The Persuasions - 45 Years of Harmony

The Persuasions may not have invented the all-vocal style of music known as a cappella, but the Brooklyn, New York-based quintet has proudly carried the torch for the genre for 45 years. And while the group has never had a Top-40 hit, won a Grammy, or appeared on MTV, the music of the Persuasions has had a major influence on popular music.

For decades the group’s unique style has been highly regarded not only by fans, but also by an eclectic who's who of musical artists that includes Frank Zappa, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, the Neville Brothers, and B.B. King.

In a recent interview, founding member Jimmy Hayes said it was “divine intervention” that brought the original group together in 1962. Hayes had left Hopewell, Virginia at age 17 to move to New York for a career in show business.

“None of us knew each other. We didn't go to high school together. None of us were New Yorkers,” he said. “We all hung out at the same basketball court. We would play a little basketball and then somebody would hit up a song and everybody would join in.

"Out of all those voices – 25 or 30 guys – you could hear some that knew harmony. So one night, I just said ‘Listen man, this is my address. Why don't you guys stop by my house, and let’s rehearse tonight?’”

Only four guys showed up at Hayes's house that night - those four guys [along with Hayes] became the Persuasions – Jerry Lawson, Joe Russell, Jayotis Washington, and Herbert “Toubo” Rhodes.

“We developed this sound, and it just sounded good,” Hayes says. “Every night we were singing on a street corner or at a subway station and crowds used to gather ’round and tell us, ‘Hey man, you guys don't need no band.’”

The group’s performances moved from street corners and subway stations, to parties, to clubs. Their first commercial break came in 1968. The group was performing at a record store in Jersey City, NJ. The performance was being piped outside to the sidewalk and David Dashev [who later became the group's manager] happened to walk by and hear it. Dashev approached the group, saying he knew a guy in California who might be interested in giving them a recording contract. Dashev made a phone call and asked the Persuasions to sing over the phone. Listening on the other end of the line was Frank Zappa.

Zappa was sent a tape of the group and a few weeks later, the Persuasions were on their way to California to record their first album. Since then, the Persuasions have recorded for a variety of major and independent labels. They have recorded some original songs, but are best known as a group that can cover any style of music. Their catalog includes blues, rock, jazz, country, and tribute albums to the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, and U2.

Occasionally, the Persuasions have even recorded with a full band.

“We recorded a single on United Artist label featuring two original songs that Jayotis wrote,” Hayes said. “The songs were great, but we found that we were singing the same notes that the band was playing. For example, the baseline that the guitar was playing, I was singing. We were just clashing with each other. And over the years there've been a few other record companies that have done a few things with us as far as instrumentation, but they say stick with what you do best, and a cappella is what we do best.”

Since 1962, the Persuasions have only lost two of their original members. Herbert “Toubo” Rhodes passed away in 1988, and Jerry Lawson left group in 2003 to pursue a solo career. Ray Sanders and Reggie Moore have joined Hayes, Russell, and Washington in the group.

In March, the Persuasions plan to head back into the studio to record a new album. While their last few releases have been tributes to individual artists [The Persuasions Sing U2 was released in 2005], Hayes says the group would like to record a variety of covers and original material.

“We are thinking about calling in some of the people we have worked with over the years, and asking them if they would appear on our CD,” he says. “We've played with some beautiful people.”

While a cappella has never enjoyed a mainstream following, Hayes says in recent years he's seen a renewal in its popularity due to its availability on Internet music sites and satellite radio. He says the Persuasions enjoy playing college venues, because it gives them an opportunity to introduce a cappella music to a younger audience.

“At one time, it kind of died out and we kind of revived it,” Hayes says. “If we can attract young kids who are interested in a cappella, I feel that that's a feather in our cap. This is something we've kept alive, and people are beginning to realize the importance of it.”