The Ink Spots

The Ink Spots were a popular African-American vocal group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Best known for their recordings of Pop ballads, The Ink Spots were frequent chart toppers totaling over 50 hits in their 17 year recording career. Their best selling record "If I Didn't Care" sold over 19 million copies and is currently the 7th best selling single of all time. Bill Kenny (leader) disbanded The Ink Spots in 1954 however many spin-off or imposter groups have been performing and recording ever since.

In 1967, the group name was determined to be "public domain" and allowed for anyone to use it. For any imposter groups of undetermined origin, please use The Ink Spots (2).

Original Ink Spots
1935: Founding (1935): Charlie Fuqua (baritone).
1936: Jerry Daniels is replaced by tenor Bill Kenny
1943: Charlie Fuqua is replaced by baritone Bernie Mackey
1943: Deek Watson replaced by tenor Billy Bowen
1944: Orville Jones dies and is temporarily replaced with Cliff Givens.
1945: Baritone Jim Nabbie is introduced to the group.
1945: Orville "Hoppy" Jones replaced by bass singer Herb Kenny, Bill Kenny's twin brother
1951: Herb Kenny replaced by bass singer Adriel McDonald
1952: Charlie Fuqua replaced by R&B guitarist Teddy Williams (4) replaces Billy Bowen and later that year is replaced by Ernie Brown. Jimmy Cannady replaced Everett Barksdale later in the year.

1954: Henry Braswell replaces Ernie Brown. Bill Kenny officially retires the group circa July 1954.

Spin-offs
1952: Charlie Fuqua left the group and formed his own vocal group also called "The Ink Spots," claiming his was the "original" group.
1971: After Fuqua's death, his band leader The Fabulous Inkspots

Awards
1946: Cashbox award for making "The Gypsy" the biggest money making song of the year.
1948: Awarded a plaque from the Negro Actors Guild for the efforts in "breaking down the walls of racial prejudice".
1989: Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as influences; they were listed as Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, and Hoppy Jones.
1989: 1939 recording of "If I Didn't Care" inducted in to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1999: Inducted into Vocal Group Hall of Fame.