Nolan Strong & The Diablos (listen below)
1934-1977
Add Nolan on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/nolanstrong
Nolan Strong & The Diablos were a Detroit based R&B and doo-wop vocal group best known for its hit songs "The Wind" and "Mind Over Matter." The group recorded for Fortune Records, a small label in Detroit starting 1954 and did so through the early '70s.
Nolan Strong, the lead vocalist, had an etherially high, strong tenor voice.
Strong's smooth tenor, was influenced mainly by Clyde McPhatter and in turn, Strong influenced a young Smokey Robinson.
The group formed at Central High School in Detroit in 1950 and originally consisted of Nolan Strong (lead tenor), Juan Guitierrez (tenor), Willie Hunter (baritone), Quentin Eubanks (bass), and Bob "Chico" Edwards (guitar). Nolan Strong named the group the Diablos after a book he had read in high school called "El Nino Diablo."
In 1954 The Diablos began recording with Fortune Records, releasing a handful of 45 rpm records. By late 1956, changes were made to the Diablos line-up. Scott decided to leave the group about this time to join Hank Ballard & the Midnighters — and again the Diablos were in need of a bass. Enter Jay Johnson, who was introduced to Strong through fellow Fortune artist Andre Williams.
Nolan's career tapered off after 1965; Fortune Records' having him locked into an unprofitable contract is a rumored reason for his lack of recordings in the late '60s and '70s. Jimmy Strong passed away January 29, 1970, at age 34. His brother Nolan joined him on February 21, 1977, at age 43. Hunter, Edwards, and Eubanks are also deceased.
The Diablos were inducted into the United In Group Harmony Hall of Fame in 2003. In March 2008 the group was inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame of America.
Today, original Diablo and Fortune Records recording artist Jay Johnson performs with a new group under the name "Nolan Strong’s Diablos" - singing all the old hits.
Here is the group's MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/nolanstrongsdiablos
All Diablos recordings were on Fortune Records:
http://www.myspace.com/fortunerecordsdetroit
LISTEN to Nolan Strong & The Diablos:
"The Wind" (1954)
"Mind Over Matter" (1962)
"The Way You Dog Me Around"
"I Want An Old Fashioned Girl" (1954)
"A Teardrop From Heaven" (1956)
"Adios My Desert Love" (1954)
"Baby Be Mine" (1954)
"Come Home With Me"
"Daddy Rocking Strong" (1955)
"Do You Remember What You Did?" (1955)
"Danny Boy"
"Fools Rush In"
"Goodbye Matilda" (1959)
"Hold Me Until Eternity" (1955)
"I Don't Care" (1962)
"I Wanna Know"
"I Want To Be Your Happiness"
"If I, Oh I" (1959)
"Jump, Shake & Move"
"Mambo of Love" (1957)
"My Heart Will Always Belong To You" (1958)
"Old MacDonald"
"Ooh, Ooh Those Eyes"
"Real True Love"
"Route 16" (1955)
"Since I Fell For You"
"Since You're Gone" (1960)
"Someday You'll Want Me To Want You"
"Try Me One More Time" (1956)
"White Christmas"
"Village of Love" (1964)
"Yeah Baby, It's Because of You" (1963)
"You Are" (1956)
"You're the Only Girl, Dolores" (1956)
