The Marquees formed in 1957, mainly comprised of students at DC's Cardozo High School. Chester Simmons developed the vocal group out of The Rainbows with members Reese Palmer, James Nolan, and Marvin Gay, who later changed his last name to Gaye. The Marquees performed in high school talent shows and at the Lincoln Theater on U St NW. In classic doo-wop fashion, they rehearsed and held impromptu sessions on street corners.
They were introduced to Bo Diddley, who worked with them and secured them a recording session with Okeh Records. Their 1957 recording session in New York City resulted in two songs that Bo Diddley's band provided background instrumentation on: "Wyatt Earp" and "Hey Little School Girl." (Reese Palmer sang lead on both songs.) The group also backed Billy Stewart on two songs during the same session. Unfortunately, Okeh Records did not promote The Marquees' records, which resulted in meager national sales.
Chester Simmons, who was Bo Diddley's driver and valet, had an opportunity to meet Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows. In 1959 while performing at the Howard Theater, Fuqua indicated that he needed a new set of Moonglows. Simmons convinced Fuqua to audition The Marquees. As a result, The Marquees became The New Moonglows. The group went on tour and recorded for Chess Records. Marvin Gaye recorded his first lead vocals in 1959 with the New Moonglows on "Mama Loocie." The former Marquees members, without Fuqua, also recorded backing vocals at Chess, notably for Chuck Berry's "Back in the U.S.A." and Bo Diddley's "I'm Sorry."
