Baltimore doo wop quartet the Plants formed in 1955. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the December 1976 issue of Yesterday's Memories, the group was founded by lead George Jackson, first tenor Steve McDowell, bass Thurman Thrower, and baritione James Lawson, longtime friends who grew up in the same neighborhood. Originally dubbed the Equadors, in early 1957 they auditioned for J&S Records owner Zell Sanders backstage during a Moonglows concert at Baltimore's Royal Theater. Sanders agreed on the spot to manage the group, changing their name to the Plants in the process. Their debut single, "Dear I Swear," followed on J&S that autumn. The record proved a local hit but failed to catch on nationally, despite appearances throughout the East Coast as well as a guest shot on the famed Baltimore TV showcase The Buddy Dean Show. "From Me" followed in the spring of 1958, and when it too failed to make an impression at radio, the Plants dissolved. A year later, Sanders assembled a new Plants lineup (personnel unknown) for "I Searched the Seven Seas." In 1962 George Jackson surfaced as a solo act with the Lescay label single "Watching the Rainbow." He next turned up in 1966 on Double R with "When I Stop Lovin' You," which proved a Baltimore radio favorite and resulted in a 1967 effort for major label Mercury, "Tossin' and Turnin'." After the 1968 follow-up, "Don't Use Me," Jackson's recording career screeched to a halt. ~ Jason Ankeny