left to right Billy Owens, Richard May, James Haughton, Eddie King and Johnny Blanton

The Ascots (2) (Victorville, California)

Personnel :

Richard May (Lead /Second Tenor)

Billy Owens (First Tenor)

James Haughton (Bass)

Eddie King (Baritone)

Discography :

1962 - I'm Touched / Perfect Love (Ace 650)

Biography :

Vocal group from AFB airmen in Victorville, California. Billed as the Ascots the group includes Richard May as Lead singer and second tenor, Billy Owens first tenor, James Haughton bass, Eddie King baritone and Johnny Blanton, manager composer. The group made itself known by participating in a Air Force singing contest, the Ascots finished in second spot. The competition carried them through more than 30 states.

 The Ascots with Friends
 
 They have also appeared in shows headlining Hollywood stars Annette Funicello, Tab Hunter and Pat Boone In 1961, The Ascots  recorded "I'm Touched" backed by "Perfect Love". Both songs were written and arranged by May & Blanton and released on the Ace label.


Songs :

  
I'm Touched                                     Perfect Love



...

The Flames (3) (Navy, Hawai)

Personnel :

Willie Gaines (Lead)

Pat Dilley

Lou Zippin

Jim Arnold

Discography :

The Flames (3)
Singles :
1957 - Crazy / I'll Never Let You Go (International 203)

Unreleased :
1957 - Gee (International)
1957 - Rhythm Train (International)
1957 - Rockin' Town (International)
1957 - Sam The Accordion Man (International)
1957 - She's My Baby (International)
1957 - That's What You're Doing To Me (International)

Tom Moffatt & The Flames (3)
1958 - Beyond The Reef / Rock Along (International 204)

Biography :

In 1957, Willie Gaines from savannah, and three mates serving on the U.S.S Kishwaukee, a naval tanker, formed a quartet. Willie Gaines and Pat Dilley, from Columbia high School, were serving office on the ship and soon discovered each liked to sing. This evolved into a quartet, the other members of which were Lou Zippin of Cincinnati and Jim Arnold of Ohio.  They sang on television and began to get invitations for various engagements. They decided to ask the men on the ship to suggest names for the Quartet and the name, "The Flames" was adopted.

  
                            The Flames (3)                                                                                         Tom Moffatt                              

Then they met one Bob Bertram a radio man who had made some records as a pianist. He heard them and signed them a six-month recording contract with International Records of Honolulu. Producer Bob Bertram (of 'Susie Darlin’' by Robin Luke fame) owned several labels, including Lariat, whose artists included Joe Maphis, Polynesian (which released hula records aimed at the tourist trade) and Bertram International, which recorded rock & roll. The Flames recorded "I'll Never Let You Go" b/w "Crazy" who soon won a place among the top ten in Hawaii. In early 1958 The Flames backed Tom Moffatt on "Beyond The Reef" and "Rock Along."

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Flames (3)

  
Crazy / I'll Never Let You Go                    Gee / Rhythm Train    


Rockin' Town / Sam The Accordion Man


She's My Baby / That's What You're Doing To Me

Tom Moffatt & The Flames (3)

Rock Along

 ....

The Marquis (3) (Los Angeles, CA)
aka The Tabs (3)

Personnel :

William Gardner (Lead)

Teddy Forbes

Johnny Johnson

James Tomlin

Herbert Northern

Discography :

The Marquis (3)
1959 - Never Forget / Rock And Roll Holiday (Noble 719)

The Tabs (3)
1959 - Never Forget / Rock And Roll Holiday (Noble 719 / Gardena 110)
1959 - My Girl Is Gone / Oops (Noble 720)

Biography :

Formed at LA Trade Tech College in Downtown LA as the Illustrators in 1959, The Tabs were William Gardner, who have sung with the Cardells in 1956, James Tomlin, Herbert Norther, Teddy Forbes and Johnny Johnson. They recorded "Never Forget" b/w "Rock And Roll Holiday", which had two Billings, once as the Marquis and also as the Tabs on Noble (it was later issued on Gardena as the Tabs.) "Never Forget" charted on KFXM radio in Sept 1960. Despite performing at Hunter Hancock's record hops, their sound got little traction amongst the teen set. A group named the Fascinations cut a demo version of "Never Forget" for Gary S Paxton wich was never released.

Songs :

  
       Never Forget                           Rock And Roll Holiday

  
My Girl Is Gone                                Oops        

...

from left, Sue, 13, Bonnie, 18, snd Janice, 16.

The Haddock Sisters (Hopkinsville, Ky)

Personnel :

Sue Haddock

Bonnie Haddock

Janice Haddock

Discography :

1959 - I'm Gonna Rock Myself To Sleep / Don't Make Me Cry (Holmes 201)

Biography :

Their success began at the end of 1958 when their mother, Mrs Haddock an amateur song writer with some 20 titles to her credit, decided she might be able to get some of her work publishing. So she walked into the Chet Atkins Studio in Nashville to see if someone there would look at her work. Chet Atkins in person liked several of them and suggested that she take them to some music publisher. She visited two music publisher, Hal Smith and Jimmy Rich of Gaylord liked the music. They learned Mrs Haddock's daughters are singer and an audition Followed.

   
                                                                                                   Janice, Sue and Bonnie

The Girls, Bonnie, 18, Janice, 16 and Sue, 13, recorded in Nashville "I'm Gonna Rock Myself To Sleep" b/w/ Don't Make Me Cry " released on The Holmes Label (both songs are credited to R. Wilson ???).  In May 1959, the girls make their first television appearance in Nashville on the Noel Ball Show and sing their recorded songs. "I'm Gonna Rock Myself To Sleep" became a hit in Hopkinsville.

Songs :

?

...

Artis Rucker

The Five Letters (1) (Sumter, South Carolina)

Personnel :

Artis Rucker (Lead)

Henry Postel

Louis Carpenter

John Josey

Julius Colcolough

Discography :

1957 - Your First Love / Hold Me Baby (Ivy 102)

Biography :

Lincoln High School, an institution in Sumter, has a one-legged  tackle, 17 year old  Artis  Rucker,  who  lost his right leg in a train accident when he was eight yearsold. Five years later he got an artificial limb and reported to foothall practice in 1957.  Reputedly capable of running 100  yards in 13  seconds  in  football  togs,  his Coach Robert Jenkins, who calls him "my best defensive lineman."  Artis Rucker became co-captain of the Football team and leads his small vocal group composed of Henry Postel, Louis Carpenter, John Josey and Julius Colcolough. In 1957, the Five Letters recorded "Your First Love" b/w "Hold Me Baby" released by Ivy Records owned by Stan Feldman and Ed Portnoy with offices at 1697 Broadway.

Songs :

  
Your First Love                                 Hold Me Baby

...