Effective period / Period of releases: 1954 - 2012

Members: Jimmy Johnson (2), Melvin Smith, Harry Van Walls, Harry Crafton, Doc Starkes, Joe Sewell

1950s-1960s R&B group from Hartford, Connecticut.
Sometimes referred to as "The Night Riders."
Backing band for Doc Starkes.

The Nite Riders were:
James "Doc" Starkes: Bass /Trombone,
Melvin Smith: Vocals / Baritone Saxophone
Harry Van Walls: Piano
Harry Crafton: Guitar / Vocals
Joe Sewell: Tenor Saxophone
Jimmy Johnson: Drums

Before forming this group, all the members had attended several studio sessions and some of them had also done solo recordings. Van Walls had appeared on numerous Atlantic r'n'b-hits since the late 1940s (Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, Sticks McGhee, Joe Morris, Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters, The Clovers etc.), and Harry Crafton had worked with Doc Bagby, The Jive-Tones, The Sonotones and The Craft Tones. Joe Sewell had recorded with Tiny Grimes' and Harry Crafton's Orchestras, and Melvin Smith with Clyde "Blow Top" Lynn & his House Rockers and Big John Greer.