The Jordan Brothers

Joe & Frank

The Jordan Brothers (Frackville, PA)
(The Early Years)

Personnel :

Joe Jordan

Frank Jordan

Discography :

1958 - Oh Lolly / Send Me Your Picture (Jordan J-100/1/Jamie 1112)
1959 - Please Tell Me Now / Never, Never (Jamie 1125)
1959 - Be Mine / Dream Romance (Jamie 1133)
1960 - Things I Didn't Say / Polly Plays Her Kettle Drum (Jamie 1169)
1961 - No Wings On My Angel / Living For The Day (Jamie 1176)
1961 - Love's Made A Fool Of You / Whispering Wind (Jamie 1205)


Biography :

The career of the Jordan Brothers began on Halloween Eve in 1954, when instead of the usual trick-or-treating, three (Joe, Frank, and Bobby) of the eventual four brothers, took to the streets with accordion, clarinet and drum. Their musical efforts netted over twenty dollars and a career course was set. The group's first national appearance was on Ted Mack's The Original Amateur Hour on January 22, 1956 on ABC. The group then settled into playing local venues and dances in the middle and southern Coal Region area, with their father Angelo sitting in on bass and managing the group.  In 1957, the Jordan Brothers (without Bob, not yet out of high school) reached several milestones. They began a five-year gig at Renninger's Market between Orwigsburg and Schuylkill Haven. This was the first in a series of long term relationships (lasting nearly decades) with several venues in the Schuylkill and Berks County areas.  

The duet from Frackville, Joe and Frank recorded their first record at Philadelphia's Reco-Art Studio, self produced on the "Jordan" label - Send Me Your Picture/ Oh Lolly. This led to a two-year recording contract in 1958 with Jamie Records. The arrangement with Jamie Records, introduced the Jordan Brothers into the teen publicity machine of the late fifties. One of Jamie's stockholders had been Dick Clark who had also become American Bandstand’s host in 1956. The show went national on ABC in 1957. Clark often featured Jamie artists on his show such as Duane Eddy, the Dovells and others. Appearing on American Bandstand three times, the Jordan Brothers also were part of Clark's 49-day "Caravan of Stars" that toured the United States and Canada in 1959.

  
Traveling in one of two 40-seat busses, Frank and Joe Jordan were accompanied by the likes of the Coasters, the Drifters, the Skyliners, Bobby Rydell, La Verne Baker, Paul Anka, Jimmy Clanton and Duane Eddy and his Band. Frank and Joe Jordan were The Jordan Brothers during this tour. The band also spent time recording in Arizona in 1959 with Donnie Owens (a fellow Pennsylvanian and a guitarist for Duane Eddy) and performing in Los Angeles in 1961 with Alan Freed’s Rock Show alongside Jimmy Clanton, Al Kooper, the Safaris and Jackie Wilson among others. Other than these national shows and tours, the Jordan Brothers were highly popular with Philadelphia radio disc jockeys in this period. These DJs were a key element of any record’s success and the Jordan Brothers were often featured in tours or shows with WIBG’s Good Guys, such as Joe Niagara and Hy Lit. Lit organized one of the first tours in which the Jordan Brothers participated with Dion and the Belmonts and the Coasters.

The Jordan Brothers in 1961 Joe, Lewis Frank & Bob

The Jordan Brothers were also featured on Jerry Blavat's WFIL "Discophonic TV Scene" and appeared on East Coast TV programs, especially in the tri-state area, such as “Summertime on the Pier” in Atlantic City with Ed Hurst. The Jordan Brothers were with Jamie until 1961. However, the Jordan Brothers never broke into the national music charts and as a result the contract with Jamie lapsed. In 1963, The group now included brothers Bobby and Lew to round out the band.  Their recording of “Gimme Some Lovin'” in 1966 was their biggest hit, and charted at No. 1 in Boston, Baltimore and other r&b citadels. Other recordings included “Things I Didn’t Say,” “Dream Romance” and “We’ll Make It.”



Songs :

  
      Oh Lolly                                   Send Me Your Picture

  
Please Tell Me Now                             Never, Never     

  
Be Mine                                       Dream Romance

  
     Things I Didn't Say                   Polly Plays Her Kettle Drum

  
No Wings On My Angel                       Living For The Day   

  
Love's Made A Fool Of You                     Whispering Wind   

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