The Contours
Wikimp3 information about the music of The Contours. On our website we have 70 albums and 54 collections of artist The Contours. You can find useful information and download songs of this artist. We also know that The Contours represents Hip Hop/R&B genres.
Biography
[Edit]The Contours are widely remembered for their 1962 smash "Do You Love Me?," one of the early hits that helped put Motown on the map. Yet they aren't always associated with their contribution to the label; they were one of the roughest, hardest R&B groups Berry Gordy ever signed, and their sound simply didn't resemble the smooth, sophisticated blueprint that later became Motown's trademark. Nor did their stage presence; in contrast to the slick choreography and wardrobe of Motown's signature artists, the Contours were all wild, irrepressible energy, leaping and sliding all over the stage and even doing the splits. As a result, they fell out of favor once Motown got its crossover-friendly hit factory up and running, and never duplicated the success of their first hit.
Formed in Detroit in 1958, the Contours originally began life as a quartet called the Blenders. Lead singer Billy Gordon, Billy Hogg, Sylvester Potts, and Joe Billingslea were soon joined by Hubert Johnson, a cousin of the legendary Jackie Wilson, as well as guitarist Huey Davis. Changing their name to the Contours, the group landed an audition with Berry Gordy's fledgling Motown label. Gordy was not impressed and told them to try again in a year, and they enlisted Jackie Wilson's aid in honing their act. Wilson personally recommended the group to Gordy, who finally relented and signed them up in 1961. The Contours' first single "Whole Lotta Woman" sank without a trace, and Gordy nearly dropped them until Wilson once again interceded on their behalf. The move paid off handsomely when Gordy offered them a chance to cut "Do You Love Me?," a song originally intended for the Temptations, who couldn't quite nail down the rough and rowdy feel Gordy wanted. Released in 1962, "Do You Love Me?" zoomed straight to the top of the R&B charts in just a few short weeks, peaking at number three on the pop side.
Although the Contours were riding high thanks to their hit and their exciting live act, they found the momentum difficult to maintain. They were able to score a follow-up hit, "Shake Sherrie," in 1963, and ran off a string of R&B Top 40 singles over 1965-1966: "Can You Jerk Like Me?," the Top Ten "The Day When She Needed Me," the Smokey Robinson-penned "First I Look at the Purse," and "Just a Little Misunderstanding." Despite the often high quality of those singles, the Contours simply weren't getting the attention — either from the label or the public — that Motown's top stars were, and their sound was more of an anomaly at Hitsville than ever. By this time, the original quintet was no longer intact; new members included Joe Stubbs, brother of the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs, and Dennis Edwards, who went on to replace David Ruffin in the Temptations.
The Contours had their last charting single in 1967 with "It's So Hard Being a Loser"; Billingslea and Potts subsequently led versions of the group on the oldies circuit during the '70s and '80s. Sadly, Johnson committed suicide in 1981, and wasn't around to witness the 1988 revival of "Do You Love Me?" thanks to the wildly popular film Dirty Dancing. Billingslea, Potts, and their new cohorts hit the oldies circuit with renewed vigor, and also cut the album Running in Circles for U.K. Motown revivalist Ian Levine's Motorcity label in 1990. Stubbs passed away in 1998, and guitarist Davis did likewise in 2002.
Title: Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) [Bonus Track Version]
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop, Alternative
Title: The Contours - In Concert At Little Darlin's Rock 'n' Roll Palace (Live)
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Funk
Title: Just A Little Misunderstanding: Rare And Unissued Motown 1965-68
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: The Very Best of the Contours
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Alternative
Title: Fabulous Songs Of '62, Vol. 2 - 50 Original Recordings
Artist: Shirley Bassey, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Etta James, James Brown, Paul Anka, Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Mary Wells, Ben E. King, Del Shannon, Bruce Channel, Carole King, Sam Cooke, Clyde McPhatter, Joey Dee, Ketty Lester, Solomon Burke, Arthur Alexander, Jimmy McGriff, King Curtis, Chuck Jackson, Esther Phillips, Gary U. S. Bonds, The Falcons, The Starlighters, The Mar - Keys, The Contours, Claudine Clark, Bent Fabric, The Drifters, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Bland, Charlie Gracie, Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Ford, The Noble Knights, Barbara George, Larry Finnegan, The Sensations, Frank Sinatra, The John Barry Orchestra, Jerry Wallace, Dennis Turner, The Miracles, The Cookies, The Marvelettes, The Crystals, Stan Getz, Don Gardner, The A. F. O. Studio Combo, Vocal Accompaniment The Love-Tones, Band Ohio Untouchables
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Jazz, Pop
Title: The Sounds of the Contours
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Alternative
Title: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Best of the Contours
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Alternative
Title: Detroit Harmonisers: Early 60s Vocal Groups In The Motor City
Artist: The Contours, Valadiers, The, The Satinones
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop
Title: Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) (Remastered) - Single
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop, Alternative
Title: Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) (Expanded Edition)
Artist: The Contours
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock & Roll
Collections
Title: Motown Greatest Hits 2019 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Gospel, Rock, Country, Rockabilly, Disco, Funk, Classical
Title: The Best Soul In The World… Ever! (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Disco, Funk
Title: The Best Soul Album In The World… Ever! 2019 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Shall Not Fade - 4 Years Of Dancing (CD1)
Genre: House, Deep House, Techno, Tech House
Title: Music To Make You Dance, Vol. 1
Genre: House
Title: Motor Town, Pt. 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Motor Town, Pt. 3
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Motor Town, Pt. 4
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Motor Town, Pt. 5
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: 100 Greatest Feel Good Classics (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: 200 Vintage (CD2)
Genre: Pop
Title: Exclusive 2020 ZR - Time Of This Season (CD1)
Genre: Disco, Synth Pop, Funk, Progressive
Title: Exclusive 2020 ZR - Time Of This Season (CD2)
Genre: Disco, Synth Pop, Funk, Progressive
Title: American Soul Connexion (1954-1962) (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Best Old Soul Music
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Soul Chronology LIVE! The Sixties 1962-66
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Feel Good Songs (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock & Roll, Pop, Alternative, Psychedelic
Title: 60 Tracks Oldies But Goldies Playlist Spotify 2021 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Blues Rock, Rock & Roll, World Music, Country, Pop, Funk, Folk
Title: 100 Best One Hit Wonders 2020 (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Glam Rock, New Wave, Post Grunge, Punk, Country, Disco, Pop, Alternative, Funk
Title: 100 Tracks 60s Party Playlist Spotify 2021 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock & Roll, Country, Pop
Title: Deep House: Luxe Mood Electro Sound (CD1)
Genre: Deep House, Electro
Title: '60s Dance Party Essentials (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: '60s Soul Essentials 2021 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Milestones Of Rhythm & Blues: Motor Town Soul, Vol. 7
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Top 84 Funk Hits Spotify 2020 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Gospel, Rock, Punk Rock, Country, Disco, Funk, Classical
Title: '60s One-Hit Wonders
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Jazz, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: All Out 60s (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Jazz, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Summer Of Motown
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Happy Soul For Kids
Genre: Soul
Title: 60s Summer Hits
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop, Funk
Title: Mastermix Classic Cuts 002 - Party
Genre: Pop
Title: Pov: Ur The Main Character
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: Classic Soul Deep Cuts 2022 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Punk Rock, World Music, Pop, Kids, Funk, Folk
Title: On Air 70's Hits 2022 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Sommer Klassiker 2023 (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: 60s Best Of By UDiscover (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: 250 DJ Loaded - All Around Talented (CD4)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Dancefloor, Reggae, Dance Pop
Title: 60s Timeless Hits 2023
Featuring albums
Title: The Wanderers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Artist: The Wanderers
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Hitsville USA - The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Motown: The Musical - The Classic Songs That Inspired The Broadway Show!
Artist: Various Artists
Genre:
Title: Sleepwalkers
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Drum & Bass, Dancefloor, Dance Pop, Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Recorded Live At the Apollo: The Motortown Revue, Vol. 1
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Saw You For The First Time
Artist: Laurence Guy
Genre: Ambient, House, Deep House, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: The Ultimate Collection (CD01)
Artist: Girls Night Out
Genre: Hard NRG, Post Disco, Electropop, Soul, Gospel, Dancefloor, Disco, Dance Pop, Funk
Title: Ultimate Collection 5CD (CD1)
Artist: Northern Soul
Title: Ultimate Collection 5CD (CD3)
Artist: Northern Soul
Title: American Heartbeat - The '60s (CD2)
Artist: American Heartbeat
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Gospel, Rock & Roll, Country, Rockabilly, Pop
Title: Motown The Musical – 100 Originals / Motown The Musical - 100 Originals
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Northern Soul (CD2)
Artist: Essential Motown
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Jazz, Rock, Rock & Roll, Country, Disco
Title: Shall Not Fade - Celebrating 3 Years of Dancing
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Electronica, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: Don't Quit Music: Motown Workout (Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul