Ames Brothers Biography, Photos and Posters

Ames Brothers

Biography

Started: 1950
City and Country of Origin: Malden, Massachusetts
Music Background:
Awards: 1998 inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Top Recordings: "It Only Hurts for a Little While," "Melodie D'Amour," "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane," "Rag Mop," "You, You, You"
Ames Brothers Biography: The Ames Brothers were a singing quartet from Malden, Massachusetts, who were particularly famous in the 1950s for their traditional pop music hits.

All four Ames Brothers, real name Urick, were born in Malden, where they got their start. The act consisted of Joe (May 3, 1921), Gene (February 13, 1923), Vic (May 20, 1925 - died January 23, 1978) and Ed (July 9, 1927).

The brothers were born into a non-professional but musical family, where they were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.

The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and toured United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops. They were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. A one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. At this time Joe decided to rejoin the group. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing "Should I" and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records.

The following year, the Ames Brothers became the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. Their first hitrecord, was "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. They became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour and were one of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.

They soon became the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.

Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).

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