The Persuasions

Biography

The Persuasions, an a cappella vocal group renowned for their doo-wop, gospel, soul, and eclectic reinterpretations of popular music, formed in 1962 in Brooklyn, New York, when five friends—Jerry Lawson, Jimmy Hayes, Joe Russell, Jayotis Washington, and Herbert “Toubo” Rhoad—began harmonizing on outdoor basketball courts after pickup games. Hailing from diverse backgrounds including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Detroit, all members drew heavily from church gospel traditions, blending it with soul, early rock, jazz, and pop into rich five-part harmonies sung under streetlights and in subway corridors. Their street-corner style evolved into a professional career after a chance discovery in 1968-1969, when producer David Dashev played their tape over the phone to Frank Zappa, who signed them to his Straight label and produced their debut album A Cappella in 1970.[1][2][3][4]

Over a five-decade career, The Persuasions released 25-28 albums, tributing artists like Frank Zappa (Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa, 2000), The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, U2, Bob Dylan, and even a children's album On The Good Ship Lollipop (1999), which won multiple parents' awards. Led by Jerry Lawson's smoky baritone (originally a tenor), effortless arrangements, and charismatic stage presence—often compared to Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, and Otis Redding—the group performed worldwide, opening for legends and joining tours like Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light (1979). Despite limited mainstream radio play and mislabeling as 'doo-wop oldies,' they built a devoted audience, influencing modern a cappella acts with their instrument-free virtuosity.[1][2][3]

The group's legacy endures as pioneers who paved the way for contemporary a cappella stars like Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, Boyz II Men, and Pentatonix, while maintaining sold-out shows into recent years under vocal arranger Dave Revels, with original member Jayotis Washington still performing. Original members like Joe Russell, Jimmy Hayes, and Toubo Rhoad passed away (most recently Hayes in 2017), but The Persuasions remain 'Kings of A Cappella,' celebrated for their organic sound and live legend status.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Bruce Springsteen and Roseanne Barr opened for The Persuasions early in their careers.[1][3]
• Frank Zappa discovered them singing live over the phone in a New Jersey record shop in 1969 and flew them to LA for their debut album.[1]
• They recorded Barry 'Dr. Demento' Hansen's theme song and received constant airplay from NYC DJ Frankie Crocker on WBLS.[1]
• All original members came from church gospel backgrounds, with birthplaces spanning Florida (Jerry Lawson), North Carolina (Joe Russell), Virginia (Jimmy Hayes), and Detroit (Jayotis Washington).[3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Frank Zappa - Discovered the group via phone tape and acted as key early mentor by signing and producing their debut (A Cappella (1970)) [1968-1970]
• David Dashev - Friend, producer, and manager who introduced them to Zappa (Early productions and management) [1968 onward]

Key Collaborators

• Jerry Lawson - Original lead singer, arranger, and frontman (All early albums including A Cappella) [1962-2000s]
• Jimmy Hayes - Original member (Core group albums) [1962-2017]
• Joe Russell - Original member known as 'Sweet Joe' (Core group albums) [1962-death]
• Jayotis Washington - Original founding member still active (All albums, current lineup) [1962-present]
• Herbert “Toubo” Rhoad - Original member (Core group albums) [1962-death]
• Joni Mitchell - Performed as part of her Shadows and Light tour (Shadows and Light tour) [1979]
• Stevie Wonder - Performed or recorded with (Live/studio collaborations) [1970s-1980s]

Artists Influenced

• Take 6 - Paved the way for platinum a cappella acts (N/A) [1990s onward]
• Bobby McFerrin - Paved the way for modern a cappella heroes (N/A) [1980s onward]
• Boyz II Men - Influenced retro-hip-hop a cappella styles (N/A) [1990s]
• Pentatonix - Paved the way for contemporary a cappella (N/A) [2010s onward]

External Links

• Spotify