The Matadors – Vengeance will be mine

103 | 27 September 2023

The Matadors | Doo Wop

“Vengeance” by The Matadors was Sue Record USA’s first hit, and was made in 1957, in the then popular doo wop style of rock and roll. The photo above is the only known surviving photo of the group.

We now know the name of two members of the group: Johnny Garfield, who wrote the song, and Juan Terry. The Matadors recorded two singles for US Sue, then broke up.

There have been a number of later groups also called The Matadors, this track is not by them.

This track features on the Ensign Sue music cassette “Maximum R&B” ENSUC 3. It also features on the London American LP “The Sue Story”.

The B Side of “Vengeance” was a version of a standard pop song of the time, “Pennies From Heaven”.

“Vengeance”, Sue 700, 1957. Chart position data not available. Thought to be a local (New York) rather than a national hit.

Can anyone help with further information, please.