Biography of The Swallows

The Swallows, an R&B group that recorded during the 1940s and 1950s, had a lineup that changed frequently. The sextet of street-corner singers started out as the Oakaleers in Baltimore in 1946, when its members had barely entered their teens. The lineup originally consisted of Lawrence Coxson, Norris "Bunky" Mack, Frederick "Money Guitar" Johnson, Irving Turner, Herman "Junior" Denby, and Earl Hurley. Within two years of the group's formation, the outfit re-christened itself the Swallows, taking its name from "When the Swallows Come Back From Capistrano," which was an Ink Spots tune. Coxson dropped out around the same time and was replaced by Eddie Rich, although Coxson returned now and then throughout the years. King Records inked a deal with the group in 1951. "Dearest," the Swallows' first single, made a splash and went all the way up the charts to number 9. "Since You've Been Away" was released next. King Records and the Swallows parted ways in 1954, and the group went on to release "My Baby" for After Hours. By this time the group was composed of Hurley, Johnson, Turner, Rich, and newcomers Al France and Dee Ernie Bailey. Buddy Crawford and Bobby Hendricks came aboard in 1956, replacing Turner and France. The Swallows folded not long after, but regrouped in 1958 to record for Federal Records. This time the lineup included Johnson, Hurley, Rich, and newcomers Buddy Bailey and Calvin Kollette. Among the group's Federal releases was "Who Knows Do You." In more recent years, Denby and Rich reunited for concerts. ~ Linda Seida