Booking The Manhattans

The Manhattans Biography

The R&B Group known as the Manhattans have been entertaining audiences since their formation in the early 1960’s. After the original members completed tours in the armed forces, they established the Manhattans and released the debut single “For the Very First Time” in 1964. The song enjoyed moderate success, and for the next decade, the Manhattans continued to perform and record together, with some changes to the lineup, until their biggest hit arrived in the mid 1970’s.

The Manhattans released “ Kiss and Say Goodbye” in 1976, and the song rose to the top of the charts, hitting the number one spot on both mainstream and R&B. The group gave audiences the additional hits “I Kinda Miss You,” “It Feels So Good to be Loved So Bad,” “Am I Losing You,” and “Shining Star” throughout the remainder of the decade and beyond.

The Manhattans continue to perform and record well into the new millennium. Only Edward “Sonny” Bivins remains of the original lineup, but the Manhattans continue to perform with the current lineup of Bivins, Alvin Pazant, Harsey Hemphill, Charles Hardy, and Lee Williams. The group enjoys continued popularity, having in recent years performed multiple times for PBS specials and recently appearing on the Wu-Tan Clan’s song “Stick Me for My Riches,” which is featured on the album 8 Diagrams (2007.)