— THE ELGINS —

1962-1967

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The Elgins were an American vocal group on the Motown label, active from the late 1950s to 1967. Their most successful record was “Heaven Must Have Sent You”, a song written and produced by the Holland–Dozier–Holland team, which was a hit single in the US in 1966, and in the UK when reissued in 1971.

Founding members Robert Fleming, Johnny Dawson, Cleo “Duke” Miller and Norman McLean recorded together for various small labels in Detroit prior to their Motown days, as The Sensations, The Five Emeralds, and The Downbeats, and also recorded as The Downbeats for Motown in 1962. The record company suggested that they add female lead vocalist Saundra Mallett, who had recorded unsuccessfully for the label, backed by The Vandellas; she later married and became Saundra Edwards.

The new group’s first single release was “Put Yourself In My Place”, issued in December 1965; early copies credited the record to The Downbeats, but Berry Gordy wanted to use the name Elgins, which had previously been one of the names used by The Temptations. The record rose to no. 4 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its B-side, “Darling Baby”, also made the Hot 100.

Several months later, they issued “Heaven Must Have Sent You”, which again reached both the R&B and pop charts, becoming their biggest pop hit. They also released an album, Darling Baby. However, their follow-up single, “I Understand My Man”, was less successful, and the group broke up in 1967.

With the continuing popularity of Motown records in the UK fueled by the Northern Soul scene, “Heaven Must Have Sent You” was reissued in 1971 and peaked at no. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. “Put Yourself In My Place” was also reissued and made the chart. With Saundra Mallett Edwards being unwilling to rejoin the group, the Elgins toured the UK with former session vocalist Yvonne Vernee Allen taking her place. One of Yvonne Vernee’s solo singles from the 60’s, “Just Like You Did Me”, also became popular on the Northern Soul scene, especially at Wigan Casino Soul Allnighters. Vernee also recorded some material with The Elgins at Motown, but none of it saw release.

In the photo above, the original V.I.P. artists consisted of (standing) Duke Miller, Saundra Mallet, Johnny Dawson and Norman McLean (kneeling).

Saundra Mallet passed away in 2002.

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Source: The Elgins; Wikipedia

The above featured V.I.P. Recording Artists (Motown) promotional photograph was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks