Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Shadows (3) aka The Carlos Brothers

Posted on January 6 2008 by dion1

The Carlos Brothers (Chicago)
aka The Shadows (3)

Personnel :

Jimmy Carlos

Pete Antoniano

Discography :

The Shadows (3)
1958 - Under the Stars of love / Jungle Fever (Del-Fi 4109)

The Carlos Brothers
1959 - Come On Let's Dance / Tonight (Del-Fi 4112) 
1959 - It's Time To Go / Little Cupid (Del-Fi 4118) 
1960 - La Bamba / It's Time To Go (Del-Fi 4145) 
1963 - I Realize / Meet My Town (Zen 106)

Biography :

Jimmy Carlos and Pete Antoniano were brothers who shared the same mother but had different fathers. They are credited as being the first Los Angeles-based act to bring the Mexican duet style into rhythm & blues. They grew up in the Cabrillo projects in the city of Long Beach, California. Their early influences were all-black doowop & R&B groups. Jimmy & Pete went to Banning High School in the city of Wilmington, California. There, they began performing under the name the Shadows at talents shows and shows for local car clubs.

El Monte Legion Stadium

They were asked to come and perform at El Monte Legion Stadium at a show headlined by Ritchie Valens. Ritchie was impressed by duo and told them he would talk to his manager Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records. At the time Jimmy was 17 and Pete was 15. They recorded "Under Stars Of Love" and "Jungle Fever" under the name the Shadows.

Ritchie Valens

It was released in September of 1958 but the record went nowhere possibly because using the name the Shadows, they were thought to be black. For their next single, the duo recorded "Tonight" and "Come On Let's Dance" For that session they were joined by Ritchie Valens who plays guitar on both sides. The record was released just one month after Ritchie's tragic death in February 1959. For this release & the next they used the name The Carlos Brothers.

The Carlos Brothers aka The Shadows (3)

Later in 1959, Jimmy & Pete would record "It's Time To Go" and "Little Cupid". In 1960 the brothers would record an updated version of La Bamba" and it would be released with "It's Time To Go" as the flip side. For the track " La Bamba" Ritchie's original track was used, Bob Keane added some violins and the Blossoms, a Los Angeles girl group added the backing. The Carlos Brothers would quit music for a while but returned in 1963 for producer H.B. Barnum. They cut "Meet My Town", a sort of Beach Boys-styled tribute to Los Angeles and "I Realize". These tracks were released on the Zen label.
http://wwwyoufoundthateastsidesoundcom.blogspot.fr/2011/08/eastside-legends-carlos-brothers-aka.html

Songs :

The Carlos Brothers

It's Time To Go Come On Let's Dance I Realize

Tonight La Bamba Meet My Town

The Shadows (3)

Under the Stars of love / Jungle Fever

...

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The Magics aka The Precisions (3) aka The Palisades (3)

Posted on January 6 2008 by dion1

Donny Manzo, Teddy Santos, Mike Lanzo and Kenny Marsh

The Precisions (3) (Scranton, Pa)
aka The Magics (2) aka The Palisades (3)

Personnel :

Mike Lanzo (Lead & Bass)

Donny Manzo (Tenor)

Ken Marsh (Baritone)

Teddy Santos (Second Tenor)

Discography:

The Precisions (3)
1960 - Dream On / You Can't Play Games (Strand 25038)
1963 - Sweet Dreams / Stop Leading Me On (Debra 1001)

Tommy Genova & The Precisions (3)
1962 - The Lover / What Has Happened (Bella 606) 
1962 - The Whole World In My Arms / Mama Done (Debra 1007)

Jo Jo Vitale bb The Precisions (3)
1962 - My Little Cinderella (May 127)

The Magics (2)
1963 - Chapel Bells / She Can't Stop Dancing (Debra 1003)

The Palisades (3)
1963 - Chapel Bells / She Can't Stop Dancing (Debra 1003)

Mike Lanzo & The Blue Counts
1964 - At The Fair / Ghost Town (Debra 2006)

Biography :

"The Magics" are best known for their hit recording "Chapel Bells", which reached number three on the local charts in the Northeast part of the country. The song was written by " The Monotones" who had the smash hit " Book of Love". 100 Records pressed under the name of the Palisades, name was changed to the Magics because Palisades was taken.

Dick and the Halo's - Ted Santos, Ken Marsh, Dick Plotkin and Dom Manzo

The group was formed in the late 1950's with the original members being, Don Manzo (the founder), Mike Lanzo and Ken Marsh, at that time the group was known briefly as the " Supremes". Ted Santos was the next member to join the group and they then formed an alliance with Dick Plotkin who's group had recently broke up, and the name of the group was changed to Dick and the Halo's.

Dick & The Halo's - Ken Marsh, Ted Santos, Dom Manzo and Dick Plotkin

The group split up once again and the original 4, Don Manzo, Mike Lanzo, Ken Marsh and Ted Santos moved to Tin Pan Alley in New York to search for a professional management. Nick Quesado Enterprises, the firm that managed the nationally known "Teenagers" of "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" fame and "Randy & the Rainbows" of "Denise" fame, took on the task and the group's name was changed to " The Precision's" then to "The Magics".

The Magics : Donny Manzo, Mike Lanzo, Kenny Marsh, Teddy Santos

While in New York they recorded for various New York labels and performed studio background for various artist such as Jo Jo Vitali who had the hit "My Little Cinderella", Jack Bailey from Canada who had hits such as "Tiger Lil" and "Your Magic Touch" all were hits in Canada.

The Precisions (3) aka The Magics aka The Palisades (3)

The group also did background for local artist "Tommy Genova" who had a local hit "They Call Me the Lover". The group disbanded soon afterward and went on their own individual ways. 

Songs :

The Magics (2)

Chapel Bells She Can't Stop Dancing

The Precisions (3)

You Can't Play Games Sweet Dreams Stop Leading Me On  

Tommy Genova & The Precisions (3)

The Lover What Has Happened Mama Done

Jo Jo Vitale bb The Precisions (3)

My Little Cinderella

The Palisades (3)

Chapel Bells She Can't Stop Dancing

Mike Lanzo & The Blue Counts

At The Fair Ghost Town

...

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The Shytones aka The Hi-Tones (2) aka The Trentons aka The Shy-Tones 

Posted on January 6 2008 by dion1

(top L to R) Frank Barrata, Bill Sangiovanni & Fred Alvarez. (bottom L to R) Al Scavuzzo, Ben Passantino & Rich Peluso

The Hi-Tones (2) (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
aka The Trentons aka The Shytones aka The Shy-Tones 

 Personnel : 

Graham Lee True (Lead)

Sal Covais (First tenor)

Albert Scavuzzo (Second tenor)

William Scarpa (Baritone)

Fred Alvarez (Bass)

Frank Barrata

Discography : 

The Shytones
1957 - Annette / White Bucks (Spot 14/15)
1957 - White Bucks / Bandstand Rock (Spot 14/15)
1957 - Annette / Bandstand Rock (Spot 15)

The Shy-Tones
1958 - A Lover's Quarrel / Just For You (Goodspin 401)

The Hi-Tones (2)
1958 - A Lovers Quarrel / Just For You (Fonsca 201)
1961 - No More Pain / I Don't Know Why (Fonsco 202)

The Trentons
1959 - All Alone / Star Bright (Inst.) (Shepherd 2204)

Biography :

The Shytones were one of many groups that grew up loving vocal harmony and singing on the street corners. They had a great sound, but too short of a career. The Shytones never made it big selling records, but they were celebrities in their own neighborhood, and at the local hops and shows . They cut just a few records, but with a group name change and a few different labels with the same songs. They were given the name Shy-Tones/Shytones because their lead singer suffered from "stage fright" and had great difficulty performing in from of an audience. This lead a promoter to comment (something like) "Are you guys the Hi-Tones or the Shy-Tones?" The name stuck and the name "Hi-Tones" was not used after that.

The Shy-Tones "A Lover's Quarrel" B/w "Just For You was Reissued" as "Lovers Quarrel" in April 1961 on Fonsca (# 201) with label credit to the Hi-Tones. A slight variation of the group had a release on the Spot label as the Shytones. The group was basically a Brooklyn (NY) group, with one member from Staten Island (NY). On this recording they were: Fred Alvarez, Frank Barrata, Ben Passanante, Rich Peluso, Bill Sangiovanni, Albert Scavuzzo , & Graham Lee True .

The Shytones aka The Hi-Tones (2) aka The Trentons aka The Shy-Tones 

Al Scavuzzo

The Shytones performed at many local hops and dances, and even got the chance to perform at one of Murray The K's big rock and roll show. They had some airplay on a couple of local stations, and were even a pick hit of the week on WINS. The group broke up when Al Scavuzzo tragically passed away on his 21st birthday.
http://www.colorradio.com/shytones.html

Songs :

The Shytones


Annette / Bandstand Rock                White Bucks

The Shy-Tones


A Lover's Quarrel                           Just For You

The Hi-Tones (2)


I Don't Know Why No More Pain

The Trentons

All Alone / Star Bright (Inst.)

...

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The Concords (2) aka The Snowmen aka The Sherwoods

Posted on January 5 2008 by dion1

The Concords (2) aka The Snowmen aka The Sherwoods (3)

The Concords (2) (Brooklyn, New York)
aka The Snowmen aka The Sherwoods (3)

Personnel :

Dickie Goldman (Lead)

Mike Lewis (First tenor)

Murray Moshe (Second Tenor)

Charles Presti (Baritone)

Steve Seider (Bass)

Discography :

The Concords (2)
Singles :
1961 - The Boy Most Likely / Again (RCA 47-7911)
1961 - Cross My Heart / Our Last Goodbye (Gramercy 304)
1962 - My Dreams / Scarlet Ribbons (Gramercy 305)
1962 - Away / One Step From Heaven (Rust 5048)
1962 - Marlene / Our Love Wasn't Meant To Be (Herald 576)
1962 - Cold And Frosty Morning / Don't Go Now (Herald 578)
1964 - It's Our Wedding Day / Should I Cry (Epic 9697)
1970 - I Feel A Love Comin' On / Down The Aisle Of Love (Polydor 14036/Boom 60021)
1970 - I Feel A Love Comin' On / Down The Aisle Of Love* (Polydor PD2-14036) *alt. vers.
Unreleased :
1964 - Tonight (Epic)

Wallie Hawkins bb The Concords (2)
1960 - First Date / Hog Tied (Joy 248)

Ginny Michels bb The Concords (2)
1962 - True Confession / Ev'ryone Was There But You (Mala 446)

Neal Scott bb The Concords (2)
1962 - Run To Me / Tomboy (Comet 2151)
1963 - One Piece Bathing Suit / Little Girl (Herald 581)

Sue Kenny bb The Concords (2)
1963 - Look / A Fool In Love (Tribute 118)

Joel Grayson bb The Concords (2)
1963 - No More / My True Story    (Riverside 4557)

Ricky Lisi bb The Concords (2)
1963 - The River / Don't Go Now (Roulette 4511)

The Sherwoods (3)
1963 - Cold And Frosty Morning / True Love Was Born (With Our Last Goodbye) (Dot 16540)

The Snowmen
1964 - Cold & Frosty Morning / You Started It (Herald 597)

Lisa & The Lullabies bb The Concords (2) (uncredited)
1964 - He's So Good / Why Do I Cry (Coed 589)

Biography :

Formed in 1959 in the Brighton Beach enclave of Brooklyn, New York, USA. They named their group the “Concords” a Spanish word for “with cords.” The group started as the Con-Chords but later they became the “Concords” because their original label (RCA) spelled it that way and they stuck with it.The Concords' membership originally teamed Mike Lewis (lead and tenor), Dickie Goldman (lead and tenor), Murray Moshe (baritone), Charles "Chippy" Presti (second tenor) and Steve Seider (bass). Signed by RCA Records, the Concords made their debut with a vocal group standard, "Again".

The Concords (2) aka The Snowmen aka The Sherwoods (3)

The group did an uptempo version with Mike Lewis on lead. The record was arranged by the legendary Teacho Wiltshire who produced a number of great records for RCA. The record was not well-produced technically with too little bass and too much treble. The record was a “pick hit” of disc jockey Murray. This resulted in some publicity for the group and they later did some shows for Murray. The group also performed a memorable show at Stern’s Department store in Manhattan along with Santo and Johnny. Songwriter Stu Wiener then took them to his father's Gramercy Records label, where they released two singles, "Cross My Heart" and "My Dreams".

The Concords (2) aka The Snowmen aka The Sherwoods (3)
Neal Scott Tne Concords

After losing Goldman and deciding to continue as a quartet, they recorded “Away“ b/w “One Step From Heaven“ on Rust Records in 1962, before finding a more permanent home at Herald Records. Their most successful single, "Marlene", followed, which became a major regional hit in the north-west, and led to them performing in Detroit with the Supremes. Their second single on Herald “Cold And Frosty Morning“ was also released as The Snowmen and was sold to Dot who released it under the name of the Sherwoods. The group did a lot of backup work wile under the management of Stu Weiner for artists such as Sue Kenny, Joel Grayson, Ginny Michels, Wally Hawkins, Ricky Lisi and Neil Scott. However, it was not enough to dampen disquiet in the ranks and the Concords broke up in 1963.

The Concords (2) aka The Snowmen aka The Sherwoods (3)

Lewis briefly formed the Planets but returned to a reshuffled Concords in 1964, wherein he and Seider were joined by Teddy Graybill (ex-Stardrifts), Sal Tepedino (ex-Travelers) and Bobby Ganz. A new contract with Epic Records led to the release of "Should I Cry", although Lewis and Wiener enjoyed more success with their production of Roddie Joy's "Come Back Baby". A remake of the Quintones' "Down The Aisle Of Love" was the final Concords single in 1966, with only Lewis remaining in the music industry thereafter .

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Concords (2)


The Boy Most Likely                   Again                                 Cross My Heart


Our Last Goodbye                    My Dreams                          Scarlet Ribbons


Away                     One Step From Heaven                    Marlene


Our Love Wasn't Meant To Be    Cold And Frosty Morning             Don't Go Now


It's Our Wedding Day                  Should I Cry                    I Feel A Love Comin' On


Down The Aisle Of Love                Tonight (unrel.)                         Away (alt.)

Down The Aisle Of Love (Polydor alt. vers.)

Wallie Hawkins bb The Concords (2)


First Date                               Hog Tied

Ginny Michels bb The Concords (2)


True Confession            Ev'ryone Was There But You

Neal Scott bb The Concords (2)


Run To Me                      Tomboy


One Piece Bathing Suit                  Little Girl

Sue Kenny bb The Concords (2)


Look                          A Fool In Love

Ricky Lisi bb The Concords (2)


Don't Go Now                                         The River

Joel Grayson bb The Concords (2)


My True Story                         No More

Lisa & The Lullabies bb The Concords (2)

He's So Good Why Do I Cry

…

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The Four Graduates (2)

Posted on January 5 2008 by dion1

The Four Graduates

 The Four Graduates (2) (Paterson, N.J.)  

Personnel :  

Bob Miranda (Lead)  

Tom Gullano (First tenor)  

Ralph DeVito (Baritone)

  Dave Libert (Bass)

Discography:  

1963 - A Lovely Way To Spend And Evening / Picture An Angel (Rust 5062)
1964 - Candy Queen / A Boy In love (Rust 5084)
1978 - May I Have The Dance / Caught In A Lie (Crystal ball 116)
1978 - Your Initials / Every Year About This Time (Crystal ball 119)

Biography :

The group formed in 1961 in Patterson, New Jersey, and called themselves the Four Graduates. Bob Miranda (lead), Tom Giuliano (first tenor), Ralph DiVito ( baritone), and Dave Libert (bass) began singing together in the army at Fort Dix New Jersey. Developing a versatility that enabled them to sing barbershop as well as jazz and doo wop, they became proficient enough to work in local clubs and begin doing background work on recording sessions.

The Four Graduates

In late 1962 they met Bob Crewe, who had just produced the huge hit "Sherry" for the Four Seasons. He used the Four Grads on a variety of sessions, including some by the Seasons. They signed with Rust (distributed by Laurie) in 1963 and, produced by Lor Crane , cut a rhythm version of THE INK SPOTS' 1944 ballad hit (#16) "A lovely way to spend an evening". At Rust the Tokens met the quartet and were impressed with their sound, especially the stylistic possibilities they heard in the group's recording of " Lovely Way." (The Tokens were fond of reworking oldies in a new tempo).

The Four Graduates

The group was producing THE CHIFFONS (as the Four Pennies) and RANDY AND THE RAINBOWS for Rust in 1963 but kept the Four Grads on mental "hold." In the early summer of 1964 the Tokens formed BT Puppy Records.A little over a year later, after recording such obscurities as the Cinnamons, the Three Pennies, and the English Muffins, the Tokens signed the Four Graduates . At that time Miranda and company opted for a name change to the Happenings.
Jay Warner "American singing groups: a history from 1940s to today"

Songs :


A Lovely Way To Spend And Evening               Picture An Angel


Candy Queen                             A Boy In Love


May I Have The Dance                Caught In A Lie


Every Year About This Time                      Your Initials

...

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The Vitamins aka The Titans

Posted on January 3 2008 by dion1

The Vitamins (Los Angeles)
aka The Titans

Personnel :

Charles Wright (First Tenor, Second Tenor & Baritone)

Sam Barnett (First Tenor, Second Tenor & Baritone)

Curtis McNair (Second Tenor & Baritone)

Alvin Branom (Tenor & Baritone)

Larry Greene (Baritone & Bass)

Discography :

1972 - It's So Hard To Laugh, So Easy To Cry / Rhythm N' Blues (Vita 101/148)

Biography :

An acappella demo of "It's So Hard To Laugh, So Easy To Cry" / "Rhythm N' Blues" from the Titans that was initially released in the 1970's.

It was on a bootleg 45 (Vita 101) & it was mistakenly credited to The Vitamins.

Songs :

So Hard To Laugh So Easy To Cry

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The Riffs aka The Creations (7)

Posted on January 2 2008 by dion1

The Riffs aka The Creations (7)

The Riffs- ( L to R) : Louie Liguori, Joe LoCicero, Joe Nisi , Richie Giovelli and Carmine DeSena.

The Riffs (Brooklyn, New York)
aka The Creations (7)

Personnel :

James Nisi (Lead singer)

Richard Giovelli (First Tenor)

Louie Liguori (Second Tenor)

Carmine DeSena (Baritone)

Joe LoCicero (Bass)

Discography:

The Creations (7)
1961 - Wake Up In The Morning / Strolling Through The Park (PineCrest 101)
1961 - My Heart Belongs To Only You (Gem 102)

The Riffs
1964 - Little Girl / Why Are The Nights So Cold (Sunny 22)
1965 - Tell Tale Friends / Why Are The Nights So Cold (Old Town 1179)
1978 - Storm / Where There's A Will (Crystal Ball 130)

Biography :

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joe LoCicero started singing at the age of twelve in church choirs. In 1958, Joe LoCicero originated and sang lead in a group entitled "The Creations ».Original members of The Creations 1959 Joe LoCicero, Richie Giovelli, Carmine DeSena , Louie Liguori and Vinny Tilotta (not in photo). They were so young, we needed a Cabaret License, so they only did Church Dances and Confraternities .

The Riffs aka The Creations (7)

The Creations - ( L to R) : Louie Liguori, Joe LoCicero , Richie Giovelli and Carmine DeSena.

They had three recordings at the time, which where, "Wake Up in the Morning", "Strolling Through The Park" on PineCrest and "My Heart Belongs to Only You" on the Gem Label in 1961. In 1963, The Creations changed their name to "The Riffs" under the management of writer and producer, Phil Spina, and new member Jimmy Nisi who replaced Vinny Tilotta. Their recordings included, "Little Girl", "Why Are The Nights So Cold", "Where There Is A Will There Is Away", "Storm", and "Tell Tale Friends", recorded on New York Labels, Sunny, Old Town, Crystal Ball.

The Riffs aka The Creations (7)

The Riffs (1972)

By 1966 all the members were married and planning families and the group broke up. Later on, they released an LP, "The Riffs Now & Then", which featured all original Riff recordings. Joe Locicero who sings lead on most Riffs songs, sang lead for the Chimes for a couple of years when Lenny Coco was real sick.

Songs :

The Creations (7)


Wake Up In The Morning             Strolling Through The Park

The Riffs


Little Girl        Why Are The Nights So Cold                 Tell Tale Friends


Storm                       Where There's A Will

…

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