Richie Merritt

Official Biography (courtesy of Richie Merritt) 

I was about three years old when I picked up a microphone for the first time at my father's Pentecostal Church and I have been singing ever since.  He was not pleased when I began to perform other than religious music but he was happy for my success!

My musical career begin while in grade school when I formed my first musical group. One of the members of that group, "Reno" Smith", performed with me as a member of the Marcels.

My career has been quite varied including singing lead for The Electrons and our hit '45 record "It Ain't No Big Thing" and then opening my own night club following that success.

"Where Did I Go Wrong", a song I wrote and originally recorded as a single, made the Top 10 in the United Kingdom.  It was later released on my CD "Richie Merritt - Then & Now".

My repertoire of songs is quite varied because of the groups that I have been associated with over the years.  When I sang lead with High Society we played primarily mellow jazz standards including Johnny Mathis and some Mel Torme scat-style singing!  The Electrons and the Vibrators were basically funk, soul and R & B whereas The Laurels and The Memories were show bands and we did a mix of the '50's, 60's and 70's with the emphasis on Motown and choreography of The Temptations, The Four Tops, Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye just to name a few.

I joined The Clover's in 1993 when I signed a contract with them as their new lead tenor.  We played Atlantic City six months a year, toured the "shag circuit" in the Carolina's, appeared in Las Vegas and performed at concerts throughout the United States.  In April 2002 The Clovers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of fame and this was the last time that the group took the stage as we decided to go our separate ways.  It was then I joined The Marcels full time although I had been working with them for special performances.

Whether it is "Richie Merritt Solo  or my new "Richie Merritt and the Gem's" show, one thing they have in common is that you are provided with a fast paced, entertaining evening that will bring back memorable times in your life.

Richie Merritt