The Manhattans is one of those groups that have been around forever. They formed in 1962 and technically they still exist even though all of the founding members have died. They have recorded 45 hits on the Billboard R&B Chart, including twelve top-10 R&B hits in the US.

The only song that they go to #1 was ” Kiss and Say Goodbye.” It was written by group member Winfred “Blue” Lovett who does the narration at the beginning. Then Gerald Alston does the lead singing. He is still alive but he didn’t join the group until 1970.

The song was on the top of the Cash Box chart for the weeks of July 11 – 24. It was on the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks (July 18 – 31). The only other song that the group had as a hit on the “pop” chart was 1980s “Shining Star” (not be confused with a song of the same name by Earth, Wind & Fire).

I think I haven’t heard this song since 1976. I listen to some oldies stations and I can’t remember them playing this song.