Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

Terry & The Tyrants aka The Rainbows (4) aka The Turn-Arounds

Posted on February 11 2009 by dion1

From top : Turner, Akens, Russel, Evans

Terry & The Tyrants (Los Angeles)
aka The Rainbows (4) aka The Turn-Arounds

Personnel :

Terry Evans

Jewel Akens

Jimmy Russell

Thomas Turner

Discography :

The Rainbows (4)
1963 - Till Tomorrow / Mama, Take Your Daughter Back (Gramo 5508)

Terry Evans
1963 - Just 'Cause / So Nice To Be Loved (Kayo 5102)

Terry & The Tyrants
Single :
1964 - Weep No More /Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea (Kent 399)
Unreleased :
1964 - Say It Baby (Kent)
1964 - Love Me To Death (Kent)

The Turn-Arounds
Single :
1964 - Run Away And Hide / Ain't Nothin' Shakin' (Era 3137)
Unreleased :
1964 - Tic Tac Toe (Era)

Biography :

Terry & The Tyrants, a foursome that also recorded as The Rainbows in 1963 and as The Turn Arounds in 1964, included Jewel Akens, Terry Evans, Jimmy Russell & Thomas Turner. The grand tradition of RnB vocal groups,Terry & The Tyrants start out with a ballad and then proceed to romp up a bit on the flip. Only, these guys are singing soul rather than doo-wop, and a terrific, churchy, deep soul at that.

Jewel Akens

Jewel Akens recorded with Eddie Daniels as Jewel and Eddie on the Silver Records label in 1960. A number of his recordings featured Eddie Cochran on guitar. Jewell was part of the Four Dots, a group led by Albert ("Jerry") Stone, formerly of the Fascinators, who had recorded for Dootone. He later went solo and recorded "The Birds And The Bees" in 1965, on the Era Records label. The single went to Number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year, and Number 2 on the Cash Box chart.

Songs :

Terry & The Tyrants

Weep No More                              Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea

Say It Baby

The Rainbows (4)


Till Tomorrow                          Mama, Take Your Daughter Back

...

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Buddy Gibson & The Vanguards (3) aka The Jesters (2)

Posted on February 10 2009 by dion1

Buddy Gibson & The Vanguards (3) aka The Jesters (2) Themes Pappas (Manager) & Buddy Gibson with the Vanguards behind.

Buddy Gibson & The Vanguards (3) (Ventura, Ca.)
aka The Jesters (2)

Personnel :

Leroy (Buddy) Gibson (Lead Singer & Pianist)

Don Johnson (Vocal)

Dave Johnson (Guitar & Vocal)

Ron Perry (Pianist & vocal)

Corky Wilke (Saxophone & vocal)

Yvonne Gallegos (Vocal)

Joyce Gallegos (Vocal)

Discography :

Buddy Gibson & The Jesters (2)
1958 - To Be Or Not To Be / Meet The Beat (inst) (Spy 118)

Buddy Gibson & The Vanguards (3)
1959 - Just A Game / The Session (Swingin’615)

Biography :

Vocal group from Ventura, California, The Jesters aka The Vanguards were composed by Buddy Gibson, singer and Piano player and a group of young people from Ventura Colllege, Oxnard High School, Ventura High School and Oxnard Air Force Base. They were Ron Perry : Pianist and vocalist. In the Air Force. He is 19 and come from Washington.D.C., Don Johnson, Vocalist, The oldest member of the group at 22. Also in the Air Force, from Columbus., Dave Johnson, Plays the electric guitar and sings. He is a 17 year old senior at Ventura High, Corky Wilke, 16, Plays saxophone and sings. He is a Junior at Ventura High, Drummer Mike Flaherty, a former VC student, a psychiatric technician trainee at Camarillo State Hospital.

Buddy Gibson & The Vanguards (3) aka The Jesters (2)
When he was five Buddy made appearances with his sister Betty as a dancing team before numerous lodges and service clubs.

Two Oxnard girls, Yvonne, 19, and Joyce, 17, Gallegos joined the band on their second single as a vocal duet. Yvonne attends VC. Joyce is a senior at Oxnard High. In 1959, Buddy with the Vanguards (aka the Jesters) made two records (Four songs) records of tunes written by Gibson, One "To Be Or Not To Be" made the Top 20. His other recording songs are "Just A Game", "The Session" and "Meet The Beat" an instrumental with the band in which Buddy plays the piano.

Songs :

Buddy Gibson & The Jesters (2)

To Be Or Not To Be

Buddy Gibson & The Vanguards (3)

Just A Game

...

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The Storytellers (2) aka The Story Tellers (2)

Posted on February 10 2009 by dion1

Steve Barri & Carol Connors

The Storytellers (2) (Los Angeles)
aka The Story Tellers (2)
ref The Nortones

Personnel :

Steve Barri (Steven Barry Lipkin)

Carol Connors (Annette Kleinbard)

Cheryl Connors (Cheryl Kleinbard)

Discography :

The Story Tellers (2)
1962 - When Two People (Are In Love) / Time Will Tell (Dimension 1014)

The Storytellers (2)
1962 - When Two People (Are In Love) / Time Will Tell (Ramarca 501)
1961 - I Don't Want An Angel / Down In The Valley (Capitol 5042)

Biography :

Steve Barri was born Steven Barry Lipkin in Brooklyn, New York, on February 23, 1942. His family moved to California when he was just a child. He began his career as a songwriter. He submitted his songs to Screen Gems Music which was run by Lou Adler. Adler liked Barri's songs, and helped him get his first recording of a Barri original. Steve Barri teamed with Bernie Reed. Warner wrote "The Nortones, Bernie Reed and Steve Barry, The two 18-years-olds who comprise the group, play their own guitar accompaniment as well as write their own material". In May Their manager, Norty Beckman sends them to the studio were they record four songs. The same month, Warner released "Suzie Jones" / "That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles" as the Nortones.

Carol Connors Steve Barri

The single wasn't a hit but it was a way into the business for the newly minted music professional, and over the next few years Barri tried several other avenues of expression, including cutting a few records as a singer, all to no avail. In the early '60s he teamed up with Carol Connors. Carol Connors born Annette Kleinbard, 13 November 1940, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Based in Los Angeles, California, USA, Connors began her singing career under her birth name as a member of the Teddy Bears, a late 50s vocal group that also featured Phil Spector in its line-up. She then recorded singles for Imperial Records and Dunes Records as Annette Bard and Carol Collins respectively. Her first single under her own name, released in 1961, coupled ‘You Are My Answer’ with ‘My Diary’.

Carol Connors

Steve Barri and Carol Connors formed a trio, the Storytellers, with Connors' sister Cheryl, and their debut single on Dimension, "When Two People (Are in Love)," brought Barri back into the orbit of Lou Adler, who produced the record. This successful entrepreneur then paired Barri with protege (Phil) P.F. Sloan and together the new team began creating material for many of Adler's acts. Jan And Dean, Johnny Rivers and Terry Black were among those benefiting from Sloan/Barri songs, while the duo also recorded in their own right under various pseudonyms, notably the surfing act the Fantastic Baggys.

Discography :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)


When Two People (Are In Love)                       Time Will Tell


I Don't Want An Angel                                I Want Your Love


The Story Of The Ring

…

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The Gaylords aka The Imperials (2)

Posted on February 10 2009 by dion1

The Gaylords aka The Imperials (2)

The Gaylords (Newark, New Jersey)
aka The Imperials (2) Maybe The Ambassadors (1)

Personnel :

George Copes

Rudy Copes

James Morris

Earl Thomas

Louis Van Dyke

Discography :

The Gaylords
1953 - Get Mad, Baby / Go On, Baby (Savoy 852)

The Imperials (2)
1953 - My Darling / You Should Have Told Me (Savoy 1104)
1954 - Why Did You Leave Me / Hard Workin' Woman (Derby 858)

The Ambassadors (1)
Single :
1954 - Darling I'm Sorry (I Made You Cry) / Willa Bea (Timely 1001)
Unreleased :
1954 - Calling For love (Timely)
1954 - Moanin' (Timely)

Biography :

Vocal group from Newark, New Jersey, The Gaylords consisted of George Copes, Rudy Copes, James Morris, Earl Thomas, Louis Van Dyke. May 23, 1952, the group recorded four sides in the same session : "Get Mad Baby","Go On Baby", "My Darling" and "You Should Have Told Me". Savoy released "Get Mad Baby" b/w "Go On Baby" as the Gaylords (# 852).

The Gaylords aka The Imperials (2)

Because there was a pop group at mercury also called the Gaylords, Savoy changed this group's name to the Imperials and released " My Darling" b/w "You Should Have Told Me". The same Imperials, in July 1954, had a release on Derby (# 858): "Why Did You Leave Me" b/w "Hard Workin' Woman". Louis Van Dyke was part of the Ambassadors that recorded for Timely in Sept '53, maybe the imperials became the Ambassadors…???

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Gaylords


       Go On, Baby                              Get Mad, Baby

The Imperials (2)


              My Darling                           You Should Have Told Me


Why Did You Leave Me                    Hard Workin' Woman

The Ambassadors (1)


Willa Bea / Darling I'm Sorry.....                       Calling For love

Moanin'

...

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The Val-Aires aka The Valaires

Posted on February 10 2009 by dion1

The Val-Aires (Pittsburgh)
aka The Valaires

Personnel :

Bill Burkette (Lead Baritone)

Don Miller (Baritone)

Hugh Geyer (First Tenor)

Chuck Blasko (Second Tenor)

Neil Foster

Discography :

Singles :
1959 - Launie, My Love / Which One Will It Be? (Willette 114/Coral 62119/62177)

Unreleased :
1959 - I Go Lookin' For Jeanie (Coral) 
1959 - Jolyn (Coral)

Biography :

The story began in 1958 at Turtle Creek High School. There were at least four different vocal harmony groups in school, whose members would sing at assemblies or on the street corner. Two groups joined forces - three fellows came from one group, two fellows from the other group. From one group came Burkette, first tenor Hugh Geyer and bass vocal Don Miller. The other group consisted of second tenor Chuck Blasko and another vocalist, Neil Foster.After rehearsing and getting their vocal harmonies to meld properly, they named themselves the Val-Aires and impressed a local producer, Elmer Willett, who later became their manager.

The Val-aires The Vogues

Willett produced the Val-Aires' first release, "Which One Will It Be / Laurie My Love" (Willett 114), and it sold enough copies in Allegheny County that in Coral Records picked it up for national distribution (Coral 62177). 'Which One Will It Be' was just a regional hit, but The Val-Aires then picked up a supporter when the top rock and roll DJ in Pittsburgh, Porky Chedwick, added the group to the rock and roll shows and record hops that his station promoted.

The Vogues

After high school, a couple of the guys got drafted and went into the service, then came out of the service and we got back together again. they did shows with the Drifters, the Platters, the Dells, groups like that when they came into town. Before the Val-Aires could have another hit, Hugh Geyer and Don Miller joined the Army, while the other band members went to college or found jobs in the factories surrounding Turtle Creek. A few years later, the five friends decided to record again. Bill Burkette, Don Miller, Hugh Geyer and Chuck Blasko became the Vogues.

http://ryono.net/xtra/oldies/1968/vogues.htm

Songs :

Launie, My Love Which One Will It Be? Jolyn

I Go Lookin' For Jeanie

...

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The Celebritys - Ref : The Signeals

Posted on February 10 2009 by dion1

The Signeals - Ref : The Celebritys
Leon Hughes

The Celebritys (Los Angeles)
Ref : The Signeals

Personnel :

Leon Hughes

Elder O'Neal

Discography :

The Celebritys
1956 - This Is My Plea / Juanita (Caroline 2301)

Clay Hammond & Johnnie Young & The Celebritys
1956 - We Made Romance / Absent Minded (No group) (Caroline 2302)

The Signeals
Single :
1956 - Juanita / Show Me The Way (Leoneal 1483)
Unreleased :
1956 - Leap Year Cha Cha (Leoneal)

Leoneal & Janet & The Signeals
1956 - No One / What Is This Thing (Leoneal 02)

Biography :

Born Thomas Leon Hughes, August 26, 1932 in Los Angeles County, CA. Started acting with his parents as a child and toured with early lineups of the Hollywood Flames (with which he also recently acted in a 1998 revival show). He was an original member of the Lamplighters during 1952-53 (together with Mathew Nelson and Willie Ray Rockwell). Hughes left the Lamplighters before they recorded with new lead Al Frazier. Leon was recommended by Bobby Nunn (who knew him from Watts, L.A.) for the Coasters´ original line-up.

The Signeals - Ref : The Celebritys
Clay Hammond

Before joining The Coasters, Leon had been a member of doo wop group The Celebritys which included his brother Elder O'Neal, the group cut "This Is My Plea" b/w "Juanita" and backed Clay Hammond & Johnnie Young on "We Made Romance" for the Caroline Label. That same year, he also recorded on his own label Leoneal Records with The Signeals which included his sister Shirley Hughes, his brother Elder O'Neal, Mack McKent and Grady Bridges. Leon also recorded a single as "Leoneal and Janet" (backup vocals by The Signeals). After leaving The Coasters, he teamed with Bobby Nunn to record as The Dukes in 1959 for Flip Records. "Looking For You" b/w "Groceries, Sir" (Flip 343), and "I Love You" b/w "Leap Year Cha Cha" (Flip 344) were the singles released.

The Signeals - Ref : The Celebritys

Leon Hughes

In the 1970s, Leon Hughes recorded with several Coasters groups. In 1975, recorded with "The Coasters Two Plus Two" for Chelan Records. The record "Searchin' 75" b/w "Young Blood" stated that these recordings were from the album called "Reunion." In 1976, he recorded an album with "The World Famous Coasters" which included Will "Dub" Jones. This album was released on American International Records (In Europe on DJM). In 1998, a CD called "Leon Hughes: One Of The First Original Coasters" was released on Oldie CD, and a VHS tape called "The Coasters: Tribute To Their Greatest Hits" was released. Hughes still performs with a Coasters group, sometimes as "Leon Hughes and his Original Coasters." He also has done some performances with a Hollywood Flames group.

Songs :

The Celebritys

This Is My Plea Juanita

Clay Hammond & Johnnie Young & The Celebritys

We Made Romance

The Signeals

Show Me The Way

…

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The Four Embers aka The Twilights (2) aka The Embers (9)

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

The Four Embers aka The Twilights (2) aka The Embers (9)

The Embers (9) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
ref : The Juveniles

Personnel :

Robert "Bobby" Perryman (Lead)

Claude "Indio" Chenet (Second Tenor)

Joseph Durant (Baritone)

Cal Washington (First Tenor)

Peter Reyes (Bass)

Discography :

The Twilights (2)
Single :
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You / Oh Baby Love (Finesse 1717)
Demo :
1958 - Soda Pop (acapella)
1958 - My Heart Belongs To Only You (acapella)

Maria Elena & The Twilights (2)
1962 - I Was Too Careful / Temptation (Countess 113)

The Embers (9)
Singles :
1961 - Solitaire / I’m Feeling All Right Again (Empress 101)
1961 - I Won’t Cry Anymore / I Was Too Careful (Empress 104)
1962 - Abigail / I Was Too Careful (Empress 107)
Unreleased :
1961 - What A Surprise (Empress)
1961 - I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (Empress)

The Four Embers
1963 - But Beautiful / You’ve Been Away Too Long (Smash 1846)

Biography :

In 1957, Marilyn Bishop Marilyn gave birth to a baby girl, Michelle, and left The Juveniles. Larry Peters will make even some time after. At this time, the group has only three members. Robert Perryman stepped up to become the new lead singer and Cal Washington was recruited by Claude Chenet to become the new first tenor. Cal had sung with a local street group, had a background in gospel and blues and also hung out with the Chords. Pete Reyes was recruited by Bobby to replace Larry Peters as the bass singer. The Twilights now consisted of Robert Perryman (lead) Cal Washington (first tenor) Claude “Indio” Chenet (second tenor) Joseph Durant (baritone) and Peter Reyes (bass).

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Juveniles "Bobby" Perryman , Claude "Indio" Chenet, Marilyn Durant, Larry Peters and Joe Durant

The Twilights recorded “My Heart Belongs To Only You” and “Oh Baby Love,” with Bobby Perryman singing both leads, which came out on Finesse Records in November of 1959. The Twilights also backed up Maria Elena on “I Was Too Careful” and “Temptation,” both of which weren’t released until 1962 on Countess Records. They appeared at one of Clay Cole’s shows in Palisades Park, New Jersey also starring the Drifters, Moonglows, Skyliners, Belmonts, Bobby Rydell and Neil Sedaka.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Embers : Pete Reyes, Joe Durant, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Robert Perryman and Cal Washington

The Twilights sang “My Heart Belongs To Only You” as well as “Oh Baby Love” and this performance was broadcast live on television. The Twilights also appeared at the RKO Franklin Theatre on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx where they also backed up Maria Elena. The Twilights changed their name to the Embers and signed with Empress Records, owned by Gene and Jody Malis, which was a subsidiary label (as was Valmor) under Countess International.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers

The Twilights Pete Reyes, Joe Durant, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Cal Washington and Robert Perryman

The Embers had been rehearsing an old standard ballad that Tony Bennett recorded named “Solitaire,” a song that Jody wanted them to record because she felt it had hit potential. The Embers recorded “Solitaire” with Bobby Perryman singing lead. On the week of August 22, 1961, “Solitaire” reached number 9 on WABC’s radio survey. It was also doing extremely well on Billboard’s charts. By mid 1963, the Embers were down to four members as Pete Reyes had left the group. The Embers were still under contract with Empress, which wasn’t doing well at the time so Gene and Jody Malis sent them to writer and record producer Wally Zober in order to see what he could do for them.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers

Wally took them down to Odo Recording Studios on West 54th Street in Manhattan on August 1, 1963 where they recorded “But Beautiful” and “You’ve Been Away Too Long.” A bass player, George Butcher, arranged the orchestra and the group arranged the vocals. “But Beautiful” was recorded first, with Robert Perryman singing lead. “You’ve Been Away Too Long” was a fast number that Jody had given to them but they did not care for. They recorded it with Cal singing lead. The session lasted for most of the day and the songs were released on Smash Records, a subsidiary of Mercury Records, in December of 1963 as by the “Four Embers.” By 1964, with the British Invasion underway, the Embers (without a hit record since 1961) broke up and decided to get on with their personal lives.

Songs :

The Twilights (2)


My Heart Belongs To Only You                     Oh Baby Love

Maria Elena & The Twilights (2)


Temptation                  I Was Too Careful

The Embers (9)


Solitaire              I’m Feeling All Right Again           I Won’t Cry Anymore


I Was Too Careful                    Abigail                 What A Surprise

I Wish I Didn't Love You So

The Four Embers

But Beautiful / You’ve Been Away Too Long

...

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The Wonders (4) aka The Wanderers (3)

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

The Champs (1) aka The Chimes (3)

The Chimes (3) (Los Angeles)
aka The Champs (1)
ref: The Wonders (4) aka The Wanderers (3)

Personnel :

Horace "Pookie" Wooten (Tenor)

David Cobb (Second Tenor)

Charles Jackson (Tenor)

Booker Jones (Baritone)

Talbert Walton (Bass)

Discography :

The Chimes (3)
Singles :
1955 - Zindy Lou / Tears On My Pillow (Specialty 555)
1956 - Chop Chop / Pretty Little Girl (Specialty 574)
Unreleased :
1956 - The Chimes Ring Out (Specialty)

Tony Allen & The Chimes (3)
1956 - Especially / Check Yourself, Baby (Specialty 570)

Tony Allen & The Champs (1)
1955 - Nite Owl / I (Specialty 560)

The Wonders (4)
1958 - Be My Love Be My Love / Tell Me (Forward 601)

Tony Allen & The Wonders (4)
1958 - Be My Love, Be My Love / Tell Me (Tampa 157)
1959 - Loving You / Lookin' For My Baby (Jamie 1119)

Bobby Starr (Tony Allen & The Wonders (4))
1959 - Sweet Man / Please Give Me A Chance (Radio 120)

Tony Allen & The Wanderers (3)
1961 - Everybody's Somebody's Fool / If Love Was Money (Kent 356)

Biography :

In August 1955, The Chimes from South Central, Los Angeles, under band leader Horace "Pookie" Whooten signed a contract with Specialty Records. The group consists of Horace "Pookie" Wooten (Tenor), David Cobb (Second Tenor), Charles Jackson (Tenor), Booker Jones (Baritone) and Talbert Walton (Bass) . In September, they released "Zindy Lou" and "Tears on My Pillow" their first single, the A-side with influences of African rhythm and a hypnotic singing in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, the local charts reached, but without nationwide reactions.

The Chimes (3) aka The Champs (1)
Tony Allen

Robert Alexander "Bumps" Blackwell songwriter and arranger at Specialty Records make session With Tony Allen, held at Master recorders in Hollywood on 12 August 1955 with The Chimes singing behind him even though they were billed on the Record as The Champs. The Chimes backed everybody on Specialty. They were properly named on Allen's sequel Single Especially. The back of Especially was improvised in the studio based on an idea by Charles Jackson "Check Yourself, Baby". The collaboration as a session musician with Allen was abruptly terminated by its breach with Specialty. Then the band released again in April 1956 under their own name "Pretty Little Girl" and "Chop Chop".

The Chimes (3) aka The Champs (1) The Champs (1) aka The Chimes (3)
David Cobb & Horace "Pookie" Wooten

The record career of the Chimes was already finished in 1956, but the connection to Tony Allen was maintained: So supported him Horace "Pookie" Wooten, Charles Jackson & David Cobb as "The Wonders" and "The Wanderers" repeatedly in various publications. Horace "Pookie" Wooten, Charles Jackson & David Cobb would go on to form The Lions in 1960, and later reformed as The Resonics.

Songs :

The Chimes (3)


Zindy Lou                Tears On My Pillow                        Chop Chop


Pretty Little Girl                   The Chimes Ring Out

Tony Allen & The Chimes (3)


       Especially                  Check Yourself, Baby

Tony Allen & The Champs (1)


Nite Owl                                             I

The Wonders (4)


Be My Love Be My Love                   Tell Me

Tony Allen & The Wonders (4)


       Loving You                      Lookin' For My Baby

Bobby Starr (Tony Allen & The Wonders (4))


      Sweet Man                     Please Give Me A Chance

Tony Allen & The Wanderers (3)

Everybody's Somebody's Fool / If Love Was Money

…

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Kenny, Frank & Ray

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

Kenny, Frank & Ray
Kenny Chandler

Kenny, Frank & Ray (Harrisburg, Pa)
ref: Kenny & The Beaus

Personnel :

Kenneth Bolognese "Kenny C

handler" (Lead)

Dick Donmoyer

Bob. Napotonia

Frank Desendi

Ralph Stevens

Discography :

Kenny, Frank & Ray
1958 - Everybody Loves Saturday Night / I'm Going Away (Cameo 144)
1959 - If You Love Me / Why Was I Born (PL 13)

Kenny & The Beaus
(Credited to Kenny Beau & The Whirlwinds)
Single:
1959 - You're The Right One / Gift Of Love (PL 1015)
Unreleased :
1959 - What Is Love
1959 - Cindy Lou

Biography :

Kenny Chandler, born Kenneth Bolognese, was originally from. “The Hill” section of Harrisburg,Pa. and was a member of John Harris High School Class of 1959. Interested in music at an early age, Kenny got together with four classmates 1n senior high school to form a group called the Montclaires (later changed to the Clairmonts). This first group consisted of Micky Liddick. (drums), Junie Brown ( congas),Nathanial Edmonds (piano), with. Lee Bradshaw, Ray Carlisle, George Campbell, and Kenny doing vocals. They split up after only a short time but Ken stayed together with Ray Carlisle, in hopes of forming another group. it was after football practice, while singing in the showers, that. Ray got word that teammate Frankie Cacapardo was interested in joining the group. Thus, the trio was formed, calling them- selves Kenny, Frank, and Ray.

Kenny, Frank & Ray

Kenny remembers that, at the time they were singing a lot of street-corner harmony, and became practiced enough to win second place in a talent show at the Senate Theater, Harrisburg. This little bit of notoriety brought the trio to the attention of WHGB disc-jockey Paul Landersman,who was, at the time, doing a live radio show from the Colonial. The boys came down to the theater during one of these live broadcasts and actually auditioned for him on the fire escape during a break. Paul had already established good connections in the music business as manager of the Quintones. (York, Pa), and was impressed enough with the trio's talents that he asked to manage them on the spot. The first big local show that Kenny, Frank, and Ray performed at was at the Zembo Mosque, Harrisburg, featuring Danny and the Juniors and Connie Francis .

Kenny, Frank & Ray

During rehearsals, one of the members of Danny & The Juniors became very impressed with the trio's vocal stylings, and inquired whether they had a record out. This connection soon got them to an office in Philadelphia where they auditioned for Bernie Lowe. They presented 4 orignal songs at the audition, but Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe were more impressed with the talent than the songs and arranged a recording session at Reco-Arts Studios which produced 2 sides: “Everybody Loves Saturday" and "I'm Going Away." Bernie Lowe was the piano player on the session, and Paul played the folding slat chairs (a low-budget version of the drums). Lowe issued it on his own label as Cameo #144. ”Everybody” was written by Cameo staffer Tony Mamerella under the pseudonym. Anthony September. Cameo was one of the new ”hot” labels when the song was released in the summer of 1958. Unfortunately, although “Everybody Loves Saturday" received good local play, it never went national.

Kenny, Frank & Ray

Reco-Arts was again used to record “If You Love Me” and “Why Was I Born” (a Ray Carlisle original). Issued as PL #13 in late 1958, the record received only limited regional exposure. By 1959,. Ray had become disillusioned and dropped out of the group, ending their string of near-hits at two. Kenny, however, had been writing some original material, and formed a new group in 1959 called The Beaus. This group consisted of Dick Donmoyer, Bob Napotonia, Frank Desendi, and Ralph Stevens. Kenny took on the stage name “ Kenny Beau,” and returned to Reco-Arts to cut “You're the Right One” and “Gift of Love". The Session produced a solid 2-sides doo-wop records, released as PL 1015. The Whirlwinds, which is the group credited on the label, were really the studio musicians used on the session, as the name of the group was officially “Kenny and The Beaus".

Kenny, Frank & Ray

The good looking Harrisburg resident hijacked the surname of movie star Jeff Chandler, finally attracting some notice in 1961 with 'Drums', written and produced by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, then creative geniuses in residence at United Artists. Chandler subsequently signed with Laurie about the time Dion was leaving the label for Columbia.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Kenny, Frank & Ray

If You Love Me Why Was I Born

Everybody Loves Saturday Night / I'm Going Away

Kenny & The Beaus

You're The Right One Gift Of Love

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The Don-Tels aka The Dontells

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

The Dontells aka The Don-Tels

The Dontells (Chicago)
aka The Don-Tels

Personnel :

Nathaniel Pendleton (First Tenor)

Leroy Dandridge

Larry Nestor

Willie Weems (Guitarist)

Discography :

The Don-Tels
1963 - People Gonna Talk / I Found A Love (Witch 119)
1963 - Lonely Boy / The Old Man (Witch 121)

The Dontells
1963 - Lover's Reunion / Make A Chance (Beltone 2040)
1965 - In Your Heart / Nothing But Nothing (Vee Jay 666)
1965 - Ain't Cha My Baby / I'm Gonna Tell The World (Vee Jay 967)
1965 - I Can't Wait / Gimmie Some (Ambassador 3346)

Biography :

The Dontells come from Chicago, and cut their first single on the legendary Beltone label (distributed by King Records, Cincinnati).

The same year the group release two singles on the Witch / Cortland label changing the name to the Don-Tels. With only 1 original member , the group have three nice Soul singles in 1965 for the Vee Jay & Ambassador label.

Make A Change                     Lover's Reunion                People Gonna Talk


    I Found A Love    In Your Heart                        I Can't Wait

Nothing But Nothing I`m Gonna Tell The World

...

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