THE SHEPPARDS - By Al Kelly

There were several Sheppards but this group from Chicago started singing
in Chicago, Il. in '53, the group was organized by Andre Williams but he
sang with the group but never recorded with them. Two of the members
were in the Five Thrills, John Pruitt was the lead singer. The group was
constantly changing members and recorded their first record in '55 on
the Chicago based Theron label and in '56 recorded two songs for a
single on United label. Nothing happened with either. In '57 the group
broke up when Pruitt and another member were drafted in the Army.
Several members became part of the Bel-Aires and they had one record on
Decca. In '59 several of the Sheppards, who were members of the
Bel-Aires  felt they needed to  put the group together. The Sheppards
now had Millard Edwards as their new lead singer. The group signed a two
year contract with Bill "Bunky" Sheppard, Tommy "Madman" Jones and
Demsey Nelson, who owned the Apex label. Their first record was "Island
Of Love", aftertheir contract was up, they signed with the Vee Jay
label. The group stopped recording after that but stayed working the
shows and clubs.