The group was noted for their 1955 hit "Speedoo", written by Esther Navarro, which was instrumental in attracting white audiences to black rock and roll performers.
As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them.
The previous year, Bobby Spencer had written the "My Boy Lollipop" pop song shuffle for Barbie Gaye, which was played by Alan Freed and secured Barbie Gaye a spot in his 1956 Christmas Show opening for Little Richard.
Carroll's lead spot had been given to Spencer and Bailey, and he left shortly thereafter, creating a new group, Speedo and the Pearls, which recorded briefly in 1959.
The group split and re-formed in 1960, with Carroll, Martinez, Kirk Davis, and bass Ronnie Bright.
Later the group was Carroll, Martinez, the returning Bobby Spencer, Milton Love, and Reggie Barnes.
The lineup shifted again, now with Carroll, Martinez, Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, and Irving Lee Gail.
Carroll was out by 1962 to enter the group they'd been emulating, The Coasters, with Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, and Will "Dub" Jones.
[4][5] Carroll had remained with the Coasters during this time, and left in the 1979 to permanently re-form the Cadillacs with Phillips, Johnny Brown, Gary K. Lewis, and musical director Eddie Jones.