The Contours recorded their first million-seller record in 1962, “Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance).” Original group members included Joe Billingslea, Billy Gordon, Billy Hoggs, Hubert Johnson, and Sylvester Potts, who were signed by Berry Gordy in 1960. Known for high-energy, acrobatic choreography, and stage antics, The Contours’ performance philosophy was to give audiences their money’s worth… and more.
Despite numerous personnel changes, the group continued to hit the charts during its seven years at Motown, with hits like Smokey Robinson’s comically candid overture to greed, “First I Look at the Purse,” released in 1965.
The Contours perform “Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)” at the 1963 Motortown Revue at the Apollo Theater.
All Members of The Contours
- Billy Gordon
- Billy Hoggs
- Joe Billingslea
- Hubert Johnson
- Sylvester Potts
- Huey Davis, guitarist
- Bennie Reeves
- Leroy Fair
- Council Gay
- Jerry Green
- Alvin English
- Joe Stubbs
- Dennis Edwards
Motown Note
Almost 25 years after its first release, The Contours’ “Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)” was introduced to new fans and found a place on the pop charts, when it was featured in the 1988 hit movie Dirty Dancing.
