Spartans

Cleveland doo wop group the Spartans formed in 1950. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the March 1999 issue of Discoveries, lead Richard Howard, his tenor brother Ronald, first tenor Curtis Hafley, baritone Paul Mahaly, and bass Herb Hinton were childhood friends who began harmonizing on the grounds of the Carver Park Projects their respective families all called home. Originally dubbed the Mellow-Larks, the quintet often played local clubs, churches, and benefits in the company of pianist/arranger Lamar Gaines. In due time, they captured the attention of manager Al Rose...