The Students
The Students were an American doo-wop vocal group, which formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, in 1957. Although they only released four sides, two of them – "I'm So Young" and "Every Day of the Week" – became doo-wop standards. "I'm So Young" in particular became popular and durable, and has been covered by the Beach Boys, Rosie and the Originals, The Ronettes and Kid Kyle and "The Students".
The Students won the second-place prize at the amateur talent show at the Apollo Theater in New York City in 1956. Their winning song, "Jenny Lee", was later released as the B-side of a song by the Heartbreakers on Fordham Records in 1964.
Both "I'm So Young" and "Every Day of the Week" were written by William H. "Prez" Tyus, Jr., a local Cincinnati high schooler. Tyus wrote the songs and gave them to a local African-American vocal group called the D'Italians. After the group secured a recording contract with Checker Records, they renamed themselves the Students, and it was under this name that Tyus's two songs were recorded.
On May 29, 1961, the Students original of "I'm So Young" on Argo Records, reached No. 26 on the US Billboard R&B chart.
On their recordings, all lead vocal parts were undertaken by Leroy King.
William "Prez" Tyus died On December 23, 2022.
Members
- Leroy King, lead vocals
- Dorsey Porter, first tenor
- Roy Ford, second tenor
- John Bolden, baritone
- Richard Johnson, bass
- Ralph Byrd, guitar
Discography
- 109 "Jenny Lee" - 1964
- RT100 "Mommy and Daddy" / "My Heart Is An Open Door" - 1958
- 10012 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1958
- 10013 "Wazoo!!" / "Shuffle Stroll" - Jimmy Coe Orchestra - 1958
- 10019 "My Vow To You" / "That's How I Feel" - 1959
- Checker Records
- *9024 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1958
- *1004 "My Vow To You" / "That's How I Feel" - 1962
- *9024 "I'm So Young" / "My Vow To You" - 1973
- Argo Records
- *5386 "I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1961
- Cadet Records
- *5386 I'm So Young" / "Every Day Of The Week" - 1964