Tony Middleton (singer)
Encyclopedia
Tony Middleton was born June 26, 1934. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia
and in the mid-1950s, Middleton moved to New York
with his mother. He surpassed others with his skills in various sports and started to box as an amateur in his late 20s. In 1952 he joined the 5 Willows, who would later be billed simply as the Willows
, as their lead singer and had a hit record titled "Church Bells May Ring" with the group in 1956. He left the band for a solo career in 1957. After 3 songs produced as a soloist, he could not produce a hit song so he moved to Paris, France in 1962. He drew many fans in Paris, France. He then left Paris, France to return to New York and try to make another hit. He came with a powerful, 'You Spoil My Reputation'. Afterward, he made recordings with hit artists including Smokey Robinson
, Della Reese
and Nell Carter
. Later he returned to the Willows and toured a decade with them on the oldies circuit. Although, Tony Middleton did not get that hit that he was dreaming of, he made inspirations for other young jazz singers.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and in the mid-1950s, Middleton moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with his mother. He surpassed others with his skills in various sports and started to box as an amateur in his late 20s. In 1952 he joined the 5 Willows, who would later be billed simply as the Willows
The Willows
The Willows is a town in Queensland, Australia. Situated in a region called the Gemfields, sapphires are mined extensively in the area. At the 2006 census, Willows Gemfields had a population of 103.-External links:**...
, as their lead singer and had a hit record titled "Church Bells May Ring" with the group in 1956. He left the band for a solo career in 1957. After 3 songs produced as a soloist, he could not produce a hit song so he moved to Paris, France in 1962. He drew many fans in Paris, France. He then left Paris, France to return to New York and try to make another hit. He came with a powerful, 'You Spoil My Reputation'. Afterward, he made recordings with hit artists including Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Della Reese
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
and Nell Carter
Nell Carter
Nell Carter was an American singer, and film, stage, and television actress. She won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin, as well as an Emmy Award for her reprisal of the role on television...
. Later he returned to the Willows and toured a decade with them on the oldies circuit. Although, Tony Middleton did not get that hit that he was dreaming of, he made inspirations for other young jazz singers.