The Five Satins, a renowned American doo-wop ensemble, gained fame through their timeless 1956 hit track “In the Still of the Night.” Established in 1954, this group’s musical journey extended until 1994.
Originating with six members, the lineup eventually streamlined to five talented artists. The group’s remarkable impact is acknowledged through their induction into the esteemed Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1954, the group was initially composed of Fred Parris (March 26, 1936–January 13, 2022), Lewis Peeples, Stanley Dortche, Ed Martin, Jim Freeman, and Nat Mosley. After encountering modest success, the ensemble underwent reorganization, marked by the departure of Dortche and Peeples, and the introduction of new member Al Denby.
It was during this phase that they recorded their breakthrough hit “In the Still of the Night,” originally featured as the B-side to the single “The Jones Girl.” The song’s initial release was on the local “Standard” label (45 stock # 200), and after gaining traction in Connecticut, it found its way to the New York-based Ember label (45 stock # 1005) the following year. “In The Still Of The Night” achieved significant recognition, securing the third spot on the R&B chart and the 25th position on the pop chart.
Subsequently, the group released several more singles, with “Pretty Baby (That’s Why I Sing)” (Ember 1025) gaining considerable airplay on prominent stations like CHUM in Toronto in November 1957. Their August 1958 release, “A Night to Remember” (Ember 1038), received attention in Boston. During the late 1959 and early 1960 period, the group experienced a revival in airplay, particularly in San Francisco, San Antonio, Texas, and Rochester, New York, resulting in their classic track becoming a Top 10 hit in these markets.
The enduring popularity of “In The Still of the Night” was further enhanced when it served as the lead track for Original Sound Records’ “Oldies But Goodies Vol. 1.” This collection eventually expanded to 15 volumes and has remained in circulation since its 1959 debut. Overall, this signature track achieved remarkable sales, exceeding 1 million copies and earning a prestigious gold disc award.
A twist of unfortunate timing affected the lead singer, Fred Parris. His enlistment in the United States Army shortly after the success of “In the Still of the Night” prompted yet another reformation of the group. This iteration included Ed Martin, Jim Freeman, Tommy Killebrew, Jessie Murphy, and the new lead vocalist, Bill Baker. Baker swiftly proved his worth as a capable replacement, as this lineup achieved swift success with Billy Dawn Smith’s composition “To the Aisle” (Ember 1019) in September 1957.
Upon Parris’ return from military service, a fresh lineup emerged, featuring Parris, Lewis Peeples (formerly part of an earlier version of the Five Satins), Sylvester Hopkins, Richie Freeman, and Wes Forbes. The group briefly adopted the moniker “Fred Parris and the Scarlets” until the Baker-led lineup dissolved, leading to a return to the revered name, the Five Satins.
According to historical radio surveys, several of their singles achieved chart success in various markets, including “I’ll Be Seeing You” (Ember 1061), “Your Memory” (Cub 9071), “The Time” (Ember 1066), “These Foolish Things/A Beggar With A Dream” (Cub 9077), “Till The End” (United Artists 368), “The Masquerade Is Over” (Chancellor 1110), “Remember Me” (Warner Brothers 5367), and “Ain’t Gonna Dance” (also known as “Ain’t Gonna Cry,” Roulette 4563). Impressively, the group left its mark on a diverse array of record labels, even within the context of their era.