The Renaults (1) (Washington D.C.)

Personnel :

Benjamin Hawkins

Bernard Jefferson

Eugene Williams

James Izzard

McKinley Dixon

Melvin Newman

Discography :

1961 - Just Like Mine / Another Train Pulled Out (Wand 114)
1962 - Only You / Hully Gully Lamb (Wand 120)
1963 - Two Face / Ten Questions (Chicory 1600)

Biography :

In 1961, from the Southeast section of Washington D.C. appeared the Renaults. Original members of the group were Benjamin Hawkins, Bernard Jefferson, Eugene Williams, James Izzard, McKinley Dixon and Melvin Newman. The Renaults sign a recording contract with Wand Records. Wand was started in 1961 by Florence Greenberg as the rhythm & blues subsidiary of Scepter Records, but also included rock artists like the Kingsmen and Don & the Goodtimers, as well as a few reissues of bands such as the Animals and the Beach Boys. Florence Greenberg sold Wand, along with Scepter Records, to Springboard International in 1976. Since that time, the Springboard/Wand masters have been obtained by Gusto Records in Nashville, Tennessee. The group cut two excellent singles for Wand records with the fantastic "Just Like Mine" on Wand 114, as well as a nice cover of the Platters "Only You" on Wand 120. The group will have a last single in 1963 on the Label Chicory.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

  
  Just Like Mine                               Another Train Pulled Out

  
         Only You                                   Hully Gully Lamb    
 
  
Ten Questions                                         Two Face

...

Wallace & Walter Scott

The Utopians (2) (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Jesse Godfred James (Lead)

Carl Gilbert (Tenor)

Wallace Scott

Walter Scott

Discography :

1962 - Dutch Treat / Ain't No Such Thing (Imperial 5861)
1962 - Along My Lonely Way / Hurry To Your Date (Imperial 5876)   
1963 - Let Love Come Later / Opera Vs. The Blues (Imperial 5921

Biography :

This Los Angeles group contained two future members of The Whispers, the Scott brothers, identical twins Wallace (a/k/a "Scotty") and Walter, both from Compton, CA. The other two members were Jesse Godfred James and Carl Gilbert. James was the leader, was responsible for the group's name and got them connected to Kent Harris, an L.A. area singer ("Boogaloo" on Crest), who connected them to producer Eddy Ray of Imperial. The group had three releases. All were on Imperial: two in 1962 & one in 1963. They broke up in 1963, the Scott brothers went on to form the Whispers. At about the same time, Jesse Godfred James and Carl Gilbert formed the Incredibles, together with Waymon Cal, Jean Smith and Alda Edward. James dropped out of that group and began to work with Brenda Holloway.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

  
  Dutch Treat                                  Ain't No Such Thing

  
Along My Lonely Way                   Hurry To Your Date

  
Let Love Come Later                            Opera Vs. The Blues

...

Gary Haines & The Five Sequins (Marine City, Michigan)

Personnel :


Gary Haines (Lead)

Al Quatrine

Albert Alagna


Discography :

1961 - Tse Tse Fly / Another Girl Like You (Kapp 383)




Biography :

Gary Haines had been singing before audiences since he was 3 years old with his Mom Edith as his first accompanist. As a child, he sang in churches and camp meetings all over the state of Michigan. He had grown up in the Detroit Bethel Church of the Nazarene, living with his mother and brother in the home of his grandparents. His interest and development with music continued as he honed his skill as a young musician. Early on, he became enamored with the swing music of the day and began experimenting with its rhythms and sounds.  As a result, he organized his own group called "Gary Haines and The Sequins," a five-member band of singers and musicians that soon started to get radio play along with the demand to perform in high school dances and eventually clubs.

  
                                                                                                                                             Gary Haines

In 1961, they recorded "Tse Tse Fly" b/w "Another Girl Like You" released by Kapp Records.  After the Sequins disbanded, Gary continued to sing solo in some of the best nightclubs in Detroit, and from all appearances, was embarking on a promising career. For the next 11 years, he enjoyed increasing fame and the so-called "good" life in a city that demanded the best by way of talent.

Songs :

  
     Tse Tse Fly                                    Another Girl Like You

...

clockwise from top left: Gene Antonio, Tony Freda, Ralph Conti, Emanuele Alfano & Charles Sousa.

The Preludes (Newark, NJ)

Personnel :

Emanuele Alfano

Gene Antonio

Tony Freda

Ralph Conti

Charles Sousa

Biography :

Emanuele Alfano beginning with the Italian American Feast Bands while still in high school in Jersey City.  He was the lead singer in a variety of musical groups, including The Preludes from West Side High School. The Preludes were composed by Gene Antonio , Tony Freda , Ralph Conti , Emanuele Alfano & Charles Sousa. They perform locally but will never have the opportunity to record their music.

...

The Sierras (3) (Brooklyn, NY)

Personnel :

Cassandra Dunlop (Lead)

Larry Marshall

Algie Hough

William Barber (Bass)

Lawrence Traynor

Discography :

1963 - I'll Believe It When I See It / I Should Have Loved You (Goldisc G4)

Discography :

Respected actor and singer Larry Marshall and his friend Algie Hough from Brooklyn sang very briefly with the The DellChords who backed David Campanella. They were 15 years old. For several years David Campanella  was in trouble with the law. He was a member of the street gang the Chaplains, and he was convicted for disorderly conduct and burglary. In 1960, Larry & Algie formed another group called The Sierras with two other members from the neighborhood, a female vocalist, Cassandra Dunlop, Preston Green singing baritone and Bass Melvin Wady,. After a few low grade gigs, they finally landed a manager, Joe D’Angelo! So, over the course of three years they did twenty three auditions. After so many years of trying the group decided to part ways with each other, but about a year later Joe called Algie, and said he’d gotten them a record deal, a record deal with George Goldner, the man who recorded, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers. So, Larry and Algie start calling on a few folks they know. A bass, William Barber, Lawrence Traynor, a white guy, and  Cassandra Dunlop. They go downtown to 1650 B’way to rehearsal, and find out that they not going to record the material that they been doing, but two songs written by songwriter, Joe Simmons, and by their manager. They recorded "I'll Believe It When I See It" b/w "I Should Have Loved You" released by Goldisc owned by George Goldner. "I'll Believe It When I See It" made #22 in Cleveland and #23 in Chicago but didn't chart in New York.

Songs :

  
I'll Believe It When I See It                   I Should Have Loved You


...