the Larks

Cleveland, early 1960s

The Larks were a Cleveland vocal group. The lead singer was Jerome Fields, or Joe Philpot., depending on what source you read. Both of them were definitely in the group. That's about all we know. 

Prior to the Larks, Jerome was performing in 1958/9 as a solo artist. On one occasion he is mentioned as a recording artist. Unless he was in a group that we don't know, there doesn't seem to be any records by him.

The group recorded a 45 for Violet records, which was a pretty big local and maybe regional hit. The hit side was "I Want Her To Love Me". The original B side was "Muddy Road". Ron Nichols, the label owner, has writer credit for the A side but Joe Philpot's niece wrote on youtube that Joe wrote it. Joe has writer credit on "Muddy Road". The record was reissued with an instrumental version of "I Want...", probably to make sure the right side was played. 

The record was released on Guyden records, a nationally marketed label based in Philadelphia. 

A few months later, Guyden released another Larks 45 but it was a completely different group, from Philly.

The Larks seem like they disappeared after 1964. Jerome Fields' name had a couple more mentions in the Call and Post, first in 1969, opening for Darrell Banks, and then in 1977 when he had a high profile gig at Dearings Lounge. After that he disappeared. There is no mention of Joe Philpot in any Cleveland paper

Discography:
I Want Her To Love Me / Muddy Road - Violet 1050, 1963
I Want Her To Love Me / I Want Her To Love Me (instrumental) - Violet 1050/Guyden 2098, 1963 (Nov 1963 for Guyden)