L/R: Richie Soriano, Sammy Marotta, Adolfo Altreche, Tommy Pellechia and Rudy Jackson kneeling

Rudy & The Tradewinds (2) (Brooklyn, New York)
aka Jimmy & The Slanders

Personnel :

Rudy Jackson (Lead)

Tommy Pellechia (Baritone/Second Tenor)

Sammy Marotta (Bass/Baritone)

Richie Soriano (First & Second Tenor)

Adolfo Altreche (Bass)

Discography :

Rudy & The Tradewinds (2)
1962 - Unemployed / Careless Love (Angletone 543)

Jimmy & The Slanders
1962 - Rock'in Santa / Respectable (by The Chants) (U.W.R.4243)

Biography :

Rudy From The Tradewinds was Rudy Jackson & was Jimmy Soul's brother in law (If You Wanna Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life) and so before Jimmy went to Motown, he was a member of The group. They were called Little Sugar and the Slanders. Rudy and Jimmy lived on St John's Place, between 5th and 6th Ave, in Brooklyn. At this time the group was composed by jimmy Soul, Rudy Jackson , Tommy Pellechia, Sammy Marotta & Adolfo Altreche. Richie Soriano was not part of the group then. They did local gigs for the area's gangsters. Jimmy Soul was the main lead. After one meager paying gig, Jimmy Soul ran off with the money; the next thing they knew he was in Detroit.

   
 Rudy & The Tradewinds                                                                                       Jimmy Soul           

In 1959/60, They changed their name then to Rudy and the Tradewinds, Richie Soriano joined the group, and Rudy took lead singer. The members: one black, three Italians, one Puerto Rican, in the order below. Rudy Jackson (Lead), Thomas Pellechia (Baritone/Second Tenor), Sammy Marotta (Bass/Baritone), Richie Soriano (First & Second Tenor) and Adolfo Altreche (Bass). In 1959, Sammy, Richie, Adolpho, and Tommy grew up on Sackett Street, between 4th and 5th Ave, in Brooklyn.   In 1962, Sammy Marotta worked in downtown Manhattan with two guys who sang in a group called the Del Satins. From there, they were invited to audition for Jim Gribble  in 1650 Broadway. He referred the group to Angeltone Records. They recorded "Careless Love" & "Unemployed". Both sides were done in one long afternoon session. They sang at the Apollo, Palisade Park with Cousin Bruce, the Savoy, and Lenox Hill.The group broke up about 1964. They weren't going anywhere. Surprisingly in 1962, U.W.R. (United Wolrd Records) in New York released "Rock'in Santa" by Jimmy & The Slanders (A Soul Production) b/w « Respectable" by The Chants. Tt's probably a recording of the Slanders before jimmy leaves it.

Songs:

Rudy & The Tradewinds (2)

  
Unemployed                                     Careless Love


…

Carl Hogan & The Miracles (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Carl Hogan (Lead)

John Brisbane (Tenor)

Jerry Moore (Tenor)

Leon Briggs (Baritone)

Irvin Lee Gail (Bass)


Discography :

1957 - I Love You So / Your Love (Fury 1003)


Biography :

In 1952, Carl Hogan joined several friends in Harlem  to form the doo-wop group, The Valentines. Originally called The Dreamers, the quartet was expanded with the addition of lead tenor Richard Barrett. Hogan would leave the group in late 1954 before a session at Old Town Records,  after a fight with the rest of the group. Carl Hogan during his absence from the Valentines (Before returning in 1956) had recorded with Charles Sampson (from the Velvets) as "Charles And Carl" for Red Robin, for The Velvets on Fury and went on to sing with The Miracles on Fury.

1952 - Carl Hogan (left) with The Freamers (Pre Valentines)

The Miracles  were led by Carl. The other members of this New York group were John Brisbane (Tenor), Jerry Moore (Tenor), Leon Briggs (brother of Raymond Briggs from The Valentines) who sang for The Velvets on Fury and Irvin Lee Gail (Bass). The single "I Love You So" / "Your Love (Is All I Need)" came out around 1957 and will be the only single from the group.



Songs :

  
I Love You So                                      Your Love    

…

Teddy & The Twilights (1962) Top: Fred Cohen. Bottom (L to R): Larry Williams, John Odoms, Ben Hart

The Buddies (7) (Philadelphia)
aka The Deckers
aka The Tiffanys (1)
aka Teddy & The Twilights (4)

Personnel :

Fred Cohen (Lead)

John "Odoms" Williams (First Tenor)

Larry Williams (Baritone)

Ben Hart (Bass)

Discography :

Lynn Christie & The Decker's
1957 - Oh, Where Did You Go / What Did I Do (Nar 225)

The Deckers
Singles :
1958 - Sincerely With All My Heart / Come Back Baby (Yeadon 101)
1958 - Sincerely With All My Heart / The Thing (Yeadon 1041)
Unreleased :
1958 - Love What Have You Done (Yeadon)

Freddie Cannon bb The Buddies (7)
1961 -    Buzz Buzz A Diddle-It (Swan 4071)

The Buddies (7)
1961 - Spooky Spider / Lebone Delada (Swan 4073)

The Tiffanys (1)
1962 - The Pleasure Of Love / Atlanta (Swan 4104)

Teddy & The Twilights (4)
Single :
1962 - Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend / Goodbye To Love (Swan 4102)
1962 - Running Around Town / You Gotta Be Alone To Cry (Swan 4115)
1962 - Bimini Bimbo / I’m Just Your Clown (Swan 4126)
Unreleased :
1962 - Whispers In The Dark (Swan) 

Brenda Johnson bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - Ben Casey/ If I Give My Love To You (Swan 4108)

Esau Isaac  bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - Poison Pen / Every Woman’s Just Alike (Swan 4110)

Mark Valentino bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - The Push And Kick / Walking Alone (Swan 4121)

Rochelle Johnson bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)    
1962 - Playing The Field / Gypsy Ways (Swan 4124)

Biography :

The Deckers began in Philadelphia in 1954. In 1957, the Deckers consisted of Sam Connors, John Odoms, Larry Williams, Curtis Barnes and Ben Hart. The Deckers appeared on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour TV Show, in 1957. The Deckers' first recording came about in 1957 when the group was asked to back up a young white singer, Lynn Christie, on the NAR label.  "Oh Where Did You Go" b/w "What Did I Do" (NAR 225) came out in the summer of 1957 . Shortly after the NAR recording, Curtis Barnes left The Deckers to join a spiritual group.

Through Sam Connors, the group met Jack Green. Jack formed the Yeadon label and "Sincerely With All My Heart" became its first release. Four sides were recorded, including "Sincerely With All My Heart," "Come Back Baby," "The Thing"  and "Love What Have You Done". "Sincerely With All My Heart" and "Come Back Baby" were released on Yeadon 101.  "Sincerely With All My Heart" was re-released a short time later with a novelty flip "The Thing".

   

In the early 1960's, The Deckers changed their name to the Buddies and signed with Doc Bagby (Red Top and Value labels). The first thing the Buddies did on Swan was back up Freddy Cannon on "Buzz Buzz A Diddle It" (Swan 4071). The record debuted on the Pop Charts in May 1961, reaching #51. During this time, Swan was looking for material for The Buddies to record. The first recordings the Buddies did on their own were "The Spooky Spider" backed with "Lebone Delada". After this single, Sam Connors left the group.  Fred Cohen, a friend of the group who formerly sang with Larry and John’s brother’s group, The Mohawks, joining the Buddies as lead. The group now consisted of Fred Cohen, John Williams, Larry Williams and Ben Hart.

In March of 1962, The Buddies went into the studio and cut four songs. Bernard Bennick and Tony Mammarella, the owners of Swan, decided The Buddies should have a new name to go along with their new lead and style. They gave the group two different names and issued a record under each at approximately the same time. "Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend" backed with "Goodbye To Love" was released as Teddy and The Twilights. Swan issued "Atlanta" backed  with "Pleasure Of Love" as The Tiffanies. The group became known as Teddy and The Twilights. In the spring of 1962, Teddy and The Twilights appeared on American Bandstand. Swan often utilized Teddy & The Twilights to vocally back their soloists. In addition, Fred Cohen often wrote or co- wrote songs for other Swan artists (Brenda Johnson, Esau Isaac, Mark Valentino & Rochelle Johnson) .

Teddy & The Twilights (1962) Top (L to R) : Larry Williams & Fred Cohen. Bottom (L to R): Ben Hart & John Odoms,

The next release under their own name was "Running Around Town" backed with "You Gotta Be Alone To Cry". Swan gave this release no promotion and it went nowhere. Teddy & The Twilights' third release under their own name was  "Bimini Bimbo" backed with  "I’m Just Your Clown". The record did not catch on elsewhere. The Twilights were disappointed that their records didn't go bigger than they did and blamed Swan for lack of promotion. Swan was busy promoting their big artists like Freddy Cannon and had little time for The Twilights. After 14 years of harmonizing together, the group called it quits. Their last show was at Towne Hall on May 25, 1963.

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

Lynn Christie & The Decker's


Oh, Where Did You Go

The Deckers

     
Sincerely With All My Heart                   The Thing                  Love What Have You Done

The Buddies (7)

  
Spooky Spider                                 Lebone Delada

Teddy & The Twilights (4)

     
Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend        Goodbye To Love          You Gotta Be Alone To Cry

  
   Bimini Bimbo                    I’m Just Your Clown

Esau Isaac  bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)


Poison Pen

Mark Valentino  bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)    

  
The Push And Kick                                Walking Alone

Rochelle Johnson bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)    

  
Playing The Field                                 Gypsy Ways



...

Barry VanFosson, Walter Andrade and Bill Hughes

The Del Shays (South Gate, California)
aka The Teen Rockers (2)


Personnel :

Walter Andrade (Lead & Piano)

Rick Holt (Vocal & Bass) replaced by Charlie Flecher

Bill Hughes (Vocal & Guitar)

Barry Van Fossan (Vocal & Drums)


Discography :

The Del Shays
1964 - Fake It / (Love You) Forever (Charger 102)
1965 - A Long Long Time    / Remember What I Said (Celestial 1006)

The Teen Rockers (2)
1961 - Scat Cat / Rattlesnake (Eldo 116)


Biography :

Vocal & Instrumental group, The Teen Rockers consisted of Walter Andrade, Rick Holt, Bill Hughes and Barry Van Fossan. They began back at South Gate Junior High, played at high school dances, Rock and Roll Sox Hops, and shows around the LA area. In 1959, the group was chosen a winner on the Betty Yeakel show, “Rocket to Stardom,” broadcast on TV. In 1961 they recorded two songs for ELDO Records, "Scat Cat" and "Rattlesnake."

Rick Holt, Barry VanFosson, Walter Andrade and Bill Hughes

After high school, Charlie Flecher replaced Rick Holt and the band went on to become the Del Shays and had the honor of working with Bob Eubanks, as the “back-up” band on many concerts with the Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, the Temptations and many others and played at the Cinnamon Cinder.

Walter Andrade, Barry VanFosson, Rick Holt, and Bill Hughes

  In 1964, they recorded the nice Doo-wop “I'll Love You Forever,” which Charlie Flecher &  Walter Andrade wrote. With some staff changes, in 1965, the Delshays recorded "A Long Long Time" and "Remember What I Said" both wrote & producer by Bill Hughes. The single will be released by Celestial records out of Los Angeles.



Songs :

The Del Shays

  
   (Love You) Forever                           Remember what I said


A Long Long Time

...

The Five Pennies (Knoxville, Tennessee)
 aka The Four Jokers  aka The Four Pennies (2) aka The Chimes (4)

Personnel :

Clifford Curry (Lead Tenor)

James Myers (First Tenor)

Herbert Myers (Second Tenor)

John Myers (Baritone)

Charles Holloway (Bass)

John Gibbs (Tenor and Piano)

Discography :

The Five Pennies
Single:
1955 - All Is Well /Try To Understand (Savoy 1181)
1955 - Mr Moon / Let It Rain (Savoy 1182)
1956 - My Heart Trembles / Money (Savoy 1190)
Unreleased:
1956 - The Wedding Bells (Savoy)
1956 - Be Mine For A Lifetime (Savoy)

The Four Jokers
1958 - Written In The Stars / The Run Around (Sue 703)

Freddie Scott & The Chimes (4)
1958 - Please Call / The Letter Came This Morning (Arrow 724)

The Chimes (4)
1958 - Lovin' Baby / A Faded Memory (Arrow 726)

The Four Pennies (2)
1966 - You Have No Time To Lose / You're A Gas With Your Trash (Brunswick 55304)
1967 - Tis The Season / Shake A Hand (Brunswick 55324)

Biography :

The Five Pennies -- Clifford Curry, Benjamin Washington, Charles Holloway, Herbert Myers, and John and James Myers (twins) -- met in high school in Knoxville, TN. Prior to Curry's involvement, they recorded four years earlier as the Echos (unreleased) and backed Faye Adams on her number one smash "Shake a Hand." Things started poppin' after Curry joined, their manager, Fred Logan (a big bootlegger in Knoxville), got them a deal with Savoy Records in Newark, NJ. Savoy's owner Herman Lubinsky renamed them the Five Pennies (though there were actually six members) to avoid confusion with another group.

Out the box they backed Big Al Miller on "All Is Well" b/w "Try to Understand" (1955), credited as Big Al Miller & the Five Pennies. Savoy followed with the first released credited solely to the Five Pennies "Mr. Moon" b/w "Let It Rain" (1955); the A-Side "Mr. Moon," a Curry composition, is quintessential '50s doo wop with a southern flavor. Their final Savoy release, "My Heart Trembles" b/w "Money," made a little noise but not much, a consortium of Curry, Holloway, Washington, and Herbert and James Myers collaborated on both sides.

They cut six tracks for Savoy but only 2 singles surfaced. Herald Records acquired the masters and rights to two tracks ("Wedding Bells" and "Put This Ring on Your Finger") in 1956 but shelved them; they didn't see daylight until King Tut Records exposed them in the '80s.

According to Curry, the group also recorded his "Mine for a Lifetime" (unreleased) for Savoy. The members splintered. John Myers banded with the Chimes for two Arrow Records' singles in 1957, and then the Four Jokers for one Sue single in 1958. In 1964, he revived the Five Pennies as the Four Pennies  on Brunswick Records.
Andrew Hamilton, Rovi
http://www.uncamarvy.com/5Pennies/5pennies.html

Songs :

     
Let It Rain                                    Mr. Moon
 
   
My Heart Trembles                         Try To Understand


Money

...