1963 - I Can't Go / That's All I'll Ever Need (PJ 1341)
Biography :
In 1963, Lewis Lymon (The Teenchords) joined the Townsmen, replacing original lead singer Bobby Rivera (of Hemlocks fame). The others were Rafael Ramos (first tenor), Louis Vasquez (second tenor), and McDuffy "Mac" Swaggart (bass).
They made a single record for the tiny PJ label, released in June of 1963: "I Can't Go" (led by Lewis)/"That's All I'll Ever Need" (fronted by Louis Vasquez). http://www.uncamarvy.com/Teenchords/teenchords.html
The Andantes 1964 - (Like A) Nightmare / If You Were Mine (V.I.P. 25006)
LaBrenda Ben & The Andantes 1963 - Just Be Yourself / I Can't Help It, I Gotta Dance (Gordy 7021)
Billy Kent & The Andantes 1962 - Take All Of Me / Your Love (Mah's 002)
Mary Wells (Vocal Accompaniment Andantes, Love-Tones) 1963 - Laughing Boy (Motown 1039)
Biography :
The Andantes were a prolific female sessions group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps, the group sang background vocals on numerous Motown recordings, including songs by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, LaBrenda Ben, among others, along with the occasional non-Motown recording (Jackie Wilson's hit "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" being one example). Barrow also substituted for Florence Ballard of The Supremes in concert on several occasions.
( The Andantes with Kim Weston) Jackie Hicks, Kim Weston, Louvain Demps, Marlene Barrow
The Andantes provided back-up singing on Motown singles starting in 1962. The group was most prominently used on all of the Four Tops' Holland–Dozier–Holland-produced hits, including "Baby I Need Your Loving", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "Reach Out I'll Be There", and more. They were credited alongside the male Love-Tones on “Laughing Boy” by Mary Wells.
Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks
The Andantes were used as vocal substitutes for Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong on many of The Supremes' recordings done in 1968 and 1969. They were also called upon to overdub and smooth out The Marvelettes' background vocals records; the producers had this done without the Marvelettes' knowledge.
Labrenda Ben Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow (Andantes)
The final Marvelettes album, The Return of The Marvelettes, was actually recorded by Marvelette Wanda Young with the Andantes, not her groupmates, on backgrounds. Outside of Motown, the trio also backed Jackie Wilson on “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher.” Pat Lewis substituted for Louvain Demps on this track.
Marvin Gaye, Kim Weston - In the background are The Andantes
The group broke up in 1973 with each of the members going on to do studio and demo work. On February 23, 2015, Marlene Barrow-Tate died, at the age of 73.
Top : Melvin Jennings, Earl Williams - Bottom : DeRoy Green, Robert Richardson and William Pierce
The Twilighters (1) (Baltimore, Maryland) ref : DeRoy Green & The Cool Gents
Personnel :
Robert "Bob" Richardson (Lead)
Melvin Jennings (Baritone)
Earl Williams (Bass)
DeRoy Green (Second Tenor)
William Pierce (First Tenor)
Discography :
The Twilighters (1) Single : 1953 - Please Tell Me You Are Mine / Wondering (Marshall 702) Unreleased : 1953 - Longing For You (Marshall) 1953 - Gee, Baby I Need You So (Marshall) 1953 - I Wonder Who's Calling Her Now (Marshall)
DeRoy Green & The Cool Gents Single : 1961 - Beggar To A Queen / At The Teen Center (Cee Jay 584) Unreleased : 1961 - Phoebe (Cee Jay)
Biography :
The Twilighters came from the "Old Town" district of Baltimore where they attented Dunbar High School. They neighborhood also produced the Cardinals & Four Buddies. The Group was composed of Robert "Bob" Richardson (Lead), William Pierce (First Tenor), DeRoy Green (Second Tenor), Melvin Jennings (Baritone) and Earl Williams (Bass).
1953 - The Twilighters
The Twilighters recorded five songs at a recording session in Washington, D.C., in 1953, two of which became the Marshall sides : "Please Tell Me You Are Mine" b/w "Wondering" with Frank Motley (Dual Trumpets) and his Crew. In 1953, The Twilighters made one of their appearances on a Cesar Romero telethon. Evidently the appearance didn’t generate significant interest in the Marshall record.
1953 - The Twilighters
Without the appearances and record sales necessary to sustain interest in a singing career, and after a dispute with their manager because they are dissatisfied with the background music, the Twilighters broke up.
DeRoy Green
Several years later, after his release from the Army in 1960, DeRoy Green formed the Cool Gents. The group recorded for Lillian Claiborne in D.C and "Beggar To A Queen" b/w "At The Teen Center" was leased to Cee Jay records in the Bronx in 1961. A previously unreleased tune from the same session , "Phoebe" will be released on Roadhouse.
Songs :
The Twilighters (1)
Please Tell Me You Are Mine I Wonder Who's Calling Her Now
The Chesters (Brooklyn, New York) aka Little Anthony & The Imperials (3)
Personnel :
Jerome "Little Anthony' Gourdine (Lead)
Clarence Collins (Baritone)
Ernest Wright, Jr. (Second Tenor)
Tracy Lord (First Tenor)
Glouster Nat Rogers (Bass)
Discography :
1957 - The Fires Burn No More / Lift Up Your Head (Apollo 521)
Biography :
Following the failure of the Duponts Winley and Royal Roost, lead singer Gourdine began looking for another group to sing with. He met the Chesters, and it was a perfect fit. At a party in Jamaica, Queens, the group was introduced to a member of the Cellos, who had "Rang Tang Ding Dong " on the charts at the time.
He got them an audition He got them an audition with Charles Mehrenstein at Apollo. At the audition they sang several of Anthony's original tunes, which were eventually recorded. They officially became the Chesters at this time. Before going to Apollo, the group tried to hook up with Richard Barrett at End Records (the label Anthony would eventually sing for), but Barrett was terribly busy with the Chantels, Isley Brothers, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
The Chesters recorded for Apollo, but poor promotion and financial difficulties did not allow their disc to succeed, and they called it quits. Baritone Keith Williams, Collins's predecessor, also recorded with the Highway QCs, as did Collins. Williams left as rehearsals and so on were interfering with his schoolwork. The liner notes accompanying Relic's Apollo-4 CD state that Keith Williams was the baritone for the group and omit Clarence Collins. Mitch Rosalsky (Encyclopedia of rhythm and blues and doo wop vocal groups)
Ray Allen Trio (Westchester, New York) aka The Gum Drops aka The Upbeats (2)aka The Classmates (1) aka The Four Classmates
Personnel :
Ray "Allen" Albanese (Vocal/Guitar)
Frank Rey (Vocal/Bass)
Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Vocal/Piano)
Discography :
Ray Allen Trio
1954 - Why Should I Love You / Love My Love (King 1383)
 1954 - Amapola / Love In Rhyme (King 1399) 
 1955 - I Miss You So / Money, Money, Money (King 1438)
 1961 - See Africa First / Two Angels (Joy 247)
The Classmates (1) 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Four Classmates 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Gum Drops
1955 - Gum Drop / Don't Take It so Hard 1955 (King 1496) 1955 - I'll Wait For One More Train / Don't Take It So Hard (King 1499) 1955 - I Wonder and Wonder / I'll Follow You (King 4913) 
 1956 - Natural born Lover / Chapel Of Hearts (King 4963) 1957 - Ba-Bee-Da Boat Is Leaving / Pigeon (King 5051)
 1958 - You're The One / Gum Drop Shoes and Bells In Her Hair (Decca 30584) 
 1958 - My Own True Love / On The Wings Of The Wind 1958 (Coral 62003) 1959 - I Spoke Too Soon / Sie-Tu (It's You, It's You) (Coral 62102) 1959 - It Happens Every Day / They Wake Me 1959 (Coral 62138)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats (2)
Singles: 1961 - Let Them Talk / Sweet Lorraine (Sinclair 1004) 1962 - Peggy Sue / La Bamba (Blast 204)
Lps : 1962 - "Tribute To 6" (Blast BLP-6804) C'mon Everyboby / Peggy Sue / Sittin' In The Balcony / Earth Angel / Chantilly Lace / Battle Of New Orleans / La Bamba / Every Day / Running Bear / Donna / North To Alaska / Goodnight My Love
Biography :
The Ray Allen Trio started recording for King Records in 1954, and "Why Should I Love You / Love Me Love" King 1383 was there first release.
Ray Allen Trio (about 1952) -The Arthur Godfrey Show
The personal were "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese) (Guitar), Frank Rey (Bass) and Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Piano). They had very good success with there first two records, and released a total of three on King. The group added Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar) and recorded " What Am I Gonna Do" b/w "A Kiss Is Not A Kiss" released as The Four Classmates and The Classmates
In 1955, DeLuxe released "Gum Drop" and "Save Me, Save Me" by Otis Williams and his New Group's ."Gum Drop" getting a lot of play from Alan Freed. "Gum Drop" was almost immediately covered by the Crew Cuts on Mercury Records, and that made Syd Nathan mad .
With George Montgomery
Syd Nathan refused to grant a license for "Gum Drop." As a final insult, Syd Nathan re-named the Ray Allen Trio to "The Gum Drops" and released their version of the song on King 1496 to cut into the Crew Cuts' sales.
The group consisted of "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese), Frank Rey, Harold "Feirstein" Stone and new member Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar), all were from New York. The Gum drops cut 9 singles for King, Decca & Coral. Their last release was as the Ray Allen Trio on the Joy record label.
In 1961 the Ray Allen Trio signing for Sinclair record as Ray Allen & The Upbeats , and released "Let Them Talk" /" Sweet Lorraine" (Sinclair 1004). The next year they released the LP "Tribute to 6" for Blast Records (a division of Sinclair Record Corp.)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats do two songs each by Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper, Johnny Horton and Jesse Belvin . "Tribute to 6" Conducted and Arranged by Vinny Catalano. A single from the LP was also released on Blast 204 with "Peggy Sue" and "La Bamba". Thanks To Alicia Albanese
Ray Allen Trio (Westchester, New York) aka The Gum Drops aka The Upbeats (2)aka The Classmates (1) aka The Four Classmates
Personnel :
Ray "Allen" Albanese (Vocal/Guitar)
Frank Rey (Vocal/Bass)
Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Vocal/Piano)
Discography :
Ray Allen Trio
1954 - Why Should I Love You / Love My Love (King 1383)
 1954 - Amapola / Love In Rhyme (King 1399) 
 1955 - I Miss You So / Money, Money, Money (King 1438)
 1961 - See Africa First / Two Angels (Joy 247)
The Classmates (1) 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Four Classmates 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Gum Drops
1955 - Gum Drop / Don't Take It so Hard 1955 (King 1496) 1955 - I'll Wait For One More Train / Don't Take It So Hard (King 1499) 1955 - I Wonder and Wonder / I'll Follow You (King 4913) 
 1956 - Natural born Lover / Chapel Of Hearts (King 4963) 1957 - Ba-Bee-Da Boat Is Leaving / Pigeon (King 5051)
 1958 - You're The One / Gum Drop Shoes and Bells In Her Hair (Decca 30584) 
 1958 - My Own True Love / On The Wings Of The Wind 1958 (Coral 62003) 1959 - I Spoke Too Soon / Sie-Tu (It's You, It's You) (Coral 62102) 1959 - It Happens Every Day / They Wake Me 1959 (Coral 62138)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats (2)
Singles: 1961 - Let Them Talk / Sweet Lorraine (Sinclair 1004) 1962 - Peggy Sue / La Bamba (Blast 204)
Lps : 1962 - "Tribute To 6" (Blast BLP-6804) C'mon Everyboby / Peggy Sue / Sittin' In The Balcony / Earth Angel / Chantilly Lace / Battle Of New Orleans / La Bamba / Every Day / Running Bear / Donna / North To Alaska / Goodnight My Love
Biography :
The Ray Allen Trio started recording for King Records in 1954, and "Why Should I Love You / Love Me Love" King 1383 was there first release.
Ray Allen Trio (about 1952) -The Arthur Godfrey Show
The personal were "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese) (Guitar), Frank Rey (Bass) and Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Piano). They had very good success with there first two records, and released a total of three on King. The group added Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar) and recorded " What Am I Gonna Do" b/w "A Kiss Is Not A Kiss" released as The Four Classmates and The Classmates
In 1955, DeLuxe released "Gum Drop" and "Save Me, Save Me" by Otis Williams and his New Group's ."Gum Drop" getting a lot of play from Alan Freed. "Gum Drop" was almost immediately covered by the Crew Cuts on Mercury Records, and that made Syd Nathan mad .
With George Montgomery
Syd Nathan refused to grant a license for "Gum Drop." As a final insult, Syd Nathan re-named the Ray Allen Trio to "The Gum Drops" and released their version of the song on King 1496 to cut into the Crew Cuts' sales.
The group consisted of "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese), Frank Rey, Harold "Feirstein" Stone and new member Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar), all were from New York. The Gum drops cut 9 singles for King, Decca & Coral. Their last release was as the Ray Allen Trio on the Joy record label.
In 1961 the Ray Allen Trio signing for Sinclair record as Ray Allen & The Upbeats , and released "Let Them Talk" /" Sweet Lorraine" (Sinclair 1004). The next year they released the LP "Tribute to 6" for Blast Records (a division of Sinclair Record Corp.)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats do two songs each by Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper, Johnny Horton and Jesse Belvin . "Tribute to 6" Conducted and Arranged by Vinny Catalano. A single from the LP was also released on Blast 204 with "Peggy Sue" and "La Bamba". Thanks To Alicia Albanese
1957 - Pages Of My Scrapbook / Love me right (Fee Bee 213) 1957 - Pages Of My Scrapbook / When We Were Young (Fee Bee 213/Dot 15605) 1958 - Angel Mine / She's My Baby (Fee Bee 232) 1958 - Why be a fool / Time will allow (Mercury 71269) 1959 - She's My baby / Mr Echo (Petites 504) N/A - Never Let Her Go Spring Is Here (Fee Bee) (Unreleased) N/A - Spring Is Here (Fee Bee) (Unreleased)
Biography :
The 5 Playboys were a singing group from Pittsburgh, Pa. They recorded several albums in Chicago and New York for labels like Dot, Mercury and Fee Bee. The mega-hit song "One Summer Night" recorded by the Danleers was actually stolen from The 5 Playboys. Joe Averbach, the promoter for The 5 Playboys and the Del Vikings gave the song to the Danleers without cutting The 5 Playboys in on the deal. Two of the Playboys, Meraldo (Tony) Bertoni jr. and Sammy Juliano were driving in the car when they heard their song come on the radio. Their jaws dropped at hearing someone else singing their magical song without their consent or compensation. The copyright laws we have today were not in place then. The playboys broke up as a result. The playboys made a great contribution to the music industry with songs like "pages of my scrapbook". They performed in many venues and appreciated the fans who enjoyed their music. Tony is my dad and he still croons a note every now and then.
Songs :
Why Be A Fool Mr Echo
Angel Mine She's My baby Love Me Right
When We Were Young Never Let Her Go Spring Is Here
Betty & Dupree Single : 1959 - I Hope You're Satisfied / If It Ain't One Thing (Kent 318) Unreleased : 1959 - We're In Love (Kent)
Etta & Harvey 1960 - If I Can't Have You / My Heart Cries (Chess 1760) 1960 - Spoonful / It's A Crying Shame (Chess 1771)
Biography :
The success of "Roll with Me Henry" on the Bihari brothers' Modern label prompted Etta James to split from the Peaches and pursue a solo career. She had a few more but minor hits, notably "Good Rockin' Daddy" (1955) and "Tough Lover" (1956 ). She also did some appealing duets with Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows as "Betty and Dupree," but by the late 1950s James had fallen into obscurity.
James and Fuqua were also romantically involved, and Fuqua, who was becoming more immersed in A&R work for Chess, was thus the reason that James left Modern and joined Chess in 1959. James and Fuqua were quickly recorded together under the name of "Etta and Harvey," and came up with a fine double-sided hit, "My Heart Cries' and 'If I Can't Have You" (1960).
But the songs harked back to the 1950s and did not represent James' subsequent work on chess. There was another Etta & Harvey duet release in December 1960. This time it was "Spoonful"/"It's A Crying Shame." Robert Pruter "Chicago Soul"
The Charmaines (Cincinnati, Ohio) (The early Years)
Personnel :
Marian "Gigi" Jackson
Dee Watkins
Irene Vinegar
Discography :
The Charmaines 1961 - If you were mine / Rockin' Old Man (Fraternity 873) 1961 - What kind of girl (Do you hink i am) / All you gotta do (Fraternity 880) 1961 - Only Love (Fraternity) (Unreleased) 1962 - Where is the boy tonight / On the wagon (Dot 16351) 1963 - G. I. Joe / Don't Take Away Your Love (Fraternity 909) 1963 - Goodbye Baby Goodbye / Midnight (Dave Rockingham Trio) (Fraternity 917) 1964 - I Idolize You / Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu (Fraternity 921)
Lonnie Mack bb The Charmaines 1963 - Baby, What's Wrong (Fraternity 918) 1964 - Say Something Nice To Me (Fraternity 920)
Biography :
Gigi and the Charmaines’ brief and only Billboard chart appearance at #117 in 1961 doesn’t reflect the trio’s great solo work on six different labels, nor does it take into account their work backing Lonnie Mack or their singing behind artists that included Little Willie John, James Brown, Bobby Freeman, Conway Twitty, Gary U.S. Bonds and Hawkshaw Hawkins at the King Records’ studio.
These acheivements made them Cincinnati’s top girl group. They won a recording contract with Fraternity Records on a local televised talent show. The group’s debut 1960 Fraternity 45 "Rockin’ Old Man" backed with "If You Were Mine", for which Gigi wrote the lyrics. More 45s, including What Kind Of Girl (Do You Think I Am), which topped a rival version from Erma Franklin in the summer of 1961, followed and they worked on local dance party shows . The mystery of how one 45 was released on Hollywood-based Dot label is explained and also the story of how the girls moved to and recorded in Canada. http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/gigi.htm
Songs :
The Charmaines
Only Love Where is the boy tonight On the wagon
All you gotta do What Kind Of Girl If You Were Mine
Rockin' Old Man I Idolize You Rockin' Pneumonia ...
Lonnie Mack & The Charmaines Carl Edmondson (bb The Charmaines)
1958 - My Valerie / Loved and Lost (Impala 201/Sunbeam 119)
Biography :
The Note-Torials from Philadelphia recorded "My Valerie" and "Loved and Lost" on the Impala and Sunbeam labels in 1958 and 1959. The members of the group were Freddy Faulkner, Jack Wittenberger, Dave Perry, Buddy Bomze and Stan Reisman. This racially mixed group hailed from several sections of Philadelphia including north and west philly, east falls, and mount airy. Their recordings received most air play in the Philadelphia-New Jersey-New York listening areas.
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