1960 - Kathy Jo / Walking To School With My Love (Souvenir 1004)
Biography :
In a small Northern Idaho town, Potlatch, best Friends Gary Whitmore and Darrel French spend their free time, as many do, driving around in a hot car singing and enjoying their lives.
Gary wrote a couple of songs that Gary and Darrel perfected together. Enter music teacher Sandy Downings. Taking their name from the Bible, the group decided to call themselves : Kayo & The Trinities. The Group head up the road to Coeur d'Alene Idaho with musicians they recruited…
Kayo Darrel
Souvenir records, owned by Chester Adkins, pressed the record and send it to the radio stations all over, including England where the boys became popular. Back at home, the boys toured the Palouse playing concerts and promoting the record. Kayo & The Trinities
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)
Vinnie Bell "Vinnie Gambella" (Guitar)
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)
Vinnie Bell "Vinnie Gambella" (Guitar)
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 Versatiles (4) (Phoenix, Arizona) aka The Four Dimensions
Personnel :
Warren Tolliver (First Tenor / Falsetto)
Wilfred Johnson (Second Tenor)
Homer Gray (Third Tenor)
William "Billy" Walker (Baritone)
Discography :
The Versatiles (4) 1962 - Just Pretending / Blue Feelin (Ramco 3717)
The Four Dimensions 1966 - What Are They Doing Now / You Gotta Have Soul (Ramco 1980)
Biography :
Wilfred Lemuel Johnson, after completing Phoenix Technical High School, joined the Army. In 1959, upon being discharged , he returned to Phoenix and spent a lot of time hanging out in East Lake Park. This park was a popular location for the local community. Wilfred often watched young vocal groups practice onstage and one evening he saw a group that he felt he could give some pointer to. The group then asked Wilfred to join as a tenor.
The group consisted of Warren Tolliver , Wilfred Johnson , Homer Gray and William "Billy" Walker . All were former servicemen. The group was soon booked for local shows, performed at the Elks and Zanzibar nightclubs and the VFW in South Phoenix. In 1962, Jim Musil, a 22-year-old budding Phoenix music producer and promoter, liked the Versatiles enough to sign them to a one year contract as their producer. He believed that two ballad written by Tony Bacak (a local area songwriter), "Just Pretending" and "Blue Feelin" would be perfect for the Versatiles.
A recording session was scheduled at Floyd Ramsey's audio recorders for December 10th, 1962. The two songs were then released on Ramco 3717. The Versatiles made appearances at the local area clubs. In 1964, after many performance, the Versatiles decided to take a break from the local music scene. In 1966, The versatile changed their name to the Four Dimensions and cut "What Are They Doing Now" and "You Gotta Have Soul" on Ramco 1980. William "Billy" Walker dropping out of the group when his job moved to California, The Four Dimensions soon Broke up.
The Four Cheers Singles : 1958 - Fatal Charms of Love / Perriwinkle Blue (End 1034) Unreleased : 1958 - Holly (End)
The Solidtones : Demo: 1957 - Madness (Group Backing Frankie Sal) 1958 - It's The Talk Of The Town 1958 - Tears In My Heart 1958 - Love's Fatal Charms 1958 - Holly
Biography :
The Four Cheers were a vocal group whose members were from the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx, NY. They actually got their start as a group called the Solidtones. The Solidtones were 5 guys whose members came and went. Sammy Dolson was an original member but he soon got drafted and the group was reduced to four members. They were: Anthony Salveggi, Tommy Salera, Angelo Ferraro and Pete Ortiz . The group had a manager named Sheldon Noren who introduced the group to George Goldner, who was in charge of Gone Records. Goldner, however, did not like the name Solidtones, and it was decided to change the name to the Four Cheers.
Terry Deann & The Solidtones (Circa 1958)
The first song the group recorded was a song called “Holly,” and they actually cut it in George Goldner’s office. They recorded the song live and in one take but it was not released at the time. Goldner liked the song and decided to sign them to Gone Records, which had a subsidiary label called End Records. End was primarily a black group label, and the only other white group signed to the label was the Del Satins, who went on to back Dion on many of his records. A few months later, they went to Bell Sound Studios on Eighth Avenue in Manhattan, where they recorded the two songs which thereafter were released on End, a subsidiary of Gone Records.
The songs were “Fatal Charms of Love” and "Perriwinkle Blue". Sheldon Noren and Anthony Salveggi wrote Fatal Charms of Love and Perriwinkle Blue was a song that had earlier been given to the group by George Goldner, and was written by a famous writer named Jay Livingston. An interesting note is that Little Anthony and the Imperials were also on the label, and they came in and recorded their hit song “Tears on My Pillow” right after the 2 songs by the Four Cheers, and using the same backup band.
George Goldner The Casals
Anthony Salveggi, the lead singer of the Four Cheers, also became good friends with Richard Barrett. The Four Cheers were supposed to go out on tour with Little Anthony and the Imperials but it never worked out due to a feud that took place. End Records was having an argument with Sheldon Noren, manager of the Four Cheers, and the manager got too pushy and End decided to drop interest in the Four Cheers. Little Anthony and the Imperials went on to become very popular.Tony Salveggi remained active in the music Bussiness and joined forces with Jimmy castor and formed a Rock'n Roll vocal duet in 1961 called the Casals, with Castor alson on Saxophone and Tony also playing Guitar.
The Twiliters (2) (McKesport, Pa.) aka The Twilighters (5)
Personnel :
Glenn Dorsey (Lead)
Delores Johnson (First Tenor)
Bob manual (Second Tenor)
Richard Covington (Baritone)
Ernie Holt (Bass)
Discography :
The Twiliters (2)
Singles: 1961 - Hey There / Caused By You (Nix 102) 1961 - Back To School / Love Bandit (Nix 103) 1964 - Sweet Lips / You Better Make It (Paloma 100) 1964 - My Beatle Haircut / Sweet Lips (Roulette 4546) Unreleased : N/A - One More Love N/A - Honest I Do N/A - Please Let The Romance Grow N/A - Playing With Fire N/A - Kissing Date N/A - Unchained Melody
The Twilighters (5) 1961 - Scratchin' / She Needs A Guy (Chess 1803)
Biography :
This group first assembled as a trio in September 1954. Bob Manual soon brought two junior high schoolmates of his into the group. They initially named themselves the Fascinators and began serious practice each day. They hooked up with Talent scout Bill Ramsey, who coached them on vocals as well as stage presence. Many Personnel changes occurred during the next several years. By 1959, they began calling themselves the Twiliters and were composed of the group reflected above. They Met record producer Bob Vogelsberger whose ambition it was to manage a vocal group. Vogelsberger arranged to have them record four sides, but none were ever released. They soon hooked up with record producer Nick Censi, who was the owner of Nix records. Nix 102 & 103 were recorded in 1961.
The Joneses
Jules Krusoir who initially guided the marvels, also a Pittsburgh vocal group, took an interest in the Twiliters and had them record for his Paloma label. The Paloma Discs failed and bass Ernie Holt left to be replaced by Sylvester Brooks, who in 1956 became the lead of the Smoothtones, following Alfred Gaitwood's departure. When Delores Johnson Left, Ernie Holt rejoined the Twiliters. Hoping to capitalize on the British invasion and the Beatles phenomenon, the group recorded "My Beatle Haircut", which was released on Roulette in 1963. This fared well locally and got the Twiliters many Bookings in their area. In 1964, Dorsey developed a Thyroid condition that necessitated surgery. The operation affected his vocal chords and left Dorsey unable to sing. This ended the singing career of the Twiliters. In two years Dorsey recovered and in 1966 Dorsey and Manual formed another vocal group they called the Persians. After many personnel changes, they eventually became the Joneses.
Paste Up Picture - L to R :Guy Villari, Sal Cuomo, Charles Fassert, Ernie Maresca
The Desires (3) (Bronx, New York) aka The Runarounds (2) aka The Regents (3)
Personnel :
Guy Villari (Lead)
Sal Cuomo (First Tenor)
Charles Fassert (Second Tenor)
Ernie Maresca (Baritone)
Discography :
Singles : 1962 - Story Of Love / I Ask You (Seville 118)
Unreleased : 1959 - Barbara Ann 1959 - Teenage Love
Biography :
An earlier version of the Regents from 1957 was called The Monterays, and included Guy Villari, Sal Cuomo, Charles Fassert and Ernie Maresca (who later had a hit with "Shout, Shout - Knock Yourself Out"). The group recorded demos in Bell Sound, Associated, and Regent Sound studios. They were signed to Seville Records as The Desires, however, none of the songs they recorded were released, until the group had success three years later as The Regents. Ernie Maresca left the group to concentrate on songwriting after one of his songs "No One Knows", became a hit for Dion & The Belmonts in 1958. he was replaced by Jacobucci.
Ernie Maresca
In 1958 the group recorded Villari's "A Teenager's Love". At the same recording session they waxed "Barbara Ann" in three takes. Eddie Jacobucci revived the Regents by accident. His group, the Consorts, lacked original songs for an audition, so they recorded a version of "Barbara Ann". The owner of Cousins Records heard the track and decided to release the original version by the Regents. The original group reunited, and Cousins released "Barbara Ann" in March 1961. It became a No. 1 record in New York
The Classic IV (Philadelphia) aka The Classic Four
Personnel :
Andy Petruzelli (Lead)
Albert Buccini (Baritone)
Johnny Delagol (Tenor)
Bob Camardella (Bass)
Discography :
Singles:
The Classic IV 1962 - Island Of Paradise / What Will I Do (Without You) (Twist 1001) 1962 - Please Be Mine / Heavenly Bliss (Twist 1003/1004)
The Classic Four 1962 - Early Christmas / Limbo Under The Christmas Tree (Algonquin 1650) 1962 - What Will I Do (Without You) / True Story (Algonquin 1651)
Unreleased:
1962 - This To Me Is Love (Twist) 1962 - My Mama Told Me (Twist)
Biography :
The Classic Four were from Penn & Magnolia streets in Germantown, Philadelphia. Members were Andy Petruzelli, Johnny Delagol, Al Buccini & Bob Camardella. They cut some demos for Artie Singer (discoverer of Danny & Juniors & owner of Singular & Twist Records) .Two singles was released on his Twist label in 1962 as The Classic IV. "Island of Paradise" was a local hit for the group..
After their two singles on Twist records, Johnny Delagol Left the group. At this time, the group was managed by Jeanette Carey. An enterprising sort, Jimmy Testa from the Fabulous Four was employed by Crisconi Oldsmobile, where he sidled up to the owner’s daughter, Jeanette Carey….
Jeanette Auditioned Jimy on the spot and convincing him to join the Classic IV. Jimmy Testa replaced Johnny Delagol in the group. They signed a recording contract with Algonquin records, a New Yorl Label and cut two new singles as the Classic Four.
The Classic IV's both algonquin disking's were quickly ground into sawdust. With that they went their separate ways.
Songs :
Island Of Paradise What Will I Do Please Be Mine
Heavenly Bliss Early Christmas Limbo Under The Christmas Tree
Singles: 1954 - Mambo Oongh / Come Back To Me (Peacock 1651) 1960 - My Love Is Real / Baby You Know You're Wrong (Epic 9423) 1961 - Lonely Street / Chicken Twist (Foxie 7005)
Unreleased: 1959 - Baby You Know You're Wrong 1959 - Wonderful Mother 1959 - Love Was Made For Everyone 1959 - Say I Do 1959 - Good Lovin' (acappella) 1959 - The Bell Of St. Mary's (acappella) 1959 - Baby Stop Your Crying (acappella) 1959 - I Can't Forget (acappella) 1959 - I Bring Home The Bacon (acappella) 1959 - My Sweet Baby (acappella)
Biography :
The Dappers formed as the Rivieras in 1949 in Cambridge, Massachussets, and featured Al Chambers (Lead Tenor), Eddy Poindexter (Bass), Jimmy Williams (Guitar / Second Baritone), Abie Clemens (Lead Tenor), Rolly Clemens (Second Tenor), Donald Clemens (Baritone). George and Leo Cromwell came into the fold when Al Chambers left for the service in 1951. Abie and Donald Clemens would also depart, leaving the rivieras as a quartet. Irvin Marcus, A&R scout for Houston-based Duke Records discovered the group in 1954 at aBoston Club and soon had the group cut "Mambo Oongh" / "Come Back To Me" for Peacock, Duke's sisters label. The Company rechristened their new Boston acquisitions the Dappers.
When Chambers returned from the Service, he rejoined the Dappers. Leo Cromwell was to be replaced by Roddy Waddie. Jimmy Williams took up an offer to join McPhatter & the Drifters, leaving Chambers, Waddie and Cromwell to work as a trio for the next two years. Edward Bishop Sr came into the group.
On May, 10, 1959, a total of ten songs had been recorded, four with a band , earmarked for future event singles and six acappella numbers cut as demos for future sessions. Nothing from this fruitful sessions was issued. The Dappers continued playing constantly, working New England night spots such as Shanty's Lounge, Wally's Paradise, Basin Street East, the Palace, as well as the Barn in Sunappe, NH.
They also toured north to Canadian venues like the Ball Tavern and the Coronet in Quebec City, Larry Moquin's and the Casa Loma in Montreal and the Brown Derby and Brass Rail in Toronto. Stateside Road trips took the Dappers to Albany, New York city and Philly and on to the star-studded copa City in Miami Beach.
They recorded "My Love Is Real" / "Baby You Know You're Wrong" for Epic in 1960. the following year they offered "Lonely Street" / "Chicken Twist" on Foxie. The Dappers expanded into a self-contained seven piece vocal/instrumental group. Their last trip was a canadian jaunt to montreal, Quebec city, Toronto and Hamilton where Chambers Left the group. The Remaining Dappers returned to Boston, worked for one week and then broke up for Good.
Songs :
Come Back To Me Mambo Oongh My Love Is Real
Baby You Know You're Wrong Lonely Street Chicken Twist
Wonderful Mother Love Was Made For Everyone Say I Do
Good Lovin' (acappella) The Bells Of St. Mary's (acapella) My Sweet Baby (acapella)
I Can't Forget (acapella) I Bring Home The Bacon (acapella) Baby Stop Your Crying
1957 - Gone, Gone, Get Away / Let's Be Partners (Fox 749) 1957 - Moments To Remember You By / Fine, Fine Baby (Fox 846/Atco 6107)
Biography :
These Romeos formed in Detroit while in high school. Prior to being the Romeo's, the group went under the name of The Counts (picture above) with Eugene Dyer, Kenny Johnson, Don Davenport and Bobby Alexander. The group didn't become well known or even one-hit wonders, but some of the members went on to bigger and better things. The Group met Lamont Dozier and Ty Hunter and when Bobby Alexander was out They dropped the name "Counts," and began calling themselves the "Romeos". The local Fox Records issued two singles by them in 1957, the first "Gone, Gone Get Away" b/w "Let's Be Partners" made little impact outside of Detroit and wasn't a major player there either.
A second release, both sides written by George Braxton: "Moments to Remember You By" b/w "Fine, Fine Baby" got enough run for Atco Records to pick it up the following year. When the Romeos had done a show at the Lincoln Park Roller Rink, they'd met the Larados, an all-white local group. Davenport joined the Larados, spelling the end of the Romeos http://www.uncamarvy.com/Romeos/romeos.html
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Kayo & The Trinities (Potlatch, Idaho)
