Four Buddies Biography

This trailblazing Baltimore R&B group originally backed up Little Esther before striking out on their own in 1949. John “Gregory” Carroll, Leon “Larry” Harrison, William Duffy, and Maurice Hicks originally called themselves the Metronomes, signing their first deal with New Jersey-based Savoy Records in 1950. William Duffy and Maurice Hicks soon left and were replaced with Vernon Palmer and Bill Carter. They also underwent a name change to the Four Buds briefly, before finally settling on the Four Buddies. The group recorded a handful of singles for Savoy, including “Window Eyes” (1951), “Heart and Soul” (1951), “Sin” (1951), “You’re Part of Me” (1952), “You Left Me Blue” (1953), and “My Mother’s Eyes” (1953). In addition to continually backing Little Esther, the group also backed another female vocalist, Dolly Cooper. In 1953, they called it a day. Gregory Carroll replaced George Nelson in the Orioles and later joined the Dappers. Leon Harrison formed the Buddies and recorded “I Waited” b/w “I Stole Your Heart” on Glory Records.