Influenced both musically and in their showmanship by The Cadillacs, The Solitaires, and The Flamingos, The Valentines were able to contribute an innovative stage presentation, outstanding vocals, and some unique performances.
While performing at a house party in 1954 they met a young singer-songwriter named Richard Barrett from Philadelphia who had sung with a group called The Angels (on Grand).
An alternative version given by Phil Groia, in They All Sang on the Corner, states that the group actually met Barrett while he was serenading lovers in a park with his ukulele.
Although DJ and unofficial mayor of Harlem Willie Bryant played the tape on local radio station WOV for a month, Bruce never issued it or recorded the group again.
At this time, before the arrival of Alan Freed, New York Rhythm and Blues radio was dominated by Tommy ("Dr Jive") Smalls on WWRL.
In mid-1955, Eddie Edgehill replaced Donald Razor as second tenor and the group moved to George Goldner's Rama label where they issued the chime-harmonised rocker "Lily Maebelle" in September.
They also performed at the Apollo, Howard, and Royal Theatres, and with shows hosted by other famous DJs of the time, Hal Jackson and Jocko Henderson.
At the group's final session, Carl Hogan returned to replace Eddie Edgehill, and David Clowney from The Pearls (on Onyx) took Raymond Briggs' place.
The group decided to disband in 1958 after one final appearance at the Apollo Theater, due to a combination of disillusionment with poor promotion on the part of the Rama label and the desire of Richard Barrett to turn to management and production.
David Clowney became Dave "Baby" Cortez and had the number-one popular hit "The Happy Organ" in 1959, as well as performing with many doo-wop groups such as The Jesters and The Paragons.