Forget the rules about child labor. There have always been child stars, actors, dancers, singers, not old enough to vote, but filled with talent. Who was the first middle school-aged R&B star? In 1956, a 13-year-old singer from New York City had a hit R&B record that was No. 1 for five straight weeks. Frankie Lymon, with his group the Teenagers, started a trend that went on for years featuring very young singers.
Other vocal groups like the appropriately named School Boys, Students, and the Juniors all featured pre-teen lead singers. By the way, Jimmy Castor of The Juniors would become a major R&B artist in later years as a full-fledged grown up.
Over in Detroit in the 60s, Little Stevie Wonder had his first hit when he was just 12 years old.
In Chicago, a group of young siblings from a family named the Burkes was discovered by Curtis Mayfield, who created a label for the group and produced their first records. The Five Stairsteps, with all the beautiful harmony, featured the lead voice of young Clarence Burke, Jr.
The Five Stairsteps influenced another family in nearby Gary, Indiana. The Jacksons started making records on a local Gary label called Steel Town. Michael Jackson was their lead singer and at the time he was only 10 years old. The Jackson 5 were soon signed to Motown where they became instant superstars with their first hit single, “I Want You Back,” in 1969. By then Michael was 11.
Another one of the youngest singers ever to have an R&B hit was Foster Sylvers of the Sylvers family group from Memphis, Tennessee. Other middle school-aged R&B singers followed the Jacksons. From Chicago, Brighter Side of Darkness had a hit in 1972 called “Love Jones.”
There were other groups too, like the Classic Sullivans, and later, the Boys, and Stacy Lattisaw. When it comes to talent, there are no age restrictions.
Listen to the segment, above.
Recommended listening:
“Out in the Cold Again” by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
“I'm So Young” by the Students
“Sunset” by Little Stevie Wonder
“Danger She's a Stranger” by the Five Stairsteps
“Who's Lovin' You” by the Jackson 5
“Wish That I Could Talk to You” by the Sylvers
“Love Jones” by Brighter Side of Darkness
“Dial My Heart” by the Boys
Deep cuts:
“Big Boy” by the Jackson 5 (Michael's first lead)
“Shame, Shame, Shame” by the Classic Sullivans
