The Agents

A quintet from West Philadelphia that formed around 1962, they were originally called the Fabulous Agents, they shortened the moniker when they recorded "You're Everything" b/w "You Were Meant For Me" (1965) on P&L Records. The lineup consisted of Nat Williams (lead), Kenneth Davis (first tenor), Warren Lundy (baritone/bass), Jimmy Downs (second baritone), and Norman Bowen (second tenor). The release did nothing except get a few local spins on radio stations WHAT and WDAS. Their final release, "Trouble" b/w "The Love I Had," came out on Liberty Bell Records; Ronnie Walker co-wrote both songs, but the results again were disappointing and except for some unreleased tracks, the Agents' recordings came to an abrupt halt. Jimmy Downs was murdered in West Philadelphia; disheartened over the tragedy, the Agents stop gigging and even trying. They didn't perform again for 20 years, emerging from hibernation only when DJ Charlie Horner requested they sing on his radio show. The highlights of their career include a few gigs in Philly with Ronnie Walker, where they performed hit songs by other groups. The Agents have five tracks on the CD Philly Soul, Vol. 1 on Philly Archives Records. ~ Andrew Hamilton