The Main Ingredient is an American soul and R&B group best known for their 1972 hit song "Everybody Plays The Fool".
The group was formed in Harlem, New York in 1964 as a trio called The Poets, composed of lead singer Donald McPherson, Luther Simmons Jr. and Panama born Tony Silvester. They made their first recordings for Leiber & Stoller's Red Bird label, but soon changed their name to The Insiders and signed with RCA. After a couple of singles they changed there name once again in 1968, this time permanently to The Main Ingredient, taking their name from a coke bottle.
Cuba Gooding Sr. became the lead singer in 1971 and in 1972 the million selling smash "Everybody Plays The Fool" was released which hit number two R&B and number three pop to become the group's biggest hit. The hit sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in September 1972. The accompanying album Bitter Sweet became their first to hit the Top 10 on the R&B chart.
~