1958 - John Passarelli, Fritz Falanka, John Belfato, Louis Passarelli and Bill Verrastro



The Don-A-Tones (Port Chester, New York)


Personnel :

John Passarelli

Fritz Falanka

John Belfato

Louis Passarelli

Bill Verrastro


Discography :

?


Biography :

Formed on a Port Chester street corner in 1956, the group was made up of a bunch of kids messing around. They are John Passarelli, Fritz Falanka, John Belfato, Louis Passarelli and Bill Verrastro. The Don-A-Tones were born, named after their manager’s (Don Catalano) baby girl, Donna.

One day, a passer by suggested that they try their luck at a local talent show. So they did and they won. Three years later, they were working out a deal for a high-paying record contract with RCA-Victor Records. But the music industry was really screwed up back then. There was a lot of payola going on with DJs and they didn’t really have the sources to get her records played.



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The Leaguers (Montclair, New Jersey)


Personnel :

Sam Argote

Michael DeJesus

Ronald Bascombe

Albert Lawson


Discography :

?



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The Four Steps (Cerritos, CA)


Personnel :

?


Discography :

?


Biography :

Vocal group from Cerritos, CA. who cut a demo in the early 60'.

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The Peddlers (Xenia, Ohio)



Personnel :

Marshall Stills

Phillip Howard

Herschel Hargraves

Eddie Scott



Discography :

?



Biography :

The Peddlers appeared on local television back in 1958, doing the Rising Generation Show on WHIO TV as well as doing shows in the Cincinnati area that appeared on channels 5,9, and 12.




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Al Anderson & Dave Whiston


The Fabians (Morgantown, WV.)

Personnel :

Al Anderson (Lead)

Dave Whiston (Vocal)

Keith Collins (Bass)

Ed Collins (Saxophone)

Roger Britton (Drums)

Ronnie Kemper (Guitar)



Discography :

?




Biography :

In 1959, Al Anderson began singing as the only black person in a popular vocal & instrumental group, the Fabians in Morgantown. Also in the group are Dave Whiston (Vocal), Keith Collins (bass), Ed Collins (saxophone), Roger Britton (drums), and Ronnie Kemper (guitar). Al Anderson joined The Fabians in 1959 as lead singer and continued until 1962. In February 1962, Bruce Cloud departed from Billy Ward & the Dominoes. This left just a trio: Billy Ward, Monroe Powell, and Milton Merle. To replace Cloud, Ward put an ad in several black newspapers in March. Al Anderson read the ad in a Pittsburgh paper. Ward requested a picture and an audition tape, and that's what Al sent off. The Dominoes were off on a tour, but one day Al got a telegram saying that they were returning at the end of June; he was told to meet them in Bakersfield, California.  In 1965, Al sang both the lead and background vocals on the song "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." The song was released in October of that year. Shortly after cutting the album Al was contacted by his brother and asked to return to Osage, WV where his father was very ill. It was the end of his role with The Dominoes.



Songs :

The Dominoes (Lead Al Anderson)


What Are You Doing New Year's Eve




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