Ernest Wright of The Imperials

Ernest Wright of Little Anthony and the Imperials
Photo Courtesy of Life Magazine

ERNEST WRIGHT, is a singer, songwriter and producer and the founding member of Rock and Roll Royalty and Hall of Fame Inductees “Little Anthony and the Imperials.”

The Imperials first hit was one of the biggest Doo Wop records of all time, “Tears On My Pillow.” This was followed by another highlight of Ernest’s career when he wrote the hit record “Two Kinds of People In The World.” The Imperials subsequently scored many other great hits including “I’m On the Outside Looking In,” “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad,” “Take Me Back,” and “Shimmy, Shimmy Ko-Ko Bop.”

During this time, Ernest met and worked with most of the greats of the music and entertainment business, artists like Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, Sammy Davis, and performed songs written by some of America’s greatest writers and composers including Otis Blackwell (who penned many of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits). It was Otis Blackwell who inspired Ernest to go into the music business. Other great artists, composers and music notables who influenced Ernest’s career include: Nat “King” Cole, Don Costa (Frank Sinatra, who covered the Imperials’ hit “Goin’ Out of My Head), Teddy Randazzo and Richard Barrett (Frankie Lymon).

Ernest left the Imperials in the early ’70’s, and traveled to Europe with one of the greatest voices in American music, Tony Williams, the lead singer of the legendary Platters. Upon Tony Williams’ retirement, Ernest created and toured the world for two decades with his musical revue “The Magical Sound of the Platters.”

Ernest returned to the U.S. upon the invitation to do “The Imperials’” reunion concert at Madison Square Garden in 1992 where the Imperials regrouped as headliners after twenty years apart.

Ernest and The Imperials’ formidable achievement of placing 20 singles on the pop or R&B charts in three different decades established them as founding fathers and legends of the art form of Rock and Roll, earning them their place in American history. These crowning achievements were honored by Ernest’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Imperials in 2009. Ernest continues to perform with the Imperials, headlining in venues across the US, and as a solo artist and in a duo with his daughter Nicole Wright, an aspiring singer-songwriter and music producer.

On March 22nd, 2016 Ernest Wright, JT Carter of The Crests and Charlie Thomas of The Drifters were recognized by the Governor of the great state of Delaware Jack Markell along with state Senate and Congress in a concurrent resolution number 53, paying tribute to their over 60 years in American Music. The Governor issued a certificate naming the above “Rock-n-Roll Royalty”.

Media Relations Contact:
EA Kroll
eakroll@eakrollproductions.com
313-220-4757

Via US Mail:
Ernest Wright C/O EA Kroll Productions
P.O. Box 128
Shawnee, PA. 18356

Ernest Wright, JT Carter and Charlie Thomas in the Governor of Delaware’s office

Ernest Wright with Delaware Governor Jack Markell

Little Anthony and the Imperials induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

CLEVELAND – APRIL 04: Little Anthony (L) and The Imperials pose in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)