Joe Billingslea

Joseph Billingslea, Jr. was born in Hamtramck, Michigan on November 14, 1937. Before his first birthday, his parents moved to Detroit, where Joe grew up and attended school. He sang with the boys' choir while attending Chadsey High School. After graduation Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force. While stationed in Maine, Joe formed a vocal group with four other airmen called the Revere Tone Five. (The name was taken from the brand of tape recorder that they used for recording). After receiving an honorable discharge following his four-year stint, Joe returned to Detroit.
Joe Billingslea

Shortly afterward, Joe met Billy Hoggs. Together with Billy Gordon and Leroy Fair they formed The Blenders in 1958. In 1959, after adding Hubert Johnson to become a quintet, the group decided a name change was in order. It was Joe's suggestion to call the group "THE CONTOURS"; a name quickly embraced by the other four members.

A few days later, THE CONTOURS signed a recording contract with Motown Records. The group's first two records in 1960 and 1961 on the Motown label didn't get much airplay outside the Midwest. However, in 1962 the group made music history with the million-seller, "Do You Love Me", recorded on Motown's newest label, Gordy. Joe continued to sing with THE CONTOURS for two more years, racking up a number of chart hits on the way. In 1964, Joe (and every other member except Billy Gordon) left the group over creative differences with Motown.

Joe took a job for Chrysler Corporation at the Dodge Truck Plant in Warren, Michigan. A year later, he was elected UAW Chief Steward; a position he held until he resigned in 1968 to join the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. In 1977, he put his years of law enforcement experience to work by joining the Detroit Correctional Department (DeHoCo), eventually reaching the rank of Sergeant.

In 1980, Joe reconstituted THE CONTOURS and the group began playing weekends in the greater Detroit area. He continued to work his day job and in November 1985 he was assigned to the Detroit Police Department, 9th Floor Lockup. About that time, Joe had a dream that he would meet a man who would become the group's manager and that THE CONTOURS would become even bigger than they had been in the early sixties.

In 1987, the release of the movie, "Dirty Dancing" created an interest in THE CONTOURS' music from a new generation. The 1988 re-release of "Do You Love Me" from the movie's soundtrack soared on the charts, eventually going multi-platinum at level 4.0. The movie's success prompted the "Dirty Dancing Tour," originally scheduled to be three months long. Joe took a leave of absence from the Detroit Police Department to participate. However, the tour became so popular that promoters expanded it to ten months. THE CONTOURS traveled around the country, through Europe and to Joe's favorite place on the tour, Australia. His dream had come to life.

In 1989, Joe decided to resign from the Detroit Police Department to devote all of his time to THE CONTOURS and his singing career. He continues to perform to this day. He is married and has eight children - five boys and three girls.

-http://thecontours.net/joe.shtml