One-Hit Wonder: The Cadillacs

A group named for an elegant car started with two friends from Harlem: The Cadillacs, according to oldies.com.

Earl Carroll, orphaned at 11, joined Robert Phillips' family. They were joined by LaVerne Drake and the three guys were The Carnations. They then were a quartet with "Cub" Gaining joining them. The Carnations were discovered during a high school talent contest by Lover Patterson.

Patterson, songwriter Esther Navarro and The Carnations changed the group's name to The Cadillacs, the luxurious car, and wore flashy clothes to go with the name.

Phillips quit and was replaced by James "Poppa" Clark and Johnny "Gus" Willingham.

The Cadillacs' first single, "Gloria," did not chart. Song No. 2, "Speedo," did. They appeared on the The Dick Clark Show and in the movie Go, Johnny, Go! The Cadillacs went on tour and recorded many songs but could not find their next hit.

Carroll left and joined The Coasters for 20 years. In the '80s, Carroll re-formed The Cadillacs, who were voted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.

According to allmusic.com, Robert Phillips died in 2011 and Earl Carroll in 2012.