The Winstons

A Washington, D.C.-based soul act led by Richard Spencer, the Winstons signed to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Curtom%22">Curtom</a> in early 1968 and lasted there for one single, the rousing "Need a Replacement." They had a sound that was somewhat similar to <a href="spotify:artist:1b1N51wmSK0ckxFAMPSSHO">the Impressions</a>, but were unfortunate enough to have signed with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Curtom%22">Curtom</a> before the label had national distribution, and the single never got the play it should have. A year after leaving <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Curtom%22">Curtom</a>, they hit for the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Metromedia%22">Metromedia</a> label with a huge single called "Color Him Father," which became a Top Ten R&B and pop hit, just missing number one on the R&B list and also earned a Grammy for Best R&B Song. It was both a great tribute number and outstanding lead vocal from Richard Spencer, along with Ray Maritano, Quincy Mattison, Phil Tolotta, Sonny Peckrol, and G.C. Coleman. (Mattison and Coleman were veterans of <a href="spotify:artist:60df5JBRRPcnSpsIMxxwQm">Otis Redding</a>'s band.) The Winstons eventually toured as the backup band for <a href="spotify:artist:1b1N51wmSK0ckxFAMPSSHO">the Impressions</a>, but never again made any noise on the charts. Coleman's drum break in "Amen, Brother," the B-side of "Color Him Father," became one of the most frequently sampled pieces of music in hip-hop and several styles of electronic dance music. Various versions of the group recorded and performed across the next several decades. ~ Ron Wynn & Bruce Eder, Rovi