Note: This is a sidebar to the main Flamingos article. It is not intended to be either a complete history of the Modern Flamingos or even a stand-alone article.


It didn't take Terry long to put together his own Flamingos group (the “Modern Flamingos”). He was soon joined by Nate Nelson, who had also been fighting with the Careys and had left a few weeks after Terry. Nate first tried a solo career, releasing "Once Again"/"Tell Me Why" on Harold Logan and Lloyd Price's Prigan label in August 1961, but when that failed to chart, he joined up with Terry.

The Modern Flamingos played the Apollo the week of March 1, 1963. Later that spring, when they were playing a gig in Pittsburgh, Joe Rock, a local producer who'd worked with the Skyliners, approached them about recording. Overnight, Terry and Nate wrote a tune called “Let's Be Lovers.” They recorded it for Atlantic's Atco label, coupled with a song that Rock provided: “Walk Softly Away.” The songs were released in June 1963. However, they couldn't call themselves the Flamingos, so they became the “Starglows.” The other singers were Hardy Hall (bass), Larry Jones (second tenor), and someone remembered only as “Shug.” Joe Johnson played the organ.

Both sides featured the duet lead of Terry and Nate, and they sounded a lot like the Flamingos. Too much like the Flamingos, in point of fact. The record started taking off in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and George Goldner heard it. Immediately guessing who the singers were, he took his complaint to Atlantic: he'd put too much money into the Flamingos, he cried. Atlantic buckled and withdrew promotion for the disc.

Terry's Flamingos continued to work major night clubs and resorts throughout the country. In time, Nate and Terry found they had differing opinions on the direction the group should take: Terry wanted to keep recording; Nate just wanted to work. Thus, by 1966, Nate had joined the Platters. Terry Johnson's Flamingos kept working, playing major show venues, resorts, and cruise ships. They also had their share of Atlantic City work, opening many casinos.

In 1966, Eddie Edgehill, Warren Sherrill, drummer Duke Johnson, and Jerry Abel (all members of Philadelphia's Del-Knights, which had recently disbanded) joined Terry Johnson's Modern Flamingos. The other members were Sonny Ross (first tenor, second tenor, and baritone) and a bassist named Eddie Thomas. Warren Sherrill and Eddie Edgehill stayed with the Modern Flamingos for about a year

Around 1967, Terry took his 1966 Cadillac and relocated to Detroit to work for Motown. Smokey Robinson got him there under the pretense of becoming an artist, but, in truth, they wanted him as a writer and producer. It worked out well: in time, Terry became Smokey's writing and producing partner. He ended up writing, arranging, and producing for most of Motown's artists: the Miracles, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Edwin Starr, the Spinners, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers, Jimmy Ruffin, David Ruffin, Mickey Denton, Blinky, and others. He eventually did get to do some recording, having a couple of releases on Motown's Gordy subsidiary in 1969 and 1970. Although he was with Motown from 1967 to 1974, he still managed to appear with his Modern Flamingos group whenever they got a gig.

Terry Johnson's Flamingos are still performing in 2006.


Special thanks to Theresa Johnson.