Although they had lead tenors (Marshall and later, Joe Van Loan), the Ravens primarily existed to showcase bass singer Ricks. In this, they were successful, that Ricks' voice became the standard against which every rhythm and blues bass was measured for the next generation. The Ravens had few chart hits, although they were popular in concert.
The group's greatest successes were in the late 1940s, including covers of "Ol' Man River" (1947) and "Count Every Star" (1950), which was later used in the film, Revolutionary Road. They had continued success into the 1950s, but Suttles left the group in 1954 and Ricks in 1955. The group continued on for some time thereafter, with various changes in personnel, but it was never as successful as before.
Ricks went on to a solo career, and was the vocalist for the Count Basie orchestra. He died on July 2, 1974.
The Ravens were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
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