Come Go With Me-Del Vikings (???) * (Spidels)

*A viewer has identified the group as the Spidels. Thank you!


It’s not like me to post something so vague as this, but this live performance is really very good, and I couldn’t seem to find it anywhere on YouTube. This clip is probably from the 60s. It was given to me “unlabeled” many decades ago. I’m sorry to say that I’m really not sure who is singing. The background singers look a bit too young to be any of the original Del(l) Vikings (and they are all black), but the lead seems familiar—he looks and sounds quite a bit like Norman Wright. However, I also admit that it may even be a completely different group doing the 1956/57 classic. If anyone has more info, please comment. (Thank you!)
I’ll write about the video as if they actually were the Del(l) Vikings: In 1955, four airmen assigned to the Pittsburgh Air Force base started singing together. After a few changes due to military re-assignments and voice problems, the quartet, called the “4 Deuces” (no relation to the California group), finally settled in as: Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson (first tenor), Norman Wright (tenor), Don Jackson (baritone), and Clarence Quick (bass). They took first place in the local competition of the Air Force's annual “Tops-In-Blue” talent contest; and again, in the Northeast Regionals; but came in second for the National Finals. Late that year, David Lerchey, found himself sharing a room with Quick. When Clarence found out that Dave could sing, Lerchey became the fifth member of the group as a second tenor/baritone. Because it seemed like a five-member lineup was going to be permanent, the group's name was changed to the "Del Vikings." Since Dave was white, this quintet became one of the first (and very few) integrated groups around. The group sailed along in 1956 and early 1957 with some local demo recordings followed by a monster hit (this song) and a few other excellent sides. Then, in Spring 1957, Jackson was re-assigned, and Gus Backus, who was also white, took his place. However, legal issues surfaced that encouraged the group to split up. Four members were underage when they originally signed, so their contract was voided. They all left Fee Bee/Dot, and moved to the Mercury label after adding a fifth member, Quick’s friend, William Blakey. Johnson remained behind, but he constructed a new group, called the “Dell Vikings,” with future star, Chuck Jackson, and others. Many more changes came later on making the rest of the story even more complex and confusing.