Formed in 1950 out of Detroit’s Central High School by Nolan Strong (main tenor) and his friend, Bob “Chico” Edwards (guitar), the Diablos also consisted of Juan Guitierriez (2nd tenor), Willie Hunter (baritone) and Quentin Eubanks (bass). They recorded a demo for Fortune when its office was still located on Linwood just across the street from Central High but later admitted to the Browns that they had no money to pay for it and had done it just so they could hear themselves on record and were sorry for their deception. Devora Brown then signed them to a recording contract where they quickly became the pride and joy of Fortune Records.
In 1954, Juan Guitierriez was replaced by Nolan’s brother, Jimmy. Eubanks was replaced with George Scott in 1959 but sometimes alternated bass duties with J.W. Johnson. By 1960, Chico Edwards had left the band but would work with Nolan again in 1972. The band released 20 singles from ’54 to ’64. Songs as "The Wind" (1954), written by the Diablos and "Mind Over Matter" (1962), written by Devora, became number 1 regional hits.
NOLAN STRONG - MIND OVER MATTER - YouTube
"Mind Over Matter" which was also covered in '62 by the Temptations under the name The Pirates on the Mel-O-Dy label.
DIABLOS- THE WIND - YouTube
"The Wind," perhaps the most beautiful and etheric doo-wop song ever written, has been covered by a few artists since then including Laura Nyro on her album,
Gonna Take a Miracle, where she performs all the vocals. Nolan was offered a contract by Motown but turned it down but seemed to regret it later as his limited Fortune contract kept him from nationwide success that he no doubt would have achieved at Motown. Nolan Strong was influenced by the voice of Clyde McPhatter of the Drifters and was, in turn, a heavy influence on Smokey Robinson. All the original members of the Diablos are deceased. In 2008, the Diablos were elected to the Doo Wop Hall of Fame.
Nolan Strong’s gravestone at Westlawn Cemetery just outside Detroit—about 75 feet from Jackie Wilson’s gravestone.