The Monotones were a six-member American doo-wop vocal group in the 1950s. They are considered a one-hit wonder , as their only hit single was " The Book of Love ", which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1958.
8-611: The Monotones formed in 1955 when the seven original singers, all residents of the Baxter Terrace housing project in Newark, New Jersey , began performing covers of popular songs. They were: Charles Patrick's brother James was originally a member, but he left soon after the group's formation. John Ryanes and Warren Ryanes were also brothers. They all began singing with the New Hope Baptist Choir, directed by Cissy Houston , who
16-629: The book of love" , later working it up into a song with Davis and Malone. In September 1957, they recorded "The Book of Love", which was released on the Mascot label in December that year. The small record company could not cope with its popularity, and it was reissued on Chess Records ' subsidiary Argo label in February 1958. It became a hit, eventually reaching No. 3 on the Billboard R&;B chart and No. 5 on
24-457: The break-up. John Ryanes died in 1972, aged 31, and his brother Warren died in 1982. By 1994, the Monotones consisted of Frankie Smith, George Malone, Carl Foushee, Bernard Ransom, Bernard Brown (died in 2009, aged 62), and Victor Hartsfield. Frankie Smith died in 2000, and George Malone in 2007. (listing incomplete) James M. Baxter Terrace Housing Projects The James M. Baxter Terrace
32-593: The first contracts were signed between the Federal Housing Authority and the city of Newark, Baxter Terrace was among the first projects to be built. The complex was named after James M. Baxter , the principal of the first high school for Black students in Newark. One of the first public housing facilities in the United States , Baxter Terrace was open for 68 years. Through the 1950s, Baxter Terrace remained
40-527: The only majority Black housing project in Newark. The 14 acres of housing was informally segregated, with Black people living on one end, and whites on the other. Many early residents took pride in the community, with one father being cited as writing a theme song for it. A group of teenagers who sang in the Baxter Terrace recreation hall went on to become the Monotones , a doo-wop group. Baxter Terrace
48-500: The pop chart. The record sold over one million copies. It also reached No. 5 in Australia; in the UK , the hit version was a cover version by The Mudlarks . The Monotones recorded a series of novelty follow-ups including "Zombi", and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", but they were not successful. The Monotones disbanded in 1962. Surviving members met to revive "Book of Love" several times after
56-592: Was a public housing complex in Newark , New Jersey . Named after James M. Baxter , it was opened in 1941. It was closed and demolished in 2009 due to social and financial neglect. The housing was partially replaced in 2012 by 90 apartments known by the name of Baxter Park. Under the Federal Housing Act, the Newark Housing Authority was created in 1937. The Housing Authority was tasked with creating affordable housing for low income residents. When
64-499: Was related to the Patrick brothers. The group launched their career with a 1956 appearance on Ted Mack 's Amateur Hour television program, winning first prize for their rendition of The Cadillacs ' "Zoom". Soon afterwards, Charles Patrick was listening to the radio and heard a Pepsodent toothpaste commercial with the line "wonder where the yellow went." From there he got the idea for the line, "I wonder, wonder, wonder who!, who wrote
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