Lee Andrews & the Hearts were one of the first doo-wop groups to form in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, America. Their ballads were emotionally rich and their vocal harmonies seamless. They along with other doo-wop groups in the 1950s and early 1960s participated in the iconic dop-wop scene. They saw significant national recognition during the late 1950s and became famous for the hit songs released around that time. Lead singer Lee Andrew’s smooth tenor voice characterized the group’s sound, which blended gospel music and R&B in a way that shaped America’s pop and R&B music for decades to come.
In the beginning, the group was made up of five different people: Andrews as the lead vocalist and Roy Calhoun as first tenor, Thomas “Butch” Curry as second tenor, Ted Weems as baritone, and Wendell Calhoun as bass. Andrews was born on June 2, 1936, in Goldsboro, North Carolina as Arthur Lee Andrews Thompson. He was the son of Beachy Thompson, a known member of the gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. This provided Lee with a wonderful musical upbringing. Eventually, the whole family moved to Philadelphia, which allowed Lee to start the Hearts with neighborhood friends.
Under the guidance of the well-known radio DJ Kae Williams, the group began to local performances and talent contests, earning recognition for their captivating harmonies and emotional performances. They started recording in the mid 1950s, releasing to independents and majors like Gotham, Rainbow, Chess, United Artists, and Lost Nite Records. Their big break came in 1957 with the heart-wrenching ballad “Long Lonely Nights” which became a national hit peaking at #45 on the Billboard Pop chart and #11 on the R&B chart.
With that success, they released “Tear Drops” in 1958, arguably the group’s most popular song. It was a deeply emotional tribute to love and loss that reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B chart, cementing the group in doo-wop history. Later that year, they had another hit with “Try the Impossible” which reached #33 on pop showcasing the blend of raw emotions and commercial appeal the group was capable of.
The shifts in record labels and the ever-changing musical trends of the 1960s partly contributed to Lee Andrews & the Hearts not achieving commercial superstardom. However, the band’s music was timeless and marked with vocal artistry that was heartfelt. They were able to record and perform into the 1960s and beyond, albeit with many shifts in the core group surrounding Andrews.
He carried on with performing, even as the doo-wop genre lost its popularity. He went solo, but continued to perform under the group’s name. Alongside this, he was also a devoted husband who left behind a wonderful musical legacy.. Questlove, his son, became the drummer and bandleader of The Roots. Additionally, another of his children, Donn T, made a name for herself as a singer-songwriter.
He passed away on March 16, 2016 at the age of 79, but is still remembered for his significant contribution to American popular music. He, alongside the rest of the members, has left a mark as one of the lead vocal groups during the doo-wop era. They were a source of inspiration for a multitude of vocal harmony groups that emerged later.
Contents
Top Songs
- Tear Drops (1958) – Their most successful single, reaching #20 Pop and #4 R&B, a haunting ballad of heartbreak and despair.
- Long Lonely Nights (1957) – A major breakthrough hit that introduced their lush harmony-driven style to a wider audience.
- Try the Impossible (1958) – A romantic and emotionally resonant track that climbed to #33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Island of Love (1961) – A later entry that captured their signature sound, infused with a gentle Caribbean flair.
- Just Suppose (1963) – A fan favorite from their Lost Nite recordings, demonstrating their consistent vocal blend.
Discography
Studio Album
- Dean Tyler Presents Lee Andrews and the Hearts – Live on Stage (1965, Lost Nite Records)
Compilation Albums
- The Very Best of Lee Andrews and the Hearts (2002, Collectables Records)
Selected Singles (chronological)
- “Maybe You’ll Be There” (1954) – Rainbow Records
- “Long Lonely Nights” (1957) – Chess Records (#45 Pop / #11 R&B)
- “Tear Drops” (1958) – Chess Records (#20 Pop / #4 R&B)
- “Try the Impossible” (1958) – United Artists (#33 Pop)
- “Why Do I” (1958) – United Artists
- “Glad to Be Here” (1958) – United Artists
- “Island of Love” (1961) – Crimson Records
- “The White Cliffs of Dover” (1962) – Lost Nite Records
- “Just Suppose” (1963) – Lost Nite Records
- “Bluebird of Happiness” (1963) – Lost Nite Records
- “Lonely Room” (1963) – Lost Nite Records
- “Nobody’s Home” (1964) – Lana Records
- “Quiet as It’s Kept” (1966) – RCA Victor
- “Sippin’ on a Cup of Coffee” (1967) – Dionn Records
- “Cold Gray Dawn” (1968) – Lost Nite Records
- “Can’t Do Without You” (1968) – Lost Nite Records
- “Long, Lonely Nights” (1973 reissue) – Chess Records
- “I’ve Had It” (1998) – Goldmine Soul Supply
- “Not My Girl” (2000) – T. B. Super Soul
Top Albums
- Live on Stage (1965) – Though not a studio LP, this live recording showcases the group’s stage presence and vocal consistency.
- The Very Best of Lee Andrews and the Hearts (2002) – A definitive compilation that preserves their biggest hits and deep cuts for new generations.
Awards & Legacy
While Lee Andrews & the Hearts did not accumulate major mainstream music awards, their legacy is recognized through continued reverence in doo-wop and R&B circles. Their songs have been included in numerous doo-wop anthologies, and their influence is evident in the vocal stylings of later R&B and pop groups.
Legacy Honors:
- Featured in multiple doo-wop retrospectives and compilations.
- Influenced acts like The Spinners, The Stylistics, and even elements of modern R&B harmony groups.
- Celebrated by Questlove, who has cited his father’s career as instrumental in shaping his own musical path.
Lee Andrews & the Hearts are remembered as a vital link in the chain of American vocal group history, bridging gospel roots, street-corner harmonies, and polished R&B with a soulful sincerity that continues to resonate today.
Lee Andrews and the Hearts – Singles List
| Year | Title | Label | B-Side | Notes / Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Maybe You’ll Be There | Rainbow Records | Baby Come Back | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1957 | Long Lonely Nights | Chess Records | The Clock | U.S. Pop #45, R&B #11 |
| 1958 | Tear Drops | Chess Records | Girl Around the Corner | U.S. Pop #20, R&B #4 |
| 1958 | Try the Impossible | United Artists Records | — | U.S. Pop #33 |
| 1958 | Why Do I | United Artists Records | — | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1958 | Maybe You’ll Be There (reissue) | United Artists Records | All I Ask Is Love | U.S. Soul |
| 1958 | Together Again | Gowen Records | My Lonely Room | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1958 | Glad to Be Here | United Artists Records | — | — |
| 1961 | Island of Love | Crimson Records | Oh My Love | U.S. Soul |
| 1962 | The White Cliffs of Dover | Lost Nite Records | Much Too Much | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1962 | Bells of St. Mary | Lost Nite Records | Much Too Much | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1963 | Just Suppose | Lost Nite Records | It’s Me | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1963 | Bluebird of Happiness | Lost Nite Records | Show Me the Merengue | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1963 | Lonely Room | Lost Nite Records | Leona | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1964 | Nobody’s Home | Lana Records | Try the Impossible | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1966 | Quiet as It’s Kept | RCA Victor | You’re Taking a Long Time Coming Back | U.S. Soul |
| 1967 | Nevertheless | Lost Nite Records | Island of Love | U.S. Soul |
| 1967 | Sippin’ on a Cup of Coffee | Dionn Records | — | U.S. Soul, Co-written with The Ordells |
| 1968 | Cold Gray Dawn | Lost Nite Records | All You Can Do | U.S. Soul |
| 1968 | Can’t Do Without You | Lost Nite Records | Oh My Love | U.S. Soul |
| 1973 | Long, Lonely Nights (reissue) | Chess Records | Teardrops | U.S. Doo Wop |
| 1998 | I’ve Had It | Goldmine Soul Supply | She’s Wanted | U.S. Soul |
| 2000 | Not My Girl | T.B. Super Soul | I’ve Had It | U.S. Soul |