The band was formed in 1968 by Floyd Butler (b. 5 June 1941, San Diego, California, USA, d. 29 April 1990), Harry Elston (b. 4 November 1938, Dallas, Texas, USA), Jessica Cleaves (b. 10 December 1948, Los Angeles, California, USA) and Barbara Jean Love (b. 24 July 1941, Los Angeles, California, USA). This smooth vocal quartet began working together in the Ray Charles' revue. Stylistically similar to the Fifth Dimension, the Friends scored a million-selling hit with a vocal version of Hugh Masekela's "Grazing In The Grass" (1969). Two further releases, "Going In Circles" and "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely", were also substantial hits, before their sweet-harmony, MOR soul established them as an attraction on the cabaret circuit.

Listen to The Friends of Distinction at Finetune.

• (1996)  The Best Of Friends Of Distinction

• Going In Circles
• Love Me Or Let Me Be Lonely
• Love Or Let Me Be Lonely
• Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)
• I Really Hope You Do

• The Temptations
• Stevie Wonder
• The Isley Brothers
• Earth, Wind & Fire
• Marvin Gaye
• Aretha Franklin
• The Spinners
• Four Tops
• The O'Jays
• The Delfonics
• Al Green
• The Stylistics
• Smokey Robinson
• Luther Vandross
• Gladys Knight & The Pips
• Kool & the Gang
• Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
• The Dells
• Barry White
• Otis Redding

• kuboti
• 709
• kcinffx