Nolan Strong and the Diablos

Fortune Records, founded in 1947 by Jack and Devora Brown, strives "for truly great music", as the Fortune label reads.
since the early 1950's, Fortune has issued truly great vocal group records by many groups including the Five Dollars, the Swans, the Royal Jokers, the Centurys, the Del Rios, the Hi Fidelities and others. But none attained the level of success enjoyed by Nolan Strong and the Diablos.

Nolan strong and Bob "Chico" Edwards formed the Diablos in 1950. Backing up Nolan's natural tenor voice were Juan Guiterriec as second tenor, Willie Hunter singing baritone, Quentin Eubanks as bass and Bob "Chico" Edwards on guitar.

This first Diablos group is featured on seven of the twelve selections presented on this album. Around the end of 1954 and early 1955, Jimmy Strong replaced Juan Guiterriec, Quentin Eubanks left and was replaced by George Scott until 1959, when J.W. Johnson began working with the group as an alternate bass. Bob "Chico" Edwards left the group in the late 1950's to work with jazz bands in New York. After a number of years of touring around the east coast and in Europe, he returned to Detroit and in 1972 worked with Nolan on a few sessions, including "Wild Side of My Baby" (on Fortune LP8016). This second group can be heard on four tracks, with a solo effort by Nolan rounding out the collection.

"I Am With YOU" is the original version as released on Fortune #531. This is the second take. The first take is still unreleased and has the last four notes missing on the tape. The second Diablos group recorded "I Am With You" in 1959, while they waxed "Jump With Me" (released in 1980 in Fortune #574), and was issued on Fortune #518. There are two other unreleased versions.
Stronger backing harmony by the first Diablos group is evident on the alternate take of "The Wind". With the first take issued on Fortune #511 ,-the second take is presented here. A third take is similar, and an earlier session produced a still unreleased version with voices and guitar. Only the voices of the first group with Jimmy Strong joining on a previously unreleased "jam session" featuring the guitar work of Bob "Chico" Edwards brings us this 1954 gem, "Come Home." The result is great, particularly the impromptu guitar and handclapping bridge. You will be transported to a small club atmosphere as you listen to Nolan's remarkable tenor voice on his solo effort, "Is This Really Real." Backing Nolan is his personal favorite pianist, Wallace Stevens, who can also be heard on "You Are Love" on Fortune LP8015.
This 1972 recording spotlights Nolan's incredible vocal abilities.  Ending the first side of the album is a great acappella medly of "Since I Fell For You" and "Rockin' Robin". J.W. Johnson sings bass in this 1960's Diablos' session.
From 1954 the first Diablos group is featured on a previously unreleased version of "I Wanna Know." "My Kind ol Loving" is a great jump tune by the first Diablos group. Recorded but previously unreleased from a 1954 session, "My Kind of Loving" was also taped in three other unissued versions done at other times. "Remember Me" is a beautiful acappella take which shows the wide range of emotions that Nolan was capable of expressing with his rich tenor voice. Recorded in 1954 during the same session with "Jump With Me", "Remember Me" features the first Diablos group. There is a different version of this song by the second group with a backup band. In the 1960's this song evolved into "I Really Love You "as issued on Fortune #553 and on LP8015.
A real surprise is the discovery of the tape of "Adios, My Desert Love" which was done before Fortune #509! This great version is a practice tape from the end of 1953. "Daddy Nolan Strong" is a line jump recording that evolved Irom "Daddy Rockin' Strong" as released on Fortune #516. The first group also recorded at this 1954 session acappella versions of "Mercy Mercy Baby". "Goodbye Matilda", and part of "Crying in the Chapel" featuring Juan Gutterize.
Aptly ending this great collection is a fine acappella take from the 1960's featuring J.W. Johnson on bass, "So Long", a must for ballad fans.

Nolan Strong was born in Scottsboro, Alabama on January 22, 1934, and moved to Detroit at a young age. He started singing soon alter arriving in Detroit and formed his first Diablos group in 1950. Nolan was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956 and was honorably discharged in1958. He passed away on February 21, 1977. Nolan was inspired musically by the outstanding tenor of the Drifters, Clyde McPhatter, and in turn inspired many other singers including the likes of Smokey Robinson. After listening to the twelve cuts on this collection, you will quickly realize what a tremendous talent Nolan Strong had, and why Smokey looked up to Nolan's natural tenor voice. We are very fortunate that Ms. Janice Brown Smith, Jack and Devora Brown's daughter, and L.A. d.j. Tom Nixon have taken the time and painstaking efforts to search for and compile the tapes of the recordings included here, ten of which were previously unreleased. Now listen to Mr. "Daddy Rock" himself, Nolan Strong with the Diablos!

If you've overlooked other Nolan Strong & The Diablos recordings or if you've worn out your original copies, I recommend for inclusion in any basic rhythm and blues library the following Fortune albums: "Fortune Of Hits" (8010), "Fortune Of Hits Volume 2"(8012), "Mind Over matter" (8015),and "Nolan Strong & The Diablos Meet The Five Dollars"(8016). For copies of these LP's and others, write directly to Fortune Records, 3942 Third Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, for their giant catalog!