1. The Essex was a nearly-one-hit wonder R&B vocal quintet who had a successful year in 1963 as a result of their pop song "Easier Said Than Done". The Essex, formed in 1961, eventually included Anita Humes, Walter Vickers (guitar), Rodney Taylor (drums), Billie Hill and Rudolph Johnson. Vickers and Taylor started the group while they were stationed in Japan. "Easier Said Than Done", which climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, was performed by four Marines