The Teen Dreams aka Debbie & The Darnels (2)

Joan Yutenkas, Dorothy Yutenkas and Marie Brancotti

The Teen Dreams   (New Haven, CT)
aka Debbie & The Darnels (2) 

Personnel:

Joan Yutenkas

Dorothy Yutenkas

Marie Brancotti


Discography :

Debbie & The Teen Dreams
1962 - The Time / Santa, Teach Me To Dance (Vernon 101)

The Teen Dreams
1962 - The Time / Why, Why? (Vernon 101)

Debbie & the Darnels (2)
1962 - The Time / Why Why (Vernon 101)

1962 - The Time / Teach Me To Dance (Vernon 101)
1962 - Daddy / Mr Johnny Jones (Columbia 42530)

Biography :

Debbie and the Darnels hailed from New Haven, Connecticut. Dorothy Yutenkas, her sister Joan and a friend, Maria Brancati, made up the singing trio. In 1962, the group was known as the Teen Dreams. Later that year, the trio's name was changed to Debbie and the Darnels. Their upbeat tune “Mr. Johnny Jones” was a Top 40 hit on local Connecticut radio stations.

The trio's Christmastime offering was a lively and catchy tune called “Santa Teach Me to Dance.” Dorothy was the lead singer and wrote the group's first recording: “Why Why.” The trio was discovered by New Haven's Jerry Greenberg, who also wrote “The Time” for the group. Backing up the trio was Greenberg's instrumental band the Passengers. The group was managed by Sam Goldman (manager of the Five Satins). Debbie and the Darnels toured up and down the East Coast and were a very popular girl group in the early '60s. In Connecticut, Debbie and the Darnels shared the stage with other well-known state artists.

For example, Debbie and the Darnels performed on the same bill as the Connecticut groups the Five Satins and the Passengers at Seymour's Actors Colony as part of a TwistA-Rama show. The trio was also on the same bill as New Haven's Ginny Arnell.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

   
Mr Johnny Jones                                       Why, Why?       

   
Santa, Teach Me To Dance                           The Time                

  
        Daddy                                           Mr. Johnny Jones

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