August 24: Back-up vocalist for Little Anthony & the Imperials, Ernest Wright Jr. is 72-years-old today.

First performing as a doo-wop group named The Chesters, in 1958, after Wright and Anthony Gourdine, a former member of the Duponts, joined the group, they changed their name to The Imperials.

While playing their hit song, "Tears on my Pillow," D.J. Alan Freed came up with the name "Little Anthony." The flip side of "Pillow" was also a hit; "Two Kinds of People." The group followed up with "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop" in 1960. In 1961, Little Anthony left to attempt a solo career but returned in 1963. The group then produced hit after hit including, "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)," "Goin' Out Of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad."

Ernest Wright left in 1971 to join Tony Williams' Platters. In 1992, Wright reunited with Little Anthony and other former members for a concert at Madison Square Garden. The concert was such a success, the group decided to tour together.

Little Anthony and the Imperials received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1993, were selected for induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006. On January 14, 2009, it was announced that Little Anthony and the Imperials had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

-- "Hurt So Bad"
-- "Going Out Of My Head"
-- "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop"