The Counts were a doo-wop group from Indianapolis, Indiana, formed in the 1950s.[1][2] The group included Chester Brown, James Lee, Robert Penick, Robert Wesley, and Robert Young.[3][4] The Counts were also known as the Original Counts, as they performed with their original lineup until the death of Robert Young, in 2001.[5] They were thought to be the longest-running doo wop group made up entirely of their original membership.[6][7]
Young wrote most of the Counts' songs, including "Hot Tamale" and "Darling Dear". "Darling Dear" (Dot 44-1188, b/w "I Need You Always") made it to No. 6 on the R&B singles chart.[8][6]
All of the members attended Crispus Attucks High School, in Indianapolis, where they originally formed as the Five Diamonds.[6][3] They changed their name in 1954 when they signed with Dot Records. The Counts recorded at Wilkins Studio, possibly with Jimmy Coe (or, perhaps, with a Jimmy Cole), and were at times backed live by Wes Montgomery.[9][10]
