(L to R) Alvin H. Brandon, Billy Lee, Joseph Raguso, Richie Pettagano and Paul Fernandez

The Bell-Tones (Yonkers, New York)
aka Belltones (2)

Personnel :

Alvin H. Brandon (lead)

Paul Fernandez

Billy Lee

Richie Pettagano

Joseph Raguso

Discography :

The Bell-Tones
1958 - The Merrengue / I Love You  (Scatt 1609/1610)

The Belltones (2)
1958 - The Merrengue / I Love You  (J&S 1609/1610)

Biography :

Zelma "Zell" Sanders is a Bronx-based songwriter and producer who owned and operated J&S, Dice, Scatt, Zell's and other record labels. A powerful matriarch, she controlled her recording artists, sometimes firing them on the spot if they broke her rules. Before entering the record business she was employed as a security guard, while writing songs on the side. She was working for the Police Athletic League in Harlem's 23rd Precinct. She saw the talent; it was there on the street. They all got to know Zell as the lady who went around grabbing groups. "Do you sing?", she'd ask them. "Come on up to my house." Zelma Sanders also had a particular fondness for female singers.

  
                                                                                                              Zelma "Zell" Sanders

In 1958, Zelma Sanders managed The Bell-Tones and wrote two songs for them, "The Merrengue" and "I Love You". The vocal group from Yonkers High School consists of Alvin H. Brandon, Paul Fernandez, Billy Lee, Richie Pettagano and Joseph Raguso. Before the release of their record, The boys have appeared at local dance spots, on television in Washington. D.C. and have made an Army show at Fort Belvoir, Va. Zell Sanders’ Scatt label released the single in April 1958, before one of her other labels, J&S, did the same shortly after, but under the name Belltones.

Songs :

  
   I Love You                                       The Merrengue

...

The Three Kings (McKeesport, Pa)

Personnel :

Larry Coccia

Bernie Baczowski

Tony Baczowski

Discography :

1958 - Sweet Baby / Summer Rain (Willett 305)

Biography :

Vocal and instrumental group, the Three Kings from McKeesport are Larry Coccia, 20; Bernie Baczowski,19; and Bernie's. brother, Tony, 17. Tony is a trumpeter with the McKeesport High School orchestra. Larry plays a mean guitar and Bernie the accordion. In 1958, Elmer Willett, who operates the Vogue Terrace night-club in East McKeesport with Tom McCune, is so sold on the Three Kings that he arranged for their platter debut.

When it's released, The disc was so successful that the local dee-jays have been hopping on to the record. One side is “Summer Rain,” which was composed by Jay Michael, the WCAE deejay, Lennie Martin and Walter Myer. The flip side features “Sweet Baby” by Pat Ballard. Their first platter was such a success local that Willett plans to wax another two sides in the next month. Unfortunately, the plan for a new single will never see the light of day.


Songs :


Sweet Baby


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The Cobras (1) (Pasadena, CA)

Personnel :

Otis Lee (lead Tenor)

Nate Lee (bass)

Jimmy Randell (Tenor/Baritone)

Discography :

1955 - Cindy / I Will Return (Modern 964)

Biography :

The Cobras had formed around 1952 as group of neighborhood friends. Otis Lee was the tenor lead, joined by his brother Nate (bass) and Jimmy Randell (tenor/baritone). There was a fourth slot in the group, but it changed so often, that they doesn't remember the name of a single guy who filled it. They sang together for a couple of years

The Group were a fine vocal group who had just one release - "Sindy" aka "Cindy’ / "I Wil lReturn" on Modern 964 in August 1955. Their cover of the West Coast favourite "Sindy" followed the original, written and recorded by Squires (Mambo 105), and another version by the Tenderfoots (Federal 12228). In spite of being released (and advertised) with two different spellings, the Cobras' rendering didn't significantly rival the airplay and sales of the Squires.
https://www.uncamarvy.com/Dukes/dukes.html

Songs :

  
Cindy                                          I Will Return

...

?????  Photo  received by email entitled "1963-The Exotics"  - no certainty that they are the same group

The Exotics (1) (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

Personnel :

Morrison Oskry

Robert Smith

Ray Louis

James Minkins

Daniel Boone

Discography :

1961 - Darling, I Want To Get Married / That's My Desire (Coral 62268)   
1961 - The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" / Hotcha Mighty Knows (Coral 62289)
1962 - Manpower / Fortune Hunter (Coral 62310)
1962 - My Life's Desire - Part I / My Life's Desire - Part II (Coral 62343)
1964 - Sad Sad Song / Let's Get Together (Coral 62399)
1964 - Like You Hurt Me / Big Time Charlie (Coral 62439)

Biography :

The Exotics were a singing quintet met in the Air Force, they are from Pease Ai Base, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The group will quickly be noticed by their performances and will sign a contract with the Coral label. Between 1961 and 1964, Coral released six singles by the group. During these three years the group will change personnel as arrivals and departures take place.

According to a Newspaper from may 1962, the group consists of The talented young servicemen,  Morrison Oskry, Robert Smith, Ray Louis, James Minkins and Daniel Boone. The Exotics have appeared in Portland, Biddeford, Wells, Boston, New York City and Providence.


Songs :

  
Darling, I Want To Get Married                     That's My Desire        


The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" / Hotcha Mighty Knows

  
Manpower                                          Fortune Hunter

  
My Life's Desire - Part I                       My Life's Desire - Part II

  
Sad Sad Song                        Let's Get Together

  
Like You Hurt Me                       Big Time Charlie

...

The Jaytones  (Lakewood, New York)

Personnel :

Jimmy Waters (Lead)

James Bell

James Gibson

Fred Green

Stanley Samuels

Biography:

Lakewood Senior High School singing group formed in 1958 and composed by James Bell, James Gibson, Fred Green, Stanley Samuels and Jimmy Waters. In 1958, they has been entertaining high school students at talent shows and school dance.

Unfortunately, I don't think they are the Jaytones managed by Julius Dixon who recorded at the same time for Timely and Brunswick records. Some sources say The JayTones on Timely and Brunswick were an Italian American trio. If anyone has information about the group, don't hesitate to contact me at:
jcpiazza26@gmail.com

....