Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Normanaires

Posted on September 29 2013 by dion1

The Normanaires (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel:

Doris Browne

Malcolm Dodds

Bill Glover (Baritone)

Sam Dillworth

Discography :

The Normanaires
1952 - Hambone / Be My Life Companion / Anytime (Air Check 1000)
1952 - Tell Me Why / Cry (Air Check 1001)
1952 - Is It A Sin / Slow Poke (Air Check 1002)
1952 - Undecided / Slow Poke (Top Ten 121)
1953 - Wrap It Up / My Greatest Sin (MGM 11622)
1954 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / My Love For Dorothy (MGM 11886)

Herb George & The Normanaires
1952 - (It's No ) Sin / Wonder Why (Top Ten 118)
1952 - Any Time / Tell Me Why (Top Ten 127)

Gwyn Davies & The Normanaires
1952 - Sensational / Little White Cloud That Cried (Joe Mara) (Top Ten 123)
1952 - Cry / Please Mr. Sun (Top Ten 126)

Terry Merrittee & The Normanaires ‎
1952 - Shrimp Boats / Unforgettable (Top Ten 125)

Biography :

Malcolm Doods (The Tunedrops) was born in Brooklyn, and studied classical music at NYU. He was still living in Brooklyn in the early 50s and was busy working as a musical/vocal instructor and as always was involved with choral groups in Schools, YMCAs and churches, using his real name, Malcolm Williams. It was during this period that he was approached by arranger Fred Norman, to sing in a group. Thus the Normanaires were formed, comprised of Malcolm, Dorice Brown, Bill glover and Sam Dillworth. (Malcolm now began using the name "Dodds", taken from his mother's maiden name, in order to keep his two careers separate.)

Doris Browne The Normanaires : Dodds, Doris, Glover & Dillworth

Though the group has been through several personnel changes, the Normanaires recorded "Your Voice" for MGM in 1953 and appeared on Godfrey's Talent Scouts. The Normanaires provided backup for Herb George and Gwen Davies for some releases each on NYC's Top Ten Label. They also had three 78-rpm on Air Check with other artists. The Normanaires, although not credited on the labels, may be the group backing Doris Browne on some of her Gotham releases (1953-54).

Malcolm Dodds & the Tunedrops

The group stayed together for two years, working locally, before breaking up. After one single with the Four Clicks, "You Lied"/"Higher Than High" in 1954, Malcolm , with Prentiss Polk, Bill Glover and Danny Simmons are featured on this first side for George Goldner's End label as Malcolm Dodds & the Tunedrops In 1957.
http://paisleyhaze.com/topten.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/MyGreat.htm

Songs :

My Greatest Sin / Wrap It Up Anytime

….

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The Shadows (1)

Posted on September 27 2013 by dion1

The Shadows (1) (New Haven, Connecticut)
(By Hans-Joachim) (Photos courtesy of Marv Goldberg)

Personnel:

Scott King (Lead)

Raymond Reid (Tenor)

Sam McClure (Baritone)

Jasper Edwards (Bass)

Bobby Buster (Arranger & Pianist)

Discography:

1949 - I’ve Been A Fool / Nobody Knows (Lee 200)
1950 - I’d Rather Be Wrong Than Blue / You Are Closer To My Heart (Lee 202)
1950 - Don’t Blame My Dreams / I’m Crying Cause You’re Laughing At Me (Lee 207)
1950 - Jitterbug Special / I’ll Never, Never Let You Go (Sittin’ In With 583)
1951 - Don’t Be Late / Beans (Sittin’ In With 590)
1952 - Coon Can Annie / It's Too Bad (Sittin’ In With 627)
1953 - No Use / Stay (Decca 28765)
1953 - Don’t Be Bashful / Tell Her (Decca 48307)
1954 - Better Than Gold / Big Mouth Mama (Decca 48322)

Biography:

Scott King, Jasper Edwards, Sam McClure, and Raymond Reid had been performing in the New York City and Philadelphia club circuit without much success when, in late 1949, a former officer in the U.S. Army named Ed Levy was impressed with their sound and offered to become their manager. Levy shortly secured a recording contract for the group with Lee Records, one of the many small New York independents that were starting up in the late ‘40s.

The Shadows’ first single, “I've Been a Fool,” failed to break out, however, and the follow-up, “You Are Closer to My Heart Than My Shadow,” failed to ignite any interest in the group, though it was later covered by the Delta Rhythm Boys. After Levy was called back to military service with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, the Shadows moved over to the Sittin’ in With label, who were based in Los Angeles.

In October 1950, the SIW label issued a new single, but after fulfilling their contractual commitments, the group decided to call it quits. Two-and-a-half-years later - in June of 1953 - Decca Records signed Scott King & the Shadows, who had not recorded in three years. The label had seen the growing interest in R&B music and watched New York-based Atlantic (and others) move into R&B successfully, so it followed suit. Unfortunately, both singles failed to sell and by the end of the year, the Shadows decided to call it a day.
Bryan Thomas, All Music Guide

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Shadows/shadows.html
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/no_knows.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/You_Are.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ImCrying.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ill_nevr.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/WhyOhWhy.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/shadows.html

Songs:


I've Been A Fool                Nobody Knows         I'd Rather Be Wrong Than Blue


You Are Closer To My Heart   Don't Blame My Dreams I'm Crying Cause...


Jitterbug Special       I'll Never, Never Let You Go             Don’t Be Late


Beans                           Coon Can Annie                        It's Too Bad


No Use                                   Stay                      Don’t Be Bashful


Tell Her                            Better Than Gold                     Big Mouth Mama

...

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The Holidays (3)

Posted on September 26 2013 by dion1

The Holidays (3) (Pittsburg, Pa.)
(With Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Ray Lancianese (Lead)

Barbara Jo Lippzer (Tenor)

Charles Corky (Tenor)

Frank Gori (Baritone)

Frank Grisnick (Bass)

Discography :

Singles:
1961 - Pretend / Miss You (Robee 103)
1961 - Then I'll Be Tired of You / Lonely Summer (Robee 107)
1961 - One Little Kiss / My Girl (Nix 537)

Unreleased :
1961 - A Love I Never Had (Robee)
1961 - It's The Same Old Dream Robee)

Biography :

The Holidays were five teens who began singing together at Clairton High School in 1958. Like the Skyliners they were produced by Lennie Martin and launched by Lou Guarino on Robbee Records. Recording in a New York studio Lennie gave their records the distinctive wall of sound string arrangements that he originated with the Skyliners. They scored a regional hist with their first release on Robbee "Miss You" in 1960.

They group returned to New York to record "Lonely Summer" in 1961. Signing with Pittsburgh promoter Nick Cenci they released the singles "My Girl" and "Carol" on Nix Records. With strong airplay in Pittsburgh they were a popular draw at Pittsburgh area record hops.

The original members were Charlie "Corky" Hatfield (tenor), Frank Gori (bass/baritone), Barbara Jo Lippzer (alto), Francis "Franny" Grisnik (baritone/bass) and Ramon "Ray" Lancianese (tenor), the lead singer. They broke up in 1962.

Songs :


One Little Kiss                      My Girl                         Pretend


        Miss You                         Lonely Summer            Then I'll Be Tired of You


   A Love I Never Had       It's The Same Old Dream

….

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The Pageants (4)

Posted on September 25 2013 by dion1

The Pageants (4) (New York)

Personnel :

?

Discography :

Unreleased:
1963 - Tender love (Club)
1963 - Burying Ground (Club)

Biography :

In Late September 1956, Carl Edelson teamed with Lloyd Pemberton and Dan Terry to form Club records, a short-lived label which produced only a few sides during the fall of 1956. Probably the best known tracks are the two by Pat Cordell and the Crescents, My Tears and Darling Come Back, cuts whose reputation relies in large measure on the fact that two members of the Crescents went on to form the vastly more popular Elegants.

Cherokee & Carl Edelson

Like many others who get involved in the record business, Carl Edelson wasn't discouraged by his initial failures with club. He found the Pageants (Formely the Ultra d'Ors), had them perform at Madison Square Boys' Club, and recorded them on "Tender Love" and "Burying Ground" on february 4, 1963. These sides were never issued.

Songs :

Tender love Burying Ground

...

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The Martinels

Posted on September 25 2013 by dion1

The Martinels

The Martinels (Des Moines, Iowa)

Personnel :

Ella Ruth Piggee

Gayle Watkins

Discography :

Singles :
1963 - Baby, Think It Over / I Don't Care (Success 110)

Lps :
1963 - Only For Teenagers And Swinging Adults (Success LP 1011MX)
Baby, Think It Over / I Don't Care

Biography :

The Martinels were signed with a newly founded record company Success Records. Success Records was formed by Victor Laslow and their office was on 6th ave., in Des Moines, Iowa. In the summer of '63, the Blendtones, The Martinels, The Extensions went on a very successful tour on the West Coast.

Upon completion of the tour, it was suggested that an album be produced featuring all of the artists that were currently signed with the company. Hence, the album Only For Teenagers And Swinging Adults was born. "Baby, Think It Over" and "I Don't Care" were written by George Davis from the Blendtones.

Songs :

Baby, Think It Over I Don't Care

...

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The Bachelors (3) aka The Music Men (1)

Posted on September 23 2013 by dion1

The Bachelors (3) Top : Fred Merola & Santo "Sandy" Ratineri- Center : Kenny "Vance" Vogt - Bottom : Charlie Guanierie & Chico Gambardella

The Bachelors (3) (New Heaven, CT)
aka The Music Men (1)

Personnel :

Kenny "Vance" Vogt (Lead)

Santo "Sandy" Ratineri

Chico Gambardella

Fred Merola

Discography :

Kenny Vance & The Bachelors (3)
1957 - Flaming Red Hair / Did Your Pen In Sunshine (Winston 8001)

The Bachelors (3)
Singles :
1957 - From Your Heart / A Million Teardrops (National 104)
1958 - Today, Tomorrow, Forever / I Want A Girl (National 115)
1958 - Teenage Memory / Sometimes (MGM 12668)
Unreleased :
1958 - I'm Sincere (MGM)
1958 - Moon (MGM)

The Music Men (1)
1959 - Blue Bird / Santa Cruz (Bigtop 3006)
1959 - An Open Fire / Via De Paradisio (Bigtop 3014)

Biography :

Vocal group from New Heaven composed by Santo ”Sandy” Ratineri, Chico Gambardella , Fred Merola and Ralph Donnarummo. The Bachelors, all New Haven, Connecticut residents, first organised in 1956 under the name of the Teardrops. They worked the Connecticut and New York areas and built up quit a following for themselves under that name. Kenny Vance who is now a New Haven resident hails from Chicago, Illinois.

He came to Connecticut to live near his manager and also "to be near New York where everything is going on". He worked as a single in most of the top Connecticut nite-spots before teaming up with the the Teardrops to Replace Ralph Donnarummo. That happened one night after both acts worked a dance-job at the town House in New Haven. At the age of 23, Kenny is the oldest member of the group. When a new group called the Teardrops came out on the King label, the boys had to change their name to the Bachelors.

The Bachelors (3)

Bandleader Bobby Madera (Bobby Woodlen), ABC Paramount recording star was the co-composer of two tunes which he offered the boys after he heard them sing at a dance in New Haven. The tunes were suited to the style of the Bachelors and The Bachelors were suited tot he style of the tunes. A recording session was scheduled and "Flaming Red Hair" and "Did Your Pen In Sunshine" were released on the Winston Record Label. The release of the record brought a "double-first", as this is the first offering by Kenny Vance & the Bachelors and the first released by Winston.

The Bachelors (3) aka The Music Men (1)
Kenny Vance

In 1957, Charlie Guanieri join the Bachelors and the group sign a recording contract for National records. National label operated by industry veteran Joe Leahy for a short period in New York in 1957. It seems there may have been at least five totally different National labels over the years. The Group cut two singles for Joe Leahy, and "From Your Heart" became a Northeast regional hit song. Chico Gambardella abandons the group to execute his military obligationsand the quartet with Kenny Vance, Sandy Ratinieri, Fred Merola and Charlie Guanierie recorded a single for MGM in 1958 "Teenage Memory" b/w "Sometimes" . Two other titles were recorded but MGM will never release them.

The Bachelors (3) aka The Music Men (1)

But the story does not end there, at the end of 1958, the Bachelors signed a recording contract with Johnny Bienstock from BigTop records and in January 1959, Bigtop released the first of their two singles under their new name The Music Men, "Blue Bird" b/w "Santa Cruz" and four months later, a second single will be released by Bigtop : "An Open Fire" b/w "Via De Paradisio".

Songs :
(Updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Bachelors (3)

From Your Heart A Million Teardrops Sometimes

I Want A Girl (Shame Shame On You) Teenage Memory Today, Tomorrow, Forever

..

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The Tangiers (1)

Posted on September 21 2013 by dion1

The Tangiers (1) (Watts, Los Angeles)

Personnel :

David Ford (Tenor)

Gaynel Hodge (Second Tenor)

Jesse Belvin (First Tenor)

Alex Hodge (Baritone)

Discography :

1955 - Tabarin / I Won't Be Around (Decca 29603)
1956 - Remember Me / Oh Baby (Decca 29973)

Biography :

David Ford (of the Hollywood Flames), along with Gaynel Hodge (a sometime member), his brother, Alex Hodge, and Jesse Belvin, recorded as the Tangiers, releasing two singles on Decca, "Tabarin" and "Remember Me", in 1955 and 1956, respectively.

Paste Up Picture : Jesse Belvin, Alex Hodge, Gaynel Hodge, David Ford

A 1958 single on Class, '"Don't Try", also credited to the Tangiers, actually features Joe Jefferson (formerly of the Platters) backed by the Flames with the same David Ford.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/HollywoodFlames/hollywoodflames.html

Songs :

Remember Me / Oh Baby Tabarin / I Won't Be Around

Cds :

...

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Lee & The Sounds (4)

Posted on September 19 2013 by dion1

Lee & The Sounds (4) (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Lee Reynolds

Gerry Granahan

Vinnie Rodgers

Discography :

1958 - What Is This Thing Called Love / Beautiful Romance (Lido 600)

Biography :

Formed in 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, the Fireflies placed two singles on the charts in 1959-60, and then disappeared from view. The group was started by Gerry Granahan and Lee Reynolds and Vinnie Rodgers, who were each on their way to separate auditions for a singing job at a resort in upstate New York.

Gerry Granahan, Vinnie Rodgers, Lee Reynolds

While recording with the Fireflies, Lee Reynolds did some "Moonlighting", utilizing his musical talents to form another group called "Lee & The Sounds" which consisted of Lee, Gerry Granahan & Vinnie Rodgers. They performed at many local clubs, but made only one record " What Is This Thing Called Love" / "Beautiful Romance" on the Lido label.

Songs :
(Updated by Hans-Joachim)

Beautiful Romance What Is This Thing Called Love

...

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The Romeos (1) aka The Jumping Jacks (1)

Posted on September 18 2013 by dion1

The Romeos (1) (Winston-Salem, NC)
aka The Jumping Jacks (1)

Personnel:

Eli Spillman (Tenor)

James Little (Baritone)

Frank Wilson (Baritone)

Daniel McGill (Bass)

Discography :

The Jumping Jacks (1)
Single :
1953 - Do Let That Dream Come True / Why Oh Why (Lloyds 101)
Unreleased :
1953 - Julocka-Jolly (Lloyds)
1953 - Long-Haired Raggedy Rascal (Lloyds)

The Romeos (1)
Single :
1954 - I Beg You Please / Love Me (Apollo 461)
Unreleased :
1954 - Somebody's Been Plowing My Mule (Apollo)
1954 - Oh Baby Oh (Apollo)

Biography :

This Jumping Jacks group formed in North Carolina in 1942. They practiced for quite some time before making local appearances. More than ten years passed before they made a recording for the Apollo subsidiary label, Lloyds. It should also be noted that they were from the same neighborhood as the Five Royales. This group called themselves the Jumping Jacks because of their exuberance on stage. This was a very demonstrative and dramatic quartet.

They recorded four songs in April 1953 but only two sides were released.Unfortunately, neither of the two released songs did well and the group obviously felt that changing their name to the Romeos might change their luck.
Mitch Rosalsky
http://www.uncamarvy.com/JumpingJacks/jumpingjacks.html

Songs :
(By Hans-Joachim)

The Romeos (1)


              I Beg You Please                      Love Me              Somebody's Been Plowing My Mule

Oh Baby Oh

The Jumping Jacks (1)


Why Oh Why              Long-Haired Raggedy Rascal               Julocka Jolly

Do Let That Dream Come True

….

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The Pixies Three

Posted on September 17 2013 by dion1

The Pixies Three (Hanover, Pennsylvania)
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel:

Debra “Debbie” Swisher

Kaye McCool

Midge Bollinger (replaced by Bonnie Long in 1964)

Discography:

The Pixies Three

Singles:
1963 - Birthday Party / Our Love (Mercury 72130)
1963 - 442 Glenwood Ave. / Cold, Cold Winter (Mercury 72208)
1964 - Gee / After The Party (Mercury 72231)
1964 - It’s Summertime USA / The Hootch (Mercury 72250)
1964 - Orphan Boy / Love Walked In (Mercury 72288)
1964 - Your Way / Love Me, Love Me (Mercury 72357)

Unreleased:
1961 - Sincerely / Graduation Time (Reco-Art Sound acetate)
1961 - I Don't Care / Tell Me (Reco-Art Sound acetate)
1961 - Our Love (demo)
1962 - I’m Torn (demo)
1965 - Make Me Your Baby / Something Beautiful (Cameo / Parkway)
n/a - I Don’t Know Why

Album:
1964 - Welcome To The Party / 442 Glenwood Avenue / 16 Candles / That's Why I Love My Guy / Party, Party, Party / Party Lights / Gee / Birthday Party / Happy Happy Birthday Baby / Brand New Boy / House Party / After The Party (Mercury LP MG 20912 / SR 60912)

Debra Swisher
1965 - You’re So Good To Me / Thank You And Goodnight (Boom 60,001)

Biography:

Girl group the Pixies Three were formed in Hanover, PA in 1957 by schoolmates Debbie Swisher and Kaye McCool; after a few months of singing as a duo, they recruited third vocalist Midge Bollinger and began developing the lovely three-part harmonies that distinguished their subsequent hits.

After years of performing at local parties and social gatherings, in 1962 the Pixies Three signed to Mercury, and under producers John Madara and David White scored their first hit with “Birthday Party,” which reached the Billboard Top 40 in the summer of 1963. In the wake of the follow-up, the double-sided “442 Glenwood Avenue” / “Cold Cold Winter,” Bollinger left the trio, and was replaced by Bonnie Long for 1964’s minor hit “Gee.”

“It's Summertime U.S.A.” was the Pixies Three's last hit, and the group disbanded in 1965; after issuing a solo single, the Boom label release “You're So Good to Me,” Swisher replaced Peggy Santiglia as the lead vocalist of the Angels, cutting four singles for RCA before again going solo in 1968.

In 1991, Swisher, McCool, and Long re-formed the Pixies Three to perform at their high-school reunion; not only did they play many more live dates in the years to follow, but in 1995 they also recorded a new studio album, Now and Then.
Jason Arkeny, All Music Guide
http://thepixiesthree.com
http://www.colorradio.com/pixies_three.htm
http://shadydell.blogspot.de/2010/07/midge-kaye-debbyand-bonnie-makes-three.html
http://shadydell.blogspot.de/2010/07/midge-kaye-debbyand-bonnie-makes-three_30.html
http://thedoowopdiner.com/artists/pixies.html
http://thatphillysound.com/artists/pixies_three.html

Movie:

The Pixies, later The Pixies Three, appearing on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, circa 1961

Songs:


Birthday Party              Birthday Party (unrel. alt. take)               Our Love


442 Glenwood Ave.                 Cold, Cold Winter                Gee


After The Party            It’s Summertime USA                   The Hootch


Orphan Boy                     Love Walked In                      Your Way


Love Me, Love Me                       Sincerely                   Graduation Time


I Don't Care                                   Tell Me                     Our Love (demo)


I’m Torn                         Make Me Your Baby                  Something Beautiful


I Don’t Know Why                Welcome To The Party              16 Candles


That's Why I Love My Guy           Party, Party, Party            Party Lights


Happy Happy Birthday Baby        Brand New Boy              House Party


You’re So Good To Me          Thank You And Goodnight

CDs :

...

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