New York vocal harmony group Little Anthony & The Imperials signed with the End record label in 1958, and scored a huge success right out of the gate with their first single,
'Tears on My Pillow'.
Other successful records followed, including 1960's
'Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop'.
But by 1961, they'd hit a down period in their popularity, so lead singer Little Anthony (Anthony Gourdine) left the group to try his luck at a solo career.
Folowing Anthony's departure, The Imperials changed some of their personnel and recorded a few singles for the Carlton label, which did not fare too well on the charts.
On this record, The Imperials consisted of Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Jr, Sammy Strain, and George Kerr.
Listen to: The Imperials, with Sammy Lowe & his orch. - Vut Vut
Carlton 45, 1961
(click for audio)
By the end of 1963 Little Anthony returned to the group, having found little action as a solo act.
By 1964 the reformed Little Anthony & The Imperials were scoring hits again with 'I'm On The Outside Looking In', 'Goin' Out Of My Head, and then in '65, 'Hurt So Bad'.
See also:
- Little Anthony & The Imperials Official Website
- Little Anthony & The Imperials discography page at Soulful Kinda Music
- The Carlton Records story at Both Sides Now
New York vocal harmony group Little Anthony & The Imperials signed with the End record label in 1958, and scored a huge success right out of the gate with their first single, 
