The Valadiers from Detroit consisted of Stuart Avig (Lead), Martin Coleman (Lead, Bass, Baritone), Art Glasser (Second Tenor) aand Jerry Light (Bass, Baritone).
They recorded....
-Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam) / Take A Chance. Miracle records-1961.
-While I'm Away / Because I Love Her. Gordy records-1962.
-I Found A Girl / You'll Be Sorry Someday. Gordy records-1963.
Unreleased 1961 Miracle record sides...
-Nothing Is Going to Change It / Somebody Help Me Find My Baby.
Biography...
The Valadiers formed in Detroit, MI, in 1959; Stuart Avig (lead), Martin Coleman (lead, bass, baritone), and Art Glasser (second tenor) went to Oak Park High, and Jerry Light (bass, baritone) attended Detroit Mumford. Early influences include Jerry Butler & the Impressions, the Dells, the Flamingoes, and Jackie Wilson. They auditioned at Hitsville USA one day after high school, secured a three-year contract, and became Motown's first white group.
Their initial recording session produced "Nothing Is Going to Change It," and "Somebody Help Me Find My Baby," which Motown shelved. Nothing happened until their next session that produced the self-written "Greetings, (This Is Uncle Sam)," and "Take a Chance." The Valadiers wrote "Greetings" and it became very popular on the East coast and the Midwest. It has been rated as the 100th best Motown track ever recorded!
The Valadiers appeared in Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Flint, Baltimore, Washington, and other cities with the top names in R&B. On a memorable show at the Cleveland Arena with Marv Johnson, the Isley Brothers, and Wilbert Harrison, the blue-eyed soul singers received a louder ovation than the Isleys. They enjoyed playing hometown spots like the 20 Grand Lounge and the Graystone Ballroom. Lead, Stuart Avig, a 5'4" dynamo, had a voice that was a cross between Jackie Wilson and Smokey Robinson; his show-stopping voice and demeanor wowed audiences.
The Valadiers' next recordings appeared on the Gordy label, "When I'm Away", "Because I Love Her" and "I Found a Girl". These songs were hits, but neither as successful as Greetings. By 1964 The Valadiers disbanded and lead singer Stuart Avig went on to pursue a solo career. Stuart cut 2 solo tracks at Golden World Records as Stuart Ames, "King For A Day" and "Oh Angelina".
After that experience Stuart sang around town in various clubs solo, or as the Valadiers, when he could assemble a group. Coleman concentrated on songwriting; B.M.I. lists 38 songs by him, but he wrote more. His biggest was "If This Is Love (Than I'd Rather Be Lonely)" by the Precisions on Drew Records. He wrote and arranged for Detroit's Top Dog label, owned by Artie Fields, and remained with the company until it folded after 11 single releases. --Andrew Hamilton
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