More Than Words Can Say

The story of the Ink Spots is a rags-to-riches story beloved in American mythology. The success of the Ink Spots inspired many others to attempt (some merely mimicking) their popular and musical success. They were, without question, the most influential black vocal group of the 1940s, and one of the earliest to sing "sweet ballads," which they elevated to an art form (although an increasingly formulaic one). Goldberg gets behind the streamers and glitter of the Ink Spots and the publicity machines of record labels, and provides the story of the group's creation, its music, and its monumental impact on the course of American music.
More Than Words Can Say uncovers the mythos and origins of the Ink Spots, from the dramatic stories of finding the band name, to the dozens of individuals who still claim to be original members of the group. Goldberg interviews some of the singers, musicians, and arrangers associated with the original Ink Spots who provide invaluable first-hand accounts of the group.
The book discusses the musical environment of the Ink Spots, including the ASCAP/BMI War, gas rationing, War of the Record Speeds, vinyl shortages, and all the lawsuits. Additionally, Goldberg has searched tirelessly through Billboard magazine and theater reviews to get a sense of the Ink Spots' contemporary reception. Also included is a bibliography of sources and a complete alphabetical listing of Ink Spots recordings released on Decca or Victor labels.
A fascinating story filled with excellently researched information and exciting anecdotes, Goldberg's text brings out the "authentic" story of the Ink Spots, from their origins in the early 1930s through the tumultuous recording world of 1940s and 1950s America.

By Marv Goldberg

Chapter 1 Foreword
Chapter 2 Acknowledgments
Chapter 3 Introduction
Chapter 4 Prelude: The 1920s to 1931
Chapter 5 1932
Chapter 6 1933
Chapter 7 1934
Chapter 8 1935
Chapter 9 1936
Chapter 10 Intermezzo I: Jerry Daniels
Chapter 11 1937
Chapter 12 1938
Chapter 13 1939
Chapter 14 1940
Chapter 15 Prelude to War: ASCAP vs BMI
Chapter 16 1941
Chapter 17 1942
Chapter 18 Shellac: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know!
Chapter 19 1943
Chapter 20 1944 We Were Winning the War, but Losing the Ink Spots
Chapter 21 Intermezzo II: Hoppy Jones
Chapter 22 1945
Chapter 23 Intermezzo III: The Brown Dots
Chapter 24 1946
Chapter 25 1947
Chapter 26 1948
Chapter 27 1949
Chapter 28 1950
Chapter 29 1951
Chapter 30 Intermezzo IV: Herb Kenny
Chapter 31 1952
Chapter 32 Intermezzo V: Billy Bowen
Chapter 33 Intermezzo VI: Charlie Fuqua's Ink Spots
Chapter 34 Intermezzo VII: Deek Watson
Chapter 35 1953
Chapter 36 Intermezzo VIII: Bill Kenny
Chapter 37 Da Capo: Buck Ram and the Platters
Chapter 38 Coda
Chapter 39 The Recordings: In Alphabetical Order
Chapter 40 The Recordings: Decca Albums (through 1959 only)
Chapter 41 The Recordings: Decca Extended Play Records (EPs) (issued in the 1950s)
Chapter 42 Notes
Chapter 43 Bibliography
Chapter 44 Index
Chapter 45 About the Author