The Medallions

About

Group from Los Angeles, CA Main line-up consisted of; Vernon Green (lead), Randolph Bryant (tenor), Willie "Butternut" Graham (second tenor), Rudolph Brown (baritone), Chuck (bass) The Medallions formed in early 1954 in Los Angeles with Vernon Green, Randolph Bryant, Willie "Butternut" Graham, Rudolph Brown, and a bass named Chuck, practicing in parks, street corners, and cars. After auditioning for Dootone Records, they recorded "The Letter" and "Buick 59," which became hits in Los Angeles. On October 2, 1954, the Medallions performed at Johnny Otis' "Annual Hep Cats Ball" at LA's Shrine Auditorium alongside the Platters, the Penguins, and others, in 1956 original member Rudolph Brown was killed in a car accident, after which he was replaced by Ira Foley. In mid-1956, Vernon Green formed a new group called the Phantoms at the request of Specialty Records' owner Art Rupe, which included Bobby Relf, Jerry Williams, and Johnny Moss. Despite initially performing in hoods, the ruse was undermined by Vernon’s use of a cane from polio, and the association ended quickly. The Phantoms’ Specialty recordings featured Vernon, but he was absent from their second release, which backed Lynn Roberts on Oriole. The next Medallions incarnation consisted of Billy Foster (high tenor), Jimmy Green (tenor), and Joe Williams (bass). In March 1957 they became part of the "Rhythm Rock'n Caravan" tour, along with Shirley Gunter and Bob Williams.