Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs

Initially formed in South Carolina in 1957 as The Royal Charms, Maurice Williams’ doo wop / R&B vocal group changed their name to The Gladiolas and The Excellos before finally settling on the name Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs in 1959. They are best Originally inspired by gospel music, Maurice Williams and childhood friend Earl Gainey had turned to R&B by the time they had embraced doo wop music. The group’s members came together while still in high school and the early line up also included Norman Wade, Willie Jones, and William Massey. Their first brush with success came when they were still performing as The Gladiolas, and they scored a number 41 hit with the song “Little Darlin’.” However, their version was beaten to the upper reaches of the charts by Canadian doo-wop group The Diamonds. After graduating high school, the group’s name was changed to the Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, and they began a busy performing schedule. However, the original group split up and Maurice Williams pieced together a new line up featuring Henry Gaston, Wiley Bennet, and Charles Thomas (both Albert Hill and Little Willie Morrow would later join the group). This new group entered the studio and recorded several songs including “Stay,” which Maurice Williams had written several years before. The group released two unsuccessful singles – 1959’s “College Girl” and “Lover (Where Are You)” – before finally scoring a hit with their third single, “Stay.” The song went to number 1 on the Hot 100 and is credited as the shortest song to ever hit the top of the charts, clocking in at 1:36. However, subsequent singles failed to achieve significant success and Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs became a one-hit wonder. The group’s leader and namesake, Maurice Williams, died at the age of 86 on August 5, 2024.