The Mariners were an American pop and gospel vocal group of the mid 20th century, particularly noted for their work with Arthur Godfrey.

The Mariners were a four-piece all-male racially integrated group (two white and two African American members). They formed during World War II, in 1942, at Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn; the four members (Tom Lockard, Jim Lewis, Nat Dickerson and Martin Karl) were serving in the United States Coast Guard there. They toured Pacific military bases in 1945.[1][2]

Arthur Godfrey hired them, and they were regulars on his radio show and later his television shows for several years.[1] The presence of the integrated Mariners brought complaints from Southern politicians and Southern CBS affiliates, which Godfrey publicly and scathingly rebuffed.[3] Godfrey summarily fired The Mariners in 1955[4] (a fairly common modus for Godfrey during these years).

The Mariners then guested on other programmes, such as The Ed Sullivan Show,[5] continued to record (on the Cadence Records label, founded by Godfrey's musical director Archie Bleyer) and appear on New York radio, but with diminishing popularity.[1]

Discography

Singles

  • [Arthur Godfrey with The Mariners]: "Turkish Delight" (1948, Columbia 38246)[6]
  • "On the Island of Oahu" (1949, Columbia)[1]
  • "Sometime" (1950)[1] (charted at No. 16)
  • "With These Hands"
  • "They Call the Wind Maria"[1] (1951, Columbia 39568)[6] (charted at No. 30)
  • "I See the Moon" (1952) (charted at No. 14; their biggest and last hit)[1]
  • [Arthur Godfrey and The Mariners]: "Oh Mo'nah" (1954, Columbia 40271)[2]
  • "Zindy Lou" (1955, Cadence 1278)[6]
  • "I Heard Ya the First Time" (1958, Tiara T45-6111)[6]

Albums

  • The Mariners Sing Spirituals (c. 1956, Cadence CLP-1008)[6]
  • Hymns By The Mariners (1956, Columbia B-217)[6]
  • Fourteen Best-Loved Hymns (Columbia CL 609)[6]
  • Great American Hymns (Harmony HL 7168)[6]
  • Christmas 'Round The World (Columbia CL 6227)[6]
  • Seven Years Before the Mike [The Mariners with Arthur Godfrey]: (Columbia CL-6295 10" 33-1/3 rpm disk)
  • [With Haleloke Kahauolopua and Arthur Godfrey]: Hawaiian Blossoms (Coronet KLP 024)[6]
Singles compilation
  • In Command (2006, Jasmine Records)[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The Mariners at AllMusic
  2. 1 2 "Previous Vocal Group Record of the Week (Week of 4/10/04 - 4/16/04)". The Vocal Group Harmony Web Site. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  3. ↑ Rich Kienzle (November 7, 2011). "Andy Rooney and Arthur Godfrey". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Mariners Fired Suddenly By Arthur Godfrey". Jet. April 28, 1955. p. 58. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Godfrey's Fired Mariners in TV Comeback". Jet. May 12, 1955. p. 66. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The Mariners discography at Discogs
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