THE SULTANS_It'll Be Easy

The Sultans were organized in the basement of Charles Woodring in 1959 on Louisville, KY. Michael Woodring started the group and sang with them for eighteen months. He developed ulcers and had to quit. Mr. and Mrs. Woodring continued furnishing the group a place to practice and remained their biggest fans.

Above 1959 picture L to R; Tom "Cosmo" Cosdon, John St. Clair, Ralph Zehnder  & Lenny Whatley.

The line up of the group were Tom "Cosmo" Cosdon (Lead), John St. Clair (Tenor), Ralph Zehnder (Baritone) and Lenny Whatley (Bass), George Fawbush, Lead Guitar; Vince Tabler, Rhythm Guitar, Ronnie Deetch, Sax; Bill Crabb, Bass Guitar and Frank Rush, Drums. they have many personal changes ; Tommy “Cosmo” Cosdon, replaced by Richard Metzger in 1961 and this was replaced by Wayne McDonald in 1963 and for Til  in 1964. Ralph Zehnder replaced by Bill Summitt in 1961. Vince Tabler replaced by George Owens in 1961...Their first paying job was a breakfast at Trinity High School in ‘59. It was after the junior prom and it payed $20. They also frequently played at the VFW’s in St. Matthews.

1959 picture Top : George Fawbush, Ronnie Deetch, Frank Rush & Vince Tabler Bottom : Eddie Hess, Mike Woodring, Tom "Cosmo" Cosdon & Ralph Zehnder.

In 1961 the Sultans recorded their first record on tilt Records_It’ll Be Easy/ You Got Me Goin'. A Side written by Charles Woodring. In the sixties, Mr. Woodring’s songs were recorded by several local artists including_Just Words. by Cosmo_Till I Hear It From You. by the Monarchs, and _Someone Like You. by Eddie Morris. It’ll Be Easy. was the first record by a local artist to go to the number 1 spot on the local charts. It remained in the number 1 position for five weeks and remained on the charts all summer.

The next recordings were...

AS COSMO & THE SULTANS...

-Sweetheart Please Don't Go / Just Words. Tilt Records-1962.

AS THE SULTANS...

-Toss In My Sleep / I Feel Your Love Growing Cold. Jam Records-1962.
-Mary, Mary / How Far Does A Friendship Go. Jam Records-1962.
-Christina / Someone You Can Trust. Guyden Records-1963.
-Poor Boy / Don't Tie Me Down. Jam Records-1964.
-She’s Got It / Stay My Love. Backstage Records-1964.
-Don't You Just Know It / She Loves Me. Afco Records-1965.

Through the sixties the Sultans had a string of local and regional hits. In ‘62, “Toss In My Sleep” went to number 7 on WKLO’s charts. In ‘63, “Mary, Mary” went to number 16 on WAKY. “She’s Got It” and “Poor Boy” also charted locally.

LISTEN...

Below The Sultans in 1962; Richard Metzger,John St. Clair,Bill Summitt,Lenny Whetley,George Owens,Bill Crabb,George Fawbush,Ronnie Deetch, and Frank Rush.