The Spinners

Stars

Pop Group Formed 1954

The Spinners are a vocal soul group that followed a long and uncertain route to stardom. Though ultimately known as masters of the Philadelphia sound, the group was actually founded as the Domingoes in 1954 by five high school friends in Royal Oak, Mich. By the mid-1960s, the Spinners were signed to Motown with its classic lineup of Henry Fambrough, Billy Henderson, bass vocalist Pervis Jackson, G.C. Cameron and lead vocalist Bobby Smith. They scored some minor hits during these early days, but success eluded them in the Motor City.

In 1972, the band left for Atlantic Records and a lush new sound. Cameron remained at Motown as a solo artist and was replaced in the Spinners by his cousin Philippe Wynne, who shared lead vocals with Smith. With producer Thom Bell, the Spinners became a soul sensation with the hits “I'll Be Around,” “Could It Be I'm Falling in Love” and “The Rubberband Man.” Dionne Warwick collaborated with the Spinners for the No. 1 hit “Then Came You” in 1974.

Wynne left for a solo career in 1977, and also joined Parliament-Funkadelic. But the Spinners continued to enjoy popularity until the mid-'80s. Fambrough and Smith continue to perform in a modern version of the group they've known for half a century.

— Steve Appleford for the Los Angeles Times Feb. 22, 2010