June Bateman

The Marquis (1) (Harlem, New York)

Personnel :

June Bateman (Lead)

Charlie (First tenor)

Ronald Mack (Second Tenor)

Lloyd Lomelino (Baritone)

Robert "Babe" Stowers (Bass)

Discography :

1956 - Bohemian Daddy / Hope He's True (Onyx 505)

Biography :

Before recording, the Marquis sang on the street corners of Manhattan's upper west side. Lomelino's neighbor became their manager. The Marquis cut a demo for their manager to take with him to record companies on Broadway. Through this endeavor, he got the group a contract with Onyx label.  Onyx was owned by Jerry Winston who was another of those busy New York music people. He had several other labels in the '50s including Mardi-Gras which was taken over by George Goldner's Gone label and Newport Records. Winston was also A&R at Orbit [NY] which evolved into MGM's Cub subsidiary.

Their first record was released in the fall of 1956. It was unfortunate that Onyx and Winston were paying so much attention to the Pearls and the Velours and virtually none to the label's other groups — particularly the Marquis. Because of this they decided to disband. The Marquis may have been the first integrated male group with a female lead.


Songs :

  
Bohemian Daddy                      Hope He's True

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