Little Natalie & Henry & The Gifts 1963 - Teardrops Are Falling / It's Uncle Willie (Roulette 4540)
Young Henry Ford & The Gifts 1964 - Treat her nice / Two Hearts make a romance (Roulette 4552) 1964 - Too Late (Roulette) (Unreleased)
Biography :
Group of kids from Chicago,The Gifts signed to Roulette Records in 1963. With 'Little Natalie' Smith as lead they hit big in Chi-Town and the East Coast with 'Teardrops Are Falling'. This record featuring their primary lead, Henry Ford was the follow-up disc.
Born Henry Yarbrough in Chicago on September 30, 1948. When he made the records he was about fifteen years old and was attending Hirsch High on the South Side. Produced by Ralph Bass, with the help of Raynard Miner, and supposedly recorded at Chess, but released on Roulette.
1956 - Gerard Highsmith, Bob Harris, Leroy Wiliams , James Pete Martin & Preston Fields
The Parakeets (2) Quintet (Newark / Elizabeth, N.J.)
Personnel :
Leroy Wiliams (Lead)
James Pete Martin (Tenor)
Willie Curry (Bass)
Preston Fields (Tenor)
Gerard Highsmith (Baritone / Second Lead)
Discography :
The Parakeets (2) Quintet 1956 - I Have A Love / The Rain Start To Fall (Atlas 1068/Angletone 1068)
Leroy Williams & The Parakeets (2) Quintet 1956 - My Heart Tells Me / Yvonne (Atlas 1069)
Vic Donna & The Parakeets (2) 1957 - Teenage Rose / Silly and Sappy (Atlas 1071) 1957 - Love Was A Stranger To Me / Count The Tears (Atlas 1075/Angletone 1075)
Al Jackson (bb The Parakeets)
Unreleased : 1957 - Y.O.U / No Wedding Today (Atlas)
Biography :
The Parakeets were five young men from the neighboring cities of Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. All had experience singing in church and the roots of the group were a high school glee club. The Parakeets consisted of Leroy Williams (lead), James P. Martin (first tenor), William “Bob” Curry (baritone), Preston Fields (second tenor) and Gerald A. Highsmith (bass).
1956 - Preston Fields , Gerard Highsmith, Bob Harris, James Pete Martin & Leroy Wiliams
The Parakeets’ first record for Atlas was “Rain Starts To Fall” b/w “I Have A Love,” released in May 1956. It was quickly followed by their second re- lease, “Yvonne” b/w “My Heart Tells Me,” in November 1956. All of the songs were written by James Martin.
Vic Donna
Atlas Records was like so many of the growing number of Rhythm & Blues independent labels of the early fifties, but it was also different from many of them. For one it was Black owned and located in the Black community unlike most of the others. It was started by Tommy Robinson (not related to Bobby or Danny Robinson ) and located in the heart of New York's Harlem on 125th Street.
The Parakeets were chosen to back teen heartthorb Vic Donna (Atlas's answer to Fabian or Frankie Avalon...) on the Maudlin "Teenage Rose" in February, 1957 and " Love was a stranger to me / Count the tears" in May. Since Robinson paid Steady tribute to the region's black disc Jockeys, his records receveid constant airplay if only meager sales. Don Fileti (The Golden era of Doowops "The groups of Atlas Records")
The El Tones (1) (Brooklyn, New York) aka The Eltones
Personnel :
Stuart Elliot (Lead)
Allan Schein
Paul Schrager
Harvey Hertz
Discography :
The Eltones Unreleased: 1958 - Do It By Moonlight 1958 - Honest I Do
The El Tones (1) Singles: 1958 - Like Mattie / Lovin' With A Beat (Cub 9011)
Biography :
The Eltones were formed on the corner of Elton Street and Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn in 1957. "Lovin' With A Beat" The lead in this song was Stuart, Stuart was also lead in "Like Matti", singing those high notes. This song was written by Sylvester Bradford for Gene Vincent as a Rockabilly song. Gene never used it so the Eltones recorded it.
"Do It By Moonlight" was actually recorded as a demo in 1957 with " Honest I Do". Left in a demo studio for many years. Purchased for fifteen dollars shortly before it was to be destroyed. The studio was going to destroy the remaining copies but group member Paul bought it. Paul Schrager is the one pictured singing lead, think that's Harvey playing the piano in the background. Also "Moonlight" was the only song Paul sang as the lead.
1963 - Some Happy Day / Say Sweet Things (Chex 1007)
Biography :
The Bohemians had an appealing, although obscure, single for Chex in the fall of 1962. "Some Happy Day"/"Say Sweet Things" was released as Chex 1007, and promptly disappeared from the market. There is no information on this young group in the Chex files, but, fortunately, we know what they looked like by their surviving publicity photo.
1959 - Jungle Superman / I Met Her At A Dance (Show Time 595) 
 1959 - Jungle Superman / Dear One (Show Time 598/Red Fox 105) Biography :
By 1959, Johnny Staton had given up on the name "Feathers," having formed a group called the "Individuals." They consisted of: Roy Allen (tenor), Joe "J.W." Cummings (baritone), and Art Ward (bass). They recorded a novelty tune called "Jungle Superman" for Peter Morgan (yes, Show Time was still around). This was in a Coasters/Olympics "playlet" vein. The flip was "I Met Her At A Dance," although when Morgan re-released "Jungle Superman" a few months later, the flip had changed to a nicely-done remake of the Feathers' "Dear One."
publicity shot of the Individuals
There's a wonderful publicity shot of the Individuals in their "Jungle Superman" costumes. They actually wore them once onstage, for a show at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theater (which also featured Jackie Wilson, Brook Benton, and Don & Dewey). The Individuals worked quite a bit, even doing some background work behind Jan and Dean. Johnny himself provided some backing vocals behind Ricky Nelson.
The Five Chanels (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) aka The Chanels aka Virgil & The Four Chanels aka The Chelmars
Personnel :
Sharon Scott (Lead)
Gwynn Speller
Donza Drummond
Dolores Stringer
Virgil Hammond
Discography :
The Chanels 1958 - The Reason / Skiddily Doo (Deb 500)
The Five Chanels Singles : 1958 - The Reason / Skiddily Doo (Deb 500) Unreleased : 1958 - You Treat Me Mean (Deb) 1958 - Wish You Were Near (Deb)
Virgil & The Four Chanels 1959 - Waiting / Don't Keep It To Yourself (Deb 508)
The Chelmars 1962 - Jigsaw Puzzle / Confess (Select 45K-712)
Biography :
One of the few vocal group to have escaped the scrutiny of record researchers, the Five Chanels were the protégés of Julius Dixon, a veteran songwriter whose successes included (as co-writer) the Chordettes' 1958 smash 'Lollipop' and Bill Halley's 'Dim Dim the Lights'. Dixon dabbled in all aeras of the music business and in 1958, he launched the Deb Label as a vehicle for his protégé, 14 year-Old Beverly Ann Gibson who had won the amateur hour at the Apollo theatre.
She in turn introduced Dixon to the Chanels who hailed from her hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The group were composed by Sharon Scott, Gwynn Speller, Donza Drummond, Dolores Stringer and Virgil Hammond.Early pressings of 'the reason' credited the Chanels but this was changed to the Five Chanels after rival record boss, Georges Goldner, complained that the name was too close to that of the Channels, a group he had recorded for his Gone Label. And not only that, but the Chanels' lead singer, Sharon Scott, sounded similar to Arlene Smith ot the Chantels, another of Goldner's groups.
'The Reason' benefited from some immediate plugs on American Bandstand, the nation's most influential TV pop show and Dixon set up a distribution deal with ABC Paramount Records in anticipation of the hoped for hit. However, Dick Clark who hosted Bandstand, and had tried to acquire 'The Reason' for Swan Records, a Philadelphia Label with which he was associated, promptly lost interest causing 'The Reason' to stall at #98. A subsequent Release was credited to Virgil & the Four Chanels. In 1962, Julius Dixon will call the group again, without Virgil. The girls renamed "The Chelmars" recorded "Jigsaw Puzzle" b/w "Confess" released by Select Records.
The Storey Sisters (Philadelphia, Pa) aka The Twinkles (1)
Personnel :
Ann Storey
Lillian Storey
Discography :
The Twinkles (1) 1957 - Bad Motorcycle / Sweet Daddy (Peak 5001)
The Storey Sisters 1958 - Cha Cha Boum / Wich Way Did My Heart Go(Baton 25) 1958 - Bad Motorcycle / Sweet Daddy (Cameo 126) 1959 - Lost Love / Lover How I Miss You (Mercury 71457)
Biography :
"Bad Motorcycle" From out of Philadelphia, Ann & Lillian Storey recorded this ode to one cool cat, using one of Jocko Henderson's famous catch phrases - That's one bad motorcycle! That meant something (that guy or this record, for that matter) was good.
They recorded it for Al Browne's Peak label under the name The Twinkles. It was picked up by Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann's Cameo powerhouse for national distribution after they had changed their name to the Storey Sisters. The 1958 re-release hit #45 on Billboard’s pop charts.
Songs :
Bad Motorcycle Cha Cha Boum Wich Way Did My Heart Go
Larry Lee & The Four Bel-aires (2) (Hartford, CT.) aka The Five Bell Aires
Personnel :
Larry Lee (Lead)
John Hall (First Tenor)
Elijah "Prez" McKinney (Baritone)
James "Rock" Jenkins (Second Tenor)
Lewis Clayton (Bass )
Discography :
Larry Lee & The Four Bel-aires (2) 1959 - Can I Be In Love / Stolen Love (M-Z 006)
Henry Hall & The Five Bell Aires 1959 - House Of Love (Unreleased) 1959 - My Friends (Unreleased) 1959 - I'm So Happy (Unreleased) 1959 - Come On to My Love House (Unreleased)
John Hall & The Five Bell Aires 1959 - Wedding Bells (Unreleased) 1959 - Come On Home (Unreleased)
Biography :
Henry "Hawk" Hall, usual lead singer, his cousin John (First Tenor), Elijah "Prez" McKinney (Baritone), James "Rock" Jenkins (Second Tenor), and Lewis Clayton (Bass ) called their group The Five Marvel Tones when they started in 1954. They Changed their name to the 5 Bell Aires (Inspired by the plethora of Car-named groups) . They even won amateur night at the Apollo in Harlem two weeks in a row. Their loyal fans and members of other vocal groups who caught their act wondered why they didn't have a record out.
The 5 Bell Aires recorded 6 songs, they were first sung as rough demos in 1957, then recorded as finished masters probably in 1960 in Soyka's Somers, Ct studio. Their Manager, John Rys almost consummated a deal with Hy Weiss at Old Town Records, but nothing finally happened… The Bell Aires did back Larry Lee (Larry Harper) Lead singer of The Embers, on "Can I Be In Love"/ "Stolen Love" on the Local MZ label in the Fall of '59 (Henry Hall had been drafted, so they became the Four Bel-aires for MZ)
The Bell Aire's Elijah "Prez" McKinney with George Cruz (from the Fluorescents), Richard Reedy and Billy Surmolian Backed Larry Lee as The Serenaders, they cut demos in Hartford and in N.Y.C
The Stereos (1) (Philadelhia) aka The Tams (1) aka The Hippies
Personnel :
Carole "Devine" Varletta (Lead)
Howard "Bogey" Boggess (Baritone)
Nancy Orts (Alto)
Jack Felker (Tenor)
Discography :
The Stereos (1) 1959 - Memory Lane / Teenage Kids (Mink 27)
The Tams (1) 1959 - Memory Lane / Teenage Kids (Mink 27) 1960 - Sorry / Valley Of Love (Swan 1960) 1961 - Vacation Time / If Love Were Like Rivers (Heritage 101) 1962 - Memory Lane* / Teenage Kids (Parkway 863)
The Hippies 1963 - Memory Lane* / A Lonely Piano** (Parkway 863)
*Alternate Version ** Reggie Harrisson
Biography :
This group came from The Roxborough high Schoolin Philadelhia in 1957. They were Carole "Devine" Varletta, Howard Boggess, Nancy Orts and Jack Felker. Together they dreamt up the name Impalas; it wasn't long before they entered the requisite talent show at Roxborough High. Amazingly they won. Howard Boggess changed the name to The Stereos and Disk Jockey Bud Bress decided to manage the group.
The Impalas - Howard "Bogey" Boggess, Nancy Orts, Jack Felker & Carole "Devine" Varletta
In 1959, The Stereos came in the Allegro Studio for Mink Records with "Memory Lane" and "Teenage Kids". Mink launched the two-sider in mid-1959. But there was in fact a Stereos group from Ohio, so the label repressed the same versions under the aegis of the Tams. Not long thereafter, Bogey and Brees arranged an audition with Bernie Bennick's Swan complex… Both cuts, "Sorry" , a weeper composed by Bogey, was coupled with Bress' "Valley of Love", were assembled.
Carole "Devine" Varletta
In 1961, Bogey and the group, perhaps augmented by another singer, issue a nifty platter for Heritage Records "Vacation Time" b/w "If Love Were Like Rivers" was fobbed off to a juke warm public. Bernie Lowe owner of Cameo, released "Memory Lane" b/w "Teenage Kids" on his Parkway subsidiary, bust must have been alerted during the first month or so that Joe South's Tams out of Virginia objected the name "Tams".
The Tams/Hippies, with new Members
ABC's Tams had already issued a clutch of recordings on Arlen and General American soon to score a major triumph in "What Kind Of Fool" during the Fall of 1963. Lowe changed the name to Hippies, and switched out the flip to "A Lonely Piano".
Songs :
Memory Lane Teenage Kids Sorry
Valley Of Love If Love Were Like Rivers Vacation Time
1962 - Climb Up On Your Rockin Chair / Make Up Your Mind (Express 716)
Biography :
The Impaks originated from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. They met at a Friday night Confraternity (dance) at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There were two singing groups that night, the Imaginations and a no name group (Louie Forte's). Charlie left the Imaginations to become lead singer of the newly formed Impaks. Pictured above is the original five, circa late 1961/Early 1962, Top left; Artie Riccio, middle; Charlie Mollica, right; Louie Forte, Bottom left; Dominic "Dickie" Agate, bottom right; Dennis Bounagura. Singing on neighborhood street corners, and the famous Boyd Avenue train station (for the echo) with other groups, happened all the time. A number of those groups were good but never recorded. According to the guys. it was because "That's What You Did" to stay out of trouble.
Their career was launched at Leone's restaurant in Long Beach, owned by John Linde. He liked them so much, he became their manager and arranged for them to cut a record for the Express label - which was a subsidiary of Fargo. The Impaks then recorded Climb Upon Your Rockin' Chair and flip side Make Up Your Mind in 1963. They had local airplay for both sides, depending on which DJ was playing it. The disc also picked up some spins in California. The Impaks appeared at many venues with other local groups including the Earls, Johnny Maestro & the Crests, Jive Five, the Dubs, Ronettes, Vito and the Salutations, and others. The Impaks actually recorded other songs, but were never released. http://www.colorradio.com/impaks.htm
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