The Essex

The Essex were 1) an R&B vocal group. Formed in 1961, The Essex eventually included Anita Humes, Walter Vickers (guitar), Rodney Taylor (drums), Billy Hill (who went by the name of Billy Proctor) and Rudolph Johnson. Vickers and Taylor started the group while they were with the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Japan. "Easier Said Than Done", which climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, was performed by four Marines, not including co-writer William Linton, stationed at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina.