The Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills is the Barbershop Harmony Society's 1950 International Quartet Champion.

First formed in 1947 from four men from Buffalo, NY. Vern Reed (tenor), Al Shea (lead), Hershel Smith (bari), and Bill Spangenberg (bass). They got their name after being called the “Buffalo Bills” when introduced at a Buffalo Quarterback Club meeting and the name stuck. In 1947, they placed 16th in their first ever international contest and won the District the following year. In 1948, they jumped up to 6th. In 1949, Hersh Smith left the group and was replaced by Dick Grapes. They won the international championship in 1950.

Shortly after winning, the Buffalo Bills went on USO Tours of Japan, Germany, France, Austria, Korea, and a few other countries with thanks to the Society’s Armed Forces Collaboration Program.

In 1957 they auditioned for Meredith Wilson’s new Broadway musical, The Music Man. They got the part and joined the act. Dick Grapes decided not to go with them and was replaced by Wayne “Scotty” Ward as baritone. They sang on Broadway until going off to film the Music Man film in 1961. After the film’s completion in 1962, Bill Spangenberg took ill and was replaced by Jim Jones as bass. Spangenberg died the following year.

The Buffalo Bills finally decided to call it quits for good in 1967. Over the 20 years they sang together, they produced 15 record albums and performed with countless celebrities. They are one of the key reasons that a lot of people who have never heard of barbershop singing have discovered it. Today only Jim Jones survives. Al Shea died in 1968, Scotty Ward died in 1989, Vern Reed died in 1992, Hershel Smith died in 2008, and Dick Grapes died in 2015.