The Winstons

The Winstons were a 1960s funk and soul music group, based in Washington, D.C., who are most notable for recording a track called «Color Him Father» recorded in 1969, backed with a B-side entitled «Amen, Brother», probably the most sampled record of all time. Midway through the track there is a drum solo (performed by G.C. Coleman) which has been sampled and used in thousands of hip-hop, pop, drum and bass and jungle tracks. This beat is known as the «Amen break», after the song. Their famous Amen break can be heard in thousands of songs, for example «Straight Outta Compton» by N.W.A.

The «Color Him Father» disc sold over one million copies, and received a gold record awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America on 24 July 1969.

The Winstons line-up included:

* Gregory C. Coleman (vocals, drums)
* Ray Maritano (vocals, alto saxophone)
* Quincy Mattison (vocals, lead guitar)
* Sonny Pekerol (vocals, bass guitar)
* Richard Lewis Spencer (lead vocals, tenor saxophone)
* Phil Tolotta (second lead, organ)