Search - Artist/Band: The Ink Spots

• Band Name: The Ink Spots
• Formed: 1938
• Originated From: Indianapolis, IN
• Decades Active: 1930,1940,1950
• Genre: Country
• Styles: Harmony Vocal Group, Vocal Pop, Early R&B
• Moods: Warm, Intimate, Innocent, Refined/Mannered, Amiable/Good-Natured, Autumnal, Bittersweet, Delicate, Elegant, Reflective, Romantic, Smooth, Wistful, Yearning, Bright, Gentle, Laid-Back/Mellow, Plaintive, Sentimental, Soothing, Stylish, Sweet

Title	Release
Instant Classics	10/23/2006
We'll Meet Again W	09/22/2005
Ink Spots, Vol. 1 [Blue Moon]	11/16/2004
Ink Spots, Vol. 2 [Blue Moon]	11/16/2004
Java Jive [Synergy]	11/16/2004
The Ink Spots [Platinum]	09/28/2004
Time Waits for No One	07/01/2004
Greatest Hits [Fabulous]	11/07/2003
Jukebox Memories	05/06/2003
Cocktail Hour W	07/10/2001
The Inkspots [Direct Source]	05/01/2001
Java Jive: Best of the Ink Spots	04/19/2001
To Each His Own	02/27/2001
Ink Spots [Orfeon]	02/13/2001
More Memories from We Four	02/08/2000
Their Greatest Hits	01/11/2000
Favorites	11/30/1999
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Ink Spots	10/05/1999
Street of Dreams	09/15/1999
If I Didn't Care [Entertainers] WA	11/24/1998
Ultimate Collection	09/15/1998
Classics	06/16/1998
The Anthology WA	06/16/1998
We Four: The Best of the Ink Spots	04/07/1998
Pure Gold/Big Band Moods	03/03/1998
If I Didn't Care [Pickwick]	01/20/1998
The Ink Spots: Members Edition	08/20/1997
Swing High! Swing Low!	1997
Swinging on the Strings WA	10/01/1996
Swing High Swing Low [Remember]	09/17/1996
Truck Stop Country	08/20/1996
Golden Memories	02/23/1996
18 Hits	01/01/1996
Slap the Bass	12/12/1995
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1	1995
Greatest Hits, Vol. 2	1995
Swing High Swing Low [Golden Stars]	1995
Encore of Golden Hits [#1]	08/23/1994
I'll Still Be Loving	02/10/1994
Java Jive [Laserlight]	1994
The Great Ink Spots	06/21/1993
Frankie & Johnny	03/19/1993
Whispering Grass	03/1992
I'll Never Smile Again	07/01/1991
The Greatest Hits [MCA]	10/26/1989
Swing High Swing Low [ASV/Living Era]	1989
If I Didn't Care [Pro Arte]	1986
Golden Greats WA	1985
Greatest Hits [Good Music]	1983
The Ink Spots [Decca]	1956
Swing High! Swing Low! [Past Perfect]

The Ink Spots played a large role in pioneering the black vocal group-harmony genre, helping to pave the way for the doo wop explosion of the '50s. The quavering high tenor of Bill Kenny presaged hundreds of street-corner leads to come, and the sweet harmonies of Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, and bass Hoppy Jones (who died in 1944) backed him flawlessly.

Kenny's impeccable diction and Jones's deep drawl were both prominent on The Ink Spots' first smash on Decca in 1939, the sentimental "If I Didn't Care." From then through 1951, the group was seldom absent from the pop charts, topping the lists with "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me)" (1940), "I'm Making Believe" and "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" (both in 1944), and "The Gypsy" and "To Each His Own" (both in 1946).

Watson eventually split to form his own group, the Brown Dots, and appeared in numerous low-budget film musicals, while Kenny attempted a solo career, notching a solo hit in 1951 with the uplifting "It Is No Secret." Countless groups masquerading as The Ink Spots have thrived across the nation since the '50s. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide