Lenny O'henry - Biog

[Windlesoul]

Trying to get a bit of history on Lenny O'Henry aka Danny Cannon. I know he is recognised by beach fans and was a Vibra-Harp member with Donnie Elbert, but not much else. Anybody know anything about him, where from, full recording history other than that listed in 'soulful kinda music' and what happened to him? Were the 50s Vibra-Harps NY based ?

Edited February 28, 2013 by Windlesoul

[TheBigO]

The Vibraharps were a NY group from Buffalo and were not the same group as the ones who recorded for Fury. That's about all the info I've found whilst trawling. I'm also trying to establish that Troy Keyes is also Danny aka Lenny O'Henry as I've a 4 Seasons freak who says this is so as its the 4 Seasons on backing for Across The Street. Gets weirder but as he appeared on these shores a little while ago I'm certain someone on here can confirm if he mentioned any of this!

Update - seems he is also L.B.Wilson as he worked with Bob Crewe a lot in the 60's and also recorded as the High Keys.

Edited February 28, 2013 by TheBigO

[Roburt]

Troy was on at Prestatyn and was convinced to come over here to perform by his old friend Richie Pitts.

I spent some time chatting with Troy at the weekender and he never mentioned being Lenny O'Henry.

Richie is on Facebook and knew Troy well back in the High Keyes & Velours period.

Go on Facebook, pull up Richie's profile and ask him the question.

I'm sure he'll say that Troy and Lenny are not one & the same.

[Roburt]

AN EXTRACT FROM THE BIO I WROTE ON TROY (KEYES) BACK IN 2005 .............

Born in Pantego, North Carolina in 1940 Troy’s love of music developed while singing in his local church choir. At age 10 he moved to Brooklyn, New York but continued to sing. During these formative years Troy would hang with the crowd developing Doo-Wop harmonies on street corners. In the mid 1950s he became a member of Brooklyn based group the Starlites. In no time they had entered and won a talent contest and this netted them a recording contract. The resultant single "Missing You" (Peak) has gone on to become a much sought after collectors item. From the Starlites, Troy briefly joined acclaimed New York outfit the Velours (who would evolve into the Fantastics). Troy got to sing lead on just one of their cuts, “I’ll Never Smile Again” (Cub; 1958), but made a good friend in group member Richie Pitts.

Troy was introduced to Bob Crewe by the Starlite’s Clifford Rice and with Bob he cut “The World Without You” (Atco) and this was released under the name of Mitchell Keyes. With the multi-talented Bob Crewe encouraging Troy, his confidence grew and he quickly honed his vocal and writing skills. Troy then teamed up with Clifford Rice, Jimmy Williams and Bobby Hoggard to form the group the High Keyes and they hit big with their first release “Que Sera, Sera” (Atco). A top 40 pop chart hit across the USA in 1963, the track also charted in Canada and was issued in the UK on London. In addition to recording their own tracks, the High Keyes also provided backing vocals in the studio for artists such as Lennie O’Henry. Fate though took a hand and Troy was drafted into the US forces. However he still utilised his vocal talents, entering and winning the All Army talent contest as a solo singer.

On his return from the forces, Troy reformed the High Keyes along with Jimmy Williams and new members Calvin Williams and Bubbles Moore. Under the supervision of George Kerr in 1965, they recorded their only Verve release, “Living A Lie”, but this failed to chart. Later however this would become a highly prized item with Northern Soul fans. Impressed with George Kerr’s studio skills, Troy kept in touch and this was to pay dividends. In late 1967, George oversaw a session at New York’s ABC studio at which the backing vocals and music track for a song he had written were laid down. All he needed now was the right lead voice to finish it off. Remembering Troy’s earlier efforts for him, George gave him the lyric sheet for “Love Explosion”. Troy learnt the song and just three weeks later he was in the studio completing the track in just one take. On its release in January 1968, the record instantly started to gain massive radio airplay and made it onto the US charts. Industry politics reared their ugly head though and this prevented the single from fully delivering on its true potential. ABC persevered but Troy’s follow-up 45 “No Sad Songs” (written by Sammy Turner) and a duet he cut with Norma Jenkins, “A Love Gone Bad” both failed to make any significant impact.

Edited February 28, 2013 by Roburt