The Robins

This article is about the vocal group. For sports teams referred to using this name, see Robins.
The Robins
Also known asThe Robins
A-Sharp Trio
The Four Bluebirds
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
GenresDoo-wop[1]
Years active1945–1960
LabelsSpark, Whippet, RCA
Past membersBobby Nunn
Terrell "Ty" Leonard
Billy Richard
Roy Richard
Grady Chapman
Carl Gardner
H. B. Barnum
Bobby Sheen
"Little" Billy Richards, Jr.

The Robins were a successful and influential American R&B group of the late 1940s and 1950s, one of the earliest such vocal groups who established the basic pattern for the doo-wop sound.[2] They were founded by Ty Terrell, and twin brothers Billy Richards and Roy Richards. Bobby Nunn soon joined the lineup. They began their career as the Bluebirds but switched to recording as the Robins in May 1949.[2] In 1955, the group disagreed over whether to remain on the West Coast or sign with Atlantic Records and move to the East Coast. This led to a split within the group. Music producers and songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller took former Robins members Nunn and Carl Gardner, recruited singers Leon Hughes and Billy Guy, and formed the Coasters.[3] The founding Richards brothers and Tyrell continued to record as the Robins until 1961.[4]

  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "The Coasters Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2022. The Coasters grew out of a successful Los Angeles doo wop group called the Robins
  2. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 364. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
  3. ^ Leiber & Stoller interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969)
  4. ^ Eder, Bruce. "The Robins Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2018.