Stylistics Turn The LeMoyne-Owen College Gala Into a Time-Travel Affair

While only two of the Stylistics’ original members remain, the group’s crowd-pleasing sound still was strong during a performance at Minglewood Hall last Saturday. (Photos by Earl Stanback) by Dr. Jesse F. McClure Special to the Tri-State Defender At Minglewood Hall in Midtown last Saturday night, the calendar seemed to have turned back to the early 1970’s. And the timekeepers were the Stylistics. The Philadelphia “doo wop” group brought many in the audience of more than 500 to the dance floor, with many others singing along as the group moved smoothly through an array of memorable songs during the 39th Annual Gala of The LeMoyne-Owen College. LOC President Johnnie B. Watson and his wife seemed right in their element as they danced to the sounds of one of Philadelphia’s famous soul groups. The Stylistics are celebrating their forty-first year as a group. While only two of the group’s original members remain, the sound seems unchanged. The Stylistics are known for tunes such as ”Betcha By Golly Wow,” “Stop Look Listen to Your Heart,” “Break Up to Make Up,” and their most popular recording, “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” ”The Stylistics have always been and will always be all about love songs,” Herbert Murrell, one of the original group members, told the audience. The Gala is part The LeMoyne-Owen College’s fund-raising effort on behalf of the United Negro College Fund. In addition to the evening’s entertainment, the program included two presentations of the college’s Beacon of Hope Award. The first went to Tennessee Rep. Lois Deberry, who is the Speaker Pro Tem of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Deberry, who is a LOC graduate, was recognized for tireless advocacy on behalf of African-American citizens in the state of Tennessee. The Tri-State Bank of Memphis was the other Beacon of Hope Award recipient. Two historic leaders of Memphis’ African-American community – Dr. J.E. Walker and his son, A. Maceo Walker – founded the bank in 1946. Tri-State Bank was honored for its pioneering efforts to provide home financing to African-American prospective homeowners. During the civil rights protests of the 1950’s and 1960’s, the bank provided bail money to activists who were arrested. In addition the bank was cited for its financing of African American churches and its commitment to help African-American farmers, historically black colleges and other community organizations.