"Dawning of Love" was a single for the female vocal group Devotion in 1970. It became a hit for them and charted in both the Billboard and Cash Box charts. Background Paul Kyser's changing the group line up and release Paul Kyser had the record released twice. The first time was with The Superbs (on Symbol SYMBOL 8).Soul Source - I'm A New Member, By Guest Paul Kyser February 11, 2009 Guest Paul Kyser Posted February 11, 2009Gripsweat - THE SUPERBS The Dawning Of Love SYMBOL NORTHERN SOUL USA 45Billboard, October 24, 1970 - Page 51 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, 49 50 ............... 2
The group's earlier line up included former lead singer of The Teardrops, Rhonda Franklin who joined the group. With Paul Kyser in his first time as a horns and strings arranger, the group recorded "Love's Unpredictable" with Phillis Harris on lead. Kyser co-produced it with Stan R. Krause. The song, backed with "Happiest Girl In The World" was released on Catamount 2122 in 1968.Popsike - SUPERBS Love's Unpredictable Happiest Girl In The World CATAMOUNT 2122 45 MINT
The group was photographed for a promotional picture. By the time they were photographed Rhonda Franklin had left the group. Pictured were Phillis Harris, Arnita (surname unknown) and Harris' sister.
The second time Kyser released the single (Colossus C 126), he changed the name of the group to Devotion. At some stage Kyser replaced the original line up with the new one of, Retta Young, Bertha and Madge Quince. This line-up recorded their first release, "The Saga of Willie Jones".45Cat - The Superbs (New Jersey) - DiscographyPopsike - DISCOGRAPHY, The Devotions (2), The Saga Of Will-E Jones / Let's Join Our World Together
Trade reports First release Superbs - Symbol, SYMBOL 8 Record World reported in the October 11, 1969 issue that the Symbol label, a subsidiary of Sue Records announced that week a release by The Superbs, "The Dawning of Love".Record World, October 11, 1969 - Page 39 record world RHYTHM & BLUES, Sue Scoring Written by Paul L. Kyser, the A side was backed with "So Glad You're Home", and released on Symbol SYMBOL 8.Roots Vinyl Guide - THE SUPERBS - THE DAWNING OF LOVE / SO GLAD YOU'RE HOME - SYMBOL DJ Second release Devotion - Colossus 126 Given a four star rating by Record World in the August 22 issue, the reviewer remarked that the lead singer sounded like a cross between Freda Payne and Diana Ross. The reviewer also said that this was a dynamic new group with a female lead singer, and the song had a tremendous contemporary lyric.Record World, August 22, 1970 - Page 8 record world Single Reviews FOUR STAR **** PICKS On the week of September 25, it was listed as a Top Regional Prospect in Bill Gavin's Record Report #815 Weekly Summary.Bill Gavin's Record Report, Weekly Summary, #815 - Page 4 Top Regional Prospects
As of the time info collected for the December 26 issue of Billboard, the three-piece group had appeared at the Lafayette Playhouse in Paterson, N.J., the US Navy Base in Brooklyn, and had done campus dates and fairs. They had also made TV appearances on Scene '70 and Upbeat. The contact was Paul Kyser.Billboard, December 26, 1970 - Page TA-48 U.S. POPULAR RECORDING ARTISTS
Airplay It was reported in the October 3 issue of Record World that the Devotions were getting air play at WVON in Chicago.Record World, October 3, 1970 - Page 42 record world WHERE IT'S AT R&B BEAT In the October 10 issue of Record World, the Where It's At R&B Beat prediction said, "Devotions is shaping up and should do well".Record World, October 10, 1970 - Page 38 record world WHERE IT'S AT R&B BEAT In issue October 17, Where It's At R&B Beat reported that they were continuing to gain. They were also getting play at WJMO in Cleveland.Record World, October 17, 1970 - Page 142 record world WHERE IT'S AT R&B BEAT By the 24th, Where It's At R&B Beat reported that they were on the WJON, Chicago chart.Record World, October 24, 1970 - Page 32 record world WHERE IT'S AT R&B BEAT, Chart: Devotions The week of November 7, they were getting play at WDIA, Memphis.Record World, November 7, 1970 - Page 31 record world WHERE IT'S AT R&B BEAT, On: Devotions Charts On the week ending October 3, 1970, "Dawning of Love" entered the Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations chart at no. 60.Cash Box, October 3, 1970 - Page 41 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations It peaked at no. 41 on the week of October 24.Cash Box, October 24, 1970 - Page 38 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B LocationsCash Box, October 31, 1970 - Page 37 Cash Box Top 60 In R & B Locations
On the week ending October 17, 1970, "Dawning of Love" had entered the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart at no. 50.Billboard, October 17, 1970 - Page 36 Soul, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 10/17/70 It peaked at no. 49 having spent three weeks in the chart.Billboard, October 31, 1970 - Page 42 Soul, Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 10/31/70Billboard, November 7, 1970 - Page 31 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles, Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY, For Week Ending 11/7/70 Chart summary Chart (1970) Peakposition Top 60 In R & B Locations (Cash Box) 41 Best Selling Soul Singles (Billboard)49
References
External links aaappleknocker channel - DEVOTION DAWING OF LOVE Zone Recordings channel - The Superbs - So Glad You're Home Vietnam War Song Project channel - Devotion - So Glad You're Home Champagne Filmmaker channel - Music Executive Paul L. Kyser of Trumpet Records Sit Down Documentary (at 17:27 Ksyer talks about The Superbs and "Dawning of Love")