Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The T-Birds (1) aka The Jaguars (1) aka The Miracles (2)

Posted on July 30 2011 by dion1

The T-Birds (1) (Fremont High, Los Angeles)
aka The Jaguars (1) aka The Miracles (2)

Personnel :

Herman “Sonny” Chaney (Lead)

Valerio “Val” Poliuto (Tenor)

Charles Middleton (Bass)

Discography :

1961 - Come On Dance With Me / Green Stamps (Chess 1778)  
1961 - Taco Harry / Hog Wild (Chess 1792)

Biography :

With Manny Chavez absent, the Others Jaguars : Sonny, Charles, and Val recorded a session for T-Bird, sometime in 1960, as the "T-Birds."

Val, Charles & Sonny

The songs were "Green Stamps" and "Come On Dance With Me" (along with the unreleased "Taco Harry" and "Hog Wild"). The masters were purchased by Chess for a January 1961 re-release.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Jaguars/jaguars.html

Songs :


Come On, Dance With Me             Green Stamps

Taco Harry                      Hog Wild

Cds :

Books :

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Dale & The Cashmeres (3) (Philadelphia, PA)

Posted on July 29 2011 by dion1

Top L-R Harold Avery, Jerry Gross John D'Amico - Bottom John Gonzalez & Brent Edwards

Dale & The Cashmeres (3) (Philadelphia, PA)

Personnel :

Brent Edwards (Lead)

John Gonzalez (Bass / Baritone)

Jerry Gross (Second Tenor)

Harold Avery (First Tenor)

John D'Amico (Baritone)

Discography :

Dale & The Cashmeres (3)
1959 - Last Night / Pete The Mongoose (Matt 161)

Brent Edwards
1962 - Time After Time / Satin Doll (Karen 57)
1963 - Pride / Over The Weekend (Karen 60)

Biography :

Interracial Vocal group from Overbrook High School In Philadelphia, formed by Harold Avery, called The Cashmeres-- The members were Harold Avery, Jerry Gross, John D'Amico, Johnny Gonzoles and Brent Edwards (Lead). In the late 50s as Dale & The Cashmeres, they recorded "Last Night" b/w "Pete The Mongoose" for the tiny label Matt Records, a Philadelphia label that will not release a lot of records but has in his studio Johnny Madera.

Dale & The Cashmeres (3) (Philadelphia, PA)
Brent Edwards Johnny Madara

Johnny Madara, singer-songwriter and record producer (who teamed up with David White and Arthur Singer to write the 1957 hit song "At the Hop") cut two singles for Matt Records and arranged both songs for Dale & The Cashmeres. Johnny Madara later co-wrote other hits including "1-2-3" for Len Barry, and "You Don't Own Me" for Lesley Gore. Later Jerry Gross joined Mark Stevens to form The Gems, the Brooktones, and then The Dovells . Lead singer Brent Edwards joined another group fronted by future legendary Leon Huff. Huff participated in several Camden "doo-wop" groups, including the Dynaflows, which auditioned for Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour.

Dale & The Cashmeres (3) (Philadelphia, PA)
The Dynaflows with Leon Huff (piano)

Leon Huff was the piano player. With some personnel changes the group evolved into The Lavenders. The group recorded "Slide" b/w "Angel" (CR 1003) and was an early Jerry Ross production of a song written by his partner Murray Wetch. “The Slide,” which was typical of the dance fad genre so popular during that era, was a commercial failure. After leaving the Lavenders in 1962, Brent Edwards recorded "Time After Time" b/w "Satin Doll" for Karen Records, a label formed in Philadelphia in April 1962 by Ed Barsky who ran a local distribution firm. In 1963, he is still with Madara & White for his second single on the label with "Pride" b/w "Over The Weekend".

Song :

Dale & The Cashmeres (3)

Last Night

Brent Edwards

Pride Over The Weekend

…

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The Lyrics (4) aka The Falcons (3) aka The Vallejos

Posted on July 28 2011 by dion1

The Falcons (3) (Columbus, Ohio )
aka The Lyrics (4) aka The Vallejos

Personnel:

Pete Caldwell

Bart Chatman

Kynne Winston

Barry Austin

Paul Jackson

Discography:

The Lyrics (4)
1957 - Come On Home / Stop (Why Don't You Stop) (Vee Jay 285)

The Falcons (3)
1957 - My Only Love / Now That It's Over (Falcon 1006/Abner 1006/Quality 1721)

Biography :

One of the best doo-wop groups from Columbus, The Vallejos were composed of East High School students with the exception of Kynne Winston from Central.The other members were Paul Jackson, Ben "Pete" Caldwell, Barry Austin, Bart Chatman, and Dwayne Haddock. He was recruited to replace an earlier member who left due to personal differences. They were in direct competition with such other local groups as the Five Hearts and The Symbols.

The Vallejos

When Dick Clark's Cavalcade of Stars appeared at Vet's Memorial in 1956, they landed a spot on the bill along with Fats Domino, Little Richard, Frankie Avalon, The Flamingos, The Moonglows, The Turbans, The Clovers, etc. Soon, they were signed to recording contract with Chess/Checker. However, after seven months of waiting around, they jumped at the chance to record with Vee-Jay.

For their first release, "Come On Home" b/w "Stop," they were called The Lyrics. But for their second, "My Only Love" b/w "Now That It's Over," their name was changed to The Falcons in order to kick off the Falcon label. The Falcons made their Chicago debut at the Regal Theater with Al Benson's show during Christmas week, 1957. Their song, "My Only Love," later resurfaced in the movie Rocky II.
http://www.kynne.com/kynnewTheStory2.htm
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~campber/alsmith2.html

Songs :

The Lyrics (4)

Stop (Why Don't You Stop) Come On Home

The Falcons (3)

My Only Love Now That It's Over

...

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The Buddies (8) aka The Four Winds (3) aka The Tokens (2)

Posted on July 24 2011 by dion1

The Buddies (8) ( aka The Four Winds (3) aka The Tokens (2)

The Buddies (8) (Brooklyn, New York)
aka The Four Winds (3) aka The Tokens (2)

Personnel :

Hank Medress

JaySiegel

Mitch Margo

Phil margo

Stephen Friedland

Discography :

The Buddies (8)
1964 - On The Go / Only My Friend (Swing 102)

The Four Winds (3)
1963 - Dear Judy / Come Softly To Me (Crystal Ball 102)
1963 - Goodbye Maureen / Arlene (Crystal Ball 105)
1964 - Remember Last Summer / Strange Feelings (Swing 100)
1968 - Let it ride / One Face in the Crowd (B.T. Puppy 555)

Biography :

Originally known as The Linc-Tones when they formed in 1955 at Lincoln High School. Original members Hank Medress, Neil Sedaka, Eddie Rabkin and Cynthia Zolitin didn’t have much impact in their early days recording for Melba. They later disbanded, but Medress re-formed the group in 1960 as The Tokens. Brothers Phil and Mitch Margo and Jay Siegel were the new members, and the group recorded for Warwick in 1960, then had their one glorious hit in 1962, The Lion Sleeps Tonight (based on a Zulu song called Wimoweh). The Tokens formed their own label in 1964 called BT Puppy, but they couldn’t keep the hits coming. In addition to making their own records, The Tokens also recorded under other names, including The Four Winds and The Buddies.

Songs :

The Four Winds (3)


      Dear Judy                              Remember Last Summer


    Arlene                                 Come Softly To Me

The Buddies (8)

Only My Friend On The Go

...

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Billy & Ricky

Posted on July 23 2011 by dion1

Billy & Rickey (Jersey City, New Jersey)
aka Billy & Ricky

Personnel :

James Ricketts

Billy Williams

Discography :

Billy & Rickey
1959 - Mama Papa Please / Baby Doll (Sue 711)

Billy & Ricky
1959 - How You Sound / Buttercup (Sue 716)

Discography :

R&B duo Billy & Ricky teamed singers James Ricketts and Billy Williams, who first began collaborating in 1953 as co-founders of the Jersey City vocal quartet the Roamers. After releasing a pair of little-heard singles on Savoy -- 1954's "Deep Freeze" and the following year's "Chop, Chop, Ching-A-Ling" -- the Roamers' recording career essentially ground to a halt, although their Savoy deal kept them under wraps until 1958.

The group dissolved in 1959, and Ricketts and Williams began performing as Billy & Ricky, soon signing to Juggy Murray's Sue label to release the singles "Mama Papa Please" and "How You Sound" to little notice. In 1962 the duo reunited with fellow Roamers alum Sam Walton as the Astronauts, generating nothing beyond an unreleased demo before splitting two-years later.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Roamers/roamers.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Baby Doll Mama Papa Please How You Sound

...

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Dante & His Friends (3) aka The Rivingtons

Posted on July 21 2011 by dion1

Dante & His Friends (3) aka The Rivingtons

Dante & His Friends (3) (Los Angeles, Ca.)
aka The Rivingtons

Personnel :

Donald "Dante" Drowty (Lead)

Carl White

Al Frazier

Sonny Harris

Turner "Rocky" Wilson Jr

Discography :

Dante & His Friends (3)
1961 - Are You Just My Friend / Something Happens (Imperial 5798)
1962 - Miss America / Now I've Got You (Imperial 5827)

Dante
1962 - Magic Ring / Am I The One (Imperial 5867)

Biography :

Dante & The Evergreens disbanded in 1964 after Frank Rosenthal contracted an illness that lasted about six months and seriously curtailed the group’s touring. Frank returned to college on an athletic scholarship and even became a professional athlete for a time. Bill Young fooled around in music and movies for a while, but eventually left the business. Tony Moon ended up in Nashville as a respected arranger, writer and producer. Donald "Dante" Drowty , however, stuck to it. He recorded four sides for Imperial as Dante And His Friends, using The Rivingtons as the background group.

Dante & His Friends (3) aka The Rivingtons
Dante

Don worked extensively with Herb Alpert, who wrote and sang background as one of Dante’s Friends. One of the sides they did, Little Miss America, was covered by The Beach Boys. He went on to work as a writer/producer for Bert (aka Bert Russell) Berns’ Mellin Music Publishers (Twist And Shout, A Little Bit Of Soap, Cry Baby, etc.) working with The Isleys, The McCoys, and many others. He recorded some things for A&M Records, including a strong version of Speedoo.

Songs:

Dante & His Friends (3)

Are You Just My Friend                       Something Happens


Miss America                                  Now I've Got You

Dante

Magic Ring Am I The One

…

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Teddy & The Twilights (4) aka The Tiffanys (1) The Buddies (7) aka The Deckers

Posted on July 19 2011 by dion1

The Buddies (7) aka Teddy & The Twilights (4) aka The Tiffanys (1)
Teddy & The Twilights (1962) Top: Fred Cohen. Bottom (L to R): Larry Williams, John Odoms, Ben Hart

The Buddies (7) (Philadelphia)
aka The Deckers
aka The Tiffanys (1)
aka Teddy & The Twilights (4)

Personnel :

Fred Cohen (Lead)

John "Odoms" Williams (First Tenor)

Larry Williams (Baritone)

Ben Hart (Bass)

Discography :

Lynn Christie & The Decker's
1957 - Oh, Where Did You Go / What Did I Do (Nar 225)

The Deckers
Singles :
1958 - Sincerely With All My Heart / Come Back Baby (Yeadon 101)
1958 - Sincerely With All My Heart / The Thing (Yeadon 1041)
Unreleased :
1958 - Love What Have You Done (Yeadon)

Freddie Cannon bb The Buddies (7)
1961 - Buzz Buzz A Diddle-It (Swan 4071)

The Buddies (7)
1961 - Spooky Spider / Lebone Delada (Swan 4073)

The Tiffanys (1)
1962 - The Pleasure Of Love / Atlanta (Swan 4104)

Teddy & The Twilights (4)
Single :
1962 - Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend / Goodbye To Love (Swan 4102)
1962 - Running Around Town / You Gotta Be Alone To Cry (Swan 4115)
1962 - Bimini Bimbo / I’m Just Your Clown (Swan 4126)
Unreleased :
1962 - Whispers In The Dark (Swan)

Brenda Johnson bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - Ben Casey/ If I Give My Love To You (Swan 4108)

Esau Isaac bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - Poison Pen / Every Woman’s Just Alike (Swan 4110)

Mark Valentino bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - The Push And Kick / Walking Alone (Swan 4121)

Rochelle Johnson bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)
1962 - Playing The Field / Gypsy Ways (Swan 4124)

Biography :

The Deckers began in Philadelphia in 1954. In 1957, the Deckers consisted of Sam Connors, John Odoms, Larry Williams, Curtis Barnes and Ben Hart. The Deckers appeared on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour TV Show, in 1957. The Deckers' first recording came about in 1957 when the group was asked to back up a young white singer, Lynn Christie, on the NAR label. "Oh Where Did You Go" b/w "What Did I Do" (NAR 225) came out in the summer of 1957 . Shortly after the NAR recording, Curtis Barnes left The Deckers to join a spiritual group.

The Buddies (7) aka Teddy & The Twilights (4) aka The Tiffanys (1)

Through Sam Connors, the group met Jack Green. Jack formed the Yeadon label and "Sincerely With All My Heart" became its first release. Four sides were recorded, including "Sincerely With All My Heart," "Come Back Baby," "The Thing" and "Love What Have You Done". "Sincerely With All My Heart" and "Come Back Baby" were released on Yeadon 101. "Sincerely With All My Heart" was re-released a short time later with a novelty flip "The Thing".

The Buddies (7) aka Teddy & The Twilights (4) aka The Tiffanys (1)

In the early 1960's, The Deckers changed their name to the Buddies and signed with Doc Bagby (Red Top and Value labels). The first thing the Buddies did on Swan was back up Freddy Cannon on "Buzz Buzz A Diddle It" (Swan 4071). The record debuted on the Pop Charts in May 1961, reaching #51. During this time, Swan was looking for material for The Buddies to record. The first recordings the Buddies did on their own were "The Spooky Spider" backed with "Lebone Delada". After this single, Sam Connors left the group. Fred Cohen, a friend of the group who formerly sang with Larry and John’s brother’s group, The Mohawks, joining the Buddies as lead. The group now consisted of Fred Cohen, John Williams, Larry Williams and Ben Hart.

The Buddies (7) aka Teddy & The Twilights (4) aka The Tiffanys (1)

In March of 1962, The Buddies went into the studio and cut four songs. Bernard Bennick and Tony Mammarella, the owners of Swan, decided The Buddies should have a new name to go along with their new lead and style. They gave the group two different names and issued a record under each at approximately the same time. "Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend" backed with "Goodbye To Love" was released as Teddy and The Twilights. Swan issued "Atlanta" backed with "Pleasure Of Love" as The Tiffanies. The group became known as Teddy and The Twilights. In the spring of 1962, Teddy and The Twilights appeared on American Bandstand. Swan often utilized Teddy & The Twilights to vocally back their soloists. In addition, Fred Cohen often wrote or co- wrote songs for other Swan artists (Brenda Johnson, Esau Isaac, Mark Valentino & Rochelle Johnson) .

The Buddies (7) aka Teddy & The Twilights (4) aka The Tiffanys (1)
Teddy & The Twilights (1962) Top (L to R) : Larry Williams & Fred Cohen. Bottom (L to R): Ben Hart & John Odoms,

The next release under their own name was "Running Around Town" backed with "You Gotta Be Alone To Cry". Swan gave this release no promotion and it went nowhere. Teddy & The Twilights' third release under their own name was "Bimini Bimbo" backed with "I’m Just Your Clown". The record did not catch on elsewhere. The Twilights were disappointed that their records didn't go bigger than they did and blamed Swan for lack of promotion. Swan was busy promoting their big artists like Freddy Cannon and had little time for The Twilights. After 14 years of harmonizing together, the group called it quits. Their last show was at Towne Hall on May 25, 1963.

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Lynn Christie & The Decker's

Oh, Where Did You Go

The Deckers

Sincerely With All My Heart The Thing Love What Have You Done

The Buddies (7)

Spooky Spider Lebone Delada

Teddy & The Twilights (4)


Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend        Goodbye To Love      You Gotta Be Alone To Cry


   Bimini Bimbo                    I’m Just Your Clown

Esau Isaac bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)

Poison Pen

Mark Valentino bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)


The Push And Kick                                Walking Alone

Rochelle Johnson bb Teddy & The Twilights (4)


Playing The Field                                 Gypsy Ways

...

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The Heralds aka The Billy Dawn Quartet aka The Four Dukes (1)

Posted on July 18 2011 by dion1

The Billy Dawn Quartet (Brooklyn, New-York)
aka The Four Dukes (1) aka The Heralds

Personnel :

Billy Dawn Smith (Lead)

Donnie Sehested (Tenor)

Tommy Smith (Baritone)

Edward "Sonny" Benton (Bass)

Discography :

The Billy Dawn Quartet

Singles :
1953 - This Is The Real Thing Now / Crying For My Baby (Decatur 3001)
1973 - Miracle Of Love / Proud Of You (Vintage 1010)
1974 - Tonight Must Live On /Crying For My Baby (Firefly 330)
1974 - You Will Always Find Me True / This Is The Real Thing Now (Firefly 332)

Unreleased :
1953 - Tonight Must Live On (Decatur)
1953 - You Will Always Find Me True (Decatur)

The Four Dukes (1)

Singles :
1953 - Crying In The Chapel / I Done Done It (Duke 116)

Unreleased :
1953 - Can't I Have You (Duke)
1953 - No Other Love (Duke)
1953 - I Gotta Holler (Duke)
1953 - Only A Hag Could Be Such A Drag (Duke)
1953 - I Wonder Can This Be Love (Duke)
1953 - Confusion Juice (Duke)
1953 - Come On Back To Daddy (Duke)

The Heralds

Singles :
1954 - Eternal Love / Gonna Love You Every Day (Herald 435)
Unreleased :
1954- You'll Always Find Me True (Herald)
1954 - Till My Baby Falls In Love (Herald)
1954 - Freeze (Herald)
1954 - Why Can't I Have You (Herald)
1954 - Confucius (Herald)
1954 - Confucius (Old Town)
1954 - Why Can't I Have You (Old Town)

Biography :

Billy Dawn Smith was an aspiring singer and composer who grew up on the streets of Brooklyn in a section known as Fort Green. In the early nineteen fifties Smith put together a vocal group that consisted of himself, his brother Tom, and two friends Donny Myles and Sonny Benton . Billy dropped his last name in naming the foursome and was now known as The Billy Dawn Quartette. One of the sometime members of the group was pianist and vocalist Al Browne who in later years become famous for his work for many record labels in New York, especially Hull Records. While the vocal group worked on their harmony and presence, they also worked hard on coming up with original material. In the spring of 1952, they made their way to Harlem to see Lexy "Flap" Hanford, a well known entertainment entrepreneur in the neighborhood. He thought enough of their talent to send them to an acquaintance of his named David Levitt who owned a small independent record label called Decatur Records. After meeting with Levitt and some more work on their songs, they went into a small recording studio and the result was two songs "This Is The Real Thing Now" and "Crying For My Baby" which was released by the label on #3001. The first copies were listed as by The Dawn Quartette, but that was soon changed to The Billy Dawn Quartette.They release Three discs all under three names : Billy Dawn Quartet, Four Dukes and Heralds.

http://www.uncamarvy.com/BillyDawn/billydawn.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~v1tiger/bdawn.html

Songs :

...

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The Inventions aka The Catalinas (3)

Posted on July 16 2011 by dion1

The Inventions aka The Catalinas (3) (Brooklyn, New-York)

Personnel :

Hank Ferrara (lead)

Sam Infantino (first tenor)

Richie Brooks (second tenor)

Jerry Ascher (Baritone)

Mike Harris (bass)

Discography :

The Catalinas (3)
1958- Marlene / With your girl (Glory 285)
1960 - Peanuts / Row boat (Up 111)

The Inventions
1960 - Peanuts / Row boat (Up 111)

Biography :

1956- Hank Ferrara, Richie Brooks, Jerry Ascher, Sam Infantino & Mike harris were at a local social club in their home of Williamsburg Brooklyn. The club was holding a "talent competition" and decided to try and do some singing. Without any previous singing experience, they gave it a try, after realizing they sounded really good.

While sitting in Hank's car outside, the guys were trying to think of a name for their new found group...being they were sitting in a Pontiac Catalina, the name just fit
The Catalinas later went on to win a talent contest (even beating out younger Johnny Maestro at the time) For winning they were awarded a trip to Phoenixville PA.

In 1958 they signed with Glory Records. They recorded Marlene (written by Hank). This recording is worth well over $200 dollars in todays collector's market.
One day while working with the machines in the shop, Hank had a "beat" stuck in his head all day long.

He kept humming it until he got home from work. It was so catchy that he started to make up some words to go along. Upon showering after a long hard days work, as fast as the water was flowing from the shower head, the words were starting to flow as well.

He yelled for someone to grab a pen & paper and told them to "write this down" This song later became the hit " Hey Peanuts"

Later the group recorded "Hey Peanuts" and heard their song all over the radio. They were becoming so popular in Brooklyn, and even later sang at the Jerry Lewis Telethon.
A local disk Jockey "Ronnie I" had them sing a jingle every Saturday Night on the radio, and they were on CBS FM.

They were on the top of the charts with "Hey Peanuts"
Unfortunately, their manager made some wrong decisions, and the group slipped through.

http://es-es.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111770985521410

Songs :

The Catalinas (3)

Marlene With your Girl

The Inventions

Row boat Peanuts

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The Four Arcs aka The Imperials (1)

Posted on July 13 2011 by dion1

The Four Arcs (Detroit)
aka The Imperials (1)

Personnel :

Milton Harris (Lead Tenor)

Robert Adams (Baritone / Tenor)

Lee Goodwin (Second Tenor / Baritone)

Ben Knight (Bass)

Discography :

The Imperials (1)
1953 - Life Of Ease / It Won't Be Very Long (Great Lake 1201) 
1953 - Starlite / Do I Love Her (Great Lake 1210) 
1953 - You'll Never Walk Alone / Ain't Gonna Tell It Right (Gem 212/Great Lake 1212)

The Four Arcs
1954 - Life Of Ease / It Won't Be Very Long (Boulevard 102)

Biography :

The Imperials started singing together in the choir at Sherod Middle School, with Milton Harris and William "Mickey" Stevenson sharing lead tenor duties. As the Teen Toppers, they had performed one night out infront of the popular Flame Show Bar on John R Road, where they were seen by Phil Waddell, an entertainer who also worked as a booking agent. He placed them at the Graystone Ballroom at 4237 Woodward Avenue, and it was here that they met record shop owner Tony Vance, who offered to manage the group. Vance, along with recording engineer Kenneth Campbell, had formed the new Great Lakes record label and built a studio in the former ballroom of the Fairbain Hotel on Columbia Street, in the heart of Paradise Valley. Not wanting the group to be stuck with a "teen" name as they grew older, Vance renamed them the "Imperials," after his new Chrysler. When the Imperials entered the studio to record in November 1953, they were backed up by orchestra leader Sax Kari and his Ballin' the Blues Band. Of the six sides they recorded, "Life of Ease," written by Milton Harris, became a local hit in January 1954. The group performed the song at places such as the Chesterfield Lounge, the Sugar Hill Lounge, and the Garfield Lounge. Onstage at the Graystone Ballroom they would perform a wild version of the popular dance the Chicken. Unfortunately, before the group could follow up with another hit, Great Lakes was closed down by two of its principals, who together formed the Boulevard and Avenue labels. In November, for some reason, "Life Of Ease"/"It Won't Be Very Long" were re-issued as Boulevard's third release, but with the group renamed the "4 Arcs" (the guys were completely unaware of this).
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Imperials/imperials.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Life Of Ease / It Won't Be Very Long You'll Never Walk Alone / Ain't Gonna Tell It Right

Starlite / Do I Love Her

...

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