Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 1, 2026

The Counts

The Counts were a doo-wop group from Indianapolis, Indiana, formed in the 1950s. The group included Chester Brown, James Lee, Robert Penick, Robert Wesley, and Robert Young. The Counts were also known as the Original Counts, as they performed with their original lineup until the death of Robert Young, in 2001. They were thought to be the longest-running doo wop group made up entirely of their original membership.

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The Counts were a doo-wop group from Indianapolis, Indiana, formed in the 1950s.12 The group included Chester Brown, James Lee, Robert Penick, Robert Wesley, and Robert Young.34 The Counts were also known as the Original Counts, as they performed with their original lineup until the death of Robert Young, in 2001.5 They were thought to be the longest-running doo wop group made up entirely of their original membership.67

Young wrote most of the Counts' songs, including "Hot Tamale" and "Darling Dear". "Darling Dear" (Dot 44-1188, b/w "I Need You Always") made it to No. 6 on the R&B singles chart.86

All of the members attended Crispus Attucks High School, in Indianapolis, where they originally formed as the Five Diamonds.63 They changed their name in 1954 when they signed with Dot Records. The Counts recorded at Wilkins Studio, possibly with Jimmy Coe (or, perhaps, with a Jimmy Cole), and were at times backed live by Wes Montgomery.910

References

References

  1. "Indianapolis Doo-Wop History". WFYI Public Media.
  2. Kittrels, Alonzo (19 Aug 2007). "Do you recall doo-wop days?". The Philadelphia Tribune. No. 40. D. pp. 1, 2.
  3. Rosalsky, Mitch (January 24, 2002). "Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups". Scarecrow Press – via Google Books.
  4. Kohn, Rita (August 1, 2007). "THE COUNTS". NUVO. Arts.
  5. Garmel, Marion (13 Nov 2001). "Doo-wop harmonies just as good the second time around". The Indianapolis Star. p. E4.
  6. "Street Corner Harmony: From Doo-Wop to Motown". Indianapolis Monthly. 25 (6): 49. Jan 2002.
  7. Lindquist, David (24 Dec 2000). "Eve will rock, swing, hip-hop and doo-wop". The Indianapolis Star. p. I1.
  8. Miller, Marissa (September 1, 2016). "'The Counts' played a musical part in Indiana's Bicentennial history".
  9. "Jimmy Cole Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  10. "Jimmy Coe Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
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