line-up the chords featured carl ( lead ) and claude feaster ( baritone ) ( born september 23 , 1933 - november 1975 ) , jimmy keyes ( first tenor ) ( born may 22 , 1930 , the bronx , new york - july 22 , 1995 , new york ) , floyd '' buddy '' mcrae ( second tenor ) and william '' ricky '' edwards ( bass ) - formed in 1951 in the bronx , new york , but were not discovered until three years later , when they were spotted singing in a subway station , a performance that ultimately landed them a recording contract with atlantic records ' cat records label .