The Barons (24)

The Barons were an early-'60s Detroit, MI group more famous for its members -- Roger Craton aka Lee Rogers, Tyrone Douglas, and Jesse Greer -- than any accomplishment on their own whose records, due to limited pressings, are rare. As the Peppermints, they cut three for Carla Murphy's HOB Records (House Of Beauty (2)). The House of Beauty, a hair boutique/candy shop, was a female hangout frequented by Raynoma Liles-Gordy (Berry Gordy's second wife). Motown's Rayber Singers first label credit was on H.O.B.'s first release, an up-tempo sound by Herman Griffin, "I Need You" in 1958; Griffin later cut non-charting singles on both Tamla and Motown Records, and later married Mary Wells. Gordy and Murphy were partners on Griffin's release (this was before Gordy started his own label) but Gordy ended the association after the single floundered. H.O.B. affiliated with Mike Hanks' D-Town/Mah/Wheelsville setup, and Berry and Raynoma started Tamla Records.