https://themanhattans.wixsite.com/themanhattanslegacy
https://themanhattans.wixsite.com/themanhattanslegacy/in-loving-memory-the-manhattans
CHARLES HARDY
Manhattan Entertainment INC
Business Manager
THE MANHATTANS Introduction Legend has it that George “Smitty” Smith, Edward “Sonny” Bivins, Winfred “Blue” Lovett, Kenneth Kelly and Richard Taylor came to call themselves the Manhattans because, as teenage singers in Jersey City, New Jersey, they’d dream about the big time while gazing across the Hudson River at the Manhattan skyline. It’s a nice story, but unfortunately it is not true. In fact, the quintet took its name from a cocktail known as the Manhattan that’s made from whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Still, the name suggested class, something the Manhattans have epitomized throughout their long career. First tenor Bivins, who characterizes the group’s elegant style as “progressive doo wop,” first got together with baritone singer Taylor while they were serving with the Air Force in Germany during the late 1950’s. After being discharged, Bivins, Lovett and Smith formed the Dulcets in 1960. In 1961, The Dulcets recorded “Pork Chops” on the Sue Label. In 1963, with the addition of Kelly and Taylor, they formed The Manhattans. Although they began making records in 1963, the Manhattans didn’t strike it big until the mid 1970’s, when they successfully bucked the disco trend with a series of romantic ballads for Columbia Records. They had eight songs in the R&B Top 10 between 1973 and 1978, with the composition “Kiss And Say Good Bye” going to Number One on both the R&B and Pop Charts in 1976 and placing in the top five in England and Australia. “Shining Star” made it to number five on the Pop Charts, staying on the charts for 14 straight weeks The Manhattans continue to bring their smooth, classy live sound to their fans, with over 100 shows worldwide last year alone. With Edward “Sonny” Bivins ” , Al Pazant ,Keni Jackson , and Charles “Charming Charlie” Hardy and Harsey “The Candyman” Hemphill , The Manhattans continue to be one of the most sought after live R&B units of the day http://www.themanhattans.net/ Biography of Manhattan Entertainment Inc. We are a Full Service Entertainment Company, which is owned and run by the 5 members of the R&B Group, the Manhattans. They are the Majority stock holders of the company. The company has been in existence since 1995. We provide the services for the Manhattans, which is but not limited to Management, Bookings, Recording, Public Relations, and Ma…Cont.
Charles must have been marked to be in the Entertainment business, his mother (Dorothy) danced on the chorus line at the famous Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater. His godmother Mary Ballard Marcou is the former sister in law of Florence Ballard and his godfather is the Rev. William E. Lee, a great musician and singer in his own right. Rev. Lee was very instrumental in teaching Charles how to use his voice at a young age. He taught him how not to strain or misuse his vocal cords. After a few years of singing in the choir at his godfather’s church, Charles left and began singing Quartet music with the Morning Star Gospel Singers. With the Morning Star’s Charles would Learn a lot about the techniques of being a singer, through the guidance of Robert Smith Sr. Brother Bob, as he was known, taught the group about blending, pitch, harmonies, phrasing, and showmanship, he also was the uncle of (Harsey Hemphill) who was in the group with Charles. While there Charles and Harsey would perfect their craft together and a personal friendship and singing partnership would ensue them up to this date (37 yrs) and counting. After singing gospel for several years he joined a local group called “Sky’s The Limit” with this group he would record under the De- lite record label, the same label as (kool & the Gang, Crown Heights Affair). Charles would leave Sky’s The Limit after a few years and began to work as a (wardrobe Valet) for the Manhattans. He then would go on to do studio projects with well know artists & producers like Teddy Riley, Leroy Burgess, Grand Puba (of the brand Nubian) Benny Diggs, John Cooksey, Tony Wells and Livingston Taylor, to name a few. Charles is the 2nd Tenor and the practical joker of the group he always keeps everybody upbeat and loose.
