Oldies But Goodies Doo Wop Cruise

Joe Jones although born in Texas he grew up in San Bernardino California a community northeast of Los Angeles. He attended San Bernardino High School, where he set and still holds the schools class C long jump record of 23.3 feet. In 1959 he and his brother Otis formed the Pentagons. Their members were Joe Jones (lead), Carl McGinnis (bass), Otis Munson (tenor) and the brothers Ted (tenor) and Ken Goodloe (baritone, piano). The Pentagons helped to make the early 60s the era of neodoo-wop renaissance. They sung classic 50s vocal harmonies that evoked the past. But with full-orchestrated support that reflected the coming soul era. The Pentagons best remembered for their two big early hits, "To Be Loved (Forever)" and "I Wonder". Sometime during this early period, Munson left and James' later replaced by, Joe's brother, making for two sets of brothers in the Pentagons' lineup.

The Pentagons first trip to Los Angeles as a group attracted the attention of George Motola's Fleet International, a label Motola owned with Lee Silver. The group recorded their first single, "You'll Be Coming Home Soon," which Motola released under the name the Shields. They were forced to change their name The Pentagons after discovering a local act from los Angeles had a hit earlier that year under the same group name how released "You Cheated".

The group's next single would be the 45 that most doo-wop fans and collectors remember the Pentagons fondly for that beautiful ballad written by Ken Goodloe "To Be Loved". The single was a regional hit in late 1960 and immediately picked up for national distribution. It was later reissue on Donna Records, a division of Bob Keene's Del-Fi Records. It later broke wide open after it played on Dick Clark's TV show American Bandstand and in February of 1961, it peaked nationally at number 48 pop.

After this first glimmer of success, Lester Sill joined Silver and Motola as the Pentagons' managers. The group's next single was another Motola production, "I Like The Way You Look At Me," which was once again licensed to Donna Records. However, not a major hit, it still carried over that string-laden sound the Pentagons better known for the B-side, "Down at the Beach," written by Joe and Odie Jones. Which became a minor hit as well although this happened two years after recorded? Beginning with the distinctive "Billboard March" a calliope-like flourish heard at the start of a circus. It was also used in James Darren's number two 1961 hit "Good-bye Cruel World". The lyrics of "Down At The Beach" captured the whole sunny Southern California surf and sand scene with lyrics like "you look good in your short shorts. I really go for your ta-yan." After this release, the Pentagons signed to Jamie Records, with whom Sill had connections, causing Keene to lose interest in promoting the Donna-released second single. Their final hit was the Jamie-released "I Wonder (If Your Love Will Ever Belong to Me)" which peaked at number 84 pop in October of 1961.

The Pentagons continued success mainly came about through Lee Silver's management and friendship with, the group. After their first doo-wop hit To Be Loved, the group cut two great early soul singles under the alias of the Chesterfields. Lead singer Joe Jones aka Joey Jones aka Joe C Jones went solo and then returned to Lee Silver's stable in the late 60s as the Jones Brothers with his half brother and ex-Pentagon Otis Munson. The Brothers are the big ballad sound of "That's All Over Baby" and their so soulful take on "Good Old Days". The rest of the group under Ken Goodloe's guidance an original group member formed a new groups known variously as the Corduroys, Themes, 21st Century and Soul Patrol.

Goodloe wrote most of his groups' material in association with his brother Ted or Bill James; he sometimes called himself B Goode on the credits. That was how he described himself on the mysterious Pentagons' double-sider, "Gonna Wait For You"/ "Forever Yours." The first side moves at a great pace and features the group at its finest in harmonies and traded lead vocals. While the beautiful ballad flip of Forever Yours harks back to their successful vocal group days with a beautiful soul song. To make it more intriguing it seems that it was not the Pentagons classic line up at all but more of the Goodloe brothers grouping. It was clearly first issued as by the Corduroys. As the Themes that group reached the highest peaks with "Bent Out Of Shape" and "No Explanation Needed" and two terrific unreleased tracks. "Do Yourself A Favor" and "Reminds Me Of You" held in the can for more than thirty years. This conglomeration was responsible for much of Lee Silver's soul music.

The Pentagons eventually disbanded and faded into obscurity. The Ken Goodloe alone the Munson brothers put together another group in 1964, but this, too, disbanded in 1966 after a few failed singles. Otis Munson and Ken Goodloe are deceased and Ted Munson has since retired. Joe continues to perform as The Pentagons singing lead with back up vocals of Kevin Carroll and Herman Pruett.