Was Billy Ward ever a member of the Dominoes, or just Billy Ward and the Dominoes? Why were they only nominated as the Dominoes to begin with?

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 02/26/2013 @ 08:43am

Billy Ward was the group's founder. He was a classically trained vocal instructor who chose from among his students to form a group. His intent was to sing "good" music but was told by Ralph Bass of King/Federal Records to do rock 'n' roll. He wrote the songs, played piano and was able to sing various parts with them if need be, but was more of their drill instructor than anything else, which is what eventually caused Clyde McPhatter to leave. Following Clyde's departure and the arrival of Jackie Wilson their name was changed from the Dominoes to Billy Ward & The Dominoes and they began moving in the musical direction that Ward wanted all along - the pop style, eventually hitting with St. Therese Of The Roses, Stardust and Deep Purple. But it's their early rock stuff that they're most deserving for obviously and should be nominated and inducted as the Dominoes for that reason, but it really makes little difference as long as they get in.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 02/26/2013 @ 13:03pm

Roy, stop copying other people's writings without giving them proper attribution. If you keep doing it, EVERY comment you make will be deleted.

Posted by FRL on Tuesday, 02/26/2013 @ 13:48pm

Yes, please turn Roy off. 99% of what he posts is conjecture, nonsensical or copied from other (dubious) sources. It is really agitating.

Posted by Paul on Tuesday, 02/26/2013 @ 14:01pm

Thanks Roy for the Info..

Posted by Happy on Tuesday, 02/26/2013 @ 15:21pm

The DOMINOES and BILLY WARD & THE DOMINOES were one and the same group. Just like THE MIRACLES and SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES or PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES and LaBELLE. Same group, same members.

So why to they have two different sites here ? (just curious).

Posted by Bill G. on Wednesday, 08/14/2013 @ 18:28pm

http://www.futurerocklegends.com/artist.php?artist_id=Billy_Ward_and_The_Dominoes

Billy Ward and the Dominoes

Posted by Roy on Friday, 11/9/2018 @ 12:55pm

This would make Clyde McPhatter a 3-time inductee.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 05/6/2022 @ 19:05pm

Clyde McPhatter in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

01. 1987 – Clyde McPhatter
02. 1988 – The Drifters
03. 20?? – The Dominoes / Billy Ward & the Dominoes

Eric Clapton in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

01. 1992 – The Yardbirds
02. 1993 – Cream
03. 2000 – Eric Clapton
04. 20?? – Derek and the Dominos
05. 20?? – Blind Faith

Steve Winwood in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

01. 2004 – Traffic
02. 20?? – The Spencer Davis Group
03. 20?? – Blind Faith
04. 20?? – Steve Winwood

Posted by Roy on Friday, 05/6/2022 @ 20:54pm