Gregory Carroll, also known as John Wayne Carroll, was a multifaceted musician whose life was deeply intertwined with the vibrant musical landscape of the 20th century. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 19, 1929, Carroll’s journey into the world of music began at a young age. He formed his first vocal group, The Metronomes, while still a teenager at Frederick Douglass High School. This group would later evolve into The Four Buds and then The Four Buddies, eventually signing with Savoy Records.
The Four Buddies found success with their heartfelt doo wop ballad “I Will Wait,” which peaked at number two on the US R&B chart in 1951. This was a significant achievement for the group, but it was just the beginning for Carroll. In 1953, he left The Four Buddies to join The Orioles as a second tenor, a move that would lead to even greater success. With The Orioles, Carroll recorded “Crying In the Chapel,” a song that topped the US R&B chart and reached number eleven on the US Billboard 100.
Carroll’s career took a new direction in 1955 when The Orioles split up. He ventured into work as a backing singer and producer, forming the vocal harmony group The Dappers with Larry Harrison. This group, however, was short-lived. Carroll’s next project was the duo Greg and Peg, and he also produced a session for former Orioles lead vocalist Sonny Til. In 1960, he released a single for Epic, “Wa Ding Dung Doo,” which unfortunately did not chart.
The early 1960s marked a pivotal time for Carroll, as he formed the quartet The Halos with Al Showell, Doc Wheeler, and Doris Troy. Although The Halos did not achieve commercial success, Carroll and Troy’s songwriting partnership flourished. Together, they wrote “Just One Look,” a soul classic that would become Troy’s signature song. Released in 1963, “Just One Look” climbed to number three on the US R&B chart and number ten on the US Billboard 100. The song’s success was not limited to Troy’s version; it also gave The Hollies a number two hit in the UK and was covered by other artists like Linda Ronstadt and Anne Murray.
Carroll, Payne, and Garvin followed up “Just One Look” with “What’cha Gonna Do About It,” a song that conveyed frustration and sadness and reached number twenty-one on the US R&B chart. This would be Troy’s last hit single. Carroll continued to write songs, including “One More Chance” with Eric Gale, and formed a new songwriting partnership with Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, penning “Please Little Angel.”
In 1970, Carroll rejoined The Orioles, which had reformed with Sonny Til, and remained with the group until 1987. He then joined a new incarnation of The Ink Spots led by Jim Nabbie. In 1994, Carroll retired from his musical career and moved to Ashe County, North Carolina. Despite his retirement, his love for music remained, and he occasionally performed at concerts.
Sadly, Gregory Carroll passed away on January 25, 2013, in Creston, North Carolina, at the age of eighty-three. His legacy lives on through his music, with hits like “Just One Look,” “One More Chance,” “What’cha Gonna Do About It,” and “Please Little Angel” continuing to resonate with listeners. Carroll’s life was a testament to his passion for music, and his contributions to the industry have secured him a place in the annals of American music history.
