The Fantasys Single: 1960 - No One But You / Why, Oh Why (Guyden 2029) Unreleased: 1960 - I Wonder (Guyden)
The Wonders (6) Single: 1961 - I Wonder / Summer Love (Chesapeake 604)
Biography :
The Fantasys were organized by four neighbors who lived a block from West Philly High School and less than a mile from the American Bandstand studio. They got started in 1957, the same year that Bandstand beggan being broadcast nationally from its famous studio at 46th and Market Streets in West Philadelphia. The foursome pestered Jamie Records into putting out “No One But You,” which the group had recorded itself at Reco Art Studio . The group consisted of tenor Arum Oornazian, who later went on to a career as a producer for Jamie/Guyden , lead Richard Schmidt, bass Charles Berberian and tenor Ben Asero. When Jamie Records asked Boornazian to “sweeten” the record with strings, the enterprising young producer recruited two Lebanese immigrants, one of whom was living with his family while attending the Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia. Both violinists went on to distinguished careers at nationally known orchestras in the United States.
The Fantasys continued to evolve out of the rehearsal studio that Jamie Records kept above its distributorship at 1330 West Girard Avenue. Johnny Madara and Dave White were in-house producers along with Joe Wissert, later to be joined by Bob Finiz. Aram Boornazian, one of the Fantasys, got involved with Jamie as a producer because he took over Johnny Madara's Gold Records record shop not far from American Bandstand's studios in West Philadelphia.
The Fantasys The Wonders
That gave Boornazian entree to Madara and White's enduring production team, which rehearsed and improvised music on the third floor with the many singers and groups that worked together there. Madara and White produced the Fantasys' second release, "No One But You." as long with their second, "I Wonder" in the same session at Bell Sound in New York. The Next Years, John D'Amico, Aram Boornazian and Charles Berberian cut the song "I wonder" with "Summer Love" on Chesapeake 604 under the name of The Wonders"
The Pearls 1956 from left to right Rosco, Howard, Max, Derek, Baby Cortez
The Pearls (1) (Detroit) aka The Five Pearls aka Howie & The Sapphires (2)
Personnel :
Howard 'Howie' Guyton (Lead)
Dave 'Baby Cortez' Clowney (Tenor/Pianno)
Derek Martin (Tenor)
George Torrence (Baritone)
Coley Washington (Bass)
Max (High Tenor)
Rosco
Discography :
The Five Pearls 1954 - Please Let Me Know / Real Humdinger (Aladdin 3265)
The Pearls (1) 1955 - Shadows Of Love / Yum Yummy (Atco 6057) 1956 - Bells Of Love / Come On Home (Atco 6066) 1956 - Let’s You And I Go Steady / Zippidy Zippidy Zoom (Onyx 503) 1956 - Tree In The Meadow / My Oh My (Onyx 506) 1957 - Your Cheatin’ Heart / I Sure Need You (Onyx 510) 1957 - Ice Cream Baby / Yuz-A-Ma-Tuz (Onyx 511) 1957 - It’s Love, Love, Love / The Wheel Of Love (Onyx 516) 1959 - Ugly Face / Band of Angels (On The Square 320)
Howie & The Sapphires (2) 1959 - More than the day before / Rockin' horse (Okeh 7112)
Biography :
A doo-wop group called the Pearls was at different times and in various line-ups also known as the Fabulous Pearls, the Five Pearls and to a degree even Howie & the Sapphires. Out of the "Motor City", Detroit, Michigan comes the Pearls. Managed at that point by Don Angelo, “Five Pearls” was discovered by Aladdin’s Leo Mesner at the Apollo Theater talent contest. The Pearls originally signed with Aladdin Records of Los Angeles in 1954 and had one release as the Five Pearls. The group picked Derek Martin up when stopping over in Detroit on their tour. Derek became one of their tenor singers, and the other members of the line-up those days included Howard Guyton (lead), David Cortez Clowney (tenor), George Wilson Torrence, Jr. – spelt also Torrance - (baritone), Coley Washington (bass and tenor!) and a high tenor called Max. Besides Howard, David, Derek and Max, in the very first line-up there was also a singer named Rosco. Similarly to Derek Martin, also David Cortez was born in 1938 in Detroit, Michigan.
He is Howard Guyton’s cousin, and after about two years with the Pearls, he joined first the Valentines in 1956, then the Jesters, until finally making his mark with two memorable instrumental hits, The Happy Organ on Clock in 1959 (# 1-pop) and Rinky Dink on Julia/Chess in 1962 (# 10-pop). From there in 1955 the signed with the Atlantic Records subsidiary Atco for a couple of singles. This time on the label it reads simply “the Pearls”, instead of “Five Pearls” as on their debut. Unfortunately, none of these three Pearls singles charted on a national level. The group switched labels, to Onyx Records. The next five singles by the group in 1956 and ’57 were all released on Onyx Records out of New York. Onyx was Jerry Winston’s label and during its two years plus existence it put out twenty singles by the Velours and the Miller Sisters, among others, but the Pearls was their main act. By this time David Cortez Clowney had left the group, but he came back later.
Derek Martin David Cortez
The arranger Sammy Lowe and his orchestra are featured on these Onyx sides, which mostly are uptempo dancers. "It’s Love, Love, Love" and "Yuz-A-Ma-Tuz" are quite poppy ones, whereas "Zippidy Zippidy Zoom" and "My oh My" worked best on stage. Also Hank Williams’ "Your Cheatin’ Heart" is turned into a swinging mid-tempo number. "The Wheel of Love" and "Tree in the Meadow" are the only ballads, and the latter one was first recorded in 1948 by Billy Reid’s Orchestra with Dorothy Squires as vocalist.
Even more, Howard was the lead vocalist on Howie & the Sapphires’ 1959 single, "More than the Day Before" b/w "Rockin’ Horse", on Okeh 7112. The Pearls did come back together for one more single, though. Even David Cortez Clowney joined them, in spite of his spring hit in 1959, The Happy Organ. The Pearls released on E. Duke Pilgrim’s On the Square label out of New York a Coasters type of a novelty number called "Ugly Face", backed with a big-voiced ballad titled "Band of Angels". The single flopped, and there were no more releases on the label, neither by the Pearls, nor anybody else.
Songs :
The Five Pearls
Please Let Me Know Real Humdinger
The Pearls (1)
Shadows Of Love Yum Yummy Bells Of Love
Come On Home Let’s You And I Go Steady Zippidy Zippidy Zoom
Tree In The Meadow Your Cheatin’ Heart I Sure Need You
Dave T & The Del-Rays (3) 1964 - Girl In My Heart / Scooter Town (Carousel 213)
The Del-Rays (3) 1964 - The Bounce / Lorraine (Planet 52)
Biography :
Born on the streets of R.I., members are, Ray Gambio, Rich Ratini, Bill (Wizzie) Souterland and Guido Rosati. The Delrays recorded on Planet Records "Lorraine"and "The Bounce" also recorded on Carousel with Dave T (Dave Teolis ), "Scooter Town" and " Girl In My Heart".
They performed at clubs and record hops for local dj's notably Chuck Stevens and Joe Thomas
The Tangents from 59 - 60. Bill Redd (Billy Thedford) top right
The Tangents (Pacoima, Ca) aka The Twilighters (4) aka The Twiliters (3) Thanks to Liam
Personnel :
Billy Thedford (Lead)
Jodell Base
Howard Hogains
Willie Marshall
Leonard H.
Discography :
The Tangents 1960 - Send Me Something / I Can't Live Alone (Fresh 1)
Horace Wooten & The Tangents 1961 - That Lucky Old Sun / Never Leave Again (Fresh 2274)
The Twilighters (4) 1961 - Nothin’/ Do You Believe (Eldo 115)
Ron Holden & The Twiliters (3) 1962 - Things Don't Happen That Way / Ya Got That Lovin' Touch (Baronet 3)
Biography :
Vocal Group from Pacoima, Ca. in the San Fernando Valley. The group consisted of Billy Thedford (Lead), Jodell Base, Howard Hogains, Willie Marshall and Leonard H..In 1960, The Tangents recorded "Send Me Something" and "I Can't Live Alone" released in may 1960 on the Fresh Label owned by Danny Sanford Coggins. For their next record on the label, Horace Wooten joined the group .Horace "Pookie" Wooten has been part of many Los Angeles groups like The Chimes, The Shields (The Touring Group), The Lions, The Wonders, The Wanderers and probably others. With Horace Wooten on lead, they recorded "That Lucky Old Sun" and "Never Leave Again".
Horace "Pookie" Wooten Ron Holden
With almost the same team, but under a new name, The Twilighters, they recorded the fantastic doo wop "Nothin’" and "Do You Believe". The disc will be released by Eldo record founded by Johnny Otis. After the success of 'Love You So" Ron Holden, moved to Los Angeles and met the Group when he recorded "I'll Be Happy" and "I'll Always Have You" at Eldo Records. For their last single The group backed Ron Holden as the Twiliters on "Things Don't Happen That Way" and "You Got That Lovin' Touch" Released on Baronet..
The Pharoes consisted of William “Sonny” Forrest (lead), Bill Medley (first tenor), someone remembered only as JW (second tenor), Fred Warner (baritone) and Wilbert “Larry” Lawrence, Jr. (bass). The Pharoes recorded “Rocket 88” and “Bye Bye Baby” for Melba Records on September 7, 1956 but it was not released. The Pharaohs underwent some personnel changes. JW left the group and was replaced by James “Billy” Sutton & Billy Medley started missing rehearsals so Sammy Strain took Billy’s place.
The Fantastics
In addition to personnel changes, the group toyed with different names. They were the Holidays for a short time and then became the Passions. The Passions auditioned for a number of record companies.Auditioning for RCA-Victor producer Charlie Grean, the Passions eventually signed with RCA- Victor Records around May, 1959. The group went into the studio and recorded four songs on May 21, 1959: “Drum Beat”, “There Goes My Love”,“This Is My Wedding Day” and “Millionaire Hobo” . Just prior to the release of “There Goes My Love,” RCA-Victor got wind of another group called the Passions, and forced their group to find a new name, the Fantastics.
The Four Winds (6) (Bound Brook, New Jersey) aka The Brooks Four aka The Teamates (3) (By Robert Paladino)
Personnel :
Bob Dileo (Lead & Second Tenor)
Frank Giaretta (First Tenor)
Frank Delisi (Baritone)
Bob Paladino (Lead, Bass & Baritone)
Discography :
The Brooks Four 1962 - I'm Not Good Enough For You / I'll Be Faithful (Sinclair 1007)
The Four Winds (6) Single: 1963 - Playgirl / Jennifer (Felsted 8703 /Derby 10022) Unreleased : 1963 - A chance To Live
The Teamates (3) Single: 1964 - Calendar Of Love / I Say Goodbye (Lemans 006/006) Unreleased : 1964 - Darlene (Lemans) 1964 - Sadboy (Lemans)
Biography :
The Brooks Four was formed in Bound Brook Highschool in 1960. All four members were Italian/American friends living within 6 blocks of each other, in Bound Brook, New Jersey, USA. We had 2 Franks (Frank Giaretta 1st Tenor, Frank Delisi, Baritone) and 2 Bob's (Bob Dileo, 2nd Tenor, Lead Singer, Arranger, Songwriter, myself ,Bob Paladino, Bass/Baritone, Lead Singer, Songwirter, ). Hence our name The Brooks Four! We practiced alot, realized that our voices blended well, and sang for school talent shows, private parties, etc. We were attracting adults and musicians who recognized that we could sing 4 part harmony. As teenagers we sang with big bands, (At the Rutgers University Military Ball, we performed alongside the Duke Ellington Band. We performed original songs written by local adult composers, and guest stared with my brothers band in NJ nightclubs. In 1961, we entered the battle of the groups in New York City hosted by renowned disc-jockey, "Murray The K". We placed in the top 20 finalists singing a 4 part harmony song called "It's a blue World", a vocal jazz standard, not a rock'n roll song!
Bob DiLeo and I composed "I'll Be Faithful" in 1962 and sang it for Vinny Catalano, producer for Sinclair Records. We recorded for V. Catalano, and that same night he produced "Your my Coney Island Baby", by the Excellents. They got the hit record, and we did not. However, Bob DiLeo and I arranged "I'll be faithful" with a great falsetto and harmony introduction, that was cut from the record by V. Catalano, I felt it was a major mistake on his part. In 1963 we recorded under the name "The Four Winds" for Felsted Records, Jennifer , and Playgirl (written by Mike Paladino, my brother). Playgirl received a red bulllet sure hit potential) by Billboard Magazine in early November, in about 2 weeks Pres.
Vinny Catalano
John F. Kennedy was assasinated, and "the music stopped", and when it resumed, our record was shelved! In 1964 we recorded for LeMans Records under the name The Teamates. We recorded "Calendar of Love" (on youtube) written by my brother Mike, and "I say Goodbye", written by me. We did the first live color TV broadcast from the NY Worlds Fair with the Shangrilas, Joe Williams, Ronnie Dove, etc. We then did The Clay Cole TV Show from NYC with Jimmy Clanton, Gary U.S. Bonds, etc. Shortly thereafter, we started to play instruments, and get bookings in seaside resorts. In 1965 we had an audition set up for the Lawrence Welk TV show, and despite this prospect, Bob Dileo decided to try and make it as a solo performer.
He had Bob Marcucci, Frankie Avalon & Fabians manager representing him. He had many opportunities, but to this day, he still performs in local nightclubs. 1n 1968 I wrote, produced and performed on 2 Motown type songs entitled "You don't love Me"and "Where were You" (both on youtube). The Studio owners were Tony Bongiovi (Jon Bonjovi) uncle, and Tony Camillo. Tony Camillo arranged the strings/horns for both sides, took my record to Motown, as part of his portfolio of arrangements, and became a " Grammy winner arranger/conductor" for Gladys Knight. I always hoped that The Brooks Four would reunite! In 2006, Frank Giaretta passed away!
Upper left is Bob DiLeo, Upper right is Bob Paladino lower left is Frank Giarett and lower right is Frank Delisi
Notes :
Here are a few notes about Darlene and Sadboy unreleased demos by The Teamates, in 1964. Both songs were written by Robert Paladino and vocally arrranged by Bob DiLeo of the Teamates. The demo's were recorded in the same timeline with the released record (Calendar of Love, I Say Goodbye), using the same studio (Stea Phillips, NYC), same music arranger (Charles Calello), same Engineer (Gordon Clark). It should be noted that the exact same staff and studio were utilized by Frankie Vallie/Four Seasons for most of their long list of hit records in the 1960's. Listeners may be able to hear a similarity between the style of the Seasons and that of The Teamates on these two selections. The Teamates on many occasions would perform at Record Hops, or on Television, and would sing Calendar of Love (A Side), and encore with Darlene, instead of I Say Goodbye, which was the released B side of the record. These songs are made available through an old demo that Robert Paladino kept for the last 46 years.
A Chance To Live (Unreleased) Song written by Tom DeCillis (US Disc Jockey) called "a chance to live". We recorded this as the Four Winds in 1964 for Nick Massi and Tom DeVito of The Four Seasons. It was for the Leukemia Foundation and was never released.
Robert Paladino The Brooks Four
Songs :
The Brooks Four
I'll Be Faithful (My favorite Doo Wop) I'm Not Good Enough For You
The Pretenders (2) Singles : 1961 - Smile / I'm So Happy (Power-Martin 1001) 1976 - Could This Be Magic / A Very Precious Love (Power-Martin 1006/1007)
The Dell-Mates 1962 - Angela / Cross My Heart And Hope To Die (Fontana 1934)
Biography :
In the late 1950s and early 1960s Johnny Hanrahan & his friends spent most of his time working on perfecting their vocal harmonies. To achieve richness in their harmonies, Street Corner Harmony practice was accomplished in the Saint Columba church vestibule, the Chelsea NYC Housing project hallways, in brownstone hallways on 25th street between 10th and 8th avenues, the hallways of Charles Evans Hughes H.S. and under the 25th street elevated train tracks between 10th and 11th avenues (the elevated tracks are now part of The Hi-line). Neighborhood groups practicing nightly helped Johnny and the other Pretenders become good at the craft, and one Saint Columba 8th grade student, Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis (Tony Orlando), who was two grades ahead of John, was a role model and inspired Johnny even further.
The Pretenders (1976 ) L to R Freddy Comas, Billy Thompson, Johnny Hanrahan, Ralph Sabatino.
The Pretenders consisted of Johnny Hanrahan (Lead Vocalist), Billy Thompson (2nd Tenor/baritone), Freddy Comas (1st Tenor) and Mike Skoran (Bass). Mike left the group early on and was replaced by Ralph Sabatino. At fifteen Johnny Hanrahan and the Pretenders recorded "Smile" b/w "I'm So Happy" released by Power-Martin, a Rome Records' subsidiary owned by Trade Martin and Johnny Power. The Pretenders had won a Murray the K radio station week-night contest, and then on the Saturday ending the week, The Pretenders won the run-off contest against all the previous daily winners of the past week. “Smile” took the neighborhood by storm and it climbed the charts until another established artist bumped them off the airways but soon thereafter Timmy Yuro released her version of the song and she got all the airplay.
Dennis Genovese (Dell-Mates)
In 1962, John Hanrahan and Ralph Sabatino teamed with Daniel Marsicovetere (from the Youngtones) & Dennis Genovese. They are called The Dell-Mates and are produced by Artie Ripp. They recorded “Angela” and “Cross My Heart” released by Fontana Records in early 1964. In 1976, In 1976, the original group of Pretenders reformed and recorded "Could This Be Magic" b/w "A Very Precious Love".
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 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".
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.
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 .
The Avons (3) Singles: 1963 - Push A Little Harder / Oh, Gee Baby (Groove 58-022) 1963 - Rolling Stone / Words Written On Water (Groove 58-033) 1964 - Whatever Happened To Our Love / Tonight Kiss Your Baby Goodbye (Groove 58-0039) 1966 - Be Good To Your Baby / Just As Long As I Live (Sound Stage 7 2561) 1967 - Talk To Me / Got To Get Used To You (A-Bet 9419) 1968 - Since I Met You Baby / He's My Hero (Excello 2296) 1968 - Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be) / A Sample Of My Love (Ref-O-Ree 700)
Unreleased: 1963 - A Fool / I’ve Got More Love / The Pig (Groove) 1964 - How Many Tears Til Tomorrow / Don’t Stop / Come Out Dancin’ / Every Little Beat (Groove) 1968 - I Would If I Could (Excello) 1968 - Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be) (Alternate Take) (Ref-O-Ree)
Jenny & The Jewels (6)(rumoured to be The Avons) 1964 - Baby Love / Baby Don't You Do It (Leroy Jones) (Hit 153) 1966 - Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart / It's A Man's, Man's World (Leroy Jones) (Hit 257) 1967 - In And Out Of Love / Everlasting Love (Steve Miller) (Hit 313 )
Biography:
The Avons were formed by Paula Hester, Beverly Bard and her sister Fran Bard while at Pearl High School, Nashville. They started out on RCA's Groove label in 1963, moved to Sound Stage 7 in 1966, then to Excello in 1967 releasing their last single on Ref-O-Ree. The first single released in 1963 was "Push A Little Harder". Single number two "Rolling Stone" was published in 1964 by Excellorec, the publishing arm of Nashville's Excello label. The group were dropped by RCA apparently because their 2nd and third singles were not as successful as their 1st.
The group were still working with John "Bucky" Wilkin, leader of Ronny and the Daytonas. His co-writer Bobby Russell (also of the Daytonas) had contacts with Monument Records and got them a deal with their subsidiary Sound Stage 7......resulting with the single "Be Good To Your Baby" in 1966. The Sound Stage 7 single didn't work as well as expected so Bob Holmes got the group a contract with Excello Records where he worked as a staff producer. Excello put the group on their subsidiary A-Bet and produced the single "Talk To Me" in 1967. For the next single the group was promoted to the main Excello Label and had their next single issued in 1968. "He's My Hero" was co-written by Bob Holmes and former Ikette Joshie Armstead. This was the last work they did with Excello.
"Night Train To Nashville"
In 1968 The Avons and veteran producer Ted Jarrett were picked to launch the newly formed Ref-O-Ree label. "Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be) their 1st and last single with the label and was the group's last known work. In the UK, the single was released as by The Novas, so as not to confuse with the British group. The Avons each recorded for the Ref-O-Ree label of Nashville. Both acts also recorded cover versions of charted records for the local budget Hit label. Rumored The Avons used the monicker Jenny & The Jewels...
Planets, Rockets, Rocketeers, Magic-Tones :( L to R) Billy Steward, Jimmy Brunsen, Vince House & Woody Johnson
The Planets (1)(Chicago)
akaThe Magic Notes aka The Rockets (3) aka The Rocketeers (2) aka The Rhythm Aces
Personnel :
Billy Steward (First Tenor)
Woody Johnson (Second Tenor)
Jimmy Brunsen (Tenor)
Vince House (Baritone/Bass)
Discography :
The Rhythm Aces Singles : 1954 - I Wonder Why / Get Lost (Vee Jay 124) 1955 - Whisper To Me / Olly, Olly, Atsen Free (Vee Jay 138) 1955 - That's My Sugar / Flippety Flop (Vee Jay 160) Unreleased : 1954- I Realize Now (Vee Jay)
The Rockets (3) 1956 - You Are The First One / Be Lovey Dovey (Modern 992)
Jimmy Beasley & The Rockets (3) 1957 - Johnny's House Party, Part 1 / Part 2 (Modern 1021)
The Rocketeers (2) 1956 - Talk It Over Baby / Hey Rube (Modern 999) 1958 - My Reckless Heart / They Turned The Party Out At Bessie's House (M-J-C 501)
Darla Hood & The Rocketeers (2) 1957 - No Secret Now / Jody (Encino 1007)
The Magic Notes 1957 - The Wrong Door / Never Again (Era 1035)
The Planets (1) 1957 - Stand There Mountain / Never Again (Era 1038) 1957 - Be Sure / Wild Leaves (Era 1049)
Biography :
R&B harmony group the Rhythm Aces formed in 1950 comprising first tenor Billy Steward, second tenor Chuck Rowan, baritone Clyde Rhymes, and bass Vince House; all were members of the U.S. Army's Special Services division stationed in Germany at the time of the quartet's formation, ultimately winning the "All-Army Soldier Singing Contest" and landing an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as a result. Following their 1954 discharge, the Rhythm Aces returned to the U.S. and mounted a tour of the Midwest -- their performance at Chicago's Crown Propeller Lounge proved such a hit that the club named the group its regular headline act, firing former marquee act the Moonglows in the process.
The Rhythm Aces : Billy Steward, Chuck Rowan, Clyde Rhymes & Vince House
Vee-Jay Records exec Ewart Abner soon caught the Rhythm Aces' act and arranged an audition with label owners Vivian and Jimmy Carter, who immediately extended a contract offer. Their debut single "I Wonder Why" followed in late 1954, but the group's sharp, sophisticated harmonies made few inroads at radio or retail. Vee-Jay issued the Rhythm Aces' luminous sophomore effort "Whisper to Me" in the spring of 1955, but it too failed to attract much attention, and when a similar fate befell their third single, "That's My Sugar," the label terminated the group's contract.
After adding guitarist Sam Alexander and installing Rowan on piano, the Rhythm Aces toured Canada in late 1955, but during a break from the road Rhymes wed while Steward and Alexander spent the holidays in their native Detroit, when only Rowan and House turned up for a scheduled gig in New York City, the group dissolved. After the Vee Jay Rhythm Aces broke up late in 1955, they all returned home. It is not known when or where, but Lloyd McCraw ( Jacks/Cadets) had previously met Vince House.
Jimmy Beasley
In 1956, he communicated with House, asking him to assemble a group and come west to record for his organization. House rounded up Steward and Rowan and picked up Jimmy Brunsen, they were now "the Rockets. McCraw got them a contract and session with Modern Records . When their Modern disc failed, Rowan left for good, rejoining the service. He was replaced in the group by Brunsen's friend Woody Johnson. Modern then changed the group's name to Rocketeers late in 1956 and released a new single.
Johnny Otis Show
Nothing happened with the name change or the Modern release, and the group moved to Era, where House's name was changed to Vince Howard. The Group cut three singles, as the Planets & The Magic Tones. One disc that the Planets released on Era, "Stand There Mountain," became their biggest hit. At this point they hooked up with Johnny Otis and became part of his touring "Johnny Otis Show" (once again as the Rockets). In early 1958, they became the "Rocketeers" again, for a single recording as backup for Willie Davis. http://www.uncamarvy.com/RhythmAces/rhythmaces.html
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