2012 has already brought us too many deaths in the soul music world, and we’re sad to report of another: Baritone Walter Gaines of the Originals.
While spending most of their existence in the shadow of Motown’s biggest acts, the Originals had a brief shining moment and a couple now-classic songs that will forever secure their place in Soul Music history.
At their prime consisting of bass singer/songwriter Freddie Gorman (most noted for his composition “Please Mr. Postman” for the Marvelettes), falsetto singer Tyrone Hunter, tenors C.P. Spencer and Hank Dixon, and baritone Walter Gaines, the group broke out in 1970 after several years as a 2nd tier Motown group. Their vehicle was an absolutely beautiful ballad written by labelmate Marvin Gaye, “Baby I’m For Real.” The song’s arrangement and the group’s performance were both perfect, and it became an instant soul classic that quickly topped the Soul charts… Read full biography of The Originals
Thanks to SoulTracker Dee for letting us know about this.
