You’ve heard the voice. It’s that soaring, almost impossibly high falsetto that makes "Tears on My Pillow" feel like it’s vibrating right in your chest. But if you think Little Anthony and the Imperials was just a one-man show with some guys standing in the back snapping their fingers, you’re missing the real story.
The history of little anthony and the imperials members is actually a wild, 60-year-plus saga of Brooklyn street corners, name changes, messy breakups, and a surprising amount of gospel influence. Most people can name Anthony Gourdine—the "Little Anthony" himself—but the rotating cast behind him is what kept that "regal" sound alive through the British Invasion and well into the 2020s.
The Brooklyn Beginnings: Before They Were "Imperials"
Back in 1957, they weren’t even the Imperials. They were a group called The Chesters. Honestly, the name sounds more like a neighborhood bowling team than a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act.
The group was founded by Clarence Collins, a baritone who grew up in the Fort Greene projects. He was the anchor. He teamed up with Tracy Lord, Glouster "Nate" Rogers, and Ernest Wright. They were just kids from the neighborhood, singing for fun until they realized they needed a powerhouse lead.
That’s when Anthony Gourdine entered the picture. Anthony had been singing with another group called The Duponts, but once he joined The Chesters, the chemistry was undeniable. They eventually signed with End Records, and the label's A&R man, Richard Barrett, decided "The Chesters" just didn't have enough punch. He wanted something more "royal."
The Birth of "Little Anthony"
Here is a bit of trivia that usually shocks people: Anthony Gourdine isn't actually that little. He’s about 5'9". The nickname didn't come from his height; it came from the legendary DJ Alan Freed.
When Freed heard Anthony’s high-pitched, youthful delivery on their first big hit, he started announcing him as "Little Anthony" over the airwaves. The name stuck like glue. The group officially became Little Anthony and the Imperials, and by 1958, "Tears on My Pillow" was selling a million copies.
The Classic Lineup: Why It Clicked
Groups from that era changed members like people change socks. It was constant. But fans usually point to the "Classic Four" as the definitive version of the group. This lineup consisted of:
- Jerome Anthony Gourdine (Lead)
- Clarence Collins (Baritone/Bass)
- Ernest Wright (Second Tenor)
- Sammy Strain (First Tenor)
Sammy Strain is a name you might recognize if you're a soul fanatic—he’s a double Hall of Famer who later spent years with The O'Jays. He joined the Imperials early on, replacing Tracy Lord and Nate Rogers (who had been drafted into the service).
This foursome was the unit that worked with producer Teddy Randazzo in the mid-60s. Randazzo was basically the fifth Imperial. He understood that Anthony’s voice worked best when it sounded like it was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. That’s how we got "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad." Those weren't just songs; they were three-minute operatic dramas.
The Years of Splitting Up
Success didn't keep them together forever. Anthony left in 1961 to try a solo career. It didn't really work. He came back in '63, but by the early 70s, the group was fracturing again.
Ernest Wright left in 1971 to join a version of The Platters. Sammy Strain headed off to the O'Jays in 1972. For a while, the group was a revolving door. You had guys like Bobby Wade and Harold Jenkins filling in.
There was even a confusing period where Clarence Collins was touring with a trio version of the group while Anthony was out doing his own thing, eventually becoming a Born Again Christian and recording gospel music in the late 70s.
It’s actually kinda funny—Clarence Collins and Anthony Gourdine ended up being brothers-in-law. They married twin sisters, Brenda and Linda. Imagine the family dinners when the group was broken up. "Pass the salt, and by the way, why aren't we touring?"
The 1992 Reunion and the Modern Era
The "Classic Four" finally buried the hatchet in 1992 for a concert at Madison Square Garden. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. It wasn't. The fans went crazy, and they realized the magic was still there.
They stayed together for years after that. Sammy Strain eventually retired in 2004, and Clarence Collins retired around 2012. As of 2026, Anthony Gourdine is still out there. At 85 years old, the man can still hit notes that would make a teenager's voice crack.
The current touring version of the group usually features Anthony alongside Ernest Wright and newer members like Robert DeBlanc and Johnny Britt, who stepped in to keep the harmonies thick after Collins retired.
Final Insights on the Imperials' Legacy
If you're looking to really understand the impact of little anthony and the imperials members, don't just look at the charts. Look at who they influenced. Everyone from Elvis Costello to Linda Ronstadt has covered their work. They were one of the very few "doo-wop" era groups that successfully transitioned into sophisticated "pop-soul" without losing their soul.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Listen to the DCP Years: If you only know "Tears on My Pillow," go find the 1964 album Goin' Out of My Head. It's the peak of the Randazzo/Gourdine collaboration.
- Watch the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction: Seeing Gourdine, Wright, Collins, and Strain on stage together one last time is a masterclass in vocal harmony.
- Check Local Listings: Anthony Gourdine still performs select dates. Seeing a living legend who has had hits in four different decades is a rare opportunity that won't last forever.