SHAZAM

The Trends -- not to be confused with the mid-'60s Liverpool/Merseybeat act -- were one of the Chicago soul vocal groups signed to ABC-Paramount through arranger/producer Johnny Pate. Pate produced hits for the label on Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. Hailing from the city's west side, its members were Emmett Gardner Jr., Tom Dorsey, Carolyn Dorsey, Jerome Johnson, Eddie Dunn, and Ralph O' Neal. In 1964, they began recording for Smash, a Mercury Records imprint. Two years later, Pate signed the Trends and they put out seven singles including "Big Parade" b/w "Soul Clap," "Don't Drop Out of School," "Never Too Young to Cry," and "Check My Tears." They never had any nationally charting singles. Gardner went on to have a long career in the music business as a producer and a record promoter before passing away in the '80s. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi