The Imperial Wonders

Talented and flashy, the Imperial Wonders was Cleveland, Ohio's answer to the Temptations, mimicking the Motor City giants with Lester "Jelly" McKenzie's Eddie Kendricks-ish falsetto, Avon Wells' deep Melvin Franklin-esque bass, and Leo Green's rough Paul Williams-ish baritone. A quintet like the Temptations, the other members were Al Boyd, a former Rotation, and Walter Channey. They hit their stride in the early '70s recording a string of singles, changing labels on virtually every release. A short-lived local label, Daywood Records owned by Bob Davis and Melvin Wood, releas...