The Honeycones (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Tony Diarenzo (Bass)

Ernie Cast (Drums)

Bobby Federa (Alto Sax)

Bobby Chic (Piano)

Joey Vail (Guitar)



Discography :

Ernie Cast & The Honeycones
1958 - Betty Morretti / Cool It Baby (Ember 1033)

The Honeycones
1958 - Op / Vision of you (Ember 1036)
1958 - Gee whiz / Rockin' in the Knees (Ember 1036)
1958 - Tell me baby / Your Face (Ember 1049)


Biography :

In the late 50's in some of the larger cities in the US there was a "pig-latin" type of language that caught on as a fad for a brief period of time. Ember records assembled a studio group consisting of five singers and they recorded the song "Op" which was made up of lyrics using this "language". It appeared on the charts at number 69 on August 4 of 1958 and remained only two short weeks. This was the group's only charting song.

The Honeycones were originally known as The Chicklets but due to copywrite problems the name was changed to The Honeycones, a name that Tony created. He also wrote a majority of the songs that they performed.

The group consisted of five members who included, Tony Diarenzo on Bass, Ernie Cast on Drums, Bobby Federa on Alto Sax, Bobby Chic on Piano and Joey Vail on Guitar. The were all from the Phildelphia area and were probably one of the original "garage bands" rehearsing in various members' garages before making their recordings. Their recording sponser was Al Alberts of the great 1950's pop group The Four Aces.

They made three appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand during 1958 and 1959. They also appeared on the famous columinist Walter Winchell's TV Variety show.
The group made appearances throught the USA and Canada for about eight years before finally disbanding.

http://www.bigbobh.net/dowop/honeycones.htm



Songs :

   
Gee whiz                              Vision of you


   
Op                                       Rockin' In My Knees