The Whatnauts

A Baltimore vocal group whose heartache tunes were admired by the '70s soul hardcore, though they didn't usually register enough with the general R&B audience to be hits. Lead vocalist Billy Herndon teamed with Garrett Jones and Gerald Pinkney for several memorable singles on Stang, although their best topical cut, "Message From a Black Man" in 1970, was on A&M. Their best known song was "I'll Erase Away Your Pain," which reached number 14 R&B in 1971. They also teamed with the Moments for "Girls," which peaked at number 25. ~ Ron Wynn