The Three Sharpes aka The Three Sharpes Quartet (Montreal, Canada)
Personnel :
Marcel Desjardins (vocals / saxophone)
Pierre Brault (vocals / guitar)
Raymond Brault (vocals / guitar)
Discography : The Three Sharpes 1960 - Reviens chérie / Je veux danser (Apex 13168) 1961 - Kili Watch / Sous les étoiles (Apex 13210)
The Three Sharpes Quartet 1963 - Que c'est bête / Montréal (Quality 1529 X) 1963 - My love was not a true love / Belle St John (Quality 1570 X)
LPs: 1964 - The Three Sharpes Quartet (London GA 1008) Blues (part 1) / Sweet Georgia Brown / Rêve d'amour / Montréal / Drum solo / Blues (part 2) / Alouette / Bourrée / The lady is a tramp / C'est si bon
Discography :
Vocal & instrumental Trio from Montreal, comprised of Marcel Desjardins (vocals and saxophone) Pierre Brault (vocals and guitar) and Raymond Brault (vocals and guitar). The group begins in cabarets and theaters, it was quickly noticed by Yvan Dufresne.
In 1960, Raymond left the band and was replaced by Pierre Boisvert. They sign with Apex record company and markets a first 45 whose titles: Reviens chérie / Je veux danser.
In 1961, the 3 Sharpes record a second 45 laps which includes the songs: Kili Watch / Sous les étoiles. In 1963, Pierre Brault left the band and was replaced by Guy Robichaud, and Don Kelly (vocals / drums) joins the group and training named Three Sharpes Quartet .
The band recorded for the label Quality two 45s, then in 1965 the band changed their name to the Kangaroos. http://www.retrojeunesse60.com/3sharpes.html
Ernie Cast & The Honeycones 1958 - Betty Morretti / Cool It Baby (Ember 1033)
The Honeycones 1958 - Op / Vision of you (Ember 1036) 1958 - Gee whiz / Rockin' in the Knees (Ember 1036) 1958 - Tell me baby / Your Face (Ember 1049)
Biography :
In the late 50's in some of the larger cities in the US there was a "pig-latin" type of language that caught on as a fad for a brief period of time. Ember records assembled a studio group consisting of five singers and they recorded the song "Op" which was made up of lyrics using this "language". It appeared on the charts at number 69 on August 4 of 1958 and remained only two short weeks. This was the group's only charting song.
The Honeycones were originally known as The Chicklets but due to copywrite problems the name was changed to The Honeycones, a name that Tony created. He also wrote a majority of the songs that they performed.
The group consisted of five members who included, Tony Diarenzo on Bass, Ernie Cast on Drums, Bobby Federa on Alto Sax, Bobby Chic on Piano and Joey Vail on Guitar. The were all from the Phildelphia area and were probably one of the original "garage bands" rehearsing in various members' garages before making their recordings. Their recording sponser was Al Alberts of the great 1950's pop group The Four Aces.
They made three appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand during 1958 and 1959. They also appeared on the famous columinist Walter Winchell's TV Variety show. The group made appearances throught the USA and Canada for about eight years before finally disbanding.
Charles Wright, Donald Morris & William "Sonny" Gordon
Sonny Gordon & The Angels (1) (Philadelphia)
Personnel :
William "Sonny" Gordon (Lead)
Frank Grier (Tenor)
Donald Morris (Baritone)
Leamon Crooms (Bass)
Robert "Sonny" Brockington (Guitarist)
Discography :
1954 - Wedding Bells Are Ringing In My Ears / Times Have Changed (Grand 115) 1955 - Lovely Way To Spend An Evening / You're Still My Baby (Grand 121)
Biography :
William "Sonny" Gordon had started his singing career in the late 40s in the choir at Sulzberger Junior High School in West Philadelphia. In 1950, Sonny graduated to Overbrook High School, along with a neighborhood friend, Frank Grier (tenor). They started singing with a couple of other guys from the neighborhood (West Philly, north of Market), Donald Morris (baritone) and Leamon Crooms (bass), who attended Dobbins Tech. A fifth member was guitarist Robert "Sonny" Brockington, Frank's second cousin. hey were all around 16 at the time. The Angels signed a recording contract whith Grand Records. "Wedding Bells Are Ringing In My Ears" did well in Philadelphia, making Billboard's R&B Territorial Best Seller chart the week of October 16 (and for several weeks after that).
T However, national hits are what bring in the money and when "Wedding Bells Are Ringing In My Ears" failed to take off nationally, Grand issued a second pairing: "Lovely Way To Spend An Evening" and "You're Still My Baby," in January 1955. Both were led by Sonny, with Donald Morris on the bridge of "Evening." he Angels were history, but they weren't quite ready to give up. Without Sonny Gordon, there was no question of doing any touring, so Donald Morris returned as the new lead singer. They recruited Frank Grier's wife's cousin, Roberta Roots (alto), as the fourth member of the re-formed Angels. While they practiced, they never made any appearances. It was all over by 1957, when Leamon joined the Air Force (he'd end up spending 23 years with them). After that, Frank put together a succession of groups called the "Frank Grier Quartet" (including one that recorded for Swan in 1958).
The Nicardi Brothers / Bros. (Newark NJ) Ref : The Rhythm Stars
Personnel:
Nick Puccio
Arthur Salicetti
Discography :
The Rhythm Stars 1958 - Lynn / Oh Moon (Clock 1007) 1959 - My Girl Babe / Bandstand March (Corsican 0057)
The Nicardi Brothers 1960 - That Pretty Girl / Lonely (ABC 10086)
The Nicardi Bros. 1960 - The Ring / How Come I'M Crying Now? (ABC 10144)
Biography :
Nick Puccio started singing at the very young age of 4 years old. He sang on stage with the great Louie Prima at the age of 6. During the Puccio family summers at the Jersey Shore in Long Branch, on any given night, you would find little Nick singing, dancing, and acting for crowds of people on the boardwalk.
In his teens, Nick formed a singing group called "The Rhythm Stars" with Arthur Salicetti & some friends from Newark High School. Nick and Artie wrote and recorded some songs for the Group and the Rhythm Stars recorded two singles for Clock & Corsican Records and sang Rock and Pop at many of the local night spots and concert halls.
Nick Puccio
When the group broke up, Nick Puccio a Arthur Salicetti decided to form a team named the Nicardi Brothers. In 1960 they wrote and recorded "That Pretty Girl" b/w "Lonely" and "The Ring" b/w "How Come I'M Cry Now?" for ABC. As he grew older, with the help of his friends Joe Pesci and Frank Vincent (who is like a brother to Nick), he was given a chance to live a dream by playing a small role in the film "Casino". That was the start of his film career. He then went on to do the all time TV hit "NYPD Blue", and films like "The Shadow Conspiracy", "Witness To The Mob"..........
Singles : 1962 - You Belong To Me / Take me as i am (Coed 569) 1962 - My own True love / Ginny (Coed 571) 1963 - I'd Rather Be Here In Your Arms / I Wish I Could Believe You (Coed 574) 1963 - Gone With The Wind / Let'S Make Love Again (Coed 576) 1963 - I Gotta Tell Her Now / Take Me As I Am (Coed 580) 1963 - Why Don'T You Believe Me / My Dearest One (Coed 584) 1963 - Why Don'T You Believe Me / The things i love (Coed 584) 1963 - Have you heard / Love eyes (Coed 585/Heritage 526) 1964 - It's no sin / The Sand and the sea (Coed 587) 1964 - Where are you / Please let her know (Coed 591) 1964 - So many have told you / Unbelievable (Coed 593) 1964 - It isn't fair / So little time (Coed 595) 1964 - I'm yours / Wishing ring (Coed 596) 1965 - Around the corner / They said it couldn't be done (Columbia 43336) 1965 - She waits for him / Norma jean (Columbia 43464) 1966 - Let them talk / Exodus song (Columbia 43577) 1966 - It's no time now / Don't want to have to do it (Columbia 43802) 1967 - Be my love / I understand (Columbia 44078) 1968 - My special Angel / Ring of love (Heritage 804) 1968 - Goodnight my love / Ring of love (Heritage 805) 1969 - My love my love / The sky's the limit (Heritage 808) 1969 - Two different worlds / Hope (Heritage 811) 1975 - The sky's the limit / Delicious (RCA 10407)
LPs :
1962 - You belong To me (Coed LPC 905) You Belong To Me / Ginny / Why Don'T You Believe Me / September in the rain / Take me as i am / The Things I Love / My own True love / As Time Goes by / Let'S Make Love Again / These Foolish Things / My dearest One / I Wish I Could Believe You
1963 - Have You Heard (Coed LPC 906) (It's No) Sin / I'd Rather Be Here In Your Arms / Exodus / Yours / I Gotta Tell Her Now / It Isn't Fair / Have You Heard / Love Eyes / Gone With The Wind / So Little Time / The Sand And The Sea / Where Are You
Biography :
If Glenn Miller and his Orchestra were backing acts like THE HILLTOPPERS or THE FOUR PREPS in the early '60s on song standards, the results probably would have sounded like the Duprees. This teen quintet from Jersey City, New Jersey, made every ballad sound like an old standard. In 1956, 16-year-old Tommy Bialoglow and 13- year-old Joey Canzano formed a group with three black teens that evolved into the Utopians with Joey (lead), Tom (tenor), Jackie Smith (tenor), and Brian Moran (bass).
By 1959 Joey and Tom had formed the Parisiens with three members of another vocal group, Joe Santollo (16, tenor), John Salvato (19, tenor), and Mike Arnone (16, baritone). Canzano was soon going by the name of Joey Vann, and the Parisiens were becoming proficient at performing standard ballads. The group recorded a demo tape that included "My Own True Love" and "As Time Goes By," and in 1962 it was sent to Coed Records. Coed's owners, Marvin Cane and George Paxton, liked their harmonies and signed the group.
Coed had turned out hits with THE CRESTS and THE RIVIERAS in the late '50s, and their success with groups was well-known. Cane and Paxton weren't interested in changing this group's musical direction, but they did want the boys to change their name .
Trying to keep a French sound, they named themselves after an old black singer named Dupree. Their first single was "You Belong to Me," a warm-sounding version of the Jo Stafford hit from 1952. With its Glenn Miller-styled orchestration it soon breached the Pop charts, hitting number seven the week of September 22nd.
One of Joey Canzano's finest performances was on their second single, "My Own True Love" (Tara's theme from Gone with the Wind) in which his voice rivaled that of Jimmy Beaumont of THE SKYLINERS. "True Love" made it to number 13 in the holiday season of 1962.
The Duprees generated mediocre chart action until Coed had them record another 1952 gem, the Jonie James number one hit "Why Don't You Believe Me." It reached number 37, prompting them to dip in to Jonie James's repertoire yet again. They reworked her 1953 number four hit "Have You Heard." It got them back on track at number 18 around Christmastime 1963 and was their last top 20 single. The group became a quartet following Tommy's departure in November.
By mid-1965 the Duprees had moved to Columbia Records and totally changed their style thanks to an Artie Ripp-produced tune titled "Around the Corner." Sounding now like JAY AND THE AMERICANS, the Duprees rode "Around the Corner" (a cross between THE DRIFTERS' "On Broadway" and the Americans' "Come a Little Bit Closer") to number 91 in the summer of 1965.
The group also sounded different because Joey Vann had left before they signed to Columbia and had been replaced by Mike Kelly. (Joey, meanwhile, recorded one solo single called "My Love, My Love," which ironically was Coed's lastrelease before closing down in 1965.)
The group recorded four more singles for Columbia through the spring of 1967 but none charted. The best of these were two Jay and the Americans-styled songs, the uptempo "She Waits for Him" and an interesting ballad of "The Exodus Song.
In 1968 they signed with Heritage for four singles that placed them somewhere between their old and new sound. By 1970 music had changed so much they thought a new name might give them a fresh start and a chance to change musical directions.
Deciding to drop their French name and emphasize their national origin, they renamed themselves the Italian Asphalt and Pavement Company. Their single "Check Yourself" got enough sporadic East Coast play to reach number 97 Pop before disappearing.
In 1980 Joey Vann returned to the music world as lead of a new vocal band, Vintage, recording a Duprees medley titled "Joey Vann Medley" under his own name on Chubby Records in the summer of 1982.
Joe Santollo died in 1981 of a heart attack at the age of 38. Joey Vann and his gifted voice were stilled on February 28, 1984, at the age of 41. As of 1989 the Duprees were still performing in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut aera .
American singing groups: a history from 1940s to today Jay Warner
Singles : 1956 - Why Oh Why / Don't Stop Loving me (Modern 967) 1956 - The Girl of My Dreams / I Wanna Know Why (Modern 987) 1956 - I'm in Love (With a Girl) / My Desire (Modern 995)
Unreleased: 1956 - Come Back Baby (Modern) 1956 - I'll Mess You Up (Modern) 1956 - Once Upon A Time (Moder)
Biography :
Jesse Belvin was a prolific songwriter, but his business approach was rather cavalier. In a period in which millions of dollars were sometimes earned on a carefully protected copyright, Belvin wrote songs as a way of raising quick cash and often sold them outright to others for as little as 100 dollars.
The result was dozens upon dozens of songs that Belvin was responsible for as writer and singer on the demo or guide track, few of which he actually received credit for. In 1956, he signed a long-term contract with Modern Records, and also continued to sing for other labels under assumed names, working in the background with other artists.
Some of the Modern releases were credited to the Cliques, which was really Jesse Belvin and Eugene Church, but most were credited to Belvin alone.
1958 - Tarnished Angel / Who Cares (Decca 30541) 1958 - How Clever Of You / Trees (Decca 30688)
Biography :
When the Aladdins disbanded, their manager, Buck Ram, built a new group around Eddie Williams ; The Fortunes. Don Wyatt was a member of the Fifties vocal groups the Colts (who recorded 'Adorable' on the Vita imprint, 'Sweet Sixteen' on the Plaza imprint and 'Oh, When You Touch Me' for Delco Records). The Colt's featured vocalists were Don Wyatt and Eddie Williams , who had replaced members who had been drafted into the armed forces. Don had also worked with Nat King Cole.
Prentice Moreland
Moreland was a member of many vocal groups including The Ink Spots, The Dominoes, The Du Droppers, The Chanteclairs, The Cadets, The Crescendos, The Colts, The Fortunes, The Hollywood Flames, and possibly The Sevilles (the group that had a hit with "Charlena" in 1961) http://www.uncamarvy.com/HollywoodFlames/hollywoodflames.html
The Pentagons (San Bernardino, Los Angeles) aka The Chesterfields (3) aka The Shields (2)
Personnel :
Josephus Jones "Joe C. Jones" (Lead）
Otis Munson （Tenor）
Kenneth Goodloe（Tenor）
Ted Goodloe（Baritone）
Carl McGinnis (Bass)
Bill James
Discography :
The Pentagons Singles: 1958 - It's Spring Again / Silly Dilly（Speciality 644） 1960 - To Be loved (forever) / Down At The Beach（Fleet Int'l 100/Donna 1337） 1961 - For A Love That Is Mine / I Like The Way You Look（Donna 1344） 1961 - I Wonder (If Your Love Will Ever Belong To Me) / She Loves Me（Jamie 1201） 1962 - Until Then / I'm In Love（Jamie 1210 / Caldwell 411） 1964 - Gonna Wait For You / Forever Yours（Sutter 100） Unreleased: 1960 - Walking Alone (Donna) 1962 - Help Me With My Broken Heart (Jamie)
The Shields (2) 1960 - You'll Be Coming Home / The Girl Around The Corner (Falcon 100/Trans.1013)
The Chesterfields (3) 1962 - You Walked Away / A Dream Is But A Dream (Philips 40060)
Biography :
The original Pentagons group, which was assembled in 1958, comprised the Goodloe brothers, McGinnis, plus Bill James as tenor and Johnny Torrence as lead. They recorded one unsuccessful single for Specialty Records, and then Torrence and James departed to be replaced by Jones and Munson, respectively. A trip to Los Angeles that same year attracted the attention of George Motola's Fleet International, a label Motola owned with Lee Silver. The group recorded a single, "You'll Be Coming Home Soon," which Motola released under the name the Shields.
They were forced to change their name to the Pentagons after discovering a local act from Los Angeles had a hit that year under the same name ("You Cheated").In 1961 the group had a big hit with a Ken Goodloe song, 'To Be Loved (Forever)' (number 48 pop). It was released on Bob Keane's Donna label, but after one follow-up on Donna the group moved to the Jamie label.
They reached the charts again during 1961 with this Goodloe composition, 'I Wonder (If Your Love Will Ever Belong To Me)' (number 84 pop). Ricky Nelson was so impressed with the song he recorded it in 1964.In 1962 the group cut two great early soul singles under the alias of the Chesterfields but with no additional hits forthcoming, the group disbanded and faded into obscurity.
Songs :
The Pentagons
To Be Loved Until Then I'm In Love
It's Spring Again / Silly Dilly I Wonder / She Loves Me Forever Yours
Gonna Wait For You I Like The Way You Look For A Love That Is Mine
Down At The Beach Walking Alone Help Me With My Broken Heart
The Shields (2)
You'll Be Coming Home / The Girl Around The Corner
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