Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Fleetwoods

Posted on July 30 2009 by dion1

The Fleetwoods (Washington)
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Gary Troxel

Gretchen Christopher

Barbara Ellis

Discography :

Singles :

1959 - Come Softly To Me / I Care So Much (Dolton 1)
1959 - Graduation's Here / Oh Lord, Let It Be (Dolton 3)
1959 - Mr. Blue / You Mean Everything To Me (Dolton 5/607)
1960 - Magic Star / Outside My Window (Dolton 15)
1960 - Runaround / Truly Do (Dolton 22)

(Dolton 22)

1960 - The Last One To Know / Dormilona (Dolton 27)
1960 - Confidential / I Love You So (Dolton 30)
1961 - Tragedy / Little Miss Sad One (Dolton 40)
1961 - (He's) The Great Imposter / Poor Little Girl (Dolton 45)
1962 - Billy Old Buddy / Trouble (Dolton 49)
1962 - They Tell Me It's Summer / Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day (Dolton 62)
1963 - You Should Have Been There / Sure Is Lonesome Downtown (Dolton 74)
1963 - Goodnight My Love / Jimmy Beware (Dolton 75)
1963 - Baby Bye-O / What'll I Do (Dolton 86)
1964 - Lonesome Town / Ruby Red Baby Blue (Dolton 93)
1964 - Ten Times Blue / Ska Light Ska Bright (Dolton 97)
1964 - Mr. Sandman / This Is My Prayer (Dolton 98)
1964 - Before And After (Losing You) / Lonely Is As Lonely Does (Dolton 302)
1965 - Come Softly To Me / I'm Not Jimmy (Dolton 307)
1965 - Rainbow / Just As I Need You (Dolton 310)
1965 - For Lovin' Me / This Is Where I See Her (Dolton 315)
1967 - Dormilona / The Last One To Know (Dolton 653)

Extended Play :

1960 - Runaround / Mr. Blue / Outside My Window / Come Softly To Me (Dolton EP 502)

(Dolton EP 502)

Albums :

1959 - Confidential / The Three Caballeros / Raindrops Teardrops / You Mean Everything To Me / Oh Lord Let It Be / Come Softly To Me / Serenade Of The Bells / Unchained Melody / We Belong Together / Come Go With Me / I Care So Much / Mr. Blue (Dolton LP 8001)

(Dolton LP 8001)

1960 - Bye Bye Blackbird / Truly Do / Skylark / My Sister's Love / Runaround / Happy Happy Birthday Baby / I Believe /One For My Baby / Once In A While / Turtle Dove / Time Of Love / Outside My Window (Dolton LP 8002)

1961 - The Little White Cloud That Cried / Tragedy / Dormilona / I'm So Alone / Days Dwindle By / Nancy / Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring / Little Miss Sad One / I Love You So / Love Drop / The Last One To Know / Love Alone (Dplton LP 8005)

1961 - Blue / Poor Little Girl / Daddy's Home / A Teenager In Love / Paradise Lost / Hey Little Tear / Little Girl Blue / Great Impostor / Lah-Dee-Dah / Blues Go Away / Lonely Cup Of Coffee / One Little Star (Dolton LP 8007)

1962 - Over The Mountain Across The Sea / A Thousand Miles Away / Poor Little Fool / Tears On My Pillow / In The Still Of The Nite / To Know Him Is To Love Him / Eddie My Love / Earth Angel / Venus / Happy Happy Birthday Baby / Donna / Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin') (Dolton LP 8011)

1962 - Mr. Blue / You Mean Everything To Me / Outside My Window / Confidential / Truly Do / Tragedy / Come Softly To Me (45 version) / (He's) The Great Impostor / The Last One To Know / Poor Little Girl / Graduation's Here / Runaround (Dolton LP 8018)

(Dolton LP 8018)

1962 - Loving You / My Special Lover / Bon Soir Dame / Goodnight My Love / Lovers' Lullaby / If You Were The Only Girl In The World / Pledging My Love / The Twelfth Of Never / I Look At You / Lovers By Night Strangers By Day / Soft Eyes / Let It Be Me (Dolton LP 8020)

1963 - Jimmy San / End Of The World / Sure Is Lonesome Downtown / Magic Star / I Just Can't Live Without You / Every Little Beat / Sad Little Girl / So Much In Love / It's Your Birthday / Figurines / Jimmy Beware / Hurt Him (Dolton LP 8025)

1964 - Softly As I Leave You / Mr. Sandman / Go Away / Little Things / Almost There / Since I Don't Have You / This Is My Prayer / Footsteps / Lonely Is As Lonely Does / What Am I Gonna Do / I'll Be There / Before And After (Dolton LP 8030)

1965 - A Lover's Concerto / All I Really Want To Do / You Can't Grow Peaches On A Cherry Tree / It Ain't Me Babe / Walk Don't Run / For Lovin' Me / You've Got Your Troubles / Not The Lovin' Kind / You Were On My Mind / We'll Sing In The Sunshine / Baby Don't Go / This Is Where I See Her (Dolton LP 8039)

1966 - The Last One To Know / Love Alone / Little Miss Sad One / Days Dwindle By / Hurt Him / Figurines / Jimmy Beware / Dormilona / I Just Can't Live Without You / Love Drop (Sunset LP 5131)

1974 - Come Softly To Me / (He's) The Great Impostor / Graduation's Here / We Belong Together / Mr. Blue / Tragedy / Run Around / Goodnight My Love / Confidential / Outside My Window (United Artists LP LA 334-E)

1983 - Who’s Gonna Teach You About Love / My Love, My Love / Get Behind Me Devil / Ask Him If He’s Got a Friend For Me / Will You Love Me Tomorrow / Man In A Raincoat / Let Her Go / Imagination / Surfer’s Playmate / Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Liberty LP
10199)

Biography:

Although the Fleetwoods' sound was smooth, without many of the rougher edges of doo wop groups, they were one of the few white vocal groups of the late '50s and early '60s to enjoy success not only on the pop charts, but also the R&B charts.

The Fleetwoods' forte was ballads - beginning with their 1959 debut single, "Come Softly to Me," the group racked up a number of hits over the next three years, and nearly all of them were ballads. The group broke up in 1963, but their songs - particularly "Come Softly to Me" - became pop-rock classics of the pre-British Invasion era.

Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxell formed the Fleetwoods while attending high school in Olympia, WA. Originally, the group consisted only of Christopher and Ellis, but the duo soon asked Troxell to accompany them on trumpet. Shortly after his arrival in the group, Troxell abandoned the trumpet and concentrated on singing once the other two members heard a portion of a song he had written. Following some contributions from Christopher and Ellis, the group had written "Come Softly to Me."

with Dick Clark

They began performing the song at various events around Olympia, eventually gaining the attention of Bob Reisdorff, who ran the Seattle-based label, Dolphin Records.

Dolphin released "Come Softly to Me" early in 1959 and the song became an instant hit, climbing to number one on the pop charts and number five on the R&B charts; it also reached the Top Ten in U.K. The Fleetwoods weren't able to immediately produce a follow-up single as successful as their debut, but their third single, "Mr. Blue," was a number one pop and Top Five R&B hit in the U.S. in late 1959.

By the time of its release, Dolphin had changed its name to Dolton. For the next three years, the Fleetwoods had a string of minor pop hits. The group wasn't able to consistently place singles in the upper regions of the charts partially because Troxell was drafted into the navy at the height of the group's popularity at the end of 1959. Troxell was replaced by Vic Dana, who would later have a string of his own hit singles in the early '60s.

The Fleetwoods last Top Ten single arrived in the spring of 1961, when "Tragedy" climbed the U.S. charts. The group disbanded two years later, after releasing their final single, a cover of Jesse Belvin's "Goodnight My Love." Over the next three decades, the Fleetwoods reunited occasionally to perform concerts and oldies revues. In 1973, the group recorded an album with producer Jerry Dennon, but the resulting recordings were unsuccessful. In 1990, the Fleetwoods - featuring Christopher, Troxell, and instead of Ellis a singer called Cheryl Huggins - played a tour on the American oldies circuit after Rhino released the compact disc collection, The Best of the Fleetwoods.

Steven Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

http://www.thefleetwoods.us
http://www.thefleetwoods.com
http://www.colorradio.com/fleetwoods.htm
http://www.history-of-rock.com/fleetwoods.htm
http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/fleetwoods.html

Videos :

CD :

MP3 :

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The Concertones aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons

Posted on July 28 2009 by dion1

The Concertones aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons
The Concertones : Melvin Beckner, Gary Church, Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson

The Concertones (Newport News, Virginia)
aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons

Personnel :

Melvin Beckner

Gary Church

Kay Brooks

Roslyn King

Brenda Robinson

Discography :

The Brothers Kennedy
1961 - I Know Why Dreamers Cry / Once In A Lifetime (1-2-3 Kick) (Legrand 1007)

The Concertones
1961 - Just One More Time / All Is Well And Fine (Legrand 1011)

The Hamptons
1964 - I Know Why Dreamers Cry / Once In A Lifetime (1-2-3 Kick) (Legrand 1007)

Biography :

Vocal group from From Warwick High School, in Newport News, Virginia composed by Gary Church, Melvin Beckner, Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson. In early 1960, Melvin Beckner wrote some songs like "All's Well and Fine", "Don't Say I Love You" and "Heartaches For Me". Warwick High's musical senior Mary Jane Cofer sponsored a concert with Melvin who sang the lead on his three songs , backed by three girls named The Mello-Tones Trio. The success was immediate and Melvin landed a recording session. In April 1961, Melvin and his singing partner, Gary Church, recorded "I Know Why Dreamers Cry" and " Once In A Lifetimethe" both written by Melvin in a recording session in Norfolk produced by Frank Guida.

The Concertones aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons
The Brothers Kennedy : Melvin Beckner and Gary Church The Concertones

They went over to Norfolk twice a week for three weeks to work on it. The last session, when they really got it, took from seven o'clock at night to four o'clock in the morning, And some time later the single will be released as The Brothers Kennedy on the Legrand Label. In 1964, the single was also released credited to The The Hamptons. Four months later, Melvin Beckner, Gary Church and the Mello-Tones Trio; Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson Have a new recording session. Under the name of the Concertones, Legrand released "Just One More Time" and "All Is Well And Fine". Melvin also wrote "Time Ole Story", the flip side of Quarter To Three for Gary (U.S.) Bonds.

Songs :

The Concertones

All Is Well And Fine / Just One More Time

The Brothers Kennedy

I Know Why Dreamers Cry

...

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The Buddies (6) aka The Catalinas (1)

Posted on July 28 2009 by dion1

The Catalinas (1) (New Haven, CT.)
aka The Buddies (6)

Personnel :

Johnny Luth

Jimmy Colwell

Artie DeNicholas

Johnny Kunz

Tommy Juliana

Discography :

The Catalinas (1)

Singles :
1958 - Castle Of Love / Give Me Your Love (Little 811/812 / Jayne 502)
1973 - Why do fools fall in love / I'm so tired (Jayne 500)
1973 - Castle of love / The Stars tonight (Jayne 501)
1973 - I love you / Give me your love (Jayne 502)
1973 - Until next year / Litterbubug (Jayne 503)
1973 - Back in my arms / Blue Velvet (Jayne 504)

Unreleased :
Little Star - I Wonder Why - Sometimes - Whispering Bells - In the Still of the Night - Story Untold - Come Go With Me - Tiny Clouds - Tell me Why - Moon out Tonight - One Summer Night - Hushabye - Remember Then - Glory Of Love - Little Girl of mine - Remember When - Tonight I Fell in Love - Wonderfull Girl

The Buddies (6)
1959 - Castle Of Love / Give Me Your Love (Okey 7123)

Biography :

This group was started by the two people who started the Van Dykes from New Haven, Ct. The Catalinas were started in 1957, by Art Denicholas and Tommy Juliana, were school chums at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.

Their first record was on Little Records in NYC.... " Give Me Your Love" backed with "Castle of Love", both written by Art and Tommy. Later re-released as by The Buddies on Okeh Records. They did many live shows and tours, til art had to go into the Army in 1961, where he entertained with the USO in Germany for two years. When his tour of duty was over, he arrived home to New Haven, to find that his parent's house was decorated with a big sign, made by his old friend Tommy, who let Art know.....we gotta start up a new group , thus the Van Dykes were born in 1963.. The Van Dykes were the only band in New Haven to have three #1 singles in a row. WAVZ 1300am and WNHC 1340am , both am stationsand the general public loved the Van Dykes! ....yes New Haven was home to the Five Satins, but they only had one #1....plus a string of singles, but no other number ones.
Bobby Roche

Songs :


Castle Of Love                                 Give Me Your Love


I'm so tired          Little Star / Tiny Clouds      I Wonder Why / Story Untold


Sometimes / Come Go With Me    Whispering Bells / In the Still of the Night     Tell me Why / Moon out Tonight


One Summer Night / Hushabye      Remember Then / Glory Of Love


Little Girl of mine / Remember When Tonight I Fell in Love / Wonderfull Girl

...

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The Ideals (4)

Posted on July 26 2009 by dion1

Top left to right , Kenny and Tommy, Bottom left to right, Pete, Freddie and Bill.

The Ideals (4) (East Paterson, NJ)

Personnel :

Tommy Kontos aka Thomas Jefferson Kaye

Bill DeMarco

Pete Verelli

Kenny Kerwin

Freddie Schlatter

Discography :

1958 - My Girl / Annie Was A Stroller (Decca 307200)
1959 - Ivy League Lover / Don't Be A Baby, Baby (Decca 30800)

Biography :

Tommy and Bill formed their first acapella Doo-wop band called the Blaretones with Tommy Traino, from East Paterson, NJ and Chris Oberfel of Fair Lawn, NJ during the Summer of 1955 to Summer 1956. First show at East Rutherford HS 1956 as the Blaretones, performed at Allen Freed’s Easter Show at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater, with Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, The Valentines, and The Cadillacs.

The Brooklyn Paramount Theater

The Blaretones opened for Slim Harper at the Coral Bar in East Paterson, NJ. The Ideals Opened for the Everly Brothers. at the Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove, NJ sometime around May 1958. Another group performing that night was the Rocking Chairs, from Long Island, NY. The band name changed to the Rock-Abouts, from the Summer of 1956 to Summer of 1957. Same group the Ideals during the Summer of 1957, recorded at Decca Records from early 1958 through June of 1958. The Ideals were often invited to play with Joey Dee when he hosted record hops at the Passaic Armory, before he was with the Starlighters. They also performed often at “Sock Hops” at the Passaic Ballroom and other local venues. Music included their own compositions and their own doo-wop covers of Buddy Holly, The Cadillacs, and other popular songs of the period.

Songs :


Annie Was A Stroller                                    My Girl


Don't Be A Baby, Baby                          Ivy League Lover

....

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The Starlets (3)

Posted on July 24 2009 by dion1

The Starlets (3) (Chicago, Illinois)

Members :

Liz Walker (Dynetta Boone)

Maxine Edwards

Jane Hall

Mickie McKinney

Jeanette Miles

Discography :

The Starlets (3)
1961 - Better Tell Him No / You Are The One (Pam 1003/O-Pex 110(68))
1961 - My Last Cry / Money Hungry (Pam 1004)

Danetta & The Starlets (3)
1962 - You Belong To Me / Impression (Okeh 7155)

The Blue-Belles
1962 - I Sold My Heart To The Junkman / Itty Bitty Twist (Newtown 5000)

Biography :
The Starlets were an American girl group from Chicago, Illinois. The group came together in 1961, and auditioned for a Chicago songwriter, Bernice Williams. Williams wrote them the tune "Better Tell Him No", which was released on Pam Records that year. The record peaked at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The group then toured with Jackie Wilson, Mary Wells, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.The group's follow-up single, "My Last Cry", was less successful. In December of that year, the group performed in Philadelphia, and while there, Newtown Records owner Harold Robinson had them record the song "I Sold My Soul to the Junkman".

Newtown released the single under the name "The BlueBelles" in order to avoid contractual issues with Pam Records; as the song became a hit, Robinson assembled a local Philadelphia ensemble to lip-synch the song on television. Among this second group's members was Patti LaBelle. As "Junkman" itself became an even bigger hit than "Better Tell Him No", The Starlets sued Robinson, settling for $5,000 per member The Starlets then moved to Okeh Records, releasing one single, 1962's "You Belong to Me", and broke up shortly thereafter.

Song :

The Starlets (3)


Better Tell Him No           My Last Cry


You Are The One                       Money Hungry

Danetta & The Starlets (3)


Impression                         You Belong To Me

The Blue-Belles


I Sold My Heart To The Junkman        Itty Bitty Twist

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Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers

Posted on July 21 2009 by dion1

Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (New-York) 

Personnel :

Frankie Lymon (Lead Tenor)

Jimmy Merchant (First Tenor)

Herman Santiago (Second Tenor)

Joe Negroni (Baritone)

Sherman Garnes (Bass)

Discography :

1955 - Why Do Fools Fall In Love / Please Be Mine (Gee 1002)
1956 - I Want You To Be My Girl / I'm Not A Know It All (Gee 1012)
1956 - I Promise To Remember / Who Can Explain (Gee 1018)
1956 - The ABC's Of Love / Share (Gee 1022)
1956 - I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent / Baby, Baby (Gee 1026)
1957 - Paper Castles / Teenage Love (Gee 1032)
1957 - Love Is A Clown / Am I Fooling Myself Again (Gee 1035)
1957 - Out In The Cold Again/Miracle In The Rain (Gee 1036)
1957 - Goody Goody / Creation Of Love (Gee 1039) 
1957 - Together (Gee) (Unreleased)
1957 - You (Gee) (Unreleased) 
1957 - It Would Be So Nice (Gee) (Unreleased) 
1957 - I Was Alone (Gee) (Unreleased) 
1957 - Little White Lies (Gee) (Unreleased) 
1957 - Love Put Me Out Of My Head (Gee) (Unreleased)
1957 - Begin The Beguine (Gee) (Unreleased)
1957 - Fortunate Fellow (Gee) (Unreleased)
1957 - Love Put Me Out Of My Head (Gee) (Unreleased)

Biography :

Frankie Lymon got his musical influences from the Mother Source of most Black performers who came of age in the forties and fifties - the church. Frankie's father was a singer with the group The Gospel Harlemaires. At Edward Stitt Junior High School in 1954 there was a fledgling vocal group that went by a number of different names - The Earth Angels, Coupe de Villes, The Ermines, and The Premieres were some of them. The members were Sherman Garnes, Joe Negroni, Jimmy Merchant, and Herman Santiago. As they practiced on tunes and began to get attention in their neighborhood - Washington Heights in the one fifties around Edgecombe Avenue. A young but talented kid from the neighborhood named Frankie Lymon was soon part of the group.

With Herman as the lead singer they practiced much of the time especially on a song called "Why Do Birds Sing So Gay?". They came in contact with the lead singer of The Valentines, Richard Barrett, who led them to George Goldner the president of Tico and Rama Records. It is said that it was Goldner who suggested that Lymon become the lead singer on the tune and change the name of the song to "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?". And so . . . . . . .

On January 10, 1956, the history of the rock 'n' roll vocal groups and the direction of American music took a new turn and changed the landscape of pop culture forever. Gee Records #1002 was released featuring Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers recording of "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" and "Please Be Mine".Now for the first time, teenagers singing FOR teenagers took center stage in the business of recorded music. The group immediately goes on the road and appears in Cleveland with WERE radio dj Phil McLeon at Keith's Theater along with The Jewels, Teen Queens, Five Keys, and Ivory Joe Hunter.

In March as "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" heads for the top of the charts, the group appears at New Brunswick High School in New Jersey with dj Danny "Cat Man" Stiles along with The Belvederes and Big Mike Gordon. Gee Records has its first number one hit with The Teenagers record. In April Alan Freed's "Easter Jubilee of Stars" has The Teenagers as a headlining act. Late in the month the group appears on television with Chrysler's "Shower Of Stars" on CBS . In April of the year "I Want You To Be My Girl" and "I'm Not A Know It All" is released by Gee Records on #1012.

The group signs on for Irvin Feld's "Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Show of 1956" and will appear along with Bill Haley & The Comets, The Teen Queens, Drifters, Colts, Joe Turner, Bo Diddley, Clyde McPhatter, LaVern Baker, and The Flamingos. In June The Teenagers appear at the Apollo Theater along with The Cleftones, Valentines, and Pretenders. In July The Teenagers appear at Carr's Beach Amphitheater in Annapolis, Maryland, with Carl Perkins, Al Hibbler, Chuck Berry, Shirley & Lee, The Cleftones, Spaniels, and Della Reese, to an overflow crowd of fifteen thousand. In July "I Promise To Remember" (originally by Jimmy Castor & The Juniors on Wing Records) and "Who Can Explain" is released on Gee #1018.

In July The Teenagers join the cast of the "Top Record Stars Show of 1956" to be presented in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. For labor Day week Alan Freed signs The Teenagers for the show at the Brooklyn Paramount. Also on the bill Fats Domino, Joe Turner, The Cleftones, Penguins, and Harptones. Right after their weeklong appearance with Alan Freed at the Brooklyn Paramount, Gee Records releases "The ABC's Of Love" and "Share" on #1022.

In November a specially cut LP of music from the forthcoming Alan Freed motion picture "Rock Rock Rock" is sent to radio dj's across the country. The Teenagers have two cuts on the album. In November it is announced that The Teenagers will embark on a tour of England in the coming months. In late November the two songs the group performs in the picture "Rock Rock Rock" are released by Gee Records.

"I Am Not A Juvenile Delinquent" and "Baby Baby" are on Gee #1026. It quickly becomes the fifth smash hit in a row during this year for the vocal group. In December Frankie & The Teenagers appear in Akron, Ohio at a special show honoring the late Jack Clifton of WCUE in that city who died of cancer. The next week the group is in L.A. for television appearances and on stage at The Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa with KPOP disc spinner Earl McDaniel. At year's end Gee Records releases an LP by The Teenagers that includes all of their hits for the label (and their flip sides). It is a good seller almost immediately and spurs other independent labels to consider similar packages. It was quite a year for the vocal group that re-defined rock 'n' roll as the music of Young America (soon to be the slogan for the up and coming 60s phenomenon Motown).

In late February of 1957 The Teenagers headline the first rock 'n' roll show at the New York Paramount on Broadway in New York City with Alan Freed. Also on the bill are The Platters, Cleftones, Cadillacs, Nappy Brown, Buddy Knox, Jimmy Bowen, Ruth Brown, and others. That month the group's sixth release for Gee Records is out - "Teenage Love" and "Paper Castles" are out on #1032. The group signs on for Irvin Feld's "Biggest Show of 1957" tour and then will appear in Panama as the only American act there for carnival. On April 1, Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers begin a twelve week tour of the British Isles.

While there they will cut an LP called "at the London Palladium" for Gee Records. Melody maker the top music publication in Great Britain writes about the tour and in an interesting aside describes a growing rift between Lymon and the rest of the group. In April Gee Records releases "Out In The Cold Again" and "Miracle In The Rain" on #1036. The ballad side by the group "Out In The Cold Again" is as good as it gets with vocal group harmony and the performance shows the true professionalism of the group well beyond their young years. The flip side however while not as strong is the one that starts the rumors flying. Despite being noted on the label as by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, it is obviously a solo effort and recent stories about a growing coolness between Frankie and the rest of the group seem to fan the flames of discord. In July of that year the charade is carried further by advertising "Goody Goody" as by the group when it is a solo effort and only Frankie's photo appears in the print advertising in the trade papers. The flip side of this release on Gee #1039 is "Creation Of Love".

The group still an entity signs on with Alan Freed for the July 4th week show back at the New York Paramount. In August the word is out that Gee Records is now looking for a new lead singer for The Teenagers. Frankie as a solo performer will fulfill some dates in California and then in early September hit the road with another Irvin Feld super tour, this time as a solo singer.

The Teenagers appear with Jocko Henderson in Newark, New Jersey in mid September now minus Frankie. In December The Teenagers with new lead singer Billy Lobrano record "Flip Flop" and "Everything To Me" on #1046. The new version of The Teenagers appear with Alan Freed at his holiday show at the New York Paramount headlined by Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino. In July of 1958 "Mama Wanna Rock" and "My Broken Heart" by The Teenagers is released on Roulette #4086. Late in the year a Roulette release by a group called Tiny Tim & The Hits of the song "Wedding Bells" is rumored to be a reunited Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. Roulette Records clears up the mystery by showing the group is from California and Tim is in reality Howard Wilson, a fourteen year old from Los Angeles. The Teenagers are not reunited with Frankie Lymon as both go their separate ways and neither one has any further success.

In 1958 a further George Goldner label, End Records records The Teenagers on #1071 with Joe Negroni on lead on the song "Crying" and on the flip side the song "Tonight's The Night" with lead by Ken Bobo formerly of the group The Juniors. The next release for End on #1076 featured the lead singing of Johnny Houston on the tunes "Can You Tell Me" and "I'm A Little Wiser Now". Jimmy Castor former leader of The Juniors writes a couple of songs for the group and they get to record for the Columbia label with Joe Negroni on lead on "What's On Your Mind?" and "The Draw" as by Sherman & The Teenagers released on Columbia #42054. That was the end of The Teenagers, the group who changed the course of American music in the mid nineteen fifties. From time to time in the seventies and early eighties some of the original members got together with Pearl McKinnion (formerly of The Kodoks) to recreate the sound of the original group. The Teenagers were the vocal group that exerted the biggest influence on the vocal group scene in the nineteen fifties and we now know that we would never see the likes of them again.

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ev1tiger/Flymon.html
http://www.tsimon.com/lymon.htm
http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Teenagers/teenagers.html

Videos :

Love Put me Out of My Head Why Do Fools Fall In Love

I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent Baby Baby

Fortunate Fellow

CD :

MP3

:

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The Clantones

Posted on July 21 2009 by dion1

The Clantones (Chicago)

Personnel :

?

Discography :
1952 - It's No Sin - Some Day (Ebony 1020)
1959 - Maiy i never love again / If you were mine (Ebony 1021)

...

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The Delmonicos (2) aka The Crystals (6) aka The Metros (2)

Posted on July 19 2009 by dion1

The Crystals (6) aka The Metros (2) aka The Delmonicos (2)

The Crystals (6) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Metros (2) aka The Delmonicos (2)

Personnel :

Johnny Angelillo (Baritone)

Joe Patriarca (Second Tenor)

Don Cruz (Lead & First Tenor)

Joe Garcia (Lead & First Tenor)

Jesus "Joe" Carillo (Bass)

Discography :

The Delmonicos (2)
Demo
1957 - Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter

The Metros (2)
1958 - All of My Life / Lookin' (Just 1502)

The Crystals (6)
Singles :
1959 - That's Where I Belong / Better Come Back To Me (Metro 20026)
1960 - Watching You / Oh, My You (Cub 9064) Dee-jay copy
1959 - I've Got My Reasons / Big John Grundy (Metro)
Unreleased
1959- The Beauty & the Beast (Cub)

Biography :

The Original Crystals came from Columbus High School. They are Joe Patriarca, Richie Sozzi, ,Joe Garcia, John Angelillo and Joe Premonts. . The Group changed their name to the Delmonicos and recorded a demo Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter in 1957/1958. Premont and Sozzi were soon replaced by Joe "Bassi" Carillo and Don Cruz respectively. John's brother Louis "Chubby" became the group's co-manager along with Louis Carbonetti. Chubby Angelillo got the group an audition with Moe Gale . Moe Gale changed the group's name to the Metro's and they recorded 2 sides released by Just Record "All of My Life" b/w "Lookin'" .

The Delmonicos The Original Crystals

Moe then formed his own agency (Moe Gale Agency) and took the guys to see Ray Ellis (yes, the band leader) at MGM where they auditioned for him. Some acetate demo 78s were done and sent to different publishing agencies. Ray wanted to record them, but only if they changed their name. The group got together and chose the name Crystals (back then, there were no well- known groups with this name, although hard-core followers of early rhythm and blues know there were several earlier groups with this name).

with Frank Beltran of the Young Tones

They then were signed by Ray for the Metro label (subsidiary of MGM) a 3 years contract releasing 2 45's on Metro and Cub both MGM subsidiaries. On the local strengh of these 45's the group would appear on Alan Freed's Big Beat TV show, Jack Spectors Rhode Island TV show, plus performing at many functions and venues including West Point.
Ed Engel (Crystal Ball records)
http://www.harmonytrain.com/dowoplady/Metros/metros.htm

Film :

Watching You

Songs :

The Delmonicos (2)


Cynthia                                        Baby Sitter

The Metros (2)


All of My Life

Lookin'

The Crystals (6)


That's Where I Belong                Better Come Back To Me


Watching You                       Oh, My You

I've Got My Reasons

...

Premont and Sozzi were soon replaced by Joe "Bassi" Carillo and Don Cruz respectively.
The Group changed their name to the Delmonicos and recorded a demo Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter in 1957/1958.

John's brother Louis "Chubby" became the group's co-manager along with Louis Carbonetti.
Chubby Angelillo got the group an audition with Moe Gale who changed the group's name to the Metro's.

They recorded 2 sides for the Just Record Label.
Soon Moe would open his own agency and took the group up to see Ray Ellis. Ray was the A&R man for MGM. He signed the group to a 3 years contract releasing 2 45's on Metro and Cub both MGM subsidiaries.

Once again the powers in charge decided the Metros on Metro wouldn't work.

The Group elected to take back their original name, The Crystals . It would be several years before the Phil Spector group would hit the charts so this name selection was a keeper.

On the local strengh of these 45's the group would appear on Alan Freed's Big Beat TV show, Jack Spectors Rhode Island TV show, plus performing at many functions and venues including West Point.
Ed Engel (Crystal Ball records)

http://www.harmonytrain.com/dowoplady/Metros/metros.htm

Videos :

Extraordinary song :

Oh, My You (A cappella)

See comments

The Crystals (6) aka The Metros (2) aka The Delmonicos (2)

Posted on July 19 2009 by dion1

The Crystals (6) aka The Metros (2) aka The Delmonicos (2)

The Crystals (6) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Metros (2) aka The Delmonicos (2)

Personnel :

Johnny Angelillo (Baritone)

Joe Patriarca (Second Tenor)

Don Cruz (Lead & First Tenor)

Joe Garcia (Lead & First Tenor)

Jesus "Joe" Carillo (Bass)

Discography :

The Delmonicos (2)
Demo
1957 - Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter

The Metros (2)
1958 - All of My Life / Lookin' (Just 1502)

The Crystals (6)
Singles :
1959 - That's Where I Belong / Better Come Back To Me (Metro 20026)
1960 - Watching You / Oh, My You (Cub 9064) Dee-jay copy
1959 - I've Got My Reasons / Big John Grundy (Metro)
Unreleased
1959- The Beauty & the Beast (Cub)

Biography :

The Original Crystals came from Columbus High School. They are Joe Patriarca, Richie Sozzi, ,Joe Garcia, John Angelillo and Joe Premonts. . The Group changed their name to the Delmonicos and recorded a demo Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter in 1957/1958. Premont and Sozzi were soon replaced by Joe "Bassi" Carillo and Don Cruz respectively. John's brother Louis "Chubby" became the group's co-manager along with Louis Carbonetti. Chubby Angelillo got the group an audition with Moe Gale . Moe Gale changed the group's name to the Metro's and they recorded 2 sides released by Just Record "All of My Life" b/w "Lookin'" .

The Delmonicos The Original Crystals

Moe then formed his own agency (Moe Gale Agency) and took the guys to see Ray Ellis (yes, the band leader) at MGM where they auditioned for him. Some acetate demo 78s were done and sent to different publishing agencies. Ray wanted to record them, but only if they changed their name. The group got together and chose the name Crystals (back then, there were no well- known groups with this name, although hard-core followers of early rhythm and blues know there were several earlier groups with this name).

with Frank Beltran of the Young Tones

They then were signed by Ray for the Metro label (subsidiary of MGM) a 3 years contract releasing 2 45's on Metro and Cub both MGM subsidiaries. On the local strengh of these 45's the group would appear on Alan Freed's Big Beat TV show, Jack Spectors Rhode Island TV show, plus performing at many functions and venues including West Point.
Ed Engel (Crystal Ball records)
http://www.harmonytrain.com/dowoplady/Metros/metros.htm

Film :

Watching You

Songs :

The Delmonicos (2)


Cynthia                                        Baby Sitter

The Metros (2)


All of My Life

Lookin'

The Crystals (6)


That's Where I Belong                Better Come Back To Me


Watching You                       Oh, My You

I've Got My Reasons

...

Premont and Sozzi were soon replaced by Joe "Bassi" Carillo and Don Cruz respectively.
The Group changed their name to the Delmonicos and recorded a demo Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter in 1957/1958.

John's brother Louis "Chubby" became the group's co-manager along with Louis Carbonetti.
Chubby Angelillo got the group an audition with Moe Gale who changed the group's name to the Metro's.

They recorded 2 sides for the Just Record Label.
Soon Moe would open his own agency and took the group up to see Ray Ellis. Ray was the A&R man for MGM. He signed the group to a 3 years contract releasing 2 45's on Metro and Cub both MGM subsidiaries.

Once again the powers in charge decided the Metros on Metro wouldn't work.

The Group elected to take back their original name, The Crystals . It would be several years before the Phil Spector group would hit the charts so this name selection was a keeper.

On the local strengh of these 45's the group would appear on Alan Freed's Big Beat TV show, Jack Spectors Rhode Island TV show, plus performing at many functions and venues including West Point.
Ed Engel (Crystal Ball records)

http://www.harmonytrain.com/dowoplady/Metros/metros.htm

Videos :

Extraordinary song :

Oh, My You (A cappella)

See comments

The Sweet Teens (1) aka The Ru-Bee-Els aka The Hollywood Chicks aka The Chicks (2)

Posted on July 16 2009 by dion1

The Sweet Teens (1) aka The Ru-Bee-Els aka The Hollywood Chicks aka The Chicks (2)

The Sweet Teens (1) (Pomona, Los Angeles, CA)
aka The Ru-Bee-Els aka The Hollywood Chicks aka The Chicks (2)

Personnel :

Elnora Hicks

Betty Hicks

Mary Thomas

Ruth Davis

Discography :

The Sweet Teens (1)
1955 - Don't Worry About A Thing / Forever More (Flip 311)

The Ru-Bee-Els
1961- I'll Try / Evil (Flip 359)

Kell Osborne & The Chicks (2)
1962 - Little Chick-A-Dee / Do You Mind (Class 302)

The Hollywood Chicks
1962 - Tossin' a Ice Cube / Hey, Little Gigolo (Class 303)

Biography :

The Sweet Teens were a female quartet from Pomona area of Los Angeles. The Members were Elnora Hicks, Betty Hicks, Mary Thomas & Ruth Davis. Although their name was similar to the Six Teens, they never enjoyed the string of recordings and popularity of their successful label mates. Their lone single, "Don't Worry About A Thing" / "Forever More" (Flip 311) went unnoticed in April 1955. The Ballad "Forever More" written by Elnora Hicks and Mary Thomas is a very close female take-off of the Los Angeles classic "The Letter" (Dootone 347) by Vernon Green & the Medallions.

The Sweet Teens (1) aka The Ru-Bee-Els aka The Hollywood Chicks aka The Chicks (2)

Ruth Davis and The Hicks Sisters reappeared seven years later as a trio with one of Flip's last releases, "I'll Try" / "Evil" issued on Flip 359. The Trio comprised Ruth Davis, Elnora Hicks and Betty Hicks, and their name derived from the first two letters of each of their names. The Ru-Bee-Els also backed Kell Osborne as the Chicks and recorded "Tossin' a Ice Cube" b/w "Hey, Little Gigolo" as The Hollywood Chicks, Both singles released by Class records. Barry White once said that this record was his first professional job in the recording industry - he did the handclaps on "Tossin' A Ice Cube".

Songs:
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Sweet Teens (1)


Don't Worry About A Thing                           Forever More

The Ru-Bee-Els


I'll Try                                                  Evil

The Hollywood Chicks


Tossin' a Ice Cube                                  Hey, Little Gigolo

Kell Osborne & The Chicks (2)

Little Chick-A-Dee / Do You Mind

...

See comments