b. Hidle Brown Barnum, 15th July 1936, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
H.B. Barnum is a producer and arranger who has a resume that dates back to the 1950's.
When he was 4 years old, he took part in, and won a nationwide amateur talent contest, which led to a part in a movie entitled 'Valley of the Sun Marches On'.
the dootones in 1955: l to r: h.b. barnum, ron barrett, charles gardner and marvin wilkins
'teller of fortune' b/w 'ay si si' - 1955
In 1955 H.B. co-founded the doo wop group, the Dootones (who recorded 'Teller of Fortune' and featured Ronald Barrett, Charles Gardner, and Marvin Wilkins).
H. B. and Ronald Barrett were both members of a jazz band whilst attending Fremont High School in Los Angeles.
The Dootones recorded background vocal sessions for Etta James and Jackie Wilson.
He then joined the ranks of another Doo Wop group called the Robins, whose line-up included: Ty Terrell Leonard, Grady Chapman, Billy Richards, Roy Richards and H. B. Barnum.
Under the name of Pee Wee Barnum, he released his debut single, 'Blue Moon' b/w 'Tia-Juana', for the Imperial imprint.
By 1959, he had taken his first steps into production, producing 'Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces' for Dodie Stevens.
the big voice of h.b. barnum - 1960 / everybody loves h.b. - 1962 / the big hits of detroit - 1965 / golden boy - 1965
As an artist, H.B. debuted with the album 'The Big Voice of Barnum' in 1960.
His instrumental 'Lost Love' was a Top 40 hit in 1961.
During the '60's, H.B.recorded two albums for RCA, 'The Big Voice Of Barnum - H.B. That Is', and 'Everybody Loves H.B.-Barnum That Is', that highlighted his keyboard-playing, songwriting skills and vocal abilities.
pop & ice cream sodas - 1966 / bad luck's on me - 1967-45
He also recorded for Capitol ('The Record', 1965), but most of his work during the '60's / 70's was as an in demand arranger.
H.B. has arranged for Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, The Marvelettes, O.C. Smith, Greg Perry, Lamont Dozier ('Fish Ain't Bitin'), Michael Wycoff ('Looking Up To You'), Aretha Franklin ('When I Think About You'), Jesse James ('If You Want A Love Affair', which he also co-wrote), Johnny Bristol ('Hang On In There Baby') and Gladys Knight & The Pips ('Help Me Make It Through The Night').
He also wrote and produced for Jimmy Norman ('I Wanna Make Love To You', Buddah, 1975), and the excellent Gloria Bare ('From The Heart').
H.B. founded and directed H.B. Barnum's Life Choir, serving as minister of music at St. Paul's Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
H. B. Barnum is the older brother of the Apollas singer, Billie Barnum.
Albums:
The Big Voice Of Barnum (RCA Records 1960)
Everybody Loves H.B.Barnum That Is (RCA Records 1962)
Golden Boy (Capitol Records 1965)
Big Hits from Detroit (Capitol Records 1965)
Pop And Ice Cream Soda's - H.B. Barnum Sings' (Capitol Records 1966)
