The Cadillacs: One of the Pioneering Doo-Wop Groups

The Cadillacs were one of the first Black doo-wop groups to cross over into mainstream pop charts in the 1950s. Formed in Harlem, New York, in 1953, they helped define the early sound and style of doo-wop, blending rhythm and blues with upbeat harmonies, flashy choreography, and coordinated stage outfits. Best known for their 1955 hit “Speedoo,” the group opened doors for many African-American artists and became trendsetters in both music and stage performance.

Despite frequent lineup changes and periods of inactivity, The Cadillacs maintained a significant presence in the music world across four decades. Their sound and image influenced both peers and later generations of vocal groups, and their songs remain cornerstones of doo-wop history.

Attribute	Details
Group Name	The Cadillacs
Formed	1953
Origin	Harlem, New York City
Genres	Doo-Wop, R&B, Rock and Roll
Labels	Josie Records
Notable Hit	“Speedoo” (1955)
Original Members	Earl Carroll, Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake, Gus Willingham, James Clark
Stage Innovations	First doo-wop group to use choreographed dance and costumes
Major Honors	Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2004)
Final Key Members	Carroll, Phillips, Steven Brown, Gary K. Lewis, Eddie Jones
Legacy	Influenced doo-wop and early rock; known for crossover appeal

Formation and Early Years

The group started out as The Carnations in Harlem. The original members included:

• Earl “Speedoo” Carroll (lead vocals)

• Bobby Phillips

• Lavern Drake (bass)

• Gus Willingham

Soon after forming, they added James “Poppa” Clark and changed their name to The Cadillacs. Their early influences came from gospel and R&B. In 1954, they signed with Josie Records and recorded their first sides, including covers of:

• “Gloria” (originally by The Mills Brothers)

• “Wonder Why” (first recorded by Vic Damone)

“Speedoo” and Breakthrough Success

In 1955, Willingham and Clark left and were replaced by Earl Wade and Charles Brooks. That year, the group released “Speedoo,” written by manager Esther Navarro and based on Carroll’s nickname. It became their breakthrough hit.

Chart Performance:

• #17 on the Billboard Pop chart

• #3 on the Billboard R&B chart

The song helped define the group’s style—upbeat rhythms, youthful lyrics, and dynamic harmonies. They also became one of the first doo-wop groups to wear coordinated outfits and choreograph their live performances, a model that others soon followed.

Personnel Changes and Splinter Groups

As was common with many vocal groups of the era, internal disagreements led to multiple breakups and re-formations.

Key Developments:

• In 1956, J.R. Bailey replaced Drake.

• By 1957, the group split into two factions:

  • Bailey and Drake formed The Four Cadillacs, with Roland Martinez and Bobby Spencer.

  • Carroll, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips performed as Earl Carroll and The Cadillacs.

Both groups remained under Josie Records, which continued to market their releases. In 1958, the groups reunited, but Wade, Brooks, and Phillips soon retired. Carroll, Bailey, Drake, Martinez, and Spencer continued briefly until Carroll left in 1959 to form Speedo and the Pearls.

The 1960s and Musical Evolution

 

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During the early 1960s, The Cadillacs underwent several transformations. They continued recording and performing with varying lineups, including future stars and members of other major groups.

Notable Names:

• Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, Irving Lee Gail, and Kirk Davis

• Milton Love and Reggie Barnes from The Solitaires

In 1961, some members shifted into a group called The Coasters, with Carroll, Billy Guy, Carl Gardner, and Ronnie Bright (a former Cadillac). The constant lineup shuffling made it difficult for the group to maintain its earlier momentum.

By 1963, the group saw another iteration with Brewster, Martinez, Spencer, and Bailey, but this version quickly dissolved. Bailey later joined The Jive Five, while Spencer became the lead vocalist of Crazy Elephant in 1969, a bubblegum pop group known for the hit “Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’.”

The 1970s and Beyond

The Cadillacs reunited in 1970 with Bailey, Spencer, Phillips, and new member Leroy Binns. Steven Brown soon replaced Phillips, and a young Teddy Pendergrass joined as a drummer before moving on to fame with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

In the mid-1970s, the group disbanded again. Carroll joined The Coasters and remained with them until the early 1990s, when he left to reform The Cadillacs once more.

This new version featured:

• Carroll

• Bobby Phillips

• Steven Brown

• Gary K. Lewis

• Eddie Jones (musical director)

Brown exited the group in 2003. In 2004, The Cadillacs were honored with induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Final Years and Legacy

Bobby Phillips died in March 2011, followed by Earl Carroll on November 25, 2012. Carroll, known for his charisma and rich tenor voice, was widely respected in the music community.

Their legacy remains strong due to their groundbreaking achievements:

• First Black doo-wop group to cross over into mainstream pop

• Among the first to use choreography and showmanship in performances

• Influenced both Black and white vocal groups that followed

Their music continues to be featured in films, television shows, and compilations of classic 1950s and early 1960s music.

Notable Songs by The Cadillacs

While “Speedoo” was their biggest hit, the group released a wide range of recordings, including: