Singles : 1963 - Where There's A Will / We Got It (Poplar 119)
Unreleased : 1963 - And We Danced (Poplar) 1963 - Goodbye My Love (Poplar)
Biography :
Poplar, founded in New York City in 1962 by Stan Soifer, generally featured doo wop-styled groups, but backed them with often surprisingly sharp early rock arrangements that avoided being derivative by adding in little percussion touches, unusual basslines, and touches of horns. Both the Sparkles recordings were masters, Stan Soifer obtained from his deal with the Philly Based Ben-Lee Music Company.
The Andantes (Hicks, Demps, Barrow) and Gladys Horton
The Darnells (2) (Inkster, Michigan)
Personnel :
Gladys Horton (Lead)
Louvain Demps
Marlene Barrow
Jackie Hicks Demps Barrow
Discography :
1963 - Too Hurt To Cry, Too Much In Love To Say Goodbye / Come On Home (Gordy 7024)
Biography :
The Darnells were a made-up group, yes, featuring Gladys Horton of the Marvelettes on lead, backed up by Louvain Demps, Marlene Barrow and Jackie Hicks – the immortal Andantes. Now, on a lot of Motown records credited to a group (the Supremes being the best-known example), the Andantes would fill in on backing vocals in place of the actual group members.
Be it for logistical reasons (the group themselves might be out touring, say), or as an artistic improvement, it was usually a rather effective strategy, if also somewhat morally ambiguous. So to that extent, this is as much a Marvelettes record as some of their official singles. But it’s not, strictly speaking, the Marvelettes; if anything, Motown was being surprisingly honest in noting this was a different group. "Come On Home" was credited to the Darnells, but was according to the studio log down to Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, The Four Tops, The Andantes and The Temptations. http://motownjunkies.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/348/
1961 - Peanuts / I'll Be Home (Austin 303/LeCam 721/ Smash 1705) 1961 - Maybe / Popcorn (Smash 1722) 1962 - Your Turn To Cry / Tender Years (Jamie 1219/LeCam 958) 1963 - Be Bop-A-Lula / You Can't Go On (Troy 1002) 1964 - Darla / Someone New (Le Cam 113/Tollie 9016) N/A - Peanuts / You Can't Go (Charay 36) N/A - Hippie! / I Cry (Charay 71)
Biography :
Rick and the Keens, a fivesome from Wichita Falls, had a major hit with Mercury Records, and they took a little song called Peanuts to # 1 in New York, LA and Chicago (a remake of the 1957 record of "Peanuts" by Little Joe and the Thrillers) . It then stayed in the top 100 of the Nation for 16 weeks.
This sizable hit from 1961 was recorded in Texas by this Caucasian Quintet whose career was hindered by the reclusive tendencies of their lead vocalist, Richard Cook. The group, who included John Bland on guitar and Cook'sisters on Piano, hailed from Wichita Falls in North Texas.
Richard Cook Rick & The Keens
"Peanuts" was a rock and roll version of the R&B original, complete with soaring falsetto. It was first issued locally on Austin 303, then on the regional LeCam label (LeCam 721) before Smash (Mercury's Subsidiary label out of Chicago) obtained the master and reissued it as Smash 1705. it Immediately went #1 in Chicago on'Station' WLAS and sold 18,000 Copies there.
The group did a promotional tour and was invited to appear on american Bandstand...
The Truetones (Washinton,D.C. / Baltimore) aka The Capitols (2)
Personnel :
Ronald Henderson (Lead)
James Green (First Tenor)
Marshall Hawkins (Second Tenor)
Earl Briscoe (Baritone)
Leonard Campbell (Bass) )
Discography :
The Truetones 1958 - Honey, Honey / Whirlwind (Monument 4501) 1961 - Blushing Bride / Singing Waters (Felsted 8625) 1966 - He's Got The Nerve / That's Love (Josie 950/1103) 1966 – Girls Are Sentimental / One More Time (LSP 0001/0002)
The Capitols (2) 1973 - Honey, Honey / Alone In The Night (The Jones Boys) (Baron 103)
Biography :
This group started as the Capitols, and changed their name to the Truetones when they signed to Monument records. The Truetones were one of those groups whose personnel changed almost continuously. The only constant member was the group's organizer/Manager/writer and lead singer Ronald Henderson.
Top : Ronald Henderson, Gene Williams, Andrew Layer - Bottom : John Johnson, Kenny Willis
Their first records, "Honey, Honey" (not be confused with the Teenchords' song of the same name) is a great medium-tempo harmony group sound from the late 1950's. The group Other three records were spaced rather far apart : "Singing Waters"on Felsted was released in the early 60's and the two other were released on Josie & LSPin the Mid-60s. In 1973, Honey, Honey is released by Baron under their original name, The Capitols.
The Truetones (1966)
At personal appearances, the Truetones would perform as a "double group" that is, they would open the show with their own songs, and then return to sing back-up for another singer, usually, Pookie Hudson after he left the Spaniels. Thanks to Marv Goldberg
The Echoes (4) 1958 - Scratch My Back / The Little Green Man (Swan 4013)
The Unique Echos 1962 - Italian Twist / Zoom (Southern Sound 108)
Jimmy McQuade & The Unique Echos 1967 - Booga Ka Do / Bongo Talk (Swan 4274)
The Frankie Grier Quartet bb The Echoes (4) 1958 - Oh Gloria / Lonesome For You (Swan 4019)
Biography :
After graduating from high school, Bobby Palese and Joe Giglio enlisted the talents of two other boys, Dominick "Chubby" Salvatore and Fiore "Cookie Dell" Delbuono, who were equally disdainful of the ordinary working world. They started to play and sing for garden parties, birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs and the like. The name they performed under at that time was Cookie and His Swing Kings.
The Echoes (4) : Chuby, Joe Giglio, , Cookie & Bob Palese
But when Swan Records took an interest in them, they changed the name to the Echoes. Their first pick to click was a demented novelty ditty, 'The Little Green Man,' in which they not only sang but provided all the instrumental background as well, a rarity in that time when persnickety label owners usually demanded professional sidemen for recording sessions.
The Echoes (4) : Chuby, Joe Giglio, Dick Clark, Cookie & Bob Palese
Little Green Man" was designed to take advantage of the ubiquitous UFO sightings, which were so common in the late 1950s. But unexpectedly, Bosco wrote, "it was the flip side, 'Scratch My Back,' which was garnering airplay, especially from local supergiant WIBG.
Joe Giglio, Dino Borgi, Bob Palese & Jimmy Mc Quade (Top) Jimmy Mc Quade & Joe Raodano. (Bottom) Ed Vickery & Joe Giglio
It reached #2 in Scranton and #86 nationally."A few day after their mission for Swan, they were marshaled back into Reco-Arts to support Frankie Grier, A later Day Angel (Grand Records) and his homeboys on their stellar two sider, " Oh Gloria" and "Lonesome For You ". They Provided all the instrumentation.
But the boys suffered a blow when the payola scandal erupted in 1959-60, ensnaring among others "American Bandstand's" Dick Clark, who was a silent partner in Swan. He had to divest himself of many of his holdings in the music industry, including Swan. Without Clark, the company foundered. Calamitously, Bobby Palese, out of nowhere, got drafted, to be replaced by Nicky 'Rags' Guaglione.
The Quartet evolved into a Quintet with George Campisi. Eventually, Bob, the Drummer, bassman and first tenor rejoined the group . They were indeed an unknown number of 'Echoes' configurations… with Jimmy McQuade, Dino Borgi, Joe Raodono, Ed Vickery and George Campisi… The group kept busy, performing as far away as New York and Canada and at many now-forgotten clubs around Philadelphia and in South Jersey.
The Echoes were later redubbed the "Unique Echos". After a hitch in the Army, Bobby and his friends released a single called "Zoom" with singer-songwriters Frank Slay and Bob Crewe, the brains behind the Four Seasons a few years down the road. Once again, it was the flip side, "The Italian Twist," that got the attention. After the group faded, Bobby kept playing two or three nights a week on keyboard, drums and bass, and singing.
1958 - Forever My Love / Jeannie (Mason's0-1/0-2/Candlelite 421)
Biography :
Ray Corbin was part of group that sang gospel. This was a "family affair," consisting of Wilbert "Pop" Corbin (bass), his son Ray Corbin (tenor), another son Edward "Rip" Corbin (first tenor), his brother Leroy Corbin (baritone), and cousin Gilbert Fauntleroy (baritone). Since Bernie Fulton and Ray Corbin had become such good friends, in 1957 17-year old Bernie was assimilated into the group. However, at that point, they turned to Rock 'N' Roll (although, without Bernie, they continued to sing gospel). For their secular adventures, someone chose the name "Thrashers."
Early James Rock 'N' Roll Band
They met a comedian/singer named "Mistreated Eaddy" , who introduced them to a record company owner, an older black man named either Mason . Mason listened to the Thrashers sing two songs that Bernie had written ("Jeannie" and "Forever My Love") and decided to record them. The recordings may have been made in 1957. Shortly after the group disbanded. In 1961, Bernie became the vocalist for the Early James Rock 'N' Roll Band, a position he held for most of the rest of the decade. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Thrashers/thrashers.html
1966 - Hush, Little Girl / I Do Love You (Swan 4258)
Biography :
Philly's own Billy & The Essentials under a pseudonym. During the 60's they used names like the Heatwaves and The Panics (also on Swan) for their releases.
"I Do Love You" is a typical Four Seasons' sound that the group could emulate to a T.Both writers were members of the group (W Carlucci = Billy Carlucci). Billy Carlucci written and produced over 500 songs under a gaggle of names.
Singles: 1956 - Ka-Ding Dong / Darla, My Darlin' (Pilgrim 715) 
 1956 - Cause You're Mine / Please Write While I'm Away (Pilgrim 720) 
 1956 - Symbol Of Love / Love Her In The Mornin' (Paris 502) 1957 - Zing Zang Zoo / Is This The Way (Paris 506) 
 1961 - I Understand (Just How You Feel) / Little Girl I Love You (Terrace 7500) 1962 - (There Never Was A Dog Like) Lad / A Girl Has To Know (Terrace 7503) 
 1962 - They'll Call Me Away / Make Up Your Mind (Terrace 7507) 
 1962 - Sitting In The Moonlight / A Lover's Prayer (Terrace 7510)
 1963 - All My Trials / The Big Rain (Terrace 7514) 1964 - To The Winner Goes The Prize / I Believe In All I Feel (Regina 1314) 
 1964 - Nobody But Betty / Angel Listen To Me (Regina 1319) 
 1965 - I Have / On The Other Side Of Town (Veep 1218) 
 1966 - This Time (I Know We're Gonna...) / On The Other Side Of Town(Veep 1226) 
 1966 - Party '66 / Little Lonely Boy (Loma 2034) 1966 - I Can't Stand It / The Whirlwind (Loma 2048) 
 1970 - I'll Remember All Your Kisses/ Ka-Ding-Dong (Ditto 503)
Lps : 1967 - The G-Clefs On Stage (Spotlite) Hold On / Sweet Soul Music / My Girl / Ain't To Proud To Beg / Beep-Beep / Ka-Ding Dong /
Biography :
The G-Clefs were formed in 1952, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, as the Bob-O-Links. Four of the five members were brothers : Teddy, Chris, Timmy and Arnold Scott, born between 1937 and 1940. The fifth member was a friend and neighbour, Ray Gibson.
Influenced by the Drifters, the Five Keys and the Dominoes, the group had its first gig at a roller skating rink in 1953. Always musically active, in the years between 1953 and 1956, they ran their own dances, renting a hall for $ 50 a night, selling and collecting tickets, and performing.
In 1956 they were discovered by Boston producer Jack Gold, who was A&R man for the local Pilgrim label. Their first release was "Ka Ding Dong", a song they had already been performing since 1953. Allegedly, the guitar solo was played by 16-year old Freddy Picariello, the later Freddy Cannon. "Ka Ding Dong" was covered by the Diamonds and the Hilltoppers, whose versions also made the Top 40, but the G-Clefs had the best-selling version, peaking at # 24 pop in September 1956 (# 9 R&B).
In late 1956, Jack Gold decided to start his own label, Paris Records, located in New York. As the G-Clefs were under a personal contract with Gold, he took the group along with him to his new label. They had two unsuccessful releases on Paris in 1957. There were several appearance at the Apollo in New York and in April 1957, they became part of Alan Freed's Easter Show at the Brooklyn Paramount.
In April 1958, George Goldner announced that he had signed the G-Clefs to his Gone label, but nothing more was heard of that supposed partnership and the group did not record again until 1961.This was mainly due to their propensity for street crime, each of the group taking turns in prison for assaults on policemen. Older and wiser, they were the very picture of innocent virtue on their 1961 comeback hit "I Understand". Jack Gold was still at it, with a new label called Terrace Records.
He managed to get the group back together again. "I Understand" had been a # 6 pop hit for the Four Tunes in 1954, but the G-Clefs gave it their own stamp by singing a second melody in the background, "Auld Lang Syne". The record went to # 9 in the US and # 17 in the UK, where it was released on London HLU 9433. Though this was their biggest hit, it almost ruined them. The group sounded white and had trouble getting work because of that.
The G-Clefs had one more chart entry on Terrace, with "A Girl Has To Know" (# 81, 1962). After five Terrace singles they had releases on small labels like Regina (1964), Veep (1965) and Loma (1966), but musical tastes had changed enormously by then and sales were negligible. In 1967 they recorded a live album, "The G-Clefs On Stage", which they released on their own Spotlite label. The spring of 1968 found them on their first European tour ; the second was in 1970. In the 1970s they were still very active, but for most of the 1980s the group was dormant. They picked up again in earnest in the 1990s and have been out there ever since.
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