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The Five Americans was a 1960s American band, most famous for the song "Western Union", which reached No. 5 in the U.S. Billboard chart and was their only single to chart in the Top 20. At first one might think that, in Casey Kasem's "Book of Records" category of most repetitive word or phrase in a Hot 100 top 10 hit, "Western Union" would hold the record (in this case, the two 40-fold and one 50-plus-fold repetition of the imitative word "dit"). But the lyrics contain three many-fold repetitions of "dit, da dit, da dit" instead. In a March, 1967 interview that appeared in Michael Oberman's Top Tunes column in the Evening Star newspaper (Washington, DC), Norman Ezell, guitarist for the group explained how they came up with "Western Union Man." "Mike Rabon, our lead guitar player, was just fooling around with his guitar when he came up with a unique sound," Norman said. It sort of reminded us of a telegraph key. "That's when we decided to write 'Western Union Man.'"


The Five Americans, previously known as The Mutineers, were from Durant, Oklahoma (Southeastern State College). For a short while after their hits "I See The Light", "Western Union", "Sound of Love", "Evol Not Love" and "Zipcode", they toured. However, their manager, Jon Abdnor Sr., president and owner of Abnak Records and Bankers Management and Services Insurance Co., was allowed control of their finances.

After Abdnor's death in 1996, all rights to their songs should have reverted to the original group, but Sundazed Records bought the original tapes. The Five Americans had at least five singles in, or close to, the Top 40 and are now receiving the sales and publishing royalties.


The Five Americans broke up in 1969 and went their separate ways.

Mike Rabon had a successful touring career afterwards, released two albums that sold well, and played guitar for the Tyler, Texas, pop group, Gladstone, whose "A Piece of Paper" reached No. 45 in October 1972. He later returned to college, acquiring a master's degree in public school administration, and has been in the Oklahoma school systems for 28 years.

John Durrill, the keyboardist, wrote "Dark Lady" for Cher and "Misery and Gin" for Merle Haggard and was also a member of the touring band The Ventures. He now lives in Los Angeles.

Bassist Jim Grant died on November 29, 2004.

Norman Ezell (guitar and harmonica), who became a teacher and minister in Northern California, died of cancer on May 8, 2010, at the age of 68.

Drummer Jimmy Wright left the music industry to become a freelance photographer. He died at Texoma Medical Center with his family at his side on January 30, 2012.

As of July 2008, there was an online petition to induct the Five Americans into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The petition amassed over 400 signatures.

Personnel: Mike Rabon,John Durrill, Norm Ezell, Jim Grant and Jimmy Wright.

The Fabsisters are a vocal duo that performs original tracks and covers of many soul, pop and R&B greats.

Sisters, Lola and Folake, began by singing to gospel tunes in church and competing in talent shows . They have since moved on to performing together in various charity events, open mics and gigs.

The Fabsisters have produced at least 50 covers and have over 11,000, subscribers and 1.5million views on YouTube
They have recently topped the Reverbnation R&B, and Beat100 cover charts receiving various awards in the process.

https://twitter.com/TheFabsisters

PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: http://john1948.wikifoundry.com/page/John1948%27s+Youtube+Index