The Parliaments

The Parliaments
The Parliaments in 1968
The Parliaments in 1968
Background information
Genres
Occupation(s)Lead and background singers
Years active1955–1969
LabelsApt, Flipp, Golden World, Revilot, Atco
Spinoffs
Past membersGeorge Clinton
Ray Davis
Fuzzy Haskins
Calvin Simon
Grady Thomas
Frankie Boyce
Richard Boyce
Langston Booth
Billy Bass Nelson
Eddie Hazel
Tawl Ross
Tiki Fulwood
Mickey Atkins

The Parliaments were an American vocal quintet from Plainfield, New Jersey, United States. Originally formed in the back room of a barbershop in 1956, the quintet was named after the cigarette brand. The Parliaments initially performed doo-wop music; after some early personnel changes their lineup solidified with George Clinton, Ray Davis, Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas. Clinton was group leader and manager, and part owner of the barbershop where the group convened to entertain customers. The group later changed its style, evolving into the bands Parliament and Funkadelic, which found success in the 1970s.