LYCOS RETRIEVER 
The Penguins: Earth Angel
built 630 days ago
Though you'd never know it from their legendary status, the Penguins were a one-hit wonder. However, a song like "Earth Angel" is more than most groups could ever hope for. The Penguins were a Los Angeles-area Doo-Wop group under the tutelage of producer/songwriter Buck Ram, who ... had success nurturing the career of the Platters. Upon its release, radio stations were bombarded with requests for "Earth Angel," and the song subsequently rose up the charts. In 1955, "Earth Angel" reached No. 1on the R&B charts, and hit No. 8 on the usually all-white pop charts. The Penguins' success helped clear the way for the Platters, the first black group to top the pop charts.
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As with most groups, the Penguins felt they weren't getting their fair share of royalties. They saw "Earth Angel" becoming a big local R&B hit, and it seemed likely to climb the national charts as well. Still, they couldn't get any advances from Dootone. By the time it hit #5 on the R&B charts, they were constantly asking for advances and being turned down. They grumbled, and when approached by Buck Ram, manager of another local L.A. group, the Platters, they acted impetuously and went off with him.
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Penguins have been on the planet earth for quite a long time. Fossils in Australia indicate that these interesting birds have existed for 50-60 million years. They are only found south of the equator. Europeans knew nothing of these birds until explorers set out in their boats and then reported back about these unusual birds.
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Around 1954, the Penguins signed with the local Los Angeles independent label Dootone Records. The group's first single was going to be the up-tempo "Hey Sinorita," and the ballad "Earth Angel" was going to be the B-side.
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The songwriting genesis for "Earth Angel" was a matter of some dispute, eventually ending up in a split credit between Penguins baritone Curtis Williams, Gaynel Hodge, and Jesse Belvin. The song had evolved through several Los Angeles area groups, and was based on the "Blue Moon" chord changes that were so popular with many doo-wop groups
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Since then this Penguins lineup has been steadily performing around the country (and occasionally overseas), and Cleve Duncan still sounds pretty much the same as he did that day in Ted Brinson's garage. As soon as he opens his mouth to sing "Earth Angel," the last 45 years just fall away.
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Earth Angel