Allen McLaurin

Allen McLaurin, a soul and blues singer, songwriter - and former professional bowler. As a teenager while working at Fairlanes in Charlotte, North Carolina, Allen wrote a song called "300 Game" which impressed his manager there so much he introduced him to a Mercury A&R man. Seventeen year old Allen was flown to Nashville to record the song in 1959, but it was never released. The next few years produced more original records by "Lil Al" and his group the Maxidynes. The UK "Northern Soul" scene and beach music fans are familiar with "Lonely Days of My Life", "Laugh Now Boy" and "Do Your Own Thing". Lil Al and the Maxidynes began in 1960 when Allen was invited to join the Flares of Gastonia. They needed a Hazel Martin soundalike for some gigs in the Charlotte area. Within a few months a new group was born. Allen performed with his group for 16 years.