American Football player Jim Brown discovered the R&B group Friends of Distinction and Earth, Wind and Fire!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_of_Distinction
Little Anthony and the Imperials first hit single “Tears On My Pillow” sold one million copies and in 1958 they changed their name from “The Chesters” to “The Imperials”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Anthony_and_the_Imperials