Born in Malden, Massachusetts in the 1920’s to Russian Jewish
immigrants from the Ukraine, the Urick brothers became the Ames
Brothers, Vic, Joe, Gene & Ed offering a harmony few could match
during their decade of Hit Parade chart toppers in the 1950’s.
A career that began in Boston nightclubs, they soon had a recording
contract with Coral records. But it was not until 1950 before their
two sided #1 hit “Rag Mop,” and “Sentimental Me” brought them
to the attention of most Americans.
Next came “Undecided,” “Can Anyone Explain,” “Hawaiian War Chant,”
“The Man with the Banjo,” “You, You, You,” “It Only Hurts for a
Little While,” “The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane,” “My Bonnie Lassie,”
“Tammy,” “Melodie D’Amour,” and “A Very Precious Love.”
On his own Ed Ames had his own run as a successful actor
on Broadway, on the Daniel Boone TV series and as a regular on the
Johnny Carson TV show. His “My Cup Runneth Over”
was a top ten hit in 1967.
The Ames Brothers performed in most major night clubs
from Ciro’s in Hollywood to the Roxy Theatre in New York, and appeared
as regular TV guests of Milton Berle, Perry Como, Jackie Gleason,
and Ed Sullivan. Billboard magazine named them Best Vocal group of 1958.

 
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