1961 - You Make Me Feel So Good / As You Can See (Satellite 105)
Biography :
The Astors, Curtis Johnson, Eliehue Stanback, Sam (Byrnes) Jones, Richard Harris, grew up in The Orange Mound community in Memphis, Tennessee, while attending Melrose High School, along with Richard Griffin, a member of the original group called The Duntinos The group was organized in 1958 by a neighborhood pianist, Herman "Red" Arnett who held auditions for a singing group at his home in the "Mound". "Red" brought Curtis, Eliehue, Richard, Sam, and Richard Griffin, together for months of work before calling them a "group"
The group, The Duntinos, quickly made a name for themselves performing regularly at local Beale Street and area venues. "Red" taught the guys to perform, and they learned to entertain under the tutelage of Rufus "Walking The Dog" Thomas, while working the "Chittlin Circuit" with him and his band, The Bearcats.After Curtis and Eliehue graduated, the Duntinos moved to Buffalo, New York with Curtis' ralatives, looking, for the "Bright Lights" of New York, but found that Buffalo was very cold, and a long way from "The Big Apple". After working a few jobs in Buffalo, the group return to Memphis to do some backup vocals for Carla and Rufus Thomas and other artist recording at a new studio, then called Satellite Records.In 1961 the group recorded their first release "You Make Me Feel So Good"(Curtis -lead), a song that Curtis wrote b/w "As You Can See"(Eliehue-lead), written by Eliehue Stanback. The group's name was changed to The Chips for this release, named after producer, Chips Moman. In 1961, Curtis joined the Air Force, but continued to record when on leave from the Military. In 1963 the group's name was changed again to The Astors for the next release.
The Chiffons (2) (Bronx, New York) aka The Four Pennies (1)
Personnel :
Judy Craig
Sylvia Peterson
Barbara Lee
Patricia Bennett
Discography :
Singles : The Chiffons (2) 1962 - He's So Fine / Oh My Lover (Laurie 3152) 1962 - He's So Fine / Oh My Love (Laurie 3152) 1963 - Lucky Me / Why Am I So Shy (Laurie 3166) 1963 - One Fine Day / Why Am I So Shy (Laurie 3179) 1963 - A Love So Fine / Only My Friend (Laurie 3195) 1963 - I Have A Boyfriend / I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes ((Laurie 3212) 1963 - Easy To Love / Tonight I Met An Angel (Laurie 3224) 1964 - Sailor Boy / When Summer's Through (Laurie 3262) 1964 - What Am I Gonna Do With You / Strange, Strange Feeling (Laurie 3275) 1965 - Nobody Knows What's Going On / The Real Thing (Laurie 3301) 1965 - Nobody Knows What's Going On / Did You Ever Go Steady (Laurie 3301) 1965 - Tonight I'm Gonna Dream / The Heavenly Place (Laurie 3318) 1966 - Sweet Talkin' Guy / Did You Ever Go Steady (Laurie 3340) 1966 - Out Of This World / Just A Boy (Laurie 3350) 1966 - Stop, Look And Listen / March (Laurie 3357) 1966 - My Boyfriend's Back / I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (Laurie 3364) 1967 - Keep The Boy Happy / If I Knew Then (Laurie 3377) 1967 - Just For Tonight / Teach Me How (Laurie 3423) 1968 - Up On The Bridge / March (Laurie 3460) 1969 - Love Me Like You're Gonna Lose Me / Three Dips Of Ice Cream (Laurie 3497) 1969 - My Secret Love / Strange, Strange Feeling (B. T. Puppy 558/(Buddah 171)) 1975 - My Sweet Lord / Main Nerve (Laurie 3630) 1976 - Dream, Dream, Dream / Oh My Lover (Laurie 3648)
The Four Pennies (1) 1963 - When The Boy's Happy / Hockaday (Part 1) (Rust 5070) 1963 - My Block / Dry Your Eyes (Rust 5071)
Hoagy Lands (bb The Chiffons) 1967 - The Next In Line / Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone (Laurie 3381)
Album :
1963: He's So Fine (Laurie LP 2018) He's So Fine / Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow / Oh My Lover / Why Do Fools Fall in Love / My Block / ABC / Lucky Me / Why Am I So Shy / See You in September / Wishing / Mystic Voice / When I Go to Sleep at Night
1963: One Fine Day (Laurie LP 2020) One Fine Day / It's My Party / The Loco-Motion / Tonight I Met an Angel / Only My Friend / Da Doo Ron Ron / I Wonder Why / Foolish Little Girl / I'm Going to Dry My Eyes / Did You Ever Go Steady / When Summer's Through / Love Is Like a Merry Go Round / My Boyfriend's Back
1966: Sweet Talkin' Guy (Laurie LP 2036) Sweet Talkin' Guy / Up On The Bridge / Nobody Knows What's Goin' On / Thumbs Down / Just A Boy / Down. Down, Down / Out Of This World / My Boyfriend's Back / Open Your Eyes (I Will Be There) / March / Keep The Boy Happy / See You In September
1970: My Secret Love (BT Puppy 1011) Secret Love / You're The Love Of A Lifetime / Soul / I Don't Deserve A Boy Like You / Strange Strange Feeling / Now That You're My Baby / The First And Last / Remember Me Baby / It Hurts To Be Sixteen / Every Boy And Every Girl
Biography :
The Chiffons were formed in 1960 at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, New York. The lead singer was 14 year old Judy Craig, supported by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee, both 13. It was at the after school center that they met writer/manager Ronnie Mack. Mack's claim to fame at that time was as the promoter of a local Philadelphia hit by Little Jimmy and the Tops called "Puppy Love." He was impressed with the girl's voices .
The Tokens said "Great. Bring them in tomorrow." Mack knew he had no such group, but he also knew that the Chiffons had heard and even sung the song around school. To bolster the harmonies Mack brought in a new girl, Sylvia Peterson, who had sung with Little Jimmie and the Tops. The Chiffons were called into the studio to record the song and in December 1962, it was released on (Laurie Records. By March 20th, 1963, "He's So Fine" was the #1 record on both the Pop and R&B charts and it seemed the whole country was singing the catchy hook line, "doo-lang, doo-lang".
(with arthur Brooks)
Their next effort, called "Lucky Me" was a total flop. Acting quickly, so as to not lose momentum, the Tokens rushed a third single by having The Chiffons sing to a track that was meant for "Little Eva". That song was a Carole King - Gerry Goffin composition called "One Fine Day", which featured Carole King herself on piano. The record raced up the charts to number 5, and The Chiffons had their second smash, in June of '63. Always thinking of ways to make the most of a good thing, The Tokens then decided to create a dual personality for the group, so at the same time that "One Fine Day" was on the charts, they recorded the Chiffons on (Laurie's 'Rust' subsidiary as 'the Four Pennies'.
The Pennies' first single was "My Block" and it reached the charts three weeks after "One Fine Day. It was a cha-cha rhythmed song with a sound reminiscent of Phil Spector's productions. It turned out to be a weak effort, that only went to #67. In September, the Chiffons had their third Top 40 hit in four tries with "A Love So Fine." Back as the Four Pennies, their September release of "When the Boy's Happy" could only make it to #95 in November. The Chiffons were now in great demand and began appearing on TV's American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, Shindig, as well as Murray the K's Brooklyn Fox live show, and singing commercials.
In late fall of 1963, the Chiffons released "I Have a Boyfriend", a ballad that was a Ronettes styled mix of the early '60s rhythm and blues and doo wop. It reached #36 on the Billboard's Best Seller list in November, but was gone ten weeks later. Several strong Chiffons recordings followed ("Tonight I Met an Angel," "Sailor Boy," and "What Am I Gonna Do With You"), but record buyers were caught up in the "British Invasion" craze and girl groups were "out". All of that changed in the spring of 1966, when The Chiffons scored another Top Ten Hit with "Sweet Talkin' Guy."
(with John Mounteer, Bobby Vinton, Freddy Cannon, Kenny Chandler)
After another dry spell, the Tokens moved the group from (Laurie to its own label, 'B.T Puppy' for one single called "My Secret Love" in 1968. That effort also failed to make the charts. By 1970, the Chiffons signed with the Buddah label, singing the Tymes tune "So Much in Love", just as George Harrison was having his first solo hit with, "My Sweet Lord". Taken to court by the original publishers, the ex- Beatle was found guilty of plagiarism and obliged to pay substantial damages, although he always claimed the resemblance was unintentional.
In March 1972, six years after their last chart record, British London Records issued the original recording of "Sweet Talkin Guy" on the U.K. label, 'Stateside'. The record went to #4 in the U.K. while the Chiffons were stuck working in small clubs and didn't even have a U.S. record deal. In 1975, after the "He's So Fine" - "My Sweet Lord" lawsuit was settled, The Chiffons, in a fascinating twist, recorded their version of "My Sweet Lord." In 1976, (Laurie issued the last Chiffon single. "Dream, Dream, Dream", which, to no one's surprise, failed to chart. Judy Craig left the act, while Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee each married.
Various editions of The Chiffons played the oldies circuits for many years. Sadly, Barbara Lee Jones passed away May 15, 1992, one day shy of her 45th birthday.
1962 - Seated : DJ's Lonnie Rochon, Tommy Smalls, Willie Bryant, & KDAY's Operations & Program Director Kelley Daniels. Standing in the back row : The Valaquons : Rufus Moorehead, Andrew Winsletta, Jesse Kirkland & Bobby Johnson (Joe Thomas & Eyzell Taylor are not on the photo)
The Vala-Quons (Los Angeles, Ca.) aka The Valaquans aka The Hep Cats
Personnel :
Joe Thomas (Lead Tenor)
Willie Gant (Bass)
John Wesley "Wes" Hayes (Second Tenor / Baritone / Guitarist)
Bobby Johnson (First Tenor)
Jesse Kirkland (Second Tenor / Baritone)
Discography :
The Hep Cats 1961 - The Dilly Up / What In The World Can I Do (Del-Fi 4159)
The Vala-Quons 1962- Madelaine / Teardrops (Laguna 102) 1965 - Window Shopping On Girl's Avenue / I Wanna Woman (Tangerine 951)
The Valaquans 1965 - Diddybop / Jolly Green Giant (Rayco 516)
Biography :
The Vala-Quons hailed from Los Angeles, California and were composed by Joe Thomas (Lead Tenor), Willie Gant (Bass), John Wesley "Wes" Hayes (2nd Tenor; Baritone; Guitarist), Bobby Johnson (1st Tenor) and Jesse Kirkland (2nd Tenor; Baritone). Before being known as the "Vala-Quons", the group had released a single one year earlier, in 1961 under the name "Hep-Cats", possibly with a few different group members. They recorded "The Dilly Up" b/w "What In The World Can I Do" released by Del-Fi Records, based in Hollywood, California and owned by Bob Keane. The label was most famous for signing Ritchie Valens. It was therefore one year later, in 1962, that the group recorded their second single "Madelaine" b/w "Teardrops". Laguna Records released the single under their new name, The Vala Quons. Laguna records was owned by Delmar White, Joe Thomas' stepfather. The Vala Quons signs for Tangerine Records, label founded by musician Ray Charles in 1962. They cut "Window Shopping On Girl's Avenue" b/w "I Wanna Woman". The group had one other release as the Valaquans (in 1964 on Rayco.)
Singles : 1955 - Tormented / After Everybody's Gone (Network 71200) 1955 - Crazy For You / Rockin-N-Rollin-N-Rhythm-N-Blues(Hull 711) 1956 - Darling How Long / Hurry Home Baby (Hull 713 / Gee 1062) 1956 - Your Way / People Are Talking (Hull 716 / Gee 1061) 1956 - A Thousand Miles Away / Oh Baby Don't (Hull 720 / Rama 216) 1957 - I Won't Be The Fool Anymore / Wedding Bells (Rama 222) 1957 - Everybody's Somebody's Fool / I Want To Know (Rama 231) 1957 - When I Found You / Hands Off My Baby (Gee 1043) 1957 - After New Year's Eve / 500 Miles To Go (Gee 1047) 1958 - Down On My Knees / I Found A Job (Roulette 4054) 1958 - One Day Next Year / Sometimes I Wonder (Roulette 4091) 1959 - One Million Years / Darling I Want To Get Married (Guyden 2011) 1959 - Crazy For You / Down On My Knees (Roulette 4194)
Unreleased : 1956 - Be Mine, Be Mine (Hull) 1956 - Hydromatic Drive (Hull) 1957 - Stars In The Sky (Rama) 1957 - Tell Me (Rama) 1957 - It's All Right (With Me) (Rama) 1957 - Have Rock Will Roll (Rama) 1957 - Lonely Lover (Rama) 1957 - Lovin' Sickness (Gee) 1957 - Be Mine (Gee)

Lp : 1960 - A Thousand Miles Away (Roulette R-25107 A Thousand Miles Away / Everybody's Somebody's Fool / Crazy For You / After New Year's Eve / One Day Next Year / I Found A Job / I Want To Know / Sometimes I Wonder / Down On My Knees / Lonely Lover / It's All Right (With Me) / Have Rock, Will Roll
Biography :
This doo-wop vocal quartet was formed in Queens, New York, USA, in 1954, originally named simply the Hearts. Three of the band members, Albert Crump (lead), Wally Roker (bass) and Vernon Sievers (baritone), met while attending Woodrow Wilson High School. They completed the line-up with Robbie Tatum from a neighbouring school. They acquired a new lead in the shape of James Sheppard (c.1936, Queens, New York, USA; d. 24 January 1970, Long Island, New York, USA) and Crump then sang first tenor.
The group made their recording debut on Philadelphia’s Network Records with Sheppard’s ‘Tormented’. Receiving scant promotion, it brought the group little exposure and fewer sales. More productive would be a liaison with Hull Records. This began in September 1955 with ‘Crazy For You’, a strong regional seller, and continued with ‘Darling How Long’ in February of the following year.
One of the most fondly remembered records of the whole doo-wop era, ‘Your Way’, like all their previous releases was written by Sheppard. Though it did not chart at the time, it has subsequently become one of the most popular songs of the period.
Their star rising, the Heartbeats’ next recording was ‘Oh Baby Don’t’, but it sold mainly on the strength of Sheppard’s plangent b-side composition, ‘A Thousand Miles Away’. This quickly became a nationwide hit, peaking at number 53 in the Billboard charts. The Heartbeats sought to confirm their popularity with nationwide tours in the company of Ray Charles, B.B. King and others.
After a publishing dispute with Hull Records, the Heartbeats’ next single emerged on Rama Records in 1957. ‘I Won’t Be The Fool Anymore’ was followed by ‘Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool’, which returned them to the lower reaches of the charts. Spells at Gee and Roulette Records (two singles each) preceded the band’s break-up in 1958, at which time the members divided into two factions.
The rest of the band were allegedly none too impressed when Sheppard fell asleep at the microphone one night in Philadelphia, and other bouts of unshackled egotism exacerbated the situation.The momentum was lost, and all bar Sheppard returned to regular employment.
Their erstwhile lead put together Shep And The Limelites, who released a number of singles, though only one, ‘Daddy’s Home’, enjoyed major success (US number 2 in 1961). Sheppard was found dead in January 1970 after being shot and robbed. The four surviving members of the Heartbeats reunited in December 2003 to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
aka The Georgettes (1)(Ricki) aka The Page Sisters(Ricki & Sonya) aka The Austin Sisters(Ricki & Sonya) aka The Majorettes (1) (Sheila, Joanna, Susie and Rebecca) aka Joanne & The Triangles (3) (Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca) aka Beverly & The Motor Scooters (Ricki, Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca) aka Becky & The Lollipops (2) (Joanna,Rebecca) aka The Bermudas (Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca) aka The Cinders (3) (Ricki, Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca)
Personnel:
Ricki Page
Rebecca Page
Joanna Page
Sheilah Page
Discography :
The Georgettes (1) 1957 - Love Like A Fool / Oh Tonight (Ebb 125) 1959 - Dizzy Over You / Oh Oh Yes (Jackpot 48001) 1960 - Down By The River / Pair Of Eyes (Fleet 1111/UA 237) 1963 - The Story / Little Boy (Troy 1001)
The Page Sisters 1957 - Sweet Sweetheart / All My Love Belongs To You (Zephyr 70-012) 1958 - Dream Boy / If They Only Knew (Liberty 55133)
The Austin Sisters It Happened At The Hop / Love Can Do Most Anything (Edison International 401)
The Majorettes (1) 1962 - Stretch Sensation / Dance With Me (Regency 8000) 1962 - White Levi's / Please Come Back (Troy 1000) 1963 - Let's Do the Kangaroo / Dance With Me (Troy 1004)
Joanne & The Triangles (3) 1963 - After The Showers Come Flowers / Don't Be A Cry Baby (Vip 25003)
Beverly & The Motor Scooters 1964 - He's My Boy / I Had To Walk Home Myself (Epic 9654)
Becky & The Lollipops (2) 1964 - I Don't Care (What They Say) / Come On Home (Troy 6493) 1964 - I Don't Care (What They Say) / My Boyfriend (Epic 9736)
The Bermudas 1964 - Donnie / Chu Sen Ling (Era 3125) 1964 - Blue Dreamer / Seing is Believing (Era 3133)
The Cinders (3) 1964 - I'll Follow You / The Story (Original Sound 43)
Biography :
Rickie Page was born June Evelyn Kuykendall in tiny Lindsay, Oklahoma on 7 November 1929. June became a recording star with releases on Liberty, Dot, Zephyr, and Rendezvous. Sometimes recording with her sister Sonya (The Page Sisters and The Austin Sisters) and Sometimes with some combination of her three daughters Joanna, Sheila, and Becky (Rebecca) Page and their friend Susan Kuykendall.
The Georgettes
She also put records out on Con, Landa, Decca, Epic, Era, Fleet, Hit, Landa, Spar, United Artists, and VIP, using a huge variety of artist names, including The Georgettes. The Georgettes was fronted by Rickie Page in 1957 and were named after her husband/co-writer/producer George Motola. Rickie Page was the only vocalist for the group. The Georgettes appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in January, 1958.
The Majorettes : Sheila, Joanna, Susie and Rebecca
They hired a little Philipino girl, Rosalie, to be the other half and they did the Dick Clark show. The Bermudas, the Majorettes, the Georgettes, Becky & Lollipops, Joanne & the Triangles and Beverly & the Motorscooters – these are just some of the recording names used by Rickie Page and the female members of her musical family. The Majorettes first released "Stretch Sensation" b/w Dance With Me" which is very much inspired by the recordings of Little Eva and Dee Dee Sharp – in 1962 on the Regency International label.
The Bermudas : Joanna, Sheilah & Rebecca
They then released “White Levis” on George Motola’s Troy label later that year. “Let’s Do The Kangaroo” followed in 1963 with “Dance With Me” resurrected for the flipside. Rickie Page and George Motola were active in the music business in the late 50s and 60s. They wrote “Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie” for Eddie Cochran, “Donnie” for the Bermudas and “Borealis” for the Markets among other achievements. George wrote “Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)” with John Marascalco.
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