The Reflections (Detroit band)
The Reflections are an American blue-eyed soul/doo-wop group from Detroit, Michigan, United States.[1] They had one hit single in 1964 called "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet", written by Bob Hamilton and Freddie Gorman.[2] The song was produced by Rob Reeco on Golden World Records.[1] The disc reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[1] and number 9 on the Cash Box chart. The record was even more popular in rhythm and blues locations, reaching number 3 on that Cashbox chart, and was featured on American Bandstand as a "spotlight dance".[3] A cover version by new wave band Mental As Anything hit number 27 on the Australian charts in 1980.[4]
"(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" and "Adam and Eve" were popular on the Northern soul scene.[5] After a few more records that were moderate successes on the national charts, Ray Steinberg left the group for other interests. As a foursome, The Reflections continued recording and making TV appearances. In 1965, they made their one and only movie appearance in Winter-A-Go-Go, performing "I'm Sweet On You". They were signed to the same Detroit R&B label as their blue-eyed soul peers, The Flaming Ember and The Shades Of Blue.[6]
Original group members
- Tony Micale — lead vocals, born August 23, 1942, in Bronx, New York[1]
- Phil Castrodale — first tenor, born April 2, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan[1]
- Dan Bennie — second tenor, born Daniel Hunter Bennie, March 13, 1940, in Johnstone, Scotland[1] – died April 7, 2008.
- Ray Steinberg — baritone, born October 29, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania[1]
- John Dean — bass, born November 9, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan[1] – died March 8, 2022.[7]
- Frank Amodeo — lead vocals, replaced Tony Micale in 1966. Born December 16, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York – died 2009.
Discography with Billboard (BB) & Cashbox (CB) chart positions
Singles
- "Helpless" / "You Said Goodbye" — Kay-Ko 1003 — 1963
- "(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet" (BB number 6, CB number 9)/"Can't You Tell By The Look In My Eyes" — Golden World 8/9 — 3/64
- "Like Columbus Did" (BB number 96, CB number 83)/"Lonely Girl" — Golden World 12 — 6/64
- "Talkin' About my Girl" / "Oowee Now Now" — Golden World 15 — 8/64
- "(I'm Just) A Henpecked Guy" (BB number 123)/"Don't Do That to Me" — Golden World 16 — 9/64
- "Shabby Little Hut" (BB number 121, CB number 80)/"You're my Baby (And Don't You Forget It)" — Golden World 19 — 11/64
- "Poor Man's Son" (BB number 55, CB number 55)/"Comin' at You" — Golden World 20 — 2/65
- "Deborah Ann" / "Wheelin' & Dealin'" — Golden World 22 — 6/65
- "Out of the Picture" / "June Bride" — Golden World 24 — 7/65
- "Girl in the Candy Store" / "Your Kind of Love" — Golden World 29 — 9/65
- "Like Adam & Eve" / "Vito's House" — ABC-Paramount 10794 — 1966 [Lead vocals sung by Frank Amodeo]
- "You're Gonna Find Out (You Need Me)" / "The Long Cigarette" — ABC-Paramount 10822 — 1966 [Lead vocals sung by Frank Amodeo]
Album
- (Just Like) Romeo & Juliet — Golden World GW LPM-300 (Released in mono only)
Side 1
- "(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet"
- "Talkin' About My Girl"
- "Can't You Tell By the Look in my Eyes"
- "Deborah Ann"
- "On Broadway"
- "Don't Do That to Me"
Side 2
- "Like Columbus Did"
- "June Bride"
- "Gonna Turn the Place Out"
- "Lonely Girl"
- "Oowee Now Now"
- "Couldn't Make It Like That"
See also
- List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States
- List of doo-wop musicians
- List of acts who appeared on American Bandstand
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2066. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ ""Just Like Romeo and Juliet"". BMI Repertoire Index.
- ^ "Spotlight Dance "Just Like Romeo & Juliet" (1964)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
- ^ "The Golden World Story". Soulfuldetroit.com. March 8, 1965. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
- ^ "Shades of Blue | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "John Henry Dean III Obituary". Schrader-Howell Funeral Home. March 11, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.