The Four Chaps (1) (Philadelphia, PA.)

Personnel :

Sam Ambrosino

Danny DeSapio

Jerry Ross

Frank Palerma


Discography :

1956 - Completely Yours / Foolish Little Butterfly (Rama 195)
1956 - Roll Over Beethoven / Wrong Number (Rama 199)


Biography :

James Edward Myers (26 October 1919 Philadelphia – 10 May 2001 Bonita Springs) was an American songwriter, actor, producer, and raconteur. Myers is best known as the credited co-writer of "Rock Around the Clock" for which he used the pseudonym "Jimmy DeKnight". Myers co-wrote the song with Max C. Freedman, though doubt has been cast as to whether Myers actually participated in the writing of the song.

   

In 1956, James E. Myers signed a vocal group, the Four Chaps, to a personal management contract. The Four Chaps are Sam Ambrosino, Danny DeSapio, Jerry Ross and Frank Palerma. Myers’s first move was to sign them to a term pact with Rama Records, and he supervised their first recording session in New York City .

   
James Edward Myers                                                                                                     

Their first are “Completely Yours”, backed with “Foolish Little Butterfly”. On their second records they covered Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" contemporary with Berry's own Chess Records release. Needless to say, the songwriter won this match-up -- no surprise given the dorky "do-wop do-wop do-wop" backing chorus and the Four Neat Guys-type vocals. The 4 Chaps disappeared soon after their thrust at immortality.


Songs:
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

  
            Roll Over Beethoven              Completely Yours / Foolish Little Butterfly

...

The Heart Breakers (Rocky River, OH)

Personnel :

?



Discography :

1959 - Hum-Be-Doo-Be / Boodely Bump (Cos-De 1001/1002)

Biography :

Vocal group from Rocky River, OH. The girls recorded "Hum-Be-Doo-Be" b/w "Boodely Bump" on the local label Cos-De

  
                                                                                                            Frankie Avalon with deejay Jerry Healey and the Heart Breakers

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

  
Boodely Bump                       Hum-Be-Doo-Be




...

The Sherrys

The De-Los (Philadelphia)
aka The Sherrys

Personnel :

Delores "Honey" Wylie (Lead)

Delphine Cook

Dinelle Cook

Joyce ? (Soprano)

Clarence Smith (Bass)

Discography :

1958 - Lullabye Serenade / Pork And Gravy (Cedar 302)

Biography :

The Sherrys were a short-lived girl group with a rich, soulful sound, built around dance numbers that they performed with extraordinary exuberance, organized by Philadelphia singing star Little Joe Cook. A veteran of gospel and R&B, Cook had led a group called the Thrillers from the mid-'50s. In 1958, Little Joe began putting a group together around his two daughters, Delphine and Dinelle Cook, Delores "Honey" Wylie, Joyce ? and Clarence Smith, Bass of the Students.

   

Billed as the De-Los the group recorded "Lullabye Serenade" b/w "Pork And Gravy" both sides lead by Delores Wylie on the Cedar label. In 1961, they changed their name as the Sherrys and did some backup work for Maureen Gray,  Billy & the Essentials and Bobby Rydell. At this time, the Sherrys consisted of Delphine 'Sugar' Cook, Dinelle Cook, Charlotte Walker and Delores 'Honey' Wylie.
Thanks to Mike Sweeney

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

  
Lullabye Serenade                            Pork And Gravy

...

Donna & The Dees (Decatur, Illinois)





Personnel :

Donna Durbin (vocals)

Bill Durbin (Guitar)

Kenny Durbin (Guitar)

Doris Durbin (Bass / Guitar)

Bob Durbin (Drums)





Discography :

Singles :
1962 - Happy Holiday / Hunkey Was Doing The Monkey (BCS 102)
1962 - I Know There's a Santa Claus / Jingle Bells (BCS 101)

Lp :
1962 - Happy Holiday with Donna & The Dees (BCS 300)
Happy Holiday / Hunkey Was Doing The Monkey / I Know There's a Santa Claus / Jingle Bells

Biography :

Donna and the Dees were a family musical group originally from Illinois but were popular during the early 1960s in the Miami area. The group consisted of brothers and sisters from the Durbin family - Donna on vocals, Bill guitar, Kenny guitar and other instruments, Doris bass and guitar, Bob on drums.

Songs :

  
I Know There's a Santa Claus                        Happy Holiday           

...

Joe Mendoni (left), Mike McLaughlin (center), Richie Green (right) and Gilbert Cruz (crouching down with the bongo)

The Campanions (New York) (New York)

Personnel :

Gilbert Cruz

Joe Mendoni

Mike McLaughlin

Richie Green


Discography :

1961 - I Want A Yul Brynner Haircut / Dorothy My Monster  (Dee-Dee 1047)

Biography :

The Companions were Vocal group from New York composed by Joe Mendoni, Mike McLaughlin, Richie Green & Gilbert Cruz. In 1961 they may have enjoyed some modest airplay with their two novelty songs released on the Dee Dee Label,  "Dorothy My Monster" and "I Want A Yul Brynner Haircut" both written by Gilbert Cruz.

   

Dee Dee released the singles as the Campanions, not The "Companions" with an "o".

Songs :

  
 Dorothy  My Monster                     I Want A Yul Brynner Haircut

...