Little Anthony & The Imperials

Little Anthony & The Imperials maintained enduring success with their distinctive vocal style, transitioning from doo-wop hits to influential soul music. After releasing their debut single, ‘Tears on My Pillow,’ which sold over one million copies and earned a gold disc from the RIAA in 1958, Little Anthony & The Imperials quickly established themselves as a seminal vocal group. Signed with End Records, the group followed this success with their notable hit ‘Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop’ in 1960. Following a brief hiatus, Jerome Anthony Gourdine rejoined in 1963, solidifying the classic lineup that included Ernest Wright, Clarence Collins, and Sammy Strain.

They also released new CDs, ‘Pure Acapella’ and ‘Little Anthony & the Imperials – Live: Up Close & Personal,’ before releasing the album ‘You’ll Never Know’ in 2008, culminating in a performance on ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ on August 26, 2008. Little Anthony & The Imperials were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, where they performed ‘Two People in the World’ at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert later that year. Individually, Jerome Anthony Gourdine toured the UK with David Gest’s Legends of Soul in 2014 and released his biography, ‘Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny,’ the same year. The group’s continued legacy was further honored with an induction into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Atlantic City Walk Of Fame in 2023, solidifying their place as icons in American music history.