The Masqueraders
The Masqueraders are a long-lasting American soul group formed in the late 1950s in Dallas, Texas. Known for their harmonious deep soul sound and enduring career spanning over 50 years, they never achieved major mainstream fame but built a loyal following in Northern soul circles.
The group started in 1958 as middle-schoolers at TC Haskell School, with Charlie Moore on lead vocals, Robert "Tex" Wrightsil on first tenor, brothers Johnny and Lawrence Davis on second and third tenor, and "Little" Charlie Gibson on bass. Initially called "the Stairs," they evolved through lineup changes, adopting the name The Masqueraders while performing hits by popular groups in disguise at local clubs.
Early members included Harold "Sundance" Thomas, Lee Wesley Jones (later Lee Hatim after converting to Islam), David Sanders, Orberdean "Deano" Deloney, and others like Willie Charles Gray who filled in during military service. By the 1970s, the core touring and recording group featured Robert Wrightsil, Harold Thomas, Charlie Moore (until health issues), Lee Jones, Sam Hutchins, and David Sanders.
They recorded their first notable tracks in 1965 for Soultown Records, including the Northern soul favorite "Talk About a Woman." In the 1970s, they worked with Willie Mitchell at Hi Records and Isaac Hayes' HBS label, releasing albums Everybody Wanna Live On (1975) and Love Anonymous (1975), plus a self-titled LP on Bang in 1980. Despite label troubles and unreleased demos, they maintained relentless touring.
Inducted into a soul hall of fame in 2014, the group continues as a trio with Robert "Tex" Wrightsil and Harold Thomas among originals, celebrated for perseverance and rich harmonies. Their story reflects deep soul's gritty underbelly, with production ties to Memphis legends like Willie Mitchell and studios behind hits by Aretha Franklin and others.
Everybody Wanna Live On
Written-By – Eula Jean Rivers, The Raders
8:35
A2 Please Don't Try (To Take Me Away To The Sky)
Written-By – The Raders
4:32
A3 (Call Me) The Travelling Man
Written-By – The Raders
6:53
A4 Listen
Written-By – The Raders
5:56
B1 Baby It's You
Written-By – Williams, Bacharach, David
6:38
B2 Sweet Sweetning
Written-By – The Raders
4:12
B3 (My Love For You Is) Honest And True
Written-By – The Raders
6:29
B4 Your Sweet Love Is A Blessing
Written-By – The Raders
6:07
Label: HBS – ABCD-921
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Released in 1975 on Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul label, Everybody Wanna Live On by The Masqueraders is a critically praised, soulful 1970s harmony album. Produced and arranged by Hayes, it features high-quality balladry and up-tempo tracks, including the R&B hits "Baby It's You" and "(Call Me) The Traveling Man".
The album is heavily influenced by Isaac Hayes, featuring lush arrangements, his band 'The Movement,' and a mix of sweet soul ballads and funk-tinged tracks. It is noted for having a significant "groove".
As a premier Memphis soul group, The Masqueraders deliver superb, tight harmonies throughout, with lead singer Lee Hatim highlighted for his fine form.
Track Highlights:-
"Baby It's You": A "sumptuous" and imaginative cover of The Shirelles’ classic, featuring a rare alto saxophone solo by Isaac Hayes.
"(Call Me) The Traveling Man": A group original and R&B hit, now considered a "vocal group classic".
"Your Sweet Love Is A Blessing": A lengthy, dramatic ballad described as the most "Hayes-centric" track on the record.
"Listen": An uptempo, foot-tapping "fest" that provides a high-energy contrast to the album's many ballads.
While sometimes considered to have slightly dated, "preachy" lyrics on faster tracks, the overall album is regarded as a high-quality soul record and a key release for the group.
Although highly acclaimed by soul aficionados, the album only charted modestly at #57 on the R&B chart, largely because it was released as disco was beginning to dominate the charts.
The album was reissued by Ace/Stax, bringing this 1970s gem back into circulation.