The Concertones : Melvin Beckner, Gary Church, Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson

The Concertones (Newport News, Virginia)
aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons

Personnel :

Melvin Beckner

Gary Church

Kay Brooks

Roslyn King

Brenda Robinson

Discography :

The Brothers Kennedy
1961 - I Know Why Dreamers Cry / Once In A Lifetime (1-2-3 Kick) (Legrand 1007)

The Concertones
1961 - Just One More Time / All Is Well And Fine (Legrand 1011)

The Hamptons
1964 - I Know Why Dreamers Cry / Once In A Lifetime (1-2-3 Kick) (Legrand 1007)

Biography :

Vocal group from From Warwick High School, in Newport News, Virginia  composed by Gary Church, Melvin Beckner, Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson. In early 1960, Melvin Beckner wrote some songs like "All's Well and Fine", "Don't Say I Love You" and "Heartaches For Me". Warwick High's musical senior Mary Jane Cofer sponsored a concert with Melvin who sang the lead on his three songs , backed by three girls named The Mello-Tones Trio. The success was immediate and Melvin landed a recording session. In April 1961, Melvin and his singing partner, Gary Church, recorded "I Know Why Dreamers Cry" and " Once In A Lifetimethe"  both written by Melvin in a recording session in Norfolk produced by Frank Guida.

   
The Brothers Kennedy : Melvin Beckner and Gary Church                                                The Concertones                                            

They went over to Norfolk twice a week for three weeks to work on it.  The last session, when they really got it, took from seven o'clock at night to four o'clock in the morning,  And some time later the single will be released as The Brothers Kennedy on the Legrand Label. In 1964, the single  was also released credited to The The Hamptons.  Four months later, Melvin Beckner, Gary Church and the Mello-Tones Trio; Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson Have a new recording session. Under the name of the Concertones, Legrand released "Just One More Time" and "All Is Well And Fine". Melvin also wrote "Time Ole Story", the flip side of Quarter To Three for Gary (U.S.) Bonds.

Songs :

The Concertones

All Is Well And Fine / Just One More Time


The Brothers Kennedy


I Know Why Dreamers Cry

...

The Possessions (Philadelphia)



Personnel :

Tony D. (First Tenor/lead)

Vinny G. (Second Tenor/Lead)

Joe C. (Second Tenor/Lead)

Jim B (Baritone/Bass/Lead)



Discography :

1964 - Don't Let her Go (Britton)

1964 - Hey There (Britton)
1964 - No More Love / You and your lies (Britton 1003/Parkway 930)

 

Biography :

The original name of the group was "The Ramars" and also included Arnie as the bass.

The name was changed to "Possessions" when They signed with Duru productions (Arnie had left bythen).
Frank Fox of Vito & The Salutations was also with the Possessions on their Britton release of "No More Love".

Joey and Jimmy are the only original Possesions still alive.



Songs :

   
No More Love                        You and your lies

Cds :

The Verdicts (1) (Brooklyn, NY)

Personnel:

Victor Rice

Robert Burroughs

Discography :

1961 - My Life's Desire / The Mummy's Ball (East Coast 103/Relic 507)
1973 - Never Let Me Go / Now You Did It (Vintage 1009)


Biography :

The remains of one of Al Browne's veteran groups who first waxed "Pen Pal" and "Plea in the Morning" for him as the Gaytunes on Joyce 106. They had started recording for Timely Records ("Thrill of Romance") in 1953, while singing at the Street Corner of P.S. 41 and P.S. 83, and later on Alexander Hamilton and Boys High in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Earl kirton (Lead) had founded the Gaytunes with Waymon Carey, Leroy Wiliams (Who left early), Harry Pinchback and Fred Davies.The Verdicts, as their were known after some kind of metamorphosis in 1961, were always busy recording, because at least seven tides survived the years."The Mummy's Ball" was the flip of "My Life's Desire" and first leased by Al Browne to East Coast records in NYC. Relic Kept the Classic A-side "My Life's Desire" alive over the years after they had re-issued it on their own label in 1963. The Verdicts recorded several notable tunes.


Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

   
My Life's Desire                       The Mummy's Ball

  
Never Let Me Go                   Now You Did It

...

The Sharmettes (Los Angeles)
With  Hans-Joachim

Personnel :

Margaret Strong (Lead)

Verline Johnson (Soprano)

Rosa Hollaway (Second Soprano)

Linda Frazier (Alto)

Discography :

1962 - Answer Me / My Dream (King 5648)
1962 - I Want To Be Loved / Tell Me (King 5686)

Biography :

The Sharmettes were a female quartet from L.A. who were still students at Jeff High and who recorded for King Records. They were Margaret Strong, lead, Verline Johnson, soprano, Rosa Holloway, 2nd soprano, and Linda Frazier. They were all members in Jeff’s Acappella Choir. Gene Maye (Arthur Lee Maye's brother) worked with the girls about 6 or 7 months, teaching them songs, and polishing up their harmony.

   
  Gene Maye                                                                                                                                  

In February of 1962, Johnny Otis was working for King Records as their A&R man. Gaynel Hodge was working with Johnny. They came to Jeff High to have a talent search in the auditorium. So when they heard the girls they loved them. The Sharmettes were the only ones to emerge with a recording contract. So about a month afterwards, they were in the studio recording "Tell Me”, “My Dream”, “I Want to Be Loved”, and “Answer Me My Love”.
http://www.arthurleemaye.com/copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-biography.html

Songs :

  
Answer Me / My Dream                 I Want To Be Loved / Tell Me

...

The Tridels (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Marc Snader

Mike Bove

Larry Chassen

Discography :

1964 - Land of Love / Image Of My Love (San Dee 1009)

Biography :

Broadcast Pioneers member Mike Bove’s career in entertainment, broadcasting and media production spans some forty-plus years. A Temple University undergraduate in the mid 1960’s, Mike balanced his career as a musical performer and a broadcast student. While working at Temple’s WRTI-FM and working on his studies in the school of broadcasting, Mike became WRTI’s program director in 1964 and Station manager in 1965. Through it all, Mike found the time to pursue his other love, performing as a member of a popular local vocal group, The Tridels

Performing at the university and other local venues, Mike and the group were signed to a recording and management contract with San-Dee Worldwide Limited Records in Philadelphia. In 1964, with their manager and promoter Gene Arnold, a future Broadcast Pioneer member, Mike and the Tridels released their first recordings.  With Hy Lit’s enthusiastic support, the group was recruited to perform at WIBG record hops throughout the tri-state area. Airplay in western Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan led to a successful Midwest tour in the summer of 1964.

. 

In the summer of 1965, while continuing to perform with the Tridels, Mike joined MediaAmerica’s new 5000 watt station in Brookhaven, PA. WEEZ, the first full-time country station in the Philadelphia market. Mike filled the airways from 3-7 pm and was the station's production manager

Songs :

   
Image Of My Love                 Land of Love

 ...