Rollie Willis (and the Contenders)

Cincinnati, 1960-1966

November 1963 ad

Rollie WIillis had been on the second version of the Charms with Otis Wiliiams. When that group disbanded in 1960, Rollie started performing as a solo artist, playing many gigs in the tristate area.

He was one of the first artists to record for Saxony records. He recorded two songs, both written by label head Paul Trefzger. The songs have a nice vocal group sound in the style of the Charms. The Contenders were the group singing with him. There is not much we know about them. The Matadors, the house band for Saxony, provides the instrumental part.

September 1965 ad

After the record,Rollie continued to sing at local clubs, sometimes with Otis Williams, but there are no club ads with him and the Contenders. IN 1966/7 he moved to the San Francisco area. He was in several groups in that area during the 1960s and 1970s. In the early 2000s he was reunited with Otis Williams for a new version of the Charms.

Discography
Whenever I Get Lonely / That's The Way - Saxony 1001, June 1962

Article below from June 1962