He is a singer often known as “Tony” from Washington DC who is a member of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.
He first knew about the group as a child when he heard their songs and around 1969 he often worked as their opening act with his group The Wonders, who Harold Melvin became the manager of. He remained friends with Harold until his untimely death from a stroke in 1997.
Tony had taken time off from performing in the ‘80s/’90s following the death of his wife, but was approached by Harold Melvin’s widow in the late 1990s and asked to join the group she was putting together to keep her husband’s memory and his music alive. Tony has been a member of The Blue Notes ever since.
His many performances with them include such highlights as touring Japan on several occasions, giving performances in South Africa for the Apartheid Anniversary, at the 2009 Super Bowl and at President Obama’s Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball.
Recordings he has appeared on with The Blue Notes include The ‘70s Soul Jam, Vol 1., Vol. 2 and Vol. 3.
Here he is with The Blue Notes performing “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”…..
Sources:
- http://haroldmelvinbluenotes.com/html/bio.html
- http://haroldmelvinbluenotes.com/html/highlights.html
- http://www.northeasttimes.com/2004/0212/rita.html
- http://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/article_0e1452c2-2859-5519-be61-ec26afd4c142.html
- http://www.rockawave.com/news/2005-02-18/Community/017.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Melvin_&_the_Blue_Notes
- http://www.answers.com/topic/the-70s-soul-jam-vol-3
- http://www.shopwiki.com/70s+Soul+Jam