SO FAR AWAY, Rochell & The Candles, Swingin’ #634 1961
Flipside: HEY, PRETTY BABY – Here is another really great unknown ballad from my music collection. The group was formed in 1958 in Los Angeles, California by Rochell Henderson (lead and tenor). Other group members were Johnny Wyatt (lead and first tenor), Mel Sasso (tenor) and T.C. Henderson (bass). The two Hendersons were not related even though both originally came from Louisiana. Wyatt was from Texas and only Sasso was from Los Angeles.
Rochell Henderson named his group The Candles because he wanted something that sounded “exciting, something bright, on fire”.
The foursome entered a number of talent shows and played clubs until they had enough original material to record. They signed with Swingin’ Records and had 4 releases. They also had 2 releases for Challenge Records (Gene Autry’s label).
Rochell and The Candles did score a major hit with “ONCE UPON A TIME” (Swingin’ #623) which charted in April 1961 for 13 weeks and reached # 26.
Enjoy this really great unknown ballad “SO FAR AWAY” co-written by Rochell Hendeson and, with the late great Johnny Wyatt singing lead. Johnny died in December 1983. He was only 45 years old!
