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Ink Spots

The Ink Spots were an American pop vocal group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Their unique musical style predated the rhythm and blues and rock and roll musical genres, and the subgenre doo-wop. The Ink Spots were widely accepted in both the white and black communities, largely due to the ballad style introduced to the group by lead singer Bill Kenny.

In 1989, the Ink Spots (Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, Jerry Daniels and Orville Jones) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1999 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Since the Ink Spots disbanded in 1954, there have been well over a hundred vocal groups calling themselves "The Ink Spots", with and without any original members of the group. It has often been the case that these groups claimed to be "second generation" or "third generation" Ink Spots.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1932, Died Ceased 1954

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1935 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-87269 10-in. 1/4/1935 Swinging on the strings Ink Spots Jazz/dance ensemble, with male vocal quartet Musical group  
Victor BS-87270 10-in. 1/4/1935 Your feet's too big Ink Spots Jazz/dance ensemble, with male vocal quartet Musical group  
Victor BS-87271 10-in. 1/4/1935 Don't 'low no swingin' in here Ink Spots Jazz/dance ensemble, with male vocal quartet Musical group  
Victor BS-87272 10-in. 1/4/1935 Swing, gate, swing Ink Spots Jazz/dance ensemble, with male vocal quartet Musical group  
Decca 61104 10-in. 5/12/1936 Your feet's too big Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61105 10-in. 5/12/1936 T'ain't nobody's biz-ness if I do Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61188 10-in. 6/18/1936 Stompin' at the savoy Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61189 10-in. 6/18/1936 Old Joe's hittin' the jug Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61190 10-in. 6/18/1936 Keep away from my doorstep Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61191 10-in. 6/18/1936 Christopher Columbus Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61581 10-in. 2/5/1937 Alabama barbecue Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61582 10-in. 2/5/1937 Don't let old age creep up on you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61583 10-in. 2/5/1937 With plenty of money and you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 61584 10-in. 2/5/1937 Yes Suh! Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 62120 10-in. 4/9/1937 Whoa babe! Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 62121 10-in. 4/9/1937 Let's call the whole thing off Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 62122 10-in. 4/9/1937 Swing high, swing low Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 62123 10-in. 4/9/1937 Slap that bass Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 63494 10-in. 3/25/1938 Oh! Red Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 63495 10-in. 3/25/1938 That cat is high Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 63813 10-in. 5/19/1938 I wish you the best of everything Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 63814 10-in. 5/19/1938 When the sun goes down Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 64485 10-in. 8/31/1938 Pork chops and gravy Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 64486 10-in. 8/31/1938 Brown gal Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 64891 10-in. 1/12/1939 If I didn't care Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 64892 10-in. 1/12/1939 Just for a thrill Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 64893 10-in. 1/12/1939 Knock-sneed Sal Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 65584 10-in. 5/17/1939 It's funny to everyone but me Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66118 10-in. 8/17/1939 You bring me down Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66119 10-in. 8/17/1939 I don't want sympathy, I want love Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66120 10-in. 8/17/1939 Address unknown Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66121 10-in. 8/17/1939 Coquette Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66463 10-in. 10/3/1939 Memories of you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66464 10-in. 10/3/1939 Puttin' and takin' Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66608 10-in. 9/18/1939 My prayer Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66609 10-in. 9/18/1939 Give her my love Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66737 10-in. 10/6/1939 Thoughtless Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66738 10-in. 10/6/1939 I'm through Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66739 10-in. 10/6/1939 What can I do? Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 66752 10-in. 10/11/1939 I'm gettin' sentimental over you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67718 10-in. 5/13/1940 When the swallows come back to Capistrano Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67862 10-in. 6/11/1940 Whispering grass Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67863 10-in. 6/11/1940 Maybe Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67876 10-in. 6/18/1940 You're breaking my heart all over again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67898 10-in. 6/26/1940 Stop pretending Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67899 10-in. 6/26/1940 I'm only human Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67900 10-in. 6/26/1940 You're breaking my heart all over again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67928 10-in. 7/16/1940 We three (My echo, my shadow and me) Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67929 10-in. 7/16/1940 So sorry Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67930 10-in. 7/16/1940 Puttin' and takin' Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67931 10-in. 7/16/1940 Java jive Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67968 10-in. 8/8/1940 I'll never smile again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67969 10-in. 8/8/1940 I could make you care Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67970 10-in. 8/8/1940 Do I worry? Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67990 10-in. 8/20/1940 My greatest mistake Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67991 10-in. 8/20/1940 Don't ever break a promise Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67992 10-in. 8/20/1940 Ring, telephone, ring Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 67999 10-in. 8/21/1940 In the doorway Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68532 10-in. 12/23/1940 So sorry Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68533 10-in. 12/23/1940 Ring, telephone, ring Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68534 10-in. 12/23/1940 You're looking for romance Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68535 10-in. 12/23/1940 I can't stand losing you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68536 10-in. 12/23/1940 That's when your heartaches begin Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68537 10-in. 12/23/1940 I'm still without a sweetheart Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68538 10-in. 12/23/1940 Why didn't you tell me? Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68539 10-in. 12/23/1940 I wish I could say the same Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68540 10-in. 12/30/1940 I'd climb the highest mountain Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68541 10-in. 12/30/1940 What good would it do ? Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68655 10-in. 2/4/1941 Driftwood Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 68656 10-in. 2/4/1941 We'll meet again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69565 10-in. 7/25/1941 Keep cool, fool Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69566 10-in. 7/25/1941 Until the real thing comes along Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69567 10-in. 7/25/1941 Hey Doc! Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69633 10-in. 8/12/1941 It isn't a dream any more Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69634 10-in. 8/12/1941 Nothin' Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69660 10-in. 8/27/1941 I don't want to set the world on fire Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69671 10-in. 8/27/1941 Don't leave now Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69786 10-in. 10/6/1941 Foo-Gee Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69787 10-in. 10/6/1941 Mine, all mine, my my Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69788 10-in. 10/6/1941 I'm not the same old me Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69807 10-in. 10/13/1941 Someone's rocking my dreamboat Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69808 10-in. 10/13/1941 Shout, brother, shout Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69949 10-in. 11/17/1941 It's a sin to tell a lie Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 69950 10-in. 11/17/1941 Is it a sin (my loving you) Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 70762 10-in. 5/19/1942 Don't tell a lie about me, dear Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 70763 10-in. 5/19/1942 Who wouldn't love you? Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 70917 10-in. 6/23/1942 Ev'ry night about this time Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 70918 10-in. 6/23/1942 Knock me a kiss Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71233 10-in. 7/28/1942 Street of dreams Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71234 10-in. 7/28/1942 I'll never make the same mistake again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71235 10-in. 7/28/1942 Just as though you were here Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71236 10-in. 7/28/1942 If I cared a little bit less Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71237 10-in. 7/28/1942 Don't get around much anymore Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71238 10-in. 7/28/1942 This is worth fighting for Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71482 10-in. 11/3/1943 Cow cow boogie (Cuma-ti-yi-yi-ay) Ella Fitzgerald ; Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71514 10-in. 11/17/1943 Don't believe everything you dream Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71609 10-in. 12/22/1943 A lovely way to spend an evening Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71610 10-in. 12/22/1943 I'll get by (as long as I have you) Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 71620 10-in. 1/6/1944 Someday I'll meet you again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 72357 10-in. 8/23/1944 I hope to die if I told a lie Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 72368 10-in. 8/29/1944 I hope to die if I told a lie Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 72369 10-in. 8/29/1944 Maybe it's all for the best Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 72370 10-in. 8/30/1944 Into each life some rain must fall Ella Fitzgerald Musical group  
Decca 72371 10-in. 8/30/1944 I'm making believe Ella Fitzgerald Musical group  
Decca 72746 10-in. 2/26/1945 I'm beginning to see the light Ella Fitzgerald ; Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 72747 10-in. 2/26/1945 That's the way it is Ella Fitzgerald ; Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73057 10-in. 10/2/1945 I'm gonna turn off the teardrops Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73058 10-in. 10/2/1945 I'll lose a friend tomorrow Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73061 10-in. 10/3/1945 The sweetest dream Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73062 10-in. 10/3/1945 Keep on the sunny side Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73063 10-in. 10/3/1945 Just for me Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73387 2/19/1946 The gypsy Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73390 2/21/1946 Everyone is saying hello again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73448 3/18/1946 Prisoner of love Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73449 3/18/1946 I never had a dream come true Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73453 3/18/1946 I cover the waterfront Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73454 3/18/1946 I wasn't made for love Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73677 9/10/1946 Either it's love or it isn't Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73738 11/7/1946 That's where I came in Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73739 11/7/1946 When you come to the end of the day Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73740 11/7/1946 You can't see the sun when you're crying Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73741 11/7/1946 My baby didn't even say goodbye Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73802 2/27/1947 I want to thank your folks Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73803 2/27/1947 Can you look me in the eyes Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73804 2/27/1947 Information please Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73805 2/27/1947 White Christmas Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73806 2/27/1947 Ask anyone who knows Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73807 2/27/1947 Always Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 73814 3/5/1947 Do you feel that way, too? Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74066 8/18/1947 Home is where the heart is Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74067 8/18/1947 Aladdin's lamp Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74068 8/18/1947 Sincerely yours Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74150 11/21/1947 It's all over but the crying Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74151 11/21/1947 I'll make up for everything Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74152 11/21/1947 Sorry you said goodbye Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74157 11/24/1947 I woke up with a teardrop in my eye Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74158 11/24/1947 Wanting you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74159 11/24/1947 If you had to hurt someone Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74385 12/22/1947 Where flamingoes fly Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74394 12/23/1947 Just for now Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74395 12/23/1947 A knock on the door Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74396 12/23/1947 The best things in life are free Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74397 12/23/1947 Don't be sorry Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74454 12/29/1947 To remind me of you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74598 9/14/1948 Say something sweet to your sweetheart Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74599 9/14/1948 You were only fooling Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74608 10/19/1948 Am I asking too much Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74609 10/19/1948 Recess in heaven Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74697 1/19/1949 No orchids for my lady Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74698 1/19/1949 As you desire me Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74699 1/19/1949 Bewildered Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74747 2/7/1949 It only happens once Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 74748 2/7/1949 A kiss and a rose Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75026 6/27/1949 Land of love Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75027 6/27/1949 Who do you know in heaven Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75028 6/27/1949 You're breaking my heart all over again Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75029 6/27/1949 Echoes Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75715 1/16/1950 You left me everything but you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75716 1/16/1950 With my eyes wide open, I'm dreaming Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75717 1/16/1950 Lost in a dream Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 75718 1/16/1950 My reward Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 76908 9/27/1950 Time out for tears Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 76909 9/27/1950 Dream awhile Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80063 10/23/1950 What can you do? Ink Spots ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 80064 10/23/1950 Castles in the sand Ink Spots ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 80065 10/23/1950 If Ink Spots ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 80066 10/23/1950 A friend of Johnny's Ink Spots ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 80291 12/20/1950 Little small town girl Ella Fitzgerald ; Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80292 12/20/1950 I still feel the same about you Ella Fitzgerald ; Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80394 1/17/1951 More of the same sweet you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80395 1/17/1951 A fool grows wise Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80441 1/22/1951 A fool grows wise Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80442 1/22/1951 Tell me you love me Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80551 2/15/1951 Sorry you said goodbye Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80552 2/15/1951 And then I prayed Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80553 2/15/1951 somebody bigger than you and I Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 80554 2/15/1951 Do something for me Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 81324 8/1/1951 I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 81325 8/1/1951 I'm lucky I have you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 81683 10/12/1951 Honest and truly Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 82065 1/3/1952 If I forget you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 82066 1/3/1952 Please Mr. Sun Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82067 1/3/1952 I'm heading back to paradise Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82068 1/3/1952 Do you know what it means to be lonely Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82069 1/3/1952 Did you tell me a lie Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82225 1/30/1952 I counted on you Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 82226 1/30/1952 Don't mind the rain Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 82227 1/30/1952 A bundle from heaven Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 82228 1/30/1952 I must say goodbye Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny ; Sy Oliver Orchestra Musical group  
Decca 82648 4/7/1952 You are happiness Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82649 4/7/1952 You may be the sweetheart of somebody else Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82650 4/7/1952 Under the honeysuckle vine Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82676 4/14/1952 A soldier's rosary-1 Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82677 4/14/1952 Just for today Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82678 4/14/1952 Don't put it off till Sunday Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 82679 4/14/1952 The hand of God-1 Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 83337 9/2/1952 Moonlight mystery Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 83338 9/2/1952 (That's just my way of) Forgetting you Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca 84211 3/27/1953 I keep thinking of you Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 84212 3/27/1953 Who's to blame Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 85122 8/28/1953 When the chimes ring Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 85123 8/28/1953 I believe in the man in the sky Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca 85124 8/28/1953 Vows Ink Spots ; Bill Kenny Musical group  
Decca L 4225 7/8/1946 I get the blues when it rains Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 4226 7/8/1946 To each his own Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 4469 7/16/1947 Just plain love Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 5669 6/15/1950 I was dancing with someone Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 5670 6/15/1950 Sometime Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 5671 6/15/1950 All my life Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 5672 6/15/1950 Right about now Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca L 5673 6/15/1950 The way it used to be Ink Spots Musical group  
Decca TNY 911 10-in. 1/23/1941 Please take a letter, Miss Brown Ink Spots Musical group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Ink Spots," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106451.

Ink Spots. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106451.

"Ink Spots." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106451

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