The daily Five@5 celebrates the life of Doo-Wop singer Earl “Speedo” Carroll (The Cadillacs, The Coasters), who was born on Nov. 2 1937.
Lets take a look at some facts:
1. Earl “Speedo” Carroll was born in New York City in Harlem, where he was where he formed his first group after being influenced by acts like The Drifters, The Solitaires and the numerous artists who came to the Apollo theater.
2. Earl “Speedo” Carroll was a member of two legendary groups: The Cadillacs and The Coasters.
3. The Cadillacs were originally known as The Carnations, until their manager Esther Navarro suggested a name change. It was very simple. The guys named themselves after what they felt was the best car in America.
4. The Cadillacs dance steps were coordinated by legendary choreographer Cholly Atkins, who would go on to make the Motown artists famous for their dance steps.
5. In the 1990s, “Speedo” was working as a custodian at PS 87 in New York. When the children found out he was also a legendary singer, they decided to make a children’s book after him titled “That’s Our Custodian.”
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