Alvin Cash and the Crawlers

Alvin Cash and the Crawlers were a 1960s R&B group best known for their energetic dance tracks and their breakout hit “Twine Time.” Blending street-smart rhythm and blues with infectious beats, they became a favorite on dance floors and radio stations during the height of the dance craze era. Although they never matched the success of their first big hit, their catalog remains popular among fans of early soul, funk, and old-school party music.

This is the story of Alvin Cash, his brothers, and their memorable contribution to the 1960s R&B scene.

Artist Name	Alvin Cash and the Crawlers
Frontman	Alvin Cash (born Alvin Welch)
Birthplace	St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Genres	R&B, Funk, Soul, Dance
Years Active	1960s–1990s
Labels	Mar-V-Lus (subsidiary of One-der-ful), Seventy-Seven Records
Major Hit	“Twine Time” (#14 Pop / #3 R&B)
Backing Band	The Nightlighters (later called the Crawlers)
Film Appearances	Petey Wheatstraw (1977), other blaxploitation films
Died	November 21, 1999 (aged 60), Chicago, Illinois

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Alvin Cash was born Alvin Welch on February 15, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Sumner High School, a school known for producing other famous musical talents like Tina Turner, Luther Ingram, and Billy Davis Jr.

In 1962, Alvin and his three brothers relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in search of opportunities in show business. Initially, they worked as a dance troupe, performing at local clubs and on the streets for tips. Their break came when they were discovered by Andre Williams, a singer, songwriter, and producer associated with One-der-ful Records, a Chicago-based label that helped launch several careers in R&B and soul music.

The Birth of “Twine Time”

 

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Williams saw potential in Alvin and the group. He partnered with Verlie Rice to write a new song based on a popular dance style at the time, the “Twine.” The result was “Twine Time,” recorded by Alvin Cash with backing music by a Louisville-based band called The Nightlighters.

Released in 1965 on Mar-V-Lus Records, a subsidiary of One-der-ful, “Twine Time” became an instant hit.

Chart performance:

• #14 on the Billboard Hot 100

• #3 on the R&B singles chart

Though the record was credited to “Alvin Cash and the Crawlers,” it’s unclear whether Cash’s brothers actually performed on the track. The Nightlighters eventually adopted the name The Crawlers and toured with Cash to support the single.

“Twine Time” became a popular song in dance clubs and on soul radio, helping Cash and his group ride the wave of the mid-‘60s dance craze alongside acts like Chubby Checker and Rufus Thomas.

Follow-Up Singles and Continued Success

Although “Twine Time” was the group’s biggest hit, Alvin Cash and the Crawlers continued releasing music through the rest of the 1960s. Their songs remained heavily dance-focused, often tied to specific dance moves or party themes.

Other Notable Tracks:

• “The Barracuda” (1965): #59 Pop, #29 R&B

• “Un-Wind the Twine” (1965): #134 Pop (Bubbling Under)

• “The Philly Freeze” (1966): #49 Pop, #12 R&B — another strong regional hit

• “Alvin’s Boo-Ga-Loo” (1967): #74 Pop, #42 R&B

These songs, while not as commercially successful as “Twine Time,” became staples at dance halls and roller rinks and retained popularity among collectors and fans of vintage soul and funk.

Alvin Cash’s Solo Career

As the 1960s progressed, Alvin Cash shifted toward a solo career, gradually moving away from the Crawlers name. He continued releasing singles and performed frequently in Chicago and other cities.

In 1968, Cash had another charting single:

• “Keep on Dancing” – a modest hit that kept him in the public eye

In the 1970s, he paid tribute to one of the decade’s biggest cultural icons—boxer Muhammad Ali—with an album and a single titled:

• “Ali Shuffle” (1977): #51 on the UK Singles Chart

While the song didn’t chart in the U.S., it became a minor hit in Britain and is remembered for its novelty appeal.

Acting and Blaxploitation Film Appearances

In addition to music, Alvin Cash dipped into acting during the 1970s. He appeared in several blaxploitation films, a genre of African-American action and drama movies that gained popularity during the decade.

His most notable role was in:

• Petey Wheatstraw (1977), starring comedian Rudy Ray Moore

Although he never became a major film star, Cash’s roles added to his visibility and connected him with a broader audience during the height of urban Black cinema.

Final Years and Death

Cash remained active on the Chicago club circuit well into the 1990s. He was a familiar figure in the local music scene and continued to perform his classic hits at festivals, reunions, and oldies shows.

Sadly, Alvin Cash passed away on November 21, 1999, at the age of 60. He died from complications related to a stomach ulcer.

Despite a relatively short run at the top of the charts, Cash left behind a body of work that continues to resonate with fans of vintage soul, funk, and dance music.

Legacy and Influence

Alvin Cash and the Crawlers are often remembered as part of the vibrant Chicago soul scene that flourished in the 1960s. Their biggest hits, particularly “Twine Time” and “The Philly Freeze,” are considered classics of the dance craze era, and they have been featured in multiple oldies and Northern Soul compilations.

Though not a household name today, Cash helped bridge the gap between R&B, funk, and early soul, and his upbeat, danceable records have been sampled and rediscovered by generations of DJs and soul collectors.

Selected Discography