The Palms - Tear Drops 1957

The Palms (Chicago) aka The Five Palms Personnel: Wilbur Williams (Lead) Willie Young (Tenor) M.C. Ward (Bass) O.C. Perkins (Second Tenor) Murrie Eskridge (First Tenor and sometimes Lead) Biography: The Palms were one of those bands who, despite a lot of talent, never really had the opportunity to shine. Based on the West Coast of Chicago, they all attended Creiger and Crane High Schools. The Palms were Wilbur Williams (lead) Willie Young (tenor) M.C. Ward (bass) O.C. Perkins (second tenor) Murrie Eskridge (first tenor and sometimes lead). They recorded two sessions, in February and April 1957, from which the company drew two sides for a lone single release on United U-208 "Edna." a Latin-beat ballad, and "Teardrops." The second single "Little Girl Of Mine" coupled with "Teardrops", which they recorded as The Five Palms on State Records. The two singles were released in early 1957, and despite a certain local audience, none became a hit. The Palms were a prolific band at United, but with two poorly distributed recordings, the opportunity for success was not there. Only two members (O. C. Perkins and Murrie Eskridge) eventually became members of the excellent group The Sheppards, formed by members of The Ballads and The Bel Aires, led by producer Bill Sheppard, hence the name of the group. At both sessions, the Palms were accompanied by the Lefty Bates band, Williams "Lefty" Bates (guitar) Red Halloway (tenor sax) Horace Palm (piano) Quinn Wilson (bass) Paul Gusman (drums).