Members:
(1958-1959)
Gloria Huntley
Costella Riley
Mitzi Ross
Majidah (Mattie) Williams
The Sharmeers were four girls from Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. The group consisted of Gloria Huntley, Costella Riley, Mitzi Ross, and Mattie Williams.
Huntley and Williams grew up together in Northern Philadelphia. The two were so close that their mothers insistredc that they attend different high schools so they could concentrate on their studies.. Gloria went to Bok Vocational while Mattie went to Kensington. However this did little good as Mattie would catch the bus to Gloria's school where they would spend time together.
New groups sprang up at teen meeting places like Barber's Hall and the Norhern liberties Recreartional center. I t was at these places that they would imitate those from the neighborhood that had recorded for local record labels. It was at these sessions that Gloria and Mattie met Mitzi Ross and Cosella Riley. Theirs was a sound that blended perfectly. Since the girl's sound enchanted so many the called themselves the Charmers. As high school freshmen they began singing at dances and parties.
One evening they entered a contest where the prize was a recording contract with Red Top Records. Singing "Down the Aisle of Love" they won the contest. Upon arriving at Red Top owners Red Schwartz and Irving Nathan asked them if they had anything they'd like to sing. They were also told the name the Charmers was already taken and suggested that they change the C to an S, thus renaming them the Sharmeers.
At the session the Sharmeers recorded four sides, three which they wrote themselves. Red Top decided to release "A School Girl In Love" that had Mitzi Ross on lead. The Sharmeers now took their place as in the neighborhood as a premier group becoming one of the featured local acts when Rock and Roll
Unfortunately before "Schoolgirl" really had a chance to breakout Red Top was being investigated in the payola scandel. The result was Red Top's records received little airplay and the Sharmeers never got a second release.
Gloria went on to sing with various local bands during the '60s and '70s. Mattie married and moved to Chicago before returning to Philadelphia. Recently received her degree from Temple University. Currently she is working on a book about the orgin of the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia. Mitzi Ross had a career singing cabaret and jazz in Philadelphia. Gloria and Mattie have appeared informally at shows sponsored by The United In Group Harmony Association. Presently they are considering regrouping if conditions permit.
