The surprising story of the US Marine Corps band that topped the charts until tragedy struck in 1966

In the 1960s, one of the most unusual stories in American pop music involved a group made up of active members of the United States Marines, who managed to reach the top of the music charts with an unforgettable hit. The trajectory of the band The Essex, which emerged in 1962, is a fascinating and little-known chapter in the relationship between the American army and pop culture, marked by success, talent and a tragedy that prematurely ended the project. The connection between the military universe and pop music is not unprecedented. Icons like Elvis Presley had already mixed his musical career and military service, releasing the single "A Big Hunk o' Love" in 1959 while serving in the Army in West Germany, even posing in uniform on the album's cover. In the following decade, Sergeant Barry Sadler would also reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Ballad of the Green Berets" in the midst of the Vietnam conflict. Reggae singer Shaggy, in the 1980s, reconciled his musical career with active service in the Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. However, the case of The Essex is particularly unique. Founded by Walter Vickers and Rodney Taylor while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, the group soon transferred to Camp Lejeune, where they recruited other Marines, including Billy Hill, Rudolph Johnson and vocalist Anita Humes. This formation gave rise to an R&B group that soon caught the attention of record companies. Success came quickly, but unexpectedly. The Essex presented a demo to Roulette Records, including the track "Easier Said Than Done", co-written by Marine William Linton. Interestingly, the rhythm of the song would have been influenced by the sounds of the teletype machines used at the military base. Initially, the band considered "Easier Said Than Done" only as a B-side to the single "Are You Going My Way", released in May 1963. However, the song on side B ended up gaining prominence on the radio, with DJs preferring to play "Easier Said Than Done", which quickly won over the public. The song reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts, in addition to giving the name to the band's debut album. This feat marked the first time that active members of the American armed forces reached the top of the music charts with an artistic mission. The recognition of The Essex's success was expanded with a performance on the renowned program "The Ed Sullivan Show", broadcast by CBS, consolidating the band as an unexpected phenomenon of the time. Despite initial success, the band's career suffered setbacks. Rudolph Johnson left the group, which continued as a quartet, and subsequent releases did not repeat the same success: "A Walkin' Miracle" reached number 12 on the charts, while "She's Got Everything" was at number 56, with the band now credited as "The Essex Featuring Anita Humes". The difficulty of reconciling a musical career with military obligations, especially after Johnson's transfer back to Okinawa, limited the group's continuity. The tragedy that ended the trajectory of The Essex occurred in 1966, when Rodney Taylor, the drummer, was fatally victim of an attempted robbery in New York. After this episode, the remaining members decided not to reform the band. Billy Hill continued to play music with the group The Courtship until 2013, while Anita Humes attempted a solo career with Roulette Records and continued performing in clubs until her death in 2010. The story of The Essex stands as a unique chapter at the intersection of pop music and the American military, showing how art can emerge even in unlikely environments and how fate can be cruel to promising talent.

Credit: Far Out / Album Cover