Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Stereophonics aka The Chordells (2)

Posted on May 27 2014 by dion1

The Chordells (2) (New York)
aka The Stereophonics

Personnel:

Floyd S. Thomas (Lead)

Norah Thomas

Discography :

The Stereophonics
1958 - Love Is So Wonderful / No More Heartaches (Apt 25003)

The Chordells (2)
1959 - At Last / September Song (Jaro 77005)

Willie Howard & The Chordells (2)
1958 - Louise / Letter Of Love (Mascot 127)

Little Chips & The Chordells (2)
1961 - Amazon Girl / A Little More Love (Hull 746)

Biography :

Group From New York, fronted by Floyd S. Thomas, The Stereophonics cut "Love Is So Wonderful" b/w "No More Heartaches" for Apt. Records in 1958. Apt Records was a sub-label from ABC-Paramount Records. The label was started in 1958 and released only singles until it was shelved in 1966. The name was derived from ABC-Paramount's parent company, American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres.

The Next year, the same group cut " At Last" b/w "September Song" for Jaro International under the name of The Chordells. Jaro was a jazz subsidiary label of Top Rank Records established in 1959 in New York City.

The Chordells (2) aka The Stereophonics

At the same time, another group of the same name with a male lead (Little Chip aka Willie Howard) with female backing cut two singles for Hull & Mascot records. Mascot was a subsidiary of Hull. it is quite possible that this is the same group with a few personnel changes and all the Labels : Apt, Jaro, Hull and Mascot are from Manhattan... Waiting info ...

Songs :

The Stereophonics


Love Is So Wonderful                      No More Heartaches

The Chordells (2)


September Song                              At Last

Little Chips & The Chordells (2)

A Little More Love

Willie Howard & The Chordells (2)

Letter Of Love

...

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The Tones (2)

Posted on May 25 2014 by dion1

L to R : Pierce, Russell, Santos, Ingraham, Amitrano

The Tones (2) (Oneonta, New York)

Personnel :

Paul Pierce (Lead)

Larry Santos

Sergio Amitrano

Jerry Russell

Richard Ingraham

Nathon Driggs (accompanist)

Discography :

Single :
1958 - Three Little Loves / We Belong Together (Baton 265)

Unreleased :
1958 - I'm A Lovin' You So (Baton)
1958 - It's Been So Long (Baton)
1958 - I Love The Way (Baton)

Biography :

The Boys started as members of Willis L. Walley's crack Varsity choir at Oneonta High Scholl, Where young Santos, Pierce, Driggs and Russel are seniors. Walley used to encourage his students to enter talent shows at OHS . Paul Pierce remembers how he and a few of his friends entered a show and were sponsored by Mosca's Pizzeria. They went by the name "The Pizzarinos." But there were other bands in competition, and eventually three of those bands would merge into one called "The Chymes."

The Tones (2)
L to R : Pierce, Santos, Amitrano, Russell, Ingraham - Bottom : Nathon Driggs

WDOS program director Ed Hyder heard the band and asked them to record some of their songs at Hartwick College's recording studios. It was just about every kid's dream during the late '50s to press a demo record, and these guys did. They got an audition through Baton's lead producer, Sol Rabinowicz. On the spot, the Oneonta guys were signed to a recording contract. the Boys heard that another singing group had first claim to "The Chimes". Baton Records would not last long. It pressed about 10,000 records by The Tones.

Although these guys never made the big charts, such as Billboard, they got a significant amount of play and high ratings on individual radio station charts across the Northeast and Midwestern states (such as powerhouse WKBW in Buffalo) in 1958. The band would go on to appear on regional TV teen dance shows for awhile. Larry Santos went on to write songs for the Four Seasons and Dinae Renay. Through the 60's he often collaborated with Bob Crewe. In the late 60's he began recording albums on his own.

Songs :

Three Little Loves We Belong Together

...

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The Romans (1)

Posted on May 22 2014 by dion1

The Romans (1) (East Haven, Connecticut)

Personnel :

Joe Apuzzo (Lead)

Chick Ciccolallo

Chick Leone

Tony Leone

Discography :

1956 - Honey Love / Why Can‘t This Be So? (Haven 111)

Biography :

The lead vocalist of this quartet was Joseph Apuzzo. He was a serious musician talking vocal lessons with a coach in the area. He was developing a promising singing career and gaining local celebrity status as a singing waiter. The other members of the group were a pair of brothers and a mutual friend or co-worker, the Leone brothers lived around the corner from Joseph at the time. The final member of the group was called Chick Ciccolallo. One song they would rehearse was "In the Still of the Night". That song was an incredible hit and that group was a local act as well, known as the 5 Satins. The Romans recorded their songs in the same space as the 5 Satins.

The Five Satins (In The Still Of The Night) The Studio = Saint Bernadette Church

Incredibly, this studio was actually the basement of a local Catholic Church (Saint Bernadette Church). A number of groups recorded there as word got around about the availability of the work space. The Romans was doing area T V shows and local sock hops to promote the group. They appeared with the likes of Bobby Darin and Connie Francis on some shows among a host of other up and comers. The Romans recorded 4 songs, but only two are released in the local label Haven.
Thanks to David J. Apuzzo

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Honey Love Why Can‘t This Be So?

...

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The Dinos

Posted on May 20 2014 by dion1

The Dinos

The Dinos (Corpus Christi,Texas)
(The Doo-Wop Years)

Personnel :

Abraham Quintanilla

Seferino Perales

Bobby Lira

Discography :

1959 - I'm Broke / So Hard To Tell (Fox 1010)
1960 - (Won't You) Give Me A Chance / It's So Good To Know (Fine 001)
1961 - Twistin' Irene / Darling Oh Darling (Fox 0101)
1961 - Lover's Holiday / Happy Fool (Fox 105)

Biography :

Abraham Quintanilla originally was with a group called the Gumdrops, an informal group of choir members at Miller High School formed in 1957. Los Dinos Original members were Seff Perales, Bobby Lira and Guadalupe Barrera. Around 1958, Barrera left the group and Abraham quickly approached the "Dinos" and asked if he can be part of their singing group. The group decided to give Abraham a chance by practicing with them.

Bobby Lira, Abraham Quintanilla and Seferino Perales

Abraham's wishes were granted when the Dinos crowned him as the "third voice". During the beginning stages of the group, the Dinos were paid thirty United States dollars in booked venues. Los Dinos cited their musical inspirations were musical ensembles The Four Aces and Mills Brothers. In 1959, Los Dinos released their first single "So Hard To Tell" on the J.W. Fox label that was owned by Johnny Herrera. The single became a classic hit on KEYS and helped the band to be booked at personal appearances at sock hops in Corpus, Kingville and Woodsboro, Texas.

Los Dinos (1964)

The Dino's second single "Give Me One Chance", was composed by Teddy Randazzo sold 150,000 copies. The single began getting extensive airplay throughout South Texas and on KILT-FM. Los Dino's popularity prosper after the record sales of "Give Me One Chance". The band faced racism and discrimination due to being of Mexican decent. A club owner, who thought the band were Italians, was captured that Los Dinos were Mexican Americans. The club owner decided not to pay them. Los Dinos were turned down motel rooms and other venues that were dominant White American neighborhoods.

The Dinos

The bands next singles "Tiwistin' Irene" and "Lover's Holiday" sold poorly. In October 1961, Abraham was drafted into the military . While back, Abraham re-joined with Los Dinos and began singing American pop and Rock and roll music.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Darling Oh Darling                 So Hard To Tell                  It's So Good To Know


(Won't You) Give Me A Chance         Happy Fool              It's So Good To Know

Twistin' Irene

…..

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The Counts (1)

Posted on May 19 2014 by dion1

The Counts (1) (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Personnel :

Chester Brown (Tenor Lead)

Robert Penick (First Tenor)

Robert Wesley (Second Tenor)

Robert Young (Baritone)

James Lee (Bass)  

Discography :

1954 - Darling Dear / I Need You Always (Dot 1188) 
1954 - Hot Tamales / Baby Don't You Know (Dot 1199) 
1954 - My Dear My Darling / She Won't Say Yes (Dot 1210) 
1954 - Waitin' Around For You / Baby I Want You (Dot 1226) 
1954 - Let Me Go Lover / Wailin' Little Mama (Dot 1235) 
1955 - Love And Understanding / From This Day On (Dot 1243) 
1955 - I Need You Tonight / Sally Walker (Dot 1265) 
1956 - To Our Love / Heartbreaker (Dot 1275)

Biography :

The Counts were a vocal group on the periphery of the R & B explosion that took hold across the United states in late 1954. All members attended Crispus Attucks High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, while the band formed. The group impressed local talent scouts and brought them to the attention of Randy Wood and his fledgling Dot label located in nearby Gallatin.

The first recording by the group was issued on Dot #1188 - "Darling Dear" and "I Need You Always". The 'A' side, the rhythmic ballad "Darling Dear" was an immediate hit with its interesting sound that seemed to have one foot rooted in the older blues and the other on the more modernistic stylings of the mid fifties.

The Counts hit the stage of the venerable Apollo Theater in New York along with the "King" of the one nighters Buddy Johnson & his orchestra with Ella Johnson and Nolan Lewis. In late May a second Dot recording is released, it is #1199 - "Baby Don't You Know" and "Hot Tamale". This time a thud is heard as it is not a successful follow up that the group and the label hoped for.

Even so, The Counts are signed on as part of the touring revue called "The 2nd Annual Rhythm & Blues Show" which includes Roy Hamilton, The Drifters, Faye Adams, LaVern Baker, The Spaniels, King Pleasure, and the Rusty Bryant band. The show will tour the South for six weeks during the summer.

The group's recording career lasted only two years, from 1954 to 1956, but gave such great sides as "Darling Dear," "My Dear My Darling," "To Our Love," "From This Day On," and "Let Me Go Lover". All were recorded for the Dot label.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Counts/counts.html
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/DarlDear.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/counts.html
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/counts.htm

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Darling Dear / I Need You Always Hot Tamales / Baby Don't You Know

My Dear My Darling / She Won't Say Yes        Waitin' Around For You


Let Me Go Lover / Wailin' Little Mama        Love And Understanding


I Need You Tonight                   Sally Walker                       To Our Love

Heartbreaker From This Day On Baby I Want You

...

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The Tuxedos aka The Hollywood Saxons

Posted on May 18 2014 by dion1

Joe Lewis, Charles Taggart and Stan Beverly

The Tuxedos (Los Angeles)
aka The Hollywood Saxons

Personnel :

Stan Beverly (Lead)

Joe Lewis (Baritone)

Charles Taggart (Bass)

Discography :

1960 - Yes It's True / Trouble, Trouble (Forte 1414)

Biography :

The Hollywood Saxons were longtime mainstays of the Los Angeles R&B circuit, performing under a series of names during their checkered recording career. After woodshedding for more than a year, the (Hollywood) Saxons finally began playing live, and in 1958 signed to the tiny Our label for "Please Be My Love Tonight." At year's end they signed with the Contender label, already home to a rival Saxons led by the R&B pioneer Jesse Belvin -- producer George Motola simply renamed his newest act the Capris for 1959's "Endless Love," issued on his Tender subsidiary. When the record failed to generate much excitement, the Saxons/Capris again moved on, this time signing to Capitol for "Close to You," credited to the Portraits. As if the waters weren't muddied enough, in September 1960 the trio of Beverly, Lewis, and Taggart convened as the Tuxedos to cut "Trouble" for Motola's Forte label. From now on, they would [ always be known as the "Hollywood Saxons."
http://www.uncamarvy.com/HollywoodSaxons/hollywoodsaxons.html

Songs :

Yes It's True Trouble, Trouble

….

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Gary Faulkner & The Hightowers

Posted on May 16 2014 by dion1

Gary Faulkner & The Hightowers (Los Angeles, Ca.)

Personnel :

Gary Faulkner (Lead)

Rachel Reyes

Anita Garcia

Barbara Garcia

Ann Hernandez

Discography :

1960 - Everybody Wants To Know / Country Boy (Rendezvous 119)

Biography :

Mixed Vocal group formed by five students in 1957. The group include Rachel Reyes, a senior at San Bernardino High School, Anita Garcia, a freshman at San Bernardino Valley College, Gary Faulkner, alumnus of Banning High School, Barbara Garcia, sophomore at Santa Barbara High School and Mary Ann Hernandez, a senior at Santa Barbara High School.

L to R : Rachel Reyes, Anita Garcia, Gary Faulkner, Barbara Garcia and Ann Hernandez.

The group has sung together for the past three years and Gary Faulkner & The Hightowers appeared on the March of Dimes show, as well as on TV. The Group cut two song early 1960 . According to Billboard (March 28, 1960) - "Rendezvous Records has acquired the master of "Everybody" and "I"m Just A Country Boy", by Gary Faulkner and The Hightowers originally released on the for Sutter label in California."

Songs :

Everybody Wants To Know Country Boy

...

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The Creators (2) aka The Dootones (2)

Posted on May 15 2014 by dion1

The Dootones (2) (Los Angeles, CA)
aka The Creators (2)

Personnel :

Gentry Bradley (Bass / Baritone)

Gerald Middleton (Tenor)

Hillary Conedy

Royal Dillard

Discography :

The Creators (2)
1961 - I've Had You / Drafted, Volunteered, Enlisted (Dootoo 463)
1962 - Too Far To Turn Around / Hello There, Mister Gravedigger (Dore 635)

The Dootones (2)
Singles :
1962 - Strange Love Affair / The Day You Said Goodbye (Dooto 470)
1962 - Sailor Boy / Down The Road (The Dootones 1) (Dooto 471)
Unreleased :
1962 - If You Were My Darling (Dooto) (Unreleased)

Biography :

Formed in the Compton area of Los Angeles in 1960, The Creators rehearsed one of Perry's love ballads, "I've had you" and sent a tape of it to Dootsie Williams. Williams called the guys and had them come down to sessions man Austin McCoy's studio at 135th and Avalon. The Group cut "I've Had You" b/w "Drafted, Volunteered, Enlisted".

Dootsie Williams

The record sold pretty well around L.A and the Creators played the Pacific Ballroom in San Diego, The Moulin Rouge and Palladium on Sunset Boulevard, The Long Beach Arena, and The El Monte Legion Stadium where masquerading as The Penguins we backed Cleve Duncan. In September 1962, a neighbourhood entrepreneur named Danny Merlin operating from his home on Western Avenue, Los Angeles, introduced the quintet to Bedell who signed them on the strength of 'Too Far To Turn Around'.

Top Lt to Rt . Gentry Bradley , Thomas Harris Bottom Lt. To Rt. Donald Neal, Charles Perry, Gerald Middlelton

This featured Charles Perry and Hillary Conedy (who replace Donald Neal) handling the lead and falsetto parts respectively, supported by Gentry Bradley, Tom Harris and Gerald Middleton - all five being named on the contract. After the single failed to chart, Charles Perry then broke away to record a solo single for the obscure Melic label owned by songwriter Jessie Mae Robinson.

Following their reformation with some replacement, Gentry Bradley, Gerald Middleton and Hillary Conedy along with Royal Dillard sang with Dootsie Williams' new group The L.A. Ebbs. Williams renamed them the Dootones, and seven years after the first group, put two more singles.
http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/The_Dore_Story__Volume_1.html
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Dootones/dootones.html

Songs :

The Creators (2)

I've Had You Drafted, Volunteered, Enlisted Too Far To Turn Around

Hello There, Mister Gravedigger

The Dootones (2)

Strange Love Affair / The Day You Said Goodbye

Sailor Boy If You Were My Darling

...

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The Von Gayles aka The Cascades (1)

Posted on May 13 2014 by dion1

The Von Gayles : Stacy Steel Jr., Jimmy Washington and Joe Brackenridge

The Von Gayles (Chicago)
aka The Cascades (1)

Personnel :

Joe Brackenridge (Lead)

Stacy Steel Jr. (First Tenor)

Willie Dial "Willie Wright" (Second Tenor)

Willie Daniels (Baritone)

James " Doolaby" Wright (Bass)

Discography :

The Von Gayles
1959 - Loneliness / The Twirl (USA 1221)
1960 - The Twirl / Crazy Dance (Dore 544)

The Cascades (1)
1964 - Pains In My Heart / Only One I Can Spare (Mc Cormick 105/Renee 105)

Biography :

The Von Gayles got their start around 1956. The members of the group were lead singer Joe Brackenridge, Stacy Steele Jr., Jimmy Washington, Willie C. Robinson and Charles Johnson. The Von Gayles eventually made contact with Woodtate Anderson, a go-getter in the music business, and he brought the group under the management of the Impressions'manager, Eddie Thomas. Anderson and Thomas were instrumental in getting the group on record, having them sign with the USA label. The label was owned by a Milwaukee pop deejay, Lee Rothman. Following the pattern of most groups of the era, the Von Gayles recorded four sides during their first session, held at Universal Recording. But as it turned out, the Von Gayles who performed on the records were more of an ad hoc group. Charles Johnson was temporarily separated from the group due to a spat and Jimmy Washington was working on the day of the session.

The Cascades: Charles Johnson,Henry Brackenridge, Willie C. Robinson,Stacy Steel. Front Joe Brackenridge.

So Joe Brackenridge and Stacy Steele were joined by second tenor Willie Dial (Willie Wright), baritone Willie Daniels, and bass James " Doolaby" Wright. The three ad hoc members had actually been a part of an earlier group from the near North Side, the Serenades. USA put out only two sides, "Loneliness" and " The Twirl" around 1959. In 1960 Dore Records, owned by Lou Bedell and headquartered in Hollywood, California, picked up two Von Gayles sides, "The Twirl" and "Crazy Dance," but achieved no better luck. The group played a few gigs in Chicago and even appeared on a television show in Milwaukee — via the Rothman connection — but their fame, such as it was, was fleeting. Joe Brackenridge and company cooled their heels for a while before appearing again on record. In 1964 the group, now calling themselves the Cascades cut "Pains In My Heart" b/w "Only One I Can Spare". The group now consisted of Joe Brackenridge, Stacy Steel Jr., Willie C. Robinson, Henry Brackernridge and Charles Johnson.
THE CHICAGO SCENE by Robert Pruter

Songs :

The Von Gayles


Loneliness                                 The Twirl                           Crazy Dance

The Cascades (1)


Pains in my Heart                           Only One I Can Spare

…

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Lacille Watkins & The Belltones (3)

Posted on May 10 2014 by dion1

Lacille Watkins & The Belltones (3) (Newark, New Jersey)

Personnel :

Lacille Watkins (Lead)

Discography :

1956 - His Hand In Mine / Maybe You'll Be There (Kapp 145)

Biography :

Born in Newark (New Jersey) in 1923, La Cille Christine Watkins started her musical career as a gospel and opera singer. Her long time partner in songwriting and music was Wilbur Bell who also recorded as Johnny Bell (Cecil and Fleetwood Records).

Together, they recorded spirituals as by the Watkins-Bell Singers for Bandwagon Records (and Arlington, its folk and race subisidary) in the late forties. LaCille Watkins had also at least two releases under her own name. The first on Jaguar Records backed by the Volumes. The second on Kapp, backed by the Belltones.
http://oldwax.blogspot.fr/2013/10/dry-bones.html

Songs :

Maybe You'll Be There / His Hand In Mine

...

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