The Diamonds - 1970's

.Following the tour of Japan, Danny Rankin and Steve Morrow departed The Diamonds permanently - leaving Mike Douglas and Don Weir to find two new members.

Steve Morrow was replaced by singer/trombone player Dave Bush. Danny Rankin was replaced by singer/trumpet player Lee Raymond.

Once again the quartet was complete - but not for too long. Don Weir left the group and The remaining fellows merged with another group to become a septet.

The stand up vocal quartet style that had been the thing when The Diamonds began in the early fifties, was now dated and not commercially viable. Mike's vision included creating a self-contained group that would play its own accompaniment and sing the songs of the present day - rather than becoming a nostalgia act..The new lineup was as follows:

Rene' Sandoval Alto Sax Latin Percussion and  Vocals.
Joe Medina Bass,trumpet and vocals
Lee Raymond trumpet,bass trumpet,trombone,flugel horn,euphonium, vocals. The MC.
Richard Razzo drums,trumpet,vocals. not shown in photo.
Brett Wamsley,drums vocals (he took Richard Razo's place/ he is shown in pic's.
Greg Moore Musical Director,guitar,vocals.
Mike Douglas Baritone Sax,flute and vocals

The members had all been working with other live acts and didn't need much rehearsing before they put down an album in 1971 entitled - fittingly - The Diamonds 1970's. Gone on this album is the traditional sound of early rock and roll. The album features tracks such as My Cherie Armor - performed in a style that reflected the times. In spite of the quality of the music - and the style - this incarnation of The Diamonds was relatively short lived.

June 1972 this group disbanded.