The Four Sonics

Based in Detroit, the Four Sonics were formed in the late '60s, by veteran bass singer Jay Johnson. In the pre-Motown era, Johnson had established himself as one of the finest bass singers in Detroit. He was a member of Detroit's legendary Nolan Strong & the Diablos and can be heard on their Fortune recordings from late 1956 on. While at Fortune, he also recorded with Andre Williams' "New" group, and can be heard as the dominant bass voice on Nathaniel Mayer's big hit "Village of Love." In the early '60s when the Diablos were coming unglued as a group, Jay headed east to New Jersey, hoping to find greater success in the metro New York City area with his Velvet Angels group consisting of Johnson, former Diablos associate Willie Hunter, Bobby Calhoun, and Cy Iverson. Although the group was talented, they had personnel issues and by 1964, decided to end the Velvet Angels. They became somewhat of a legend in the doo wop community after some of their a cappella practice tapes were sold and later issued on the Medieval record label. When they left New Jersey, Calhoun headed south and by his account did some work with Stax. Iverson, Hunter, and Johnson all returned to Detroit. After his return to the Motor City, Johnson spent some time singing with a group called the Five Monarchs, but never recorded with them. Still hoping to achieve a major success in the music field, once again Johnson decided to form his own group, and so, the Four Sonics were born. At its inception the Four Sonics were made up of Bill Frazier (tenor lead), Steve Gaston (tenor), Eddie Daniels (baritone), and Jay Johnson (bass). The group recorded for Andrew Harris at his "Super Sonic Sound" Studio, from which the group derived their Four Sonics name. They had two releases in 1968 on Harris' Sport label. The first of these was issued as Sport 110 "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (which Dusty Springfield also sang) backed with "It Takes Two" (featuring some nice bass work by Johnson). This release was to be quickly followed by Sport 111 "The Greatest Love" (written by Johnson along with Anita Watson and led by Bill Frazier) b/w "Easier Said Than Done," led by Eddie Daniels. The Four Sonics performed extensively and headlined many shows in the Detroit area. The original Four Sonics grew by adding another "Sonic", Johnny Dixon. But rather than re-naming the group "the Five Sonics", they chose the more creative name, "Four Sonics + 1". According to Johnson, Johnny Dixon had an enormous singing range, going from baritone to soprano. In 1968, as the Four Sonics + 1 , they recorded one single on the Sepia label, "Tell Me You're Mine" backed with "Lost Without You." Although Johnson had formed the Four Sonics, there were some internal problems. As a result, there was also another release by the Four Sonics on Triple "B" at a time when Johnson was not singing with the group. The tunes on this release were "Blue Velvet" and "Where Are You" (with Dixon on lead) Going into the '70s, there were more changes for the group. Dixon, Daniels, and Gaston departed, to be replaced by Vernon Williams (Satintones, Royal Holidays, and the Pyramids) and Sylvester Potts (Contours). Later, Bill Frazier left the group and was replaced by Gloria Sykes. This Four Sonics group issued one record on the JMC label, "There's No Love" and "If It Wasn't for My Baby." Four Sonics records continue to be a staple in the diet of Northern soul collectors. Jay Johnson and Vernon Williams are still working together, writing, arranging, and performing as a duo. ~ Jim Dunn & Nikki Gustafson