The Cognacs 1960 - Charlena / Heaven Only Knows (Roulette 4340)
The Twisters (1) 1960 - Turn The Page / Dancing Little Clown (Capitol 4451)
Little Guy & the Giants (1) 1960 - So Young / It's You (Lawn 103)
Biography :
In 1960, Arthur Crier and Harold Johnson formerly of the Mellows added Buddy McRae (of the Chords) and Bobby Spencer (of the Crickets) and surfaced under the Cognacs. With Carl Spencer instead of Bobby, they are the Twisters on Capitol. Arthur Crier, Harold Johnson, Carl Spencer, and Al Cleveland are Little Guy & the Giants (1). Shortly after, Arthur Crier and Harold Johnson formed another group with J. R. Bailey (1st tenor) and Al Cleveland (baritone) called the Halos. http://www.uncamarvy.com/ArthurCrier/arthurcrier.html
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
The Five Bell Aires (Hartford, CT.) aka Larry Lee & The Four Bel-aires (2)
Personnel :
Henry "Hawk" Hall (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
Johnny & The Tokens (3) (Brooklyn, New York) aka Johnny & The Kings (4) aka A Pair Of Kings aka The Grace Notes
Personnel :
John Guiffre (Lead)
Jimmy "Sims" Smith
Jerry Vance
John Truscelli
Discography :
The Grace Notes Unreleased : 1957 - Send Me An Angel / First Love
A Pair Of Kings 1959 - Once / The Monster (RCA 7659) 1960 - Just Two Guys / I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight (Warwick 608) 1961 - Ev'rytime / Just Two Guys (Warwick 647)
Johnny & The Tokens (3) 1961 - The Taste Of A Tear / Never Till Now (Warwick 658)
Johnny & The Kings (4) 1961 - The Taste Of A Tear / Never Till Now (Warwick 658)
Biography :
Jerry Vance attended James Madison H.S. with Barry Mann. Jerry played alto sax in the H.S. dance band. In 1956 his senior year, Jerry joined a group called the Grace Notes. Jimmy "Sims" Smith sang lead and two other members were John Guiffre and a girl. The group wrote, produced and arranged their session at Nola Studios. The demo was unmarketable and the group soon broke up. Jimmy and Jerry stayed together and met an independent producer who recorded them at Long Island studio, doing two songs which were unreleased; On both sides, singing background was a young girl named Ellie Greenwich.
A Pair Of Kings
The fellows were becoming disenchanted when they met Howie Epstein, John McCarthy and Terry Phillips. Howie got the group an audition with RCA. As "A Pair Of Kings", Jerry and Jimmy recorded "The Monster". A pair Of Kings moved to Morty Craft's Warwick label, keeping their RCA Name. After two releases, John Guiffre rejoined the group after getting out of the service. With a four member named John Truscelli, they released "The Taste Of A Tear" b/w "Never Till Now" as Johnny & The Kings.
1960 - Johnny & The Kings
In 1961, The Tokens were one of the hottest and most talented groups in early 60s. kicking things off with "Tonight i Fell In Love" on the Warwick Label. Big boy RCA-Victor came up with a big money offer, and the Tokens jumped over There, immediately hitting #1 with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". their phenomenal career took all from there.
1961 - Johnny & The Tokens At the Palisades Park
Morty Craft of Warwick was not happy about losing these moneymakers and reacted by changing the Name of Johnny & The Kings into Johnny & The Tokens (his label had done extremely well with Johnny & The Hurricanes) . They were good enough to make a brief appearance on the national chart. This name was never used again.
The Fabulous Dials (Philadelphia) aka The Dials (1)
Personnel :
Ray Eskridge
Michael Franklin
Eddie Smith
James Tindal
Discography :
The Fabulous Dials 1963 - Forget Me Not / Bossa Nova Stomp (Joy 276/D'nB' 1000)
The Dials (1) (Franklin & Tindal) 1961 - No Hard Feelings / Win Yourself A Lover (Hilltop 219) 1961 - Wondering About Your Love / Sorrento (Hilltop 2009) 1961 - School Bells Are Ringing / Ring Ting-A-Ling (Hilltop 2010)
Lee Johnson bb The Dials (1) 1961 - You love Billy / Get Goin (Arnold 105)
Biography :
The Fabulous Dials who had their shot of Glory with "Bossa Nova Stomp" in early 63.
Ray Eskridge, Michael Franklin, Eddie Smith and James Tindal came from Paoli on the Outskirts of Philly and can perhaps count themselves lucky to even have got a Uk release in view of sales being restricted to the immediate Philadelphia Aera.
Both sides of this 45 were written by Dollee Escourt, who also wrote The Conservative by the Orlons. This was a 2nd issue on Joy, first issued on D 'n' B #1000. Franklin and Tindal were in The Dials on Hilltop, who did "No Hard Feelings," among others, most notably "School Bells Are Ringing."
Songs :
The Fabulous Dials
Forget Me Not Bossa Nova Stomp
The Dials (1)
No Hard Feelings School Bells Are Ringing Wondering About Your Love
The Vibra-Tones (2) (Brooklyn & Queens, New york) aka The Allures aka The Alumes
Personnel :
John Sescila
Sandy Anzalone
John Anzalone
Vinny Lombardy
Discography :
Evelyn Dell & The Vibra-Tones (2) 1961 - Sincerely / Please Tell Me Why (ABC 10218) Art Wayne (bb The Allures) 1961 -Try And Try Again / Let Me Make My Own Mistakes (Xavier 8890)
The Allures Demo : 1961/63 - Try And Try Again 1961/63 - Dorothy 1961/63 - Plea For Love 1961/63 - At The End Of A Love 1961/63 - You Are On My Mind
The Allumes 1979 - Winner Take All / Tell Me Why (Crystal Ball 118)
Biography :
After a first group called the Embers, John & Sandy Anzalone form a group, The Galaxies In 1960. The group consisted of John & Sandy, Arlene Pisciotta, John Gilleeny and John Sescila. The group was working the Platter's "Winner Take All" and another version of "You Belong To me"…
The Embers The Galaxies
Some personal changes again were made with Arlene & John Gilleeny departing and Ralph Rega joining the group. This group would record "Winner Take All", "A Thousand Miles Away" and a few other demo's before Ralph would exit to join "The Invitations".
The Galaxies The Invitations
Ralph was replaced by Vinny Lombardi and a name change to the Allures took place. It was this group between 1961-1963 that would do many recordings, mostly because of their new Manager, Sal Campo. "Winner Take All" b/w "Tell Me Why", a cover of the Norman Fox hit was released in late '79 on the Crystal Ball label as the Allumes (This was because the Writing on the Demo was so faded it was illegible).
The Vibra-Tones/Allures
The Group would wax two 45's backup singers. the first on ABC For Evelyn Del as The Vibra-Tones and the second on Xavier records for Piano player, Art Wayne. "Try & Try Again" was originally called "We don't Need A Chaperone" but after a revamping of the Lyrics by the producer on the lead vocals, the background vocals were lowered since the words no longer reflected the background singers response. After the lack of success by the Allures, the Group disbanded.
Songs :
Evelyn Dell & The Vibra-Tones (2)
Sincerely Please Tell Me Why
The Allures
Try And Try Again Dorothy Plea For Love
At The End Of A Love You Are On My Mind Winner Take All
Dante & The Evergreens (2) (Santa Monica, California) aka The Aktones
Personnel :
Donald "Dante" Drowty (Lead)
Frank Rosenthal
Bill Young
Tony Moon (Guitar & Vocal)
Discography :
Tony Moon & The Aktones 1959 - L-O-V-E / N-A-C-L (Pan World 514)
Akim & The Aktones 1959 - Fall In Love With Me / Voodoo Drums (with The Ravels) (Pan World 520)
Will Wendel & The Aktones 1960 - Lonely Blue Boy / Lover (Trans American 10 000)
Dante & The Evergreens (2)
Singles: 1960 - Alley-Oop / The Right Time (Madison 130) 1960 - Dream Land / Time Machine (Madison 135) 1960 - Yeah, Baby / What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (Madison 143) 1961 - Da Doo / Think Sweet Thoughts (Madison 154)
Unreleased : 1960 - Special kind of love (Madison) 1960 - Starbright (Madison) 1960 - We're Ready For Love (Madison) 1960 - Lover Not A Fighter (Madison) 1960 - I don't Mind Anymore (Madison) 1960 - Love is a miracle Maker (Madison)
Lps: 1960 - Dante & The Evergreens (Madison LP 1002) Alley-Oop / Dream Lover / Let the Good Times Roll / Glory of Love / Da Doo / Hush A Bye / Time Machine / Venus / The Right Time / Blue Moon
Dante & His Friends (3) (The Rivingtons)
1961 - Are You Just My Friend / Something Happens (Imperial 5798) 1962 - Miss America / Now I've Got You (Imperial 5827) 1962 - Magic Ring / Am I The One (Imperial 5867)
Biography :
Dean Torrence (Jan & Dean) had discovered The Pastels, a trio composed by Don Drowty (Dante), Bill Young, and Frank Rosenthal while attending Santa Monica City College. Producer Kim Fowley asked Tony Moon to help the Pastels improve their harmonies. The group's sound was solidified with the addition of guitarist, arranger, and vocal coach Tony who became a fourth Pastel.
TAt this time, The Pastels also working with Aki Aleong, who put out "L-O-V-E" b/w "N-A-C-L" credited to Tony Moon and the Aktones on his Pan World records. The Pastels backed Aki on "Fall In Love With Me" again named the Aktones. Aki Aleong used the Pastels to provide backup vocal for Will Wendel on his Trans American label with "Lonely Blue Boy" and "Lover". A year later, Aki had a nice hit himself with 'Trade Winds, Trade Winds' (Reprise 20021).
Dean Torrence introduced the Pastels to Herb Alpert and Lou Adler (Jan & Dean's management and production team). who asked if they would cover ‘Alley Oop’ for Madison. Agreeing to do so, they parted amicably with Aki Aleong and signed with Madison. There was another group of Pastels, known then for the hit "Been So Long", so they changed their name to Dante and the Evergreens and rushed into the studio. Their 'Alley Oop' (Madison 130) was out in just two or three days!
With Merv Griffin
Gary Paxton had assembled a group which included Dallas Frazier and himself, which he called the Hollywood Argyles, and they had recorded the original version of Alley Oop.There was also a third recording by a similar group known as the Dyna-Sores. Frazier had been inspired by the comic strip of the same name about a caveman and his whereabouts. It was a novelty song and the versions by both Dante and the Evergreens and the Hollywood Argyles entered the charts on May 30, 1960.
Both proved to be big hits. Both went to #1 on the Cash Box chart, Paxton's version made #1 on Billboard while Drowty's settled at #15 on that chart, and the Dyna-Sores charted with it, but fell short of the top forty. Dante and the Evergreens had a hit. The group was popular for a while, particularly on the East Coast, where their version of Alley Oop outsold the original version of the song which had been recorded by Paxton's group. Dante and the Evergreens was a white group that played at some of the venues that were popular with black music lovers, such as the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
They stayed together for several more years, recording and touring. They had another minor hit with Time Machine. Eventually the various members would pursue other interests, disbanding in 1964. Donald "Dante" Drowty (Lead) recorded six sides for Imperial as DANTE AND HIS FRIENDS, using The Rivingtons as the background group.. One tune recorded by the group, "Little Girl (You're My Miss America)," was covered by the Beach Boys on their 1962 Surfin' Safari album.
Bill Young pursued a career as a solo act, and in acting. Frank Rosenthal returned to college and eventually became a successful Beverly Hills attorney. Tony Moon went on to a career as a record producer in Nashville. And Don "Dante" Drowty worked for many years as a songwriter and producer at Mellin Music Publishing Company, producing records by various artists such as the Isley Brothers and the McCoys.
With Merv Griffin & Joannie Sommers
Drowty in his later years has been active in numerous charitable events on the West Coast. He collects various donated items -- shoes, toys, clothing -- and distributes them to those in need. He has provided music lessons and other services to Native Americans. Drowty directs much of his charitable work through his Project Touch organization, and he has retained his friendship over the years with Alpert and Adler. Dante and the Evergreens are remembered by fans of 60's pop music for their huge hit from 1960 Alley Oop.
Know at first as the Jiveliers, the first of two Camerons groups, who recorded for Cousins, originated in a neighborhood home for the blind and was renamed by Lou Cicchetti. Cousins 1-2 was the group's only release and the only Cousins master which Cicchetti never offered to another label. The Group consist of Robert Browne, Pat Gaines, William Raabe Jr., Charles Atkins , Joe Rallo (piano), Enrico Frase (sax) and Gus Quetel (drums).
During the same session Sal Pippa, then billed as "Sonny Dee", cut an unreleased Demo of "Lonely Teenager", the same song that he later sold to Dion for an estimated $ 50.00 (and which became Dion's first solo hit). Flip of this demo was an alternate version of "Cheryl", also by Pippa & The Camerons…
Paste Up Picture : Karl White, Billy Mann, Rene Beard
The Gladiators (1) (Los Angeles) aka The Glens (2) The aka The Feathers
Personnel :
Roy Allen (Tenor)
Rene Beard (Second Tenor)
Karl White (Baritone)
Cleo White (Bass)
Discography :
The Gladiators (1) 1957 - Girl Of My Heart / My Baby Doll (Dig 135)
The Glens (2) 1960 - A Little Less Talk / Cherish My Love (Laitini 6666/Sudden 104)
Biography :
In 1957, The Feathers with out Johnny Staton (Rene Beard, Karl White, Cleo White, and Roy Allen) then became the Gladiators, releasing "My Baby Doll"/"Girl Of My Heart" on Johnny Otis' Dig label in March 1957 . In 1960, with second tenor Billy Mann in place of Roy Allen, they recorded as the Glens for Laitini ("Cherish My Love"/"A Little Less Talk". That record was re-released on Sudden in the following year. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Feathers/feathers.html
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