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The Daychords aka The D’Accords

Posted on by dion1

The Daychords aka The D’Accords

The Daychords (Philadelphia, Pa.)
aka The D’Accords

 

Personnel :

Branson Bagwell

Luther Cook

John Sims

Earl Washington

Dewey Wilson

 

Discography :

The D’Accords
Single :
1961 - Who's Been Lovin' You / Runnin' Around (Don-El 110)
Unreleased :
1961 - Hittin’ on Nothin’ (Don-El)
1961 - Tell Me (Don-El)

Roxy & The Daychords
1962 - I’m So in Love / Mary Lou (Don-El 116)

The Daychords
1964 - One More Time / Too Bad (Don-El 120)

 

Biography :

The Daychords was from the area around 10th Street & Columbia Avenue (now Cecil B. Moore Avenue) in Philadelphia .The group consisted of Branson Bagwell, Luther Cook, John Sims, Earl Washington and Dewey Wilson. The Daychords first recorded for Don-El as the D’Accords: "Who's Been Lovin' You" b/w "Runnin' Around" and then backed Roxy on “I’m So In Love” and ”Mary Lou” as The Daychords. Don-El was owned by real estate man C. Percy White [aka Don White]. Wally Osborne wrote and produced their last single in 1964 “One More Time” b/w “Too Bad” [Don-El #120).

 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)  

The D’Accords

  
Runnin' Around                           Who's Been Loving You

Roxy & The Daychords

  
I’m So in Love                                           Mary Lou      

The Daychords


One More Time / Too Bad

 

...

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The Mello-Harps aka The Melloharps aka aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1)

Posted on by dion1

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
 

The Mello-Harps  (Brooklyn, New-York)

aka The Levee Songsters
aka The Teen-Tones (1)
aka The Melloharps
aka The Teentones

Ref The Leopards (1)






Personnel :

Arnold "Johnny" Malone (Lead)

Vernon Staley (First Tenor)

Joe Gowder (Second Tenor)

Daniel Elder (Baritone)

Ossie Davis (Bass)



    


Discography :

The Mello-Harps
1955 - Love Is A Vow / Valerie (Do-Re-Mi 203)
1956 - Searchin' / Love Is A Vow (Rego 1003)
1958 - Gumma Gumma  / No Good (Casino 104)

The Melloharps
1955 - I Love Only You / Ain't Got The Money (Tin Pan Alley 145/146)
1956 - What Good Are My Dreams / Gone (Tin Pan Alley 157/158)

Teacho Wiltshire & The Melloharps
1956 - My Bleeding Heart / I Couldn't Believe (Tin Pan Alley 159/160)

The Teen-Tones (1)
1956 - Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby (Rego 1004)

Lee and Larry & The Teentones
1956 - Have A Happy (The Dedications Song)/ Oh Yes (Rego 1005)

The Levee Songsters
1959 - Our Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby (Karen 1004)

The Leopards (1)
1963 - Valerie / Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie (Leopards 5006)






Biography :

Brooklyn-based R&B vocal group the Mello-Harps formed in 1955. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the April 1990 issue of Record Collectors' Monthly, co-founders Arnold "Johnny" Malone (first tenor), second tenor Joe Gowder, baritone Daniel "Bunny" Elder, and bass Ossie Davis were longtime friends from the borough's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps     The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps

After adding a fifth member, high tenor Vernon Staley, the Mello-Harps began touring the local nightclub circuit, and while performing at Brooklyn's Club Baby Grand they negotiated a management deal with musician Larry Lucy, who quickly landed them a record deal with the Do-Re-Mi label.  The Mello-Harps beautiful debut, "Love Is a Vow," followed in the autumn of 1955. One of the scarcest singles of the doo wop era, it earned little attention upon its original release but later achieved cult classic status among R&B aficionados.

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps     The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
Teacho Wiltshire                                                                                                               

By year's end Davis resigned from the lineup, and upon adding bass Bobby Hawkins (the brother of NBA Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins), the Mello-Harps signed to Tin Pan Alley Records to issue their sophomore effort, "I Love Only You." "What Good Are My Dreams" followed in early 1956, and when the group's commercial fortunes failed to improve, Elder exited in the wake of their fourth single, "My Bleeding Heart." Tenor William Brown signed on prior to cutting a re-recorded "Love Is a Vow" for the Rego label. 

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps     The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
                                                                                                              A configuration of the Mello-Harps (or The Leopards)

Credited to the Teen-Tones, the song fared no better the second time around, and Staley was the next to turn in his resignation. Tenor David "Sonny" Forte signed on for 1957's "Gumma Gumma," a novelty tune that restored the Mello-Harps moniker. Despite saxophone contributions from the great King Curtis, the single went nowhere and after an aborted session for Juggy Murray's Sue label, the group split in 1959. In the early 60s, Joe Gowder formed another group, which re-recorded "Valerie" (with Joe himself doing lead). Along with the flip, "Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie" (also led by Joe), it was released on the Leopard label in 1963, as the "Leopards." David Forte was also in this group.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/MelloHarps/melloharps.html



 

 


Songs :

The Mello-Harps

  
Love Is A Vow                                             Valerie

     
 Searchin'                       Gumma Gumma                             No Good



The Melloharps

  
I Love Only You                       Ain't Got The Money

  
What Good Are My Dreams                            Gone            


Teacho Wiltshire & The Melloharps


My Bleeding Heart / I Couldn't Believe


The Teen-Tones (1) / The Levee Songsters


1959 - (Our) Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby


The Leopards (1)

  
             Valerie                              Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie







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The Ivies (1) aka The Sensation-Ivies

Posted on by dion1

The Ivies (1) aka The Sensation-Ivies

The Ivies (1) (Detroit, Mi)
aka The Sensation-Ivies


Personnel :

Aaron McCray (Lead)

Odel Logan

Jimmy Davis

Conley Griffin

Arnold Johnson


Discography :

The Ivies
1958 - Sunshine / Come On (Ivy 110 / Brunswick 55112)
1959 - Voodoo / I Really Want You To Know (Roulette 4183)

Arron McCray & His Sensation-Ivies
1960 - I’ll Have The Last Laugh / Inter Santum (Reel 111)

The Sensation-Ivies
1961 - Tell Me / God Bless The Child (Willow 23003)

Clarence Paul (BB The Ivies)
1959 - I Need Your Lovin' / I’ll Be By Your Side (Hanover 4519 )
1959 - Falling In Love Again / May Heaven Bless You (Roulette 4196 )


Biography :

From Detroit, the Ivies included Aaron McCray, Odel Logan, Jimmy Davis, Conley Griffin, and Arnold Johnson. In 1958, The group Recorded  "Sunshine" b/w "Come On"  for Ivy Records. Ivy Records was set up in Sept 57 by Stan Feldman & Ed Portnoy. It was based out of 1697 Broadway, New York. The single was reissued on Brunswick 55112 in June 1959.

The Ivies (1) aka The Sensation-Ivies    The Ivies (1) aka The Sensation-Ivies
                                                                     Clarence Paul

Clarence Otto Pauling (March 19, 1928 – May 6, 1995), better known as Clarence Paul, was a songwriter and record producer for Detroit's Motown Records. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States, and was the brother of the "5" Royales guitarist/songwriter, Lowman Pauling Jr. In 1958, he had one of his first major songwriting credits. He co-wrote and recorded "I Need Your Lovin'" for the Hanover label. It was covered less than a year later, in 1959, and became a #14 R&B hit for Roy Hamilton.

The Ivies (1) aka The Sensation-Ivies   The Ivies (1) aka The Sensation-Ivies

The Ivies were the back-up group for Clarence Paul on the Hanover "I Need Your Lovin' b/w "I’ll Be By Your Side" . Clarence Paul brings the group for his appearance and sings even on their singles. The     Ivies' next single is on the Roulette Label with "Voodoo" b/w "I Really Want You To Know". Probably The Ivies were again the back-up group for Clarence Paul on his Roulette Records.  The group next recorded on Johnnie Matthews' Reel label around 1960 under the name "Sensation-Ivies " and had a  release the next year on Willow, a subsidiary of the Cincinatti-based King labelowned by Mickey Guitar Baker & Syliva Robinson in New York.



Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 


The Ivies

  
Sunshine                                  Come On

  
            Voodoo                           I Really Want You To Know

Arron McCray And His Sensation-Ivies

  
I’ll Have The Last Laugh                       Inter Santum            

The Sensation-Ivies

  
        Tell Me                                     God Bless The Child


Clarence Paul (bb The Ivies)

  
I Need Your Lovin'                        I’ll Be By Your Side

  
Falling In Love Again                    May Heaven Bless You



...

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The Feathers - ref : The Unforgettables (3) - The Gladiators (1) - The Glens (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Feathers aka The Unforgettables (3) aka The Gladiators (1) aka The Glens (2) aka The Unforgettables (3)
paste up picture, Johnny Staton, John Harris, Mitchell Alexander

The Feathers (Los Angeles)
ref : The Unforgettables (3) -
The Gladiators (1) - The Glens (2)  

 

Personnel:

Johnny  Staton (Lead)

Louis Staton (Tenor)

John  Harris (Tenor)

Don  Harris (Baritone )

Mitchell Alexander (Bass)

 

Discography :

June Moy (bb The Feathers)
1954 - Desert Winds / Castle Of Dreams (no group) (Show Time 1103)

Jesse Belvin (bb The Feathers)
1956 - Betty My Darling / Dear Heart  (Hollywood 1056)
Unreleased :
1956 - (This Is My) Love Song (Hollywood)

The Feathers
1954 - Johnny Darling / Nona (Show Time 1104)
1954 - Johnny Darling / Shake 'Em Up (Aladdin 3267)
1955 - I Need A Girl / Standing Right There (Aladdin 3277)
1955 - Why Don't You Write Me / Busy As A Bumblebee (J & L Staton) (Show Time 1105)
1955 - Why Don't You Write Me / Where Did Caledonia Go (5 Stars) (Show Time 1105)            
1955 - Love Only You / Crashing The Party (Show Time 1106)
1956 - Lonesome Tonight / Dear One (Hollywood 1051)
1989 - Charlene / Irene My Darling (Classic Artists 109)
1989 - More Than Enough For Me / Happy Holiday (Jaguars) (Classic Artists 117)
1989 - At The Altar / A Girl Like You (Classic Artists 125)
1993 - Ride On Santa (Clifton 3004) (CD)
Unreleased :
1956 - Golden Vow (Hollywood)
1956 - Church Steps (Hollywood)
1956 - When I Lost You (Hollywood)

The Unforgettables (3)
1961 - Daddy Must Be A Man / Oh, Wishing Well (Pamela 204)

The Gladiators (1)
1957 - Girl Of My Heart / My Baby Doll (Dig 135)

The Glens (2)
1960 - A Little Less Talk / Cherish My Love (Laitini 6666/Sudden 104)

 

Biography :

In 1953 , Johnny Staton was in an air force singing group that was quite successful , winning several amateur talent contests . When Staton was discharged to Los Angeles in 1954 , he continued vocal group singing with his three brothers and a sister . Having little luck , most of the siblings abandoned the group singing . Johnny and Louis Staton stayed with it .They eventually teamed up with the rest of the performers who would eventually become the Feathers. They practiced with them until they felt ready for live performances. Ultimately they ran into Johnny Otis , who advised them to look into the Showtime music organization. They followed Otis's advice and signed a contract with Showtime. They recorded “ Johnny Darling ” for Showtime. When it began to move, Otis once again intervened, telling the Feathers that Showtime was not properly supporting or promoting their record. He suggested that perhaps they should go to the other big Los Angeles R & B label : Aladdin. Again, the group followed his suggestion. In 1954, both Aladdin and Showtime claimed the Feathers. A lawsuit followed , as both had released  their own version of “Johnny Darling". Eventually Showtime won the suit and the Feathers remained with them .

The Feathers aka The Unforgettables (3) aka The Gladiators (1) aka The Glens (2) aka The Unforgettables (3)
Karl White & Renee Beard

After the group's breakup, John Harris joined the Lamplighters; then he teamed with Carl White and the Ebbtides and with Carl Ell and his Buddies . Then the Sharps and eventually the Rivingtons . Jesse Belvin's session , which produced  “Dear Heart”, “Betty My Darling“ and "(This is My) Love Song ” was backed up by Johnny, Louis, Isaiah, and James Staton. Johnny Staton told Belvin, “no money, just put our name on the label". This tune was released in the 1960s and for some unknown reason the label read “Jesse Belvin and the Five Keys." On “Crashing the Party"the group was a family affair — Johnny, Louis, James, and Isaiah Staton with Ray Anderson at bass. For their last recording on Showtime, Anderson was dropped and sister Lenora was added. In late 1955, with no success or money, the existing group broke up and Johnny Staton formed a new Feathers with Roy Allen (tenor), Renee Beard (second tenor), Carl White (baritone), and Carl's brother, Cleo at bass. With out Johnny Staton  they became the Gladiators, releasing "My Baby Doll"/"Girl Of My Heart" on Johnny Otis' Dig label in March 1957 . In 1960, with second tenor Billy Mann in place of Roy Allen, they recorded as the Glens for Laitini ("Cherish My Love"/"A Little Less Talk". That record was re-released on Sudden in the following year. Without Beard, this group recorded as the Unforgettables for Pamela and their recording was done in 1957 and released in 1961.  In 1959 Johnny Staton had abandoned the name " Feathers " and formed a group called the Individuals. As incredible as it may seem , they recorded for Showtime , a label with which they had previously been involved in litigation .

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Feathers/feathers.html

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Hank Blackman & The Killers aka J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels aka The Jackals

Posted on by dion1

Hank Blackman & The Killers aka J.J. Jackson And The Jackaels
June Jackson 

J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels (San Diego, Ca)
aka The Jackals aka Hank Blackman & The Killers

 

Personnel :

William E. 'June' 'J.J' Jackson (Lead)

Hubert Richardson (First Tenor)

James Famber (Second Tenor)

Hank Blackman (Baritone)

 

Discography :

J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels
Singles :
1959 - A Lifetime From Today /  That Look In Your Eye (Storm 501)
1959 - Oo-Ma-Liddi / Let The Show Begin (Storm 502/ Prelude 502)
Unreleased :
1962 - Port of Happiness (Brent)
1962 - Don't Let Her Make You Cry (Brent)

J.J. Jackson & The Jackals
1962 - False Face / Ring Telephone (Everest 2012)

Hank Blackman & The Killers
1962 - Everyone Has Someone /Itchy Koo (Brent 7030)

Bertha Tillman bb J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels
1962 - Oh My Angel / Lovin' Time (Brent 7029)

J.J. Jackson bb The Jackaels
1963 - Time / Shy Guy (Crescent 632)

 

Biography :

There is much confusion about J.J. Jackson.  Jerome Louis 'J.J' Jackson (B. 4/8/41) was a Soul Artist who did 'But It's Alright".  He was in a doo wop group called 'Cordials'. William E. 'June' 'J.J' Jackson (B. 1931) from San Diego, Ca is the lead singer of The Jackaels  with Hubert Richardson (First Tenor), James Famber (Second Tenor) & Hank Blackman (Baritone) . In 1959, the group recorded  four songs released by Storm Records .

Hank Blackman & The Killers aka J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels

In 1962, June Jackson & The Jackaels recorded four songs for Brent records. Because they had two releases under that name, the company decide to re-brand them and use the two song sung by group member Hank Blackman rather than the two June Jackson sang lead on. The group was renamed Hank Blackman & The Killers. the two songs left in the can were June Jackson sung and penned numbers "Port of Happiness" and "Don't Let Her Make You Cry".

Hank Blackman & The Killers aka J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels    Hank Blackman & The Killers aka J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels

During the same session the Jackaels also recorded with Bertha Tillman.  Bertha Tillman was working as a department store salesgirl in San Diego when she was discovered by Hank Blackman . June Jackson had written "Oh My Angel" and the Jackaels were the uncredited group that backed Tillman on this tremendously soulful tearjerker. There were two more 45s with the Jackaels :  "False Face" b/w "Ring Telephone" on Everest and "Time" b/w "Shy Guy" on Crescent. June Jackson will continue to record for Imperial, Bell and Musette in the 60s and 70s.

 

Songs :

J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels

     
A Lifetime From Today             That Look In Your Eye                   Oo-Ma-Liddi       

  
Let The Show Begin             Port of Happiness 

 

J. Jackson & The Jackals

  
False Face                           Ring Telephone


Hank Blackman & The Killers

  
Everyone Has Someone                             Itchy Koo             


Bertha Tillman bb J.J. Jackson & The Jackaels

  
Oh My Angel                                 Lovin' Time
 

J.J. Jackson bb The Jackaels


Time


...

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The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

Posted on by dion1

The Naturals (1)
 1959 - The Naturals (1)  : Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson & Jack Greenbach 

The Naturals (1)  (Berkeley, Calif)
aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

 


Personnel :

Jerry Marcellino

Mel Larson

Jack Greenbach replaced Lani Woodd Three Honeydrops)




Discography :

The Three Honeydrops

Singles :
1957 - Honey Drop / In The Summer (Music City 813)
1957 - You're The One For Me / Rockin Satellite (Music City 814)
Unreleased:
1957 - Chickaboom (Music City)
 

The Naturals (1)
1959 - Don't Send Me Away / The Mummy (Era 1089)

Jerry & Mel
1961 - Once Upon A Time / Cannibal Stew (Boss-Sound 301)
1961 - Confessions Of A North Beach Poet / Double Whammy  (WB 5195)

 



Biography :

Jerry Marcellino born in Bekerley, California, and graduated from San Lorenzo Hi-School in 1955 as a music major. Lani Woodd, born in the Hawaiian Island and graduated from San Lorenzo Hi-School in 1955 being a soloist in the Hi-School choir. Mel Larson, born in San Francisco and graduated from Hayward Hi-School in 1955 as a music major.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel     The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel     The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel 

Jerry Marcellino                                        Mel Larson                                            Lani Woodd

The Three versatile young men, Jerry, Mal and Lani organized their group "The Three Honeydrops " while still in High School and have been together since singing and playing everything from rock'n roll  to  Jazz. They  write  and play  their songs and  made appearances  at  Record  Hops and Dances around the area.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel 

Jerry Marcellino                                     Lani Woodd                                             Mel Larson  

They will present their compositions at Music City Records. Music City Records, of Berkeley, California is most closely associated with vocal groups. Ray Dobard’s venerable imprint, in operation for a quarter century from the early 50s on, had its greatest success with records such as ‘WPLJ’ and ‘Ichi Bon Tami Dachi’. Music city release two singles by the group.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel     The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

After the departure of Lani Woodd, musician and composer Jack Greenbach  was hired to replace him in the group. Changing people causes a change in name, it is now The Naturals. As the Naturals, they recorded one single on Era Records. Era was an independent American record label located in Hollywood, California. It was founded by Herb Newman and Lou Bedell in 1955 as a pop, country and western and jazz label. Despite the failure of the single, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson continue to write and compose songs and in 1961, they cut two singles as Jerry & Mel.  

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel   The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel 

Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson                                                                                                    

For the next twelve years, Jerry played in clubs in North Beach, San Francisco, and San Mateo. All the while, he and his partner, Mel Larson, were writing songs. It was then Jerry experienced his first songwriting successes. First, a hit record for Trini Lopez called Sad Tomorrows on Reprise Records. Then another for Martin Denny on Liberty Records called Strawberry Tree, and another on the hit album Figurines by The Fleetwoods. But Jerry wasn’t satisfied.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel 

1965 - Jack Greenbach  , Jerry Marcellino & Mel Larson  

Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson went on to become one of the most successful creative forces in the music industry: producing for The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Al Jarreau, Lionel Richie, and countless others. His music has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, including 25 Gold and Platinum records.


 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 


The Three Honeydrops

  
You're The One For Me                       Rockin Satellite

  
Honey Drop                       In The Summer


Chickaboom 

 

The Naturals (1)

  
Don't Send Me Away                        The Mummy


Jerry & Mel

  
Once Upon A Time                            Cannibal Stew



 

 


...

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The Mello-Harps aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps

Posted on by dion1

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
 

The Mello-Harps  (Brooklyn, New-York)

aka The Levee Songsters
aka The Teen-Tones (1)
aka The Melloharps
aka The Teentones

Ref The Leopards (1)






Personnel :

Arnold "Johnny" Malone (Lead)

Vernon Staley (First Tenor)

Joe Gowder (Second Tenor)

Daniel Elder (Baritone)

Ossie Davis (Bass)



    


Discography :

The Mello-Harps
1955 - Love Is A Vow / Valerie (Do-Re-Mi 203)
1956 - Searchin' / Love Is A Vow (Rego 1003)
1958 - Gumma Gumma  / No Good (Casino 104)

The Melloharps
1955 - I Love Only You / Ain't Got The Money (Tin Pan Alley 145/146)
1956 - What Good Are My Dreams / Gone (Tin Pan Alley 157/158)

Teacho Wiltshire & The Melloharps
1956 - My Bleeding Heart / I Couldn't Believe (Tin Pan Alley 159/160)

The Teen-Tones (1)
1956 - Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby (Rego 1004)

Lee and Larry & The Teentones
1956 - Have A Happy (The Dedications Song)/ Oh Yes (Rego 1005)

The Levee Songsters
1959 - Our Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby (Karen 1004)

The Leopards (1)
1963 - Valerie / Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie (Leopards 5006)






Biography :

Brooklyn-based R&B vocal group the Mello-Harps formed in 1955. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the April 1990 issue of Record Collectors' Monthly, co-founders Arnold "Johnny" Malone (first tenor), second tenor Joe Gowder, baritone Daniel "Bunny" Elder, and bass Ossie Davis were longtime friends from the borough's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps     The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps

After adding a fifth member, high tenor Vernon Staley, the Mello-Harps began touring the local nightclub circuit, and while performing at Brooklyn's Club Baby Grand they negotiated a management deal with musician Larry Lucy, who quickly landed them a record deal with the Do-Re-Mi label.  The Mello-Harps beautiful debut, "Love Is a Vow," followed in the autumn of 1955. One of the scarcest singles of the doo wop era, it earned little attention upon its original release but later achieved cult classic status among R&B aficionados.

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps     The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
Teacho Wiltshire                                                                                                               

By year's end Davis resigned from the lineup, and upon adding bass Bobby Hawkins (the brother of NBA Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins), the Mello-Harps signed to Tin Pan Alley Records to issue their sophomore effort, "I Love Only You." "What Good Are My Dreams" followed in early 1956, and when the group's commercial fortunes failed to improve, Elder exited in the wake of their fourth single, "My Bleeding Heart." Tenor William Brown signed on prior to cutting a re-recorded "Love Is a Vow" for the Rego label. 

The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps     The Mello-Harps  aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
                                                                                                              A configuration of the Mello-Harps (or The Leopards)

Credited to the Teen-Tones, the song fared no better the second time around, and Staley was the next to turn in his resignation. Tenor David "Sonny" Forte signed on for 1957's "Gumma Gumma," a novelty tune that restored the Mello-Harps moniker. Despite saxophone contributions from the great King Curtis, the single went nowhere and after an aborted session for Juggy Murray's Sue label, the group split in 1959. In the early 60s, Joe Gowder formed another group, which re-recorded "Valerie" (with Joe himself doing lead). Along with the flip, "Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie" (also led by Joe), it was released on the Leopard label in 1963, as the "Leopards." David Forte was also in this group.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/MelloHarps/melloharps.html



 

 


Songs :

The Mello-Harps

  
Love Is A Vow                                             Valerie

     
 Searchin'                       Gumma Gumma                             No Good



The Melloharps

  
I Love Only You                       Ain't Got The Money

  
What Good Are My Dreams                            Gone            


Teacho Wiltshire & The Melloharps


My Bleeding Heart / I Couldn't Believe


The Teen-Tones (1) / The Levee Songsters


1959 - (Our) Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby


The Leopards (1)

  
             Valerie                              Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie







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Little Jan & The Radiants (2) aka The Teen-Tones (1)

Posted on by dion1

Little Jan & The Radiants (2) aka The Teen-Tones (1)
Top :Tommy Nelli, Billy Shelly & Dominick Scretti - Bottom : Jan Perolla

Little Jan & The Radiants (2) (Syracuse, NY)
aka The Teen-Tones (1)


Personnel :

Jan Perolla (Lead)

Billy Shelly (First Tenor)

Dominick Scretti (Baritone)

Tommy Nelli (Bass)

 

Discography :

The Teen-Tones (1)
1958 - Miss Sweet / Darling I Love You (Dandy Dan 2)

Little Jan & The Radiants (2)
1960 - If You Love Me / Heart And Soul (VIM 507)

Jan & The Radiants (2)
1960 - Is It True (I Still Believe In You) / Now Is The Hour (Clock 1028)
1961 - If You Love Me / Is It True (I Still Believe In You) (Queen 247)



Biography :

Syracuse vocal group Little Jan and the Radiants were formed in 1958, when three male members of the Teen-Tones : Billy Shelly (1st tenor), Dominick Scretti (baritone) and Tommy Nelli (bass) replaced Billy Sanders, who went into the service, with Carl Irvine (2nd tenor), and added none other than the departed Billy’s girlfriend, 17 year old Jan Perolla. Originally christened Little Jan & the Orients, their infectious sound crossed cultural lines and the group quickly became a local favorite. Sports-o-ramas, sock-hops, house parties and high school dances gave way to the big time.

Little Jan & The Radiants (2) aka The Teen-Tones (1)
The Teen-Tones (Sam Furco, Tommy Nelli, Billy Sanders, Billy Shelly and Dominick Scretti)

When a producer representing Syracuse University graduate and SAMMYS Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dick Clark came to Syracuse to audition Jeff & the Notes, their friends Little Jan and the Radiants were also there and invited to “sing a few bars of Earth Angel”.  Shortly thereafter, the group got a call from the producer, met at The Orange at Syracuse University, signed a contract with CLOCK Records, and the renamed Little Jan and the Radiants were on their way.

Little Jan & The Radiants (2) aka The Teen-Tones (1)    Little Jan & The Radiants (2) aka The Teen-Tones (1)
                                                                                                                                        Jan Perolla

“Heart And Soul” b/w “If You Love Me” was recorded in Buffalo NY in 1959, and “Is It True” b/w “Now Is The Hour”, recorded in Rochester, was released the following year, both garnering significant radio airplay across the United States, rumored to have hit the top 10 in some major markets. The discs were so popular that they were later re-released nationally on Queen Records in 1961. In their heyday, the group shared stages with such notables as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Gene Pitney and an early lineup of the not yet famous Four Seasons.


Songs :

The Teen-Tones (1)

  
Darling I Love You                                   Miss Sweet       

Little Jan & The Radiants (2)

  
If You Love Me                                  Heart And Soul

Jan & The Radiants (2)

  
Is It True (I Still Believe In You)                      Now Is The Hour    


...

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The Hammond Brothers aka The Three Friends (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Three Friends (2) aka The Hammond Brothers
Clay Hammond

The Three Friends (2) (Compton, California)
aka The Hammond Brothers

 

Personnel :

Clay Hammond (Lead)

Walter Hammond (Baritone)

Julius Brown (Tenor)

 

Discography :

The Three Friends (2)
1961 - Walkin' Shoes / Blue Ribbon Baby (Cal-Gold 169)
1961 - Dedicated (To The Songs I Love) / Happy As A Man Can Be (Imperial 5763)
1961 - Go On To School / You're A Square (Imperial 5773)

The Hammond Brothers
1962 - Thirty Miles Of Railroad Track / I Told You (Abner 7005)

 

Biography :

Black doowop trio from Compton, California. Comprised of Julius Brown and brothers Clay and Walter Hammond.  Clayton Hammond Jr. was born in Groesbeck, Texas. He was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter and in 1956 he became a founding member of the gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy in Los Angeles, with Little Johnny Taylor and others. His younger brother, Walter Hammond, became a member of vocal group The Olympics.

The Three Friends (2) aka The Hammond Brothers  The Three Friends (2) aka The Hammond Brothers
                                                                                        Clay Hammond

Clay Hammond made his first recording in 1959 for the Tag label, and then formed a trio, The Three Friends with Walter Hammond and friend Julius Brown. They recorded for the Cal-Gold and Imperial labels in 1961, with little success. Their only charted single was "Dedicated (To The Songs I Love)", which peaked at #89 in July of 1961. The Next year, he also recorded with his brother Walter as the Hammond Brothers. In 1963, his song "Part Time Love", recorded by Little Johnny Taylor, reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart and no.19 on the pop chart. He continued to write songs, but with much less success, as well as recording singles for a variety of small labels.

 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 


The Three Friends (2)

     
        Blue Ribbon Baby                     Walkin' Shoes         Dedicated (To The Songs I Love)

  
Happy As A Man Can Be              Go On To School / You're A Square
 

The Hammond Brothers

  
Thirty Miles Of Railroad Track                        I Told You                   

...

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