Persuasions

The Persuasions, an iconic American a cappella group, formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 1962. The founding members included Jerry Lawson (tenor, baritone, lead singer, arranger, and producer), Jimmy Hayes (bass), Joseph Jesse “Sweet Joe” Russell (second tenor), “Little” Jayotis Washington (first tenor, baritone), and Herbert “Toubo” Rhoad (baritone). They began by singing on street corners and in subway corridors, developing a distinctive style that combined gospel, soul, early rock, and jazz with five-part harmonies. Their early exposure on public affairs television shows like ‘Inside Bedford-Stuyvesant’ and ‘Like It Is’ in 1968 brought them to wider attention. A significant turning point occurred when Frank Zappa, after hearing them perform over the phone from a New Jersey record shop, signed them to his Straight label. This led to their first LP, ‘Acappella,’ released in 1970.

Throughout their career, The Persuasions released 23 studio albums, showcasing their versatility and influence. Their albums frequently charted on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts, with notable releases such as ‘We Came to Play’ (1971), ‘Street Corner Symphony’ (1971), ‘Spread the Word’ (1972), and ‘We Still Ain’t Got No Band’ (1973). They consistently toured and were recognized for their unique sound. In 1988, founding member Herbert “Toubo” Rhoad passed away while on tour; the group recorded ‘Toubo’s Song’ in his memory. They continued to evolve, recording tribute albums to artists like Frank Zappa (‘Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa’, 2000), the Grateful Dead (‘Might As Well…The Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead’, 2000), and The Beatles (‘The Persuasions Sing the Beatles’, 2002). Their song “People Get Ready” from their album “Street Corner Symphony” was featured in a Comcast Winter Olympics TV Commercial in 2017-2018. The group was inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2009. Jerry Lawson, a co-founder and lead singer, left the group in 2003, pursuing a solo career and further contributing to their legacy as a solo artist inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2010. The Persuasions are cited as major influences by contemporary a cappella groups such as Take 6, Rockapella, The Nylons, and Boyz II Men.