John Bowie was lead singer for The Philadelphians; a Philly R&B group of the late fifties and sixties. The Philadelphians got their start at The Community Center located at 10th and Thompson Sts. of The Cambria Hgts. projects. The Philadelphians consisted of Big John as lead, Frank Gordon as bass, Sam [unknown] as second tenor, and Eddie [unknown] as first tenor, and an unknown baritone singer. They recorded sides for Campus Records, Cameo-Parkway and Jamie-Guyden with such recordings as Dear, The Love I Lost, I Missed Her, Coming Home To You, The Vow, Church Bells and My Love My Love.
By the late 1960's The Philadelphians had split up and John was doing some production work (Mysterious Clown) and solo work, recording as Little John Bowie on the Merben label, as well as cutting one single in 1967 for the Phil-LA Of Soul label.
John Bowie died from a robbery attempt at a gas station where he worked in 1985.
- The Love I Lost - The Philadelphians (02:11)
- Dear - The Philadelphians (02:00)
- Coming Home To You - The Philadelphians (02:15)
- Church Bells - The Philadelphians (02:02)
- The Vow - The Philadelphians (02:08)
- I Missed Her - The Philadelphians (02:06)
- You're Gonna Miss A Good Thing - Big John Bowie (02:44)
- At The End Of Day - Big John Bowie (02:20)
- Go Go Annie - Little John Bowie (02:38)
- My Love My Love - Little John Bowie (03:08)
- Mysterious Clown - Mysterious Clown (02:55)
- Why Do I Have To Tell Her - Mysterious Clown (02:59)
- A Fool I Would Be - John Bowie (02:28)
- I Never Felt So Lonely - John Bowie (02:57)
- Bad Luck - John Bowie (02:25)
- Your Gonna Miss Me (Female Version) - John Bowie (02:04)
- Help Me Pretty Baby - John Bowie (02:26)
- You're Gonna Miss A Good Thing - Demo - John Bowie (02:59)
- Help Me - Demo - John Bowie (02:37)
