In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Buffalo Bills

Lead: Al Shea. Tenor: Verna Reed. Baritone: Dick Grapes. Bass: Bill Spangenberg.

In 1947, baritone Hershel Smith, a corporate executive, and lead singer Al Shea, a policeman, got together at Smith's home in Buffalo New York with the idea of forming a barbershop quartet. Tenor Vern Reed, an executive for a boy's club, and bass Bill Spangenberg, a truck driver for a steel company were added. The quartet competed at various competitions with modest success. Shortly afterward, Smith was promoted and transferred to Madison Wisconsin, and the quartet was disbanded. Had they not reorganized, the entire face of barbershop harmony may have been vastly different than it is today.

However, Shea and Reed insisted on continuing, and they found baritone Dick Grapes. The quartet blossomed quickly, winning a national competition in 1950, and developing quite a fan club. Over the next few years, they booked many engagements and cut some records.

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1950 - Barbershop Quartet Champions

Buffalo Bills : Remembering Time

This is a remastered release of the 1965 LP and was their last recording on RCA. This is classic stuff and shows why the Buffalo Bills are the most revered of the original barbershop quartets. A must for collectors and fans!

Songlist: Remembering Time, Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie, Moon River, Ramona, I Wonder What's Become Of Sally?, The Sweetheart Of Sigma Chi, Medley: Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland; Dear Old Girl, Beautiful Dreamer, Hello, Dolly!, I Want A Girl (Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad), The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise, I Left My Heart In San Francisco