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{{short description|American soul singer (born 1939)}}
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'''Oscar Toney, Jr.''' (born May 26, 1939, [[Selma, Alabama]]) was an American [[soul music|soul]] singer. Toney was raised in [[Columbus, Georgia]], and sang in gospel churches while young. In his teens, he joined a [[gospel music|gospel]] group called The Sensational Melodies of Joy, and after this joined secular group called The Searchers (no relation to [[The Searchers]]), who released a few singles between 1958 and 1961. In 1964, Toney released a solo single, "Can it All Be Love", on [[King Records]], but did not garner any widespread notice.
{{BLP sources|date=September 2019}}
'''Oscar Toney Jr.''' (born 26 May 1939, [[Selma, Alabama|Selma]], [[Alabama]], United States) is an American [[soul music|soul]] [[singing|singer]].<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=1183}}</ref>


==Career==
⚫
Toney then began working with producer [[Papa Don Schroeder]], who used Toney as a backup replacement for [[James & Bobby Purify]] when one of the two singers was unavailable for a live performance. Papa Don had Toney signed to [[Bell Records (1950s-70s)|Bell Records]] in 1967, and his first single, a cover of "For Your Precious Love" by [[Jerry Butler & the Impressions]], was produced by [[Chips Morman]]. The tune would be the first and most successful of Toney's four chart hits. His last single was 1969's "Down in Texas" b/w "Aint That True Love", which failed to chart, and Toney left Bell when Schroeder quit the music industry. In 1970, Toney released a single, "Down on My Knees", on [[Capricorn Records]], but the tune didn't chart; three more singles, all flops, followed on Capricorn, which dropped the singer in 1973.<ref name=amg>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gpfoxqr5ldke~T1 Biography], Allmusic.com</ref>
⚫
Toney was raised in [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States, and sang [[gospel music|gospel]] in churches while young. In his [[adolescence|teens]], he joined a gospel group called The Sensational Melodies of Joy, and after this joined secular group called The Searchers (no relation to [[The Searchers (band)|The Searchers]]), who released a few singles between 1958 and 1961.<ref name="Larkin"/> In 1964, Toney released a [[solo (music)|solo]] [[single (music)|single]], "Can it All Be Love", on [[King Records (USA)|King Records]], but did not garner any widespread notice.<ref name="Larkin"/>


⚫
Toney then began working with the [[record producer]] [[Papa Don Schroeder]], who used Toney as a backup replacement for [[James & Bobby Purify]] when one of the two singers was unavailable for a live performance. Schroeder had Toney signed to [[Bell Records (1950s-70s)|Bell Records]] in 1967, and his first single, a [[cover version|cover]] of "[[For Your Precious Love]]" by [[Jerry Butler & the Impressions]], was produced by [[Chips Moman]].<ref name="Larkin"/> The tune would be the first and most successful of Toney's four [[record chart|chart]] [[hit record|hits]].<ref name="Larkin"/> His last single was 1969's "Down in Texas" b/w "Aint That True Love", which failed to chart, and Toney left Bell when Schroeder quit the [[music industry]].
⚫
Toney's career was tenuous in America, but the [[England|English]] love for [[Northern Soul]] resulted in a second wind. Later in the 1970s, he was signed to British label [[Contempo Records]] for six singles and a full-length album, yet none of these sold well, and in the 1980s Toney left the secular industry to focus on gospel again.

Toney toured the [[United Kingdom|UK]] a few times during the 1960s, brought to England by agents Henry Sellers and Danny O`Donavan. He insisted after his first tour to have the same backing band which was Merlin Q from London. Merlin Q were Dave Kerr-Clemenson on bass, Andy Locke and Wally Scott on guitars Eddie Richards on drums and Denis White on Hammond. After their first rehearsal at the Q club in Paddington Oscar said to Sellers "you said they were good but not that good". The tour included all the Northern soul venues, such as [[Twisted Wheel Club]] in Manchester and [[Golden Torch]] in Tunstall. After the last tour Dave, Andy Wally and Eddie went on to become [[Edison Lighthouse]].

In 1970, Toney released a single, "Down on My Knees", on [[Capricorn Records]], but the tune did not chart; three more singles, all flops, followed on Capricorn, which dropped the singer in 1973.<ref name=amg>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/oscar-toney-jr-mn0000895355/biography|title=Oscar Toney, Jr. &#124; Biography & History|website=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=September 29, 2019}}</ref>

⚫
Toney's career was tenuous in America, but the British love for [[Northern soul]] resulted in a second wind. Later in the 1970s, he was signed to the British [[record label]] Contempo Records for six singles and an [[album]], yet none of these sold well,<ref name="Larkin"/> and in the 1980s Toney left the secular industry to focus on gospel again.


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Albums===
*''For Your Precious Love'' ([[Bell Records (1950s-70s)|Bell Records]], 1967) US #192, US Black Albums #27<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gpfoxqr5ldke~T5 Billboard], Allmusic.com</ref>
*''For Your Precious Love'' ([[Bell Records (1950s-70s)|Bell Records]], 1967) [[Billboard 200|U.S.]] #192, US R&B Albums #27
⚫
*''Guilty of Loving You'' ([[BGR Records]], 2001)
*''I've Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now!'', 1975
*''Make It Easy On yourself!'', 1975
*''Papa Don's Preacher'', 1988
*''Oscar's Winners'', 1998
*''Oscar Toney, Jr. Resurfaces!'', 2000
⚫
*''Guilty of Loving You'' (BGR Records, 2001)

Collaboration:
Cliff Ellis & Oscar Toney, Jr ''Over At Mary's Place'', 2008


==Singles==
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
{| class="wikitable"
! width="28" rowspan="2"| Year
! width="28" rowspan="2"| Year
! width="150" rowspan="2"| Title
! width="150" rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="2"| Chart Positions<ref name=amg/><ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gpfoxqr5ldke~T51 Billboard Singles], Allmusic.com</ref>
! colspan="2"| Chart Positions<ref name=amg/>
|-
|-
! width="86"| <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Pop Singles]]</small>
! width="86"| <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Pop Singles]]</small>
! width="86"| <small>US Black Singles</small>
! width="86"| <small>US R&B Singles</small>
|-
|-
| 1967
| 1967
| "For Your Precious Love"
| "For Your Precious Love"
|align="center"| 23
! #23
|align="center"| 4
! #4
|-
|-
| 1967
| 1967
| "Turn On Your Love Light"
| "Turn On Your Love Light"
|align="center"| 65
! #65
|align="center"| 37
! #37
|-
|-
| 1968
| 1968
| "Never Get Enough of Your Love"
| "Never Get Enough of Your Love"
|align="center"| 95
! #95
|align="center"| -
! -
|-
|-
| 1968
| 1968
| "Without Love (There Is Nothing)"
| "Without Love (There Is Nothing)"
|align="center"| 90
! #90
|align="center"| 47
! #47
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.soulexpress.net/oscartoneyjr_discography.htm The complete Oscar Toney Jr discography at Soul Express]
*[http://www.soulexpress.net/oscar_toney.htm An interview with Soul Express in 2000]
*[http://www.soulexpress.net/deep3_2017.htm#oscartoney A short chat with Oscar in 2017 at Soul Express]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Toney, Oscar}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Toney, Oscar Jr.}}
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:Alabama musicians]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:Singers from Alabama]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Selma, Alabama]]

Latest revision as of 19:50, 25 March 2024

Oscar Toney Jr. (born 26 May 1939, Selma, Alabama, United States) is an American soul singer.[1]

Career

[edit]

Toney was raised in Columbus, Georgia, United States, and sang gospel in churches while young. In his teens, he joined a gospel group called The Sensational Melodies of Joy, and after this joined secular group called The Searchers (no relation to The Searchers), who released a few singles between 1958 and 1961.[1] In 1964, Toney released a solo single, "Can it All Be Love", on King Records, but did not garner any widespread notice.[1]

Toney then began working with the record producer Papa Don Schroeder, who used Toney as a backup replacement for James & Bobby Purify when one of the two singers was unavailable for a live performance. Schroeder had Toney signed to Bell Records in 1967, and his first single, a cover of "For Your Precious Love" by Jerry Butler & the Impressions, was produced by Chips Moman.[1] The tune would be the first and most successful of Toney's four chart hits.[1] His last single was 1969's "Down in Texas" b/w "Aint That True Love", which failed to chart, and Toney left Bell when Schroeder quit the music industry.

Toney toured the UK a few times during the 1960s, brought to England by agents Henry Sellers and Danny O`Donavan. He insisted after his first tour to have the same backing band which was Merlin Q from London. Merlin Q were Dave Kerr-Clemenson on bass, Andy Locke and Wally Scott on guitars Eddie Richards on drums and Denis White on Hammond. After their first rehearsal at the Q club in Paddington Oscar said to Sellers "you said they were good but not that good". The tour included all the Northern soul venues, such as Twisted Wheel Club in Manchester and Golden Torch in Tunstall. After the last tour Dave, Andy Wally and Eddie went on to become Edison Lighthouse.

In 1970, Toney released a single, "Down on My Knees", on Capricorn Records, but the tune did not chart; three more singles, all flops, followed on Capricorn, which dropped the singer in 1973.[2]

Toney's career was tenuous in America, but the British love for Northern soul resulted in a second wind. Later in the 1970s, he was signed to the British record label Contempo Records for six singles and an album, yet none of these sold well,[1] and in the 1980s Toney left the secular industry to focus on gospel again.

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • For Your Precious Love (Bell Records, 1967) U.S. #192, US R&B Albums #27
  • I've Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now!, 1975
  • Make It Easy On yourself!, 1975
  • Papa Don's Preacher, 1988
  • Oscar's Winners, 1998
  • Oscar Toney, Jr. Resurfaces!, 2000
  • Guilty of Loving You (BGR Records, 2001)

Collaboration: Cliff Ellis & Oscar Toney, Jr Over At Mary's Place, 2008

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Chart Positions[2]
US Pop Singles US R&B Singles
1967 "For Your Precious Love" 23 4
1967 "Turn On Your Love Light" 65 37
1968 "Never Get Enough of Your Love" 95 -
1968 "Without Love (There Is Nothing)" 90 47

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 1183. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. ^ a b "Oscar Toney, Jr. | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
[edit]
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