The group was formed in Harlem, New York in 1964 as a trio called the Poets, composed of lead singer Donald McPherson, Luther Simmons, Jr., and Panama-born Tony Silvester. They made their first recordings for Leiber & Stollers Red Bird label, but soon changed their name to the Insiders and signed with RCA. After a couple of singles, they changed their name once again in 1968, this time permanently to the Main Ingredient, taking the name from a Coke bottle. The Main Ingredient then teamed up with record producer Bert DeCoteaux. Under his direction, the Main Ingredient reached the R&B Top 30 for the first time in 1970 with Youve Been My Inspiration. A cover of The Impressions Im So Proud broke the Top 20, and Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love) went into the Top 10. They scored again with the McPherson-penned black power anthem Black Seeds Keep on Growing, but tragedy struck in 1971:Don McPherson, who had suddenly taken ill with leukemia, died unexpectedly. Stunned,Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons regrouped with new lead singer Cuba Gooding, Sr., who had served as a backing vocalist on some of their previous recordings and had filled in on tour during McPhersons brief illness.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:15:16 +0000
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