CCMusic.com

Hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey, The Manhattans originally formed in 1962 and released their first single "For the Very First Time," in 1964. With various members of the group handling the writing chores, they scored many chart successes for the remainder of the 1960's. The Manhattans continued recording throughout the 1970's with Gerald Alston replacing George Smith on lead vocals due to an illness Smith incurred from a bad fall. In 1976 the new lineup struck gold with "Kiss And Say Goodbye," written by group member Winfred "Blue" Lovett, which rose to the #1 position on both the US R&B and pop charts. For their 30th reunion in 1995, original members Blue Lovett and Gerald Alston reformed the group and they were featured in two PBS specials with the new lineup. Here the group performs their classic 1980 hit, "Shining Star." Also included is an exclusive edited version.