Rhythm and Blues Singer. He was was a lead singer and member of the Doo Wop musical group "The Dubs." The group formed in Harlem, New York City, New York in 1957, with lead singer Jackie Rue (later of the Starlighters), first tenor Frank Edwards, second tenor Billy Carlisle, baritone Melvin Flood, and bass Tommy Grate. Originally known as 'The Five Wings', the group recorded a few singles and posthumous tributes to the late R&B musician Johnny Ace in 1955, on the King Record Label. Three members of the group including Frank Edwards, Melvin Flood, and Jackie Rue, later left to pursue other options. The remaining members of the group then recruited new members, Kenny 'Butch' Hamilton (formerly of The Sonics), and a backing vocalist named Billy Nelson. Following a music session in 1955, they also added Blandon (Carlisle's cousin), after his return from a stint in the United States Air Force. In February 1956, the new group released their single, 'Walk Along.' That same year they met up with another Harlem, New York, group called 'The Scale-Tones.' The group had just recorded their first only single for Joe Davis' Jay Dee Record Label. The two groups decided to merge and yet again, form another group. The new group featured lead singer Richard L. Blandon, baritone James "Jake" Miller, second tenor Billy Carlisle, first tenor Cleveland Still, and bass Thomas Gardner. Former members Grate and Hamilton left to become members of the music groups. The new group began to perform and brought in former manager (Hiram Johnson) of 'The Five Wings' as there own. By 1956, the group had begun calling themselves 'The Mar-Vells'. Inspired by the likes of The Harptones, The Spaniels, and The Wanderers, they signed to the ABC Paramount Records Label in 1956, and released their first single that November. In 1957, Hiram Johnson decided to start his own record label, Johnson Records, and the group re-named themselves, 'The Dubs.' Their first single, 'Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely,' was released In March 1957. The single was a success on radio, so much that they were signed to music producer George Goldner's Gone Record Label. By July 15, 1957, the song landed on the National Pop Charts peaking at #74, and on the Top Ten Charts. By August 1957, Thomas Gardner had quit the group, and was replaced by former Five Wings bass player Tommy Grate. Also in 1957, the group released another single entitled, 'Could This Be Magic.' The song which landed on the Top 40 Chart, and rising to #23, became their biggest hit. After the release of the single, 'Could This Be Magic,' the group began an extensive tour of both the United States and Canada. The group also continued to record, and in November 1958, they released another recording, 'Chapel Of Dreams.' That same year, disappointed over meager earnings for their music, the group decided to disband. In July of 1959, Cleveland Still (who was working as a shipping clerk) heard their song, 'Chapel Of Dreams', on the radio, and he could not believe his ears, although he continued to work. By chance other members of the former group had heard the song as well. The song quickly jumped to the Top 100 on August 12, 1959, and rising to the #74 spot, some six weeks later. Former members of 'The Dubs,' thinking they were being given a second chance reunited (except for Cleveland Stll, he was replaced by Cordell Brown). They signed to the ABC Paramount Record Label, and recorded with them from November 1959 to November 1961, but there efforts didn't yield any new hits. Their. last recording for ABC Paramount was, 'Down Down I Go.' In 1962, the group returned to George Goldner for one more release, and one for Wilshire as well. In 1963, the group signed with the Josie Record Label, and appeared on the album, "The Dubs Meet The Shells." By the 1970s, the group were still recording, but this time with Richard L. Blandon, Cleveland Still, and tenor Kirk Harris, and baritone David Shelly. The 'newest' group released an album for the Candlelite Record Label, of previously recorded 'Dubs' songs, and a couple of other singles. In the 1980s, the group was still singing, but again the group members had changed. This time it was Cleveland Still, Bernard Jones (from Doc' Green's Drifters), Leslie Anderson, and Steve Brown and John Truesdale (of 'The Charts'). By the 1990s, the group amazingly were still recording. By this time the group was Jay McKnight, Kenny White, Danny Foy, and female vocalist Doretha Gillis. In 1990, Richard Blandon, McKnight, and Foy recorded the single, 'Wherever You Are,' for the Classic Artists Label. On December 30, 1991, Richard Blandon died in New York, New York, at the age of 57. A veteran of the Korean War (he served in the United States Air Force) Blandon was buried at the Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, New York. Blandon's brother Darryl Blandon succeeded him as lead singer of the group in 1992. The group, now a quartet, included Darryl Blandon, Foy, McKnight, and Gills. By 2004, Cleveland Still and Darryl Blandon were still recording in 'Dubs' groups, but there own versions. Other recordings by 'The Dubs,' include, 'Please Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely,' 'Beside My Love,' 'Your Very First Love,' 'Darlin,' 'Such Lovin,' 'Connie Dear,' 'Have Some Fun,' and 'You're A Heartache To Me.'