Al Gomes and A. Michelle of Big Noise served as Career Consultants and Directors of Projects and Special Events for the legendary 40 million-selling vocal group, Little Anthony and The Imperials from 2002-2009.
Al Gomes and A. Michelle secured a permanent spot for the group on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Annual Ballot in the summer of 2003 which lead to Little Anthony and The Imperials being inducted in April 2009. Complete info about induction
Also, because of Big Noise's work in coordinating
Little Anthony and The Imperials' live appearance and induction
into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, it led to the group
being invited by band leader Paul Shaffer to appear on 'The
Late Show with David Letterman' in August 2008. Read
Little Anthony and The Imperials' induction introduction
and acceptance speech into the Long Island Music Hall of
Fame, written by Big Noise's Al Gomes.
In addition, because of Al Gomes and A. Michelle's efforts, Little Anthony and The Imperials' CD 'Live: Up Close and Personal' was placed on the Official Ballot for the 47th Annual Grammy Awards by The Recording Academy in the following categories:
Record of the Year
Little Anthony and The Imperials - 'Hurts So Bad'
Album of the Year
Little Anthony and The Imperials -
'Live: Up Close and Personal'
(Album mastered by Big Noise's Al Gomes
and producer Tony Ricci)
Best Pop Performance By
A Duo or Group with Vocal
Little Anthony and The Imperials - 'Hurts So Bad'
Best Pop Vocal Album
Little Anthony and The Imperials -
'Live: Up Close and Personal'
Al Gomes and A. Michelle conceived and executive produced BMG techno artist D.U.I.'s remixes of Little Anthony and The Imperials' classic 'Shimmy-Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop.'
Read more here
Listen to the track
Big Noise also designed and oversaw the group's popular award-winning Official Website
Little Anthony and The Imperials Bio
"You don't remember me, but I remember you. 'Twas not so long ago, you broke my heart in two. Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart, caused by you."
A sweet opening lyric, introducing
one of Doo-Wop's all-time classic ballads, "Tears On
My Pillow," by Little Anthony and The Imperials.
To quote WINS DJ Alan Freed, "Wherever a jukebox was played,
this song was sung and hummed by millions."
Little Anthony and the Imperials - Anthony Gourdine, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Tracy Lord and Glouster Rogers never dreamed they would eventually become internationally famous when they first got together in Brooklyn, New York while still in their pre-teens.
After high school, Anthony Gourdine,
originally with The Duponts, left to join The Chesters,
a group founded by Clarence Collins who were looking for
a lead voice. In early 1958, Richard Barrett and Lou Gally,
A&R and PR men for End Records, spotted the group, signed
them to a contract, and re-named them "The Imperials."
Their first record for End Records
was a double-sided ballad smash. The "A" side, "Tears On
My Pillow," instantly launched their career into musical
history. This would be one of their biggest-selling hits,
and has been one of the most enduring love ballads ever.
The flip-side, "Two People In The World" made the single
one of the most popular double-sided records in vocal group
history.
Once again, DJ Alan Freed enters
the scene, announcing "...and here's a new record that is
making a lot of noise - LITTLE ANTHONY and The Imperials...singing
"Tears On My Pillow." The nickname LITTLE ANTHONY
stuck, and the new group name was official. The added LITTLE
ANTHONY was carved forever in Doo-Wop stone.
'Tears On My Pillow' eventually
sold more than 4 million copies. In late 1959, the group
released "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop," their third
hit, again selling more than one million copies.
In 1963, singer Sammy Strain
replaced departing members Tracy Lord and Glouster Rogers.
At that time, their manager introduced them to Teddy Randazzo,
a producer/composer and long-time admirer, who loved the
Imperials' sound and had the perfect song for them. The
result was the smash hit "I'm On the Outside Looking
In," their biggest hit since "Tears On My Pillow."
The group then signed a new recording contract with DCP Records (Don Costa Productions).
Little Anthony and The Imperials
are one of the few groups that successfully maintained a
powerful importance through the '60s Motown sound and British
invasion. They enjoyed a great resurgence with more ballads
under the tutelage of Randazzo. Two of those chart breakers,
"Goin' Out of My Head" along with 'Take Me Back'
solidified the group's superstar status.
History tells it all. 17 pop and R&B hits. "Tears
On My Pillow." "Two People In the World."
"Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop." "I'm On The
Outside (Looking In)." "Goin' Out Of My Head."
"Hurts So Bad." "Take Me Back." They
have an unmistakable sound that make them a cut above the
rest.
They appeared on TV's Hit Parade, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Dick Clark shows, and performed in every leading nightclub, and at sold-out concert halls throughout the US.
After taking time off as a group to work on solo
projects, Little Anthony and The Imperials began to take
concert stages by storm once again in 1992. The magic returned
instantly and audiences to this day are continuing to show
their approval with thunderous and rousing applause, which
remains the standard for each of the Imperials' performances.
The successful reunion has already brought the group to
sold-out appearances at performance venues throughout the
U.S., including Madison Square Garden in New York and the
Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.
The group was recently honored as recipients of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award, and inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum in Sharon, PA, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their artistry and lifelong contributions to Rhythm and Blues music.
And Little Anthony and The Imperials
are about to gain a whole new generation of fans with the
anticipated release of their amazing techno dance remix
of "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop."
Sounding better than ever, with amazing style, great dance moves, chart-topping classic hits, and a show that is unparalleled, Little Anthony and The Imperials continue to bring their music to the world.
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