The Contours didn’t fit the Motown mold—and that’s what made them stand out. Known for their wild energy, rough vocals, and raw R&B edge, they brought something different to the label’s otherwise polished roster. While they’re best remembered for their 1962 smash hit “Do You Love Me,” The Contours played a key role in shaping early soul and rock ’n’ roll crossover.
Formed in Detroit in 1959, the group broke into Motown with persistence and a little help from family connections. Their career was filled with lineup changes, near-misses, and moments of revival—including a surprising comeback in the 1980s. This is the story of one of Motown’s most underrated, yet unforgettable, acts.
| Group Name | The Contours |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1959 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Doo-wop, Rock and Roll |
| Main Labels | Motown (Gordy), Inferno |
| Biggest Hit | “Do You Love Me” (#1 R&B, #3 Pop – 1962; #11 Pop – 1988 reissue) |
| Notable Members | Joe Billingslea, Billy Gordon, Hubert Johnson, Sylvester Potts, Dennis Edwards |
| Honors | Inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame (2010) |
Starting Out: Formation and First Break
In 1959, Joe Billingslea and Billy Gordon formed a vocal group originally known as The Blenders. They soon added Billy Hoggs, Billy Rollins, and Hubert Johnson (a cousin of Jackie Wilson). After some early changes—Rollins left, Leroy Fair joined, and later Johnson helped get them a second audition at Motown.
Their first try with Berry Gordy didn’t go well. But with encouragement from Jackie Wilson, they tried again. Gordy finally signed them to Motown’s Gordy label in 1961. That same year, they released their debut single, “Whole Lotta Woman,” but it failed to chart.
Soon after, Leroy Fair left and was replaced by Benny Reeves, brother of singer Martha Reeves. But Reeves left for the Navy and was succeeded by Sylvester Potts—a key future member of the group.
“Do You Love Me” – A Smash Hit
The group’s early records didn’t click with audiences. Gordy considered dropping them. Then everything changed in 1962. Gordy wrote a raucous, danceable new track: “Do You Love Me.”
There’s a long-standing story that the song was meant for The Temptations, but Billingslea disputed this. He claimed The Contours were Gordy’s first choice—and the result proved him right.
“Do You Love Me” exploded. It hit #1 on the R&B chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. With a pounding beat, shouting vocals, and lyrics that sparked a dance craze, the song became a national sensation.
Its influence was far-reaching. “Do You Love Me” helped pave the way for the dance-oriented soul-pop that Motown would later perfect.
Following Up: Other Charting Songs
While The Contours never topped “Do You Love Me,” they continued to chart several more energetic singles throughout the 1960s:
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“Shake Sherry” (1962) – #43 Pop, #21 R&B
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“Can You Do It” (1964) – #41 Pop, #16 R&B
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“Can You Jerk Like Me” (1964) – #47 Pop, #15 R&B
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“First I Look at the Purse” (1965) – #57 Pop, #12 R&B
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Written by Smokey Robinson, the song leaned more on storytelling than dancing.
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“Just a Little Misunderstanding” (1966) – #85 Pop, #18 R&B
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Co-written by Stevie Wonder, this song had Dennis Edwards on lead vocals.
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Though these tracks never repeated the magic of their breakthrough hit, they confirmed The Contours’ place as one of Motown’s most dynamic live and recording acts.
Struggles Within Motown
As Motown polished its sound, The Contours’ rough style started to feel out of sync. The label was leaning toward smoother acts like The Supremes, Four Tops, and Temptations—groups that fit the label’s new sophisticated image.
The Contours, with their gritty vocals and wild stage presence, no longer fit the mold. Their singles didn’t receive the same promotional push. Internal changes didn’t help either. Original members began to leave. By the mid-1960s, Joe Stubbs (brother of Four Tops’ Levi Stubbs) and Dennis Edwards joined the lineup.
Despite the shakeups, they managed one last minor hit:
“It’s So Hard Being a Loser” (1967) – modest chart success before the group quietly disbanded in 1968.
Revival and The Oldies Circuit
The story didn’t end there. In the early 1970s, Joe Billingslea brought The Contours back. He recruited new members and began performing at oldies shows in Detroit. Over time, they gained momentum, moving from local gigs to national and international stages.
In the early 1980s, Sylvester Potts rejoined the group. Tragedy also struck during this period—Hubert Johnson died by suicide in 1981.
But then came an unexpected comeback. The 1987 film Dirty Dancing featured “Do You Love Me” in a key dance sequence. The song surged in popularity again, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988—26 years after its original release.
Two Contours: The Split
During the 1990s and 2000s, two versions of the group emerged:
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The Contours with Joe Billingslea
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The Contours featuring Sylvester Potts
Both groups performed on the oldies circuit. While legal disputes arose over the name, both continued to celebrate the legacy of The Contours across the U.S.
Many original members passed away over the years:
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Billy Gordon (1999)
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Joe Stubbs (1998)
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Huey Davis (2000)
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Leroy Fair (2004)
Billy Hoggs, who had left in the 1960s to become a minister, retired and lived in Michigan.
Honors and Legacy
The Contours received long-overdue recognition in 2010 when they were inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame. While they may not have had a string of hits like other Motown acts, their contribution was significant.
They brought unfiltered soul, a danceable edge, and a willingness to break the mold. Their success with “Do You Love Me” inspired countless party anthems that followed.
More importantly, they showed that a group didn’t need polish to have power. Sometimes, raw energy and spirit were enough.
Selected Discography
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Do You Love Me (1962)
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Shake Sherry (1962)
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Can You Do It (1964)
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Can You Jerk Like Me (1964)
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First I Look at the Purse (1965)
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Just a Little Misunderstanding (1966)
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It’s So Hard Being a Loser (1967)
Conclusion
The Contours’ journey was anything but smooth. They faced rejection, internal changes, and shifting industry trends. But they also had a defining hit, a second chance in the spotlight, and a legacy that lives on through dance floors and nostalgia tours.
Their story proves that with enough grit and passion, even one massive hit can echo through generations.