Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was the baritone singer and one of the founding members of the musical group "The Manhattans". The group originally formed in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey, members included George "Smitty" Smith, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Richard "Ricky" Taylor and Kenny "Wally" Kelley. Their first single "For the Very First Time," was released in 1964. Spanning over four decades, they had a string of hits that included Kiss and Say Goodbye and Shining Star. During the early years he wrote some of the popular songs for the group, "Follow Your Heart” and “I’m the One Love Forgot”. In1972 he wrote The Manhattans first hit “There’s No Me Without You”. Beginning in the late 1970's the group went through some major personnel changes and by the 2000's there were two versions of The Manhattans. February, 2000 he was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and received the Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Award, along with Kenneth Kelley and Winfred “Blue” Lovett who are the only two other original surviving members that sang with The Manhattans.
Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was the baritone singer and one of the founding members of the musical group "The Manhattans". The group originally formed in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey, members included George "Smitty" Smith, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Richard "Ricky" Taylor and Kenny "Wally" Kelley. Their first single "For the Very First Time," was released in 1964. Spanning over four decades, they had a string of hits that included Kiss and Say Goodbye and Shining Star. During the early years he wrote some of the popular songs for the group, "Follow Your Heart” and “I’m the One Love Forgot”. In1972 he wrote The Manhattans first hit “There’s No Me Without You”. Beginning in the late 1970's the group went through some major personnel changes and by the 2000's there were two versions of The Manhattans. February, 2000 he was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and received the Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Award, along with Kenneth Kelley and Winfred “Blue” Lovett who are the only two other original surviving members that sang with The Manhattans.
Bio by: Babe
Inscription
A2C US AIR FORCE
LOVING HUSBAND & FATHER
Advertisement
See more Bivins memorials in:
Advertisement
