Earl Lewis & The Channels - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Earl Lewis & The Channels were known just as the Channels at the start back in 1956. They were from a combination of two vocal groups, the Channels and the Lotharios. When two member of the Channels left, bass singer Clifton Wright and Earl Michael Lewis of the Lotharios were recruited by the remaining Channels. The following became the Classic Channel lineup: Earl Lewis, Clifton Wright, Edward Doulphin, Billy Morris and Larry Hampden.
This New York City group from Harlem had a unique style all to themselves; Edward, Billy and Larry would sing the verse in three part harmony while Clifton rounded out the bottom. Earl's lead and falsetto would take over the bridge.
The Channels recorded their signature song "The Closer You Are" in 1956, which was penned by Earl Lewis. They would later record the "Gleam In Your Eye" which Earl wrote when he was working on his newspaper route. The Channels would record a string of hits such as "My Love Will Never Die", "Altar Of Love", "My Heart Is Sad", "Gloria" and Frankie Laine's "That's My Desire".
The year 2006 marks FIFTY YEARS of performing for Earl Lewis & The Channels. Earl remains as the original lead singer of the group and continues to perform across the country. Past venues have included the Apollo Theater (NYC), Beacon Theater (NYC), Benedum Theater (Pittsburgh, PA), Continental Airlines Arena (E. Rutherford, NJ), Ford Community Performing Arts Center (Dearborn, MI), Keswick Theater (Glenside, PA), Mellon Arena (Pittsburgh, PA), Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, CT), Radio City Music Hall (NYC), The Theater @Madison Square Garden (NYC), Westbury Music Fair (Westbury, NY) and two PBS Specials; to name a few.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/15/2006
Band Website: mypages.netopia.com/channels
Band Members: Earl Lewis

Lead Vocals - Earl became the lead singer of the Channels in 1956 when he replaced a former member. Earl hails from NYC and began singing while working on his newspaper route as a boy. It was there where Earl began writing his own material. Earl's voice is still in rare form; he continues to sing his material in their original key. Earl is also a Christian.

Jack Brown

Baritone/Bass vocals. He's been a member of Earl Lewis & The Channels since 1969. Jack began singing in his church while his mother played the piano. This senior member, next to Earl, can be heard on the "Take 1 & Take 2" CD's as well as the Channels' recent CD "Especially For You".

Salahuddin Aziz

1st tenor vocals. Salahuddin (pronounced Sa-la-hoo-deen) has returned to the Channels. A member of The Roamers in 1954 and acapella group The Attributes he brings his fine tenor back to the Channels. A fan favorite who's number one request is 'My Heart Is Sad'.

Joe Rivera III

2nd tenor & 1st tenor vocals. Joe hails from the Bronx and began singing in high school. Joe plays keyboards and is a Christian who loves the LORD JESUS. His influences are Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Billy Stewart.

DEAR LORD at Boston's Symphony Hall. Mar 18, 2007

SHOUT at Boston's Symphony Hall, March 18, 2007

THE CLOSER YOU ARE at The Lido Ballroom, Revere MA, May 2004

TARRYTOWM MUSIC HALL - DEC 9, 2006

QUEENS COLLEGE - DEC 2, 2006

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Influences: The Flamingos
The Cleftones
The Del-Vikings
The Dells
The Harptones
Sounds Like: The Harptones
The Cleftones
The Temptations
The Moonglows
Type of Label: None

My Blog

8/31/07 Gig in Parsippany, NJ

OK... so here we are in the middle of the set and our bass player hits a really BAD note. It was so bad, all the singers on stage and the musicians turned towards the direction of the bass playe...
Posted by Earl Lewis & The Channels on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 08:28:00 PST

WHAT THE????part ii

We do this gig and an outside promoter (not the one who booked us) wants to take the group out to dinner after our show. We head out to this dinner club and we order our dinner. In the meantime, the h...
Posted by Earl Lewis & The Channels on Sat, 18 Mar 2006 02:23:00 PST

GREAT WAY TO START THE WEEKEND

I thought I would share this with MYSPACE members... Last night after we came home from Friday Night Youth Service, my son went into his bookbag and showed me his recent schoolwork. He was so proud of...
Posted by Earl Lewis & The Channels on Sat, 18 Mar 2006 08:20:00 PST

SURPRISE!

Right about now I'm just posting past events which I think are somewhat entertaining. This occured in Mar 2002 at the Papermill Playhouse in NJ. After the first song of our set, I see two of my singin...
Posted by Earl Lewis & The Channels on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 05:55:00 PST

Beyond the Dressing Room Doors

I don't know about some of the artists here but this is from my own experience. Over the last ELEVEN years I have been singing with Earl Lewis & The Channels, I have made friends with many other s...
Posted by Earl Lewis & The Channels on Mon, 06 Mar 2006 01:44:00 PST

BEHIND THE CURTAINS

This is a TRUE STORY: In January 2006, Earl Lewis & The Channels performed at a local high school. However, I caught the flu that very same day and I thought I was going to die! Folks came up to m...
Posted by Earl Lewis & The Channels on Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:34:00 PST