1972 Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose – Don’t Ever Be Lonely (A Poor Little Fool Like Me)

1972 Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose – Don’t Ever Be Lonely (A Poor Little Fool Like Me)

Rose Cornelius began singing in the sixties and did well enough to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967. She was touring with a group called the Gospel Jazz Singers in 1970 when her mother convinced her to return home and form a group with her brothers, Carter and Eddie. Their younger sister, Billie Jo, joined the group as well but died before their recordings reached the charts. They signed with United Artists and began recording in 1971.

Eddie wrote the group’s first singles, which were arranged by Mike Lewis and produced by Bob Archibold. Treat Her Like A Lady reached #3 on the Hot 100 in 1971. Too Late To Turn Back Now managed to reach one spot higher the next year and also reached #5 on the R&B chart and #6 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

The label credited Carter as a co-writer of their third single. Don’t Ever Be Lonely (A Poor Little Fool Like Me) stalled at #23 on the Hot 100 and only got to the high-twenties on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts.

Near the end of the year, the group released a fourth single from their album, but perhaps it was a single too far: I’m Never Gonna Be Alone Anymore only reached #37 on the Hot 100 but still peaked at #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

The group’s fortunes floundered after that. Their last appearance on any chart came when they reached #15 on the US Dance chart in 1974 with Got To Testify (Love).