Fordham University- Tribute to Arthur Crier - March 4, 2005

On July 22, 2004, the music world lost a true pioneer of doo-wop and vocal group harmony, Arthur Crier.  Arthur was not only a talented bass singer, but also a songwriter and arranger.  His mission was to preserve doo-wop music and he was a champion in seeing that the artists and true legends of early rhythm and blues receive their overdue recognition. 

On March 4, 2005, the Bronx African American History Project, headed by Mark Naison, Ph.D. and sponsored by Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, held a special benefit fundraiser for the history project at Fordham University's McGinley Center.  In a celebration of the music and talents from the Morrisania section of The Bronx, the program included a touching tribute to the life and career of Arthur Crier.  The tribute to Arthur Crier was organized by Crier's longtime friend and partner, Eugene Tompkins, his sister Shirley Crier Fields, and Beverly Lindsay-Johnson of Crier's and Tompkin's non-profit organization, The Atlanta Doo-Wop Association.  The program consisted of performances by The Exhilarations, The Clickettes, Lillian Leach and The Mellows, The Darlettes, The Twilighters, The New Chords, The Harptones, and Hal Keshner, musical director. Before a packed house of 400 persons, emcees Eugene Tompkins and Beverly Lindsay-Johnson set the tone by remembering Arthur Crier and how he touched the lives of so many -- as an artist, as a community activist, and as a husband and father of 10.  Those in attendance who did not know Arthur Crier, acknowledged afterwards that they were glad to have learned of Arthur and how special he was. The performance was stellar as the groups provided their own personal tributes to Arthur.  Several special performances included The Darlettes, which featured original member, Shirley Crier-Fields, the sister of Arthur Crier, as they sang a soulful and sexy version of "A Hard Day's Night".  The song was arranged for them by Arthur during "the lean times" as stated by Queen McFarland of The Darlettes.  An historic moment took place as Bill Lindsay and John E. Johnson, original members of The Twilighters reunited to sing "Half Angel".  Bill Lindsay's vocals as lead singer was as sweet as the original recording in 1955. Lillian Leach and The Mellows wowed the audience, with Lillian's angelic vocals.  She had a rousing standing ovation with "How Sentimental Can I Be".  The headliner was Willie Winfield and The Harptones.  They were incredible with "Sunday Kind of Love" and "Life Is But A Dream".  The New Chords continue the legacy of the legendary hit "Sh-Boom".  They also sang a song written in tribute to Arthur Crier, entitled "Arthur".  And of course, The Clickettes sassy performance of "Because of My Best Friend" and "Lover's Prayer" was a hit with the audience.

Memorializing his friend and colleague, singer Bill Reed (of the current Tokens group) touched the hearts of many that evening. A touching and somber tribute was also presented by Arthur's friend and partner, Clyde Frazier Sr. of the Friends of the Frederick Samuel Foundation, Inc.

The Finale was incredible, as all the groups gathered to sing one of Arthur Crier's favorites -- "If I Didn't Care".   The audience stood on their feet as the groups sang with  Freddie Barksdale as bass (in place of Arthur).

Below are some pictures of this memorable evening. Thanks to John Buttrey and to Bob Nemser & Arlene Rosenblum for these beautiful and memorable photos!


Gene Tompkins, Freddie Barksdale, Waldo Champen, & Lillian Leach sing the Mellows "How Sentimental Can I Be"

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


Lillian Leach & Gene Tompkins

(photo courtesy of Bob Nemser & Arlene Rosenblum)


The Darlettes (Queen McFarland, Savannah Smith, Shirley Crier-Fields) sing "A Hard Day's Night"

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


Freddie Barksdale, Butch (of the Exhilirations), Waldo "Champ" Champen & Bill Lindsay get together to do a wonderful rendition of Dean Barlow & the Crickets' song "You're Mine". Freddie & Bill were both original members in the Crickets (second configuration)

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


The Twilighters (Butch Muhammad of the Exhilirations, John E. Johnson, Bill Lindsay) sing "Half Angel". John E Johnson & Bill Lindsay were original singers on "Half Angel" in the mid 1950's, with Bill singing lead.

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


The Harptones (Willie Winfield, William Dempsey James, Lowe Murray, with Raoul Cita on piano) sing "Life Is But A Dream"

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


The Clickettes - Barbara English, Trudy McCartney, Sylvia Hammond, Lorraine Joyner (originally of the Veneers) sing"Because Of My Best Friend"

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


The "New Chords" singing "Sh-Boom"

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


The Exhilirations sing "Stand Up"

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


Jimmy Owens - jazz musician

(photo courtesy of Bob Nemser & Arlene Rosenblum)


Bill Lindsay of Dean Barlow & the Crickets, Cadillacs, Twilighters, etc.

(photo courtesy of Bob Nemser & Arlene Rosenblum)


Doo-Wop lovers from Washington, DC swing to the "oldies but goodies" by Pete "DJ" Jones

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


Gene Tompkins singing "If I Didn't Care"

(photo courtesy of Bob Nemser & Arlene Rosenblum)


Bill Reed, Shirley Crier Fields, Willie Winfield, Freddie Barksdale, Lillian Leach, Waldo Champion, Eugene Thompkins, & Lowe Murray, help Eugene Thompkins do his famous Ink Spots song "If I Didn't Care."

(photo courtesy of Bob Nemser & Arlene Rosenblum)


The Grand Finale

(photo courtesy of John Buttrey)


Due to unforseen circumstances beyond our control, unfortunately we were not able to attend this event. However, we felt it an important part of history in the life of Arthur Crier, and as a continuation of the Another Great Day in Harlem (June 1999), Great Day in DC (February 2000), and Doowop in DC (June 2004) events, all which are profiled on Harmony Haven. Thanks to Beverly Lindsay-Johnson for her help with the narrative details.


For more information on Arthur Crier, please see our "In Memoriam" page.

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