Lyrics | Artists | The Originals

The Originals

The Originals were formed in Detroit in 1966 by baritone Freddie Gorman, tenor‑falsetto Walter Gaines, tenors C. P. Spencer and Hank Dixon, with Joe Stubbs briefly on lead. The group emerged from the Motown studio scene, contributing background vocals to hits such as Jimmy Ruffin’s "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" and Stevie Wonder’s "For Once in My Life." Their breakthrough came with the 1966 single "Goodnight Irene" (billed as a cover of Lead Belly) and the 1969 release "Suspicion," which, although not a single, became a Northern Soul classic. The same year the album Green G...