The Ballads, an Oakland-based vocal group formed in 1961, comprised Nathaniel Romerson, Jon Foster, Rico Thompson, and Leslie LaPalmer. They gained prominence with their 1968 hit single "God Bless Our Love," which reached #65 on the Billboard pop singles chart and #8 on the R&B singles chart. Their harmonious blend of R&B and soul resonated with audiences, solidifying their place in the genre's rich tapestry. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ballads_%28group%29?utm_source=openai))