wop lovers as the lead singer with The Five Satins who had a million seller "In The Still Of The Night" in 1956.

The group were from New Haven, Connecticut and were formed in 1954 with six members as The Scarlets. Very soon after they hit with "In The Still Of The Night" Parris was drafted into the army. On his return there were various group member changes and name changes i.e. Fred Parris & The Scarlets, Fred Parris & The Satins, Fred Parris & The Five Satins, Fred Parris & The Restless Hearts and from 1967 he released a handful of solo singles and an album until 1970.

By the 70s and 80s they were very much regarded as a oldies group and did the circuit and had a few minor hits in the 80s with the medley scene (i.e. Stars on 45 and their ilk). But he did release an album and two singles with the group Black Satin 1975/76 and in 1983 an album with Fred Parris & The Satins.

His best recordings, as far as I'm concerned, were both on RCA Victor, in 1967 with his male cover of Nancy Wilson's hit "Face It Boy, It's Over" and in 1968 with "There She Goes". The first single as Black Circle "Everybody Stand And Clap Your Hands (For The Entertainer)" is also pretty good. A couple of his records were played on the Northern Soul scene but neither were particularly big sounds. i.e. "Land Of Broken Hearts" and "Dark At The Top Of My Heart".

Discography 1965-70 ... The Soul Years

Fred Parris & The Restless Hearts

1965 - Walk A Little Faster / No Use Crying [Checker #1108]

1966 - Blushing Bride / Giving My Love To You [Green-Sea #G.S. 106]

1966 - I'll Be Hangin On / I Can Really Satisfy [Green-Sea #G.S. 107]

1967 - Bring It Home To Daddy / Land Of Broken Hearts [Atco #45-6439]

Freddie Parris

1967 - Take Me As I Am / It's O.K. To Cry, Now [RCA Victor #47-9232]

1967 - Face It, Boy, It's Over / Little Things Can Make A Woman Cry [RCA Victor #47-9358]

1968 - There She Goes / Young Hearts, Young Hands [RCA Victor #47-9571]

Fred Parris

1970 - Dark At The Top Of My Heart / Benediction [Birth #BR 101]

Black Satin

1975 - Everybody Stand And Clap Your Hands (For The Entertainer) / Hey There Pretty Lady [Buddah #BDA 477]

1976 - Tears, Tears, Tears / Tears, Tears, Tears (Long Version) [Buddah #DISCO 104] 12"

UPDATE An anonymous comment has been left stating that Fred Parris and Freddie Paris are not the same person, and that could well be true, however, both Discogs and 45Cat list Freddie Paris releases with Fred Parris, so until I can find information to confirm the Freddie Paris releases will remain.