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The Montereys were a soul group from Tampa, Florida, formed in the 1970s. The band originated with four young boys—Windell Roberson, Lonnie Jones, Ervin, and Hary Hart—who were discovered by a music-loving teacher named Nelson Griffith while attending junior high school. Initially calling themselves The Astros, they later changed their name to The Montereys to avoid confusion with another local group. The name was inspired by Monterey, California. They soon added a talented and charismatic singer, Whitman Able, completing their lineup. In 1971, The Montereys recorded a single at the newly opened Tampa 70 Studios, which was released through Griffith's NGC imprint. They toured across the US, Canada, and Mexico, opening for notable acts such as Al Green, James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, and Joe Tex. Despite connections with Berry Gordy at Motown and Norman Whitfield for a potential inclusion in the "Car Wash" soundtrack, a major deal did not materialize, and the group eventually disbanded.

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