Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Five C's (1)

Posted on September 29 2014 by dion1

The Five C's (Gary, Indiana)

Personnel :

Clarence Anderson (Lead Tenor)

Curtis "Tab" Nevils (Tenor)

Harvey Honey (High Tenor)

Melvin Carr (Baritone)

Carlos Patterson (Bass)

Discography :

Singles :
1954 - Tell Me / Whoo-Wee Baby (United 172)  
1954 - My Heart's Got The Blues / Goody, Goody (United 180)  

Unreleased :
1954 - There's No Tomorrow (United)  
1954 - I Long For You (United)
1954 - Only By You I Want To Be Loved (United) 
1954 - Going My Way (United)

Biography :

Gary, IN-based R&B vocal group the Five C's formed in 1951 -- according to Marv Goldberg's profile on his R&B Notebooks website, founders Clarence Anderson (lead tenor), Curtis Nevils (tenor), and Carlos Patterson (bass) originally adopted the name Three C's, and performed as a trio while finishing their careers at Gary's Froebel High School. After graduation, the group expanded with the additions of baritone Melvin Carr and high tenor Harvey Honey, nicknaming the latter "Clyde" solely for the purposes of accuracy in renaming themselves the Five C's.

Because all five members worked in the Gary mills, they were forced to restrict their live appearances to weekends, but by late 1953 they'd earned enough to enter Chicago's Universal Recording Studio to cut their debut single, "Tell Me." Issued in early 1954 on the local United label, the disc was a minor local hit, and the Five C's reentered the studio in May to cut their sophomore effort, "My Heart's Got the Blues," backed by saxophonist Eddie Chamblee's orchestra. The record made less of an impact than its predecessor, and a third United session remains unreleased.

Eddie Chamblee The Five C's

Carr quit the group soon after to join the military, and with new baritone Leroy "Clifford" Hicks, the Five C's continued intermittently for over a decade, never again recording but playing the occasional Froebel High alumni gathering and the like. In the late '60s, they even shared a bill with another Gary quintet: an up-and-coming sibling group called the Jackson 5.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/5Cs/5cs.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Tell Me / Whoo-Wee Baby


My Heart's Got The Blues            I Long For You            There's No Tomorrow


Going My Way              Only By You I Want To Be Loved             Goody, Goody

….

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Darrell & The Oxfords (1)

Posted on September 26 2014 by dion1

Darrell & The Oxfords

Darrell & The Oxfords (1) (New York)
ref : The Linc-Tones

Personnel :

Jay Siegel

Hank Medress

Warren Schwartz

Fred Kalkstein

Discography :

1959 - Picture In My Wallet / Roses And Red (Roulette 4174)
1960 - Can't You Tell ? / But Your Mother She Said No (Roulette 4230)

Biography :

In 1955, Neil Sedaka was sitting in his math class at Lincoln High School when he heard Jay Siegel singing Falsetto. They decided to form a group and recruited three members of Mrs. Eisen's Choral (Hank Medress, Cynthia Zolotin and Eddie Rabkin), the Linc-Tones was Born. Piano prodigy Sedaka decided The Tokens sounded better as a name; Rabkin left the following year and was replaced by Siegel. Cynthia's family had connections in the city at the Brill Building, which opened doors for her and Neil.

The quartet auditioned for Morty Craft, owner of the Willows' label, Melba, and recorded "I Love My Baby" (with a lead vocal by Rabkin) backed with "While I Dream" (lead by Sedaka), both written by Neil and another Lincoln High student, Howard Greenfield. This led to an appearance on Ted Steele's Teen Bandstand show on WOR-TV, though the single didn't catch on outside the N.Y. area. The group gradually separated and in '58 Hank and Jay ventured forth with Warren Schwartz and Fred Kalkstein as the oddly-named Darrell and the Oxfords; two 1959 singles on Roulette included the ballad "Picture in My Wallet."

Darrell & The Oxfords (1)

Late in the year another shake-up occurred when Hank and Jay began singing with younger Lincoln High student Phil Margo, who played piano, and his 12-year-old brother Mitch. They came up with another strange name, Those Guys, then in 1960 Joe Venneri joined and the group functioned as a quintet for several years. Craft signed them again, this time for the Warwick label, insisting they ditch that "Those Guys" misnomer. Reviving the Tokens name, they hit the top 20 in the spring of '61 with a catchy 'doo-be-doo-be-dum...' tune penned by Margo and Medress, "Tonight I Fell in Love."

Songs :

Picture In My Wallet                           Roses And Red


But Your Mother She Said No                       Can't You Tell ?

...

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The Baltineers aka The Val-Tones

Posted on September 24 2014 by dion1

The Baltineers (Baltimore, Maryland)
aka The Val-Tone

Personnel :

Percy Cosby (Lead)

William Kennedy

Thomas Smith

Joseph Wiggins

Discography :

The Val-Tones
1955 - Tender Darling / Siam Sam (DeLuxe 6084)

The Baltineers
1956 - Moments Like This / New Love (Teenage 1000)
1956 - Tears In My Eyes / Joe's Calypso (Teenage 1002)

Biography :

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, The Val-Tones were discovered by Henry Stone, DeLuxe A&R man while they were working a club in Miami, Florida. The members Were Percy Cosby (Lead), William Kennedy, Thomas Smith, And Joseph Wiggins. The Act has been together for about three years and have been touring the country from border to border and coast to coast. The Quartet cut "Tender Darling" b/w "Siam Sam" for the Deluxe Label.

The Val-tones change their name to the Baltineers and recorded four sides for The Teenage Label owned by Bill "Bass" Gordon and Ben Smith . Bill "Bass" Gordon, recorded with the Colonials for the Gee label in 1954. He began the Teenage label in New York in 1955. The label, Black-owned and operated, was one of the rarities among the independant labels in the mid-1950s.
Thanks to Marv Goldberg

Songs :

The Val-Tones


Tender Darling                              Siam Sam

The Baltineers


Moments Like This                                New Love

Tears In My Eyes / Joe's Calypso

...

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The GI's aka Doug Van Beck Trio

Posted on September 22 2014 by dion1

The GI's (Army Base)
aka Doug Van Beck Trio

Personnel :

Doug Morris

Richard Vanderbilt

William Beck

Discography :

The GI's

Singles :
1963 – Please Wait / Dance The Wiggle Wobble (Festival 502)

Eps :
1963 - The GI's (Festival FX 1341)
Please Wait / Too Much Dreamin's No Good / Blizzard / Dance The Wiggle Wobble

1964 - The GI's (Festival FX 1368)
When Does It Get To Be Love / Lucy / Indian Surf / Surf No. 1 (Surfin' Little Girl)

Doug Van Beck Trio

Singles :
1964 - Surfin' Little Girl / A Workin' Man's Day Is Never Done (Fargo 1064)
1964 - A Whole Lot Of Surfin' / A Workin (Judy 6500)

Biography :

This vocal group, made up from three US Army soldiers. They met during their military service in France. They sing mostly in American military camps for armed theater. Following an appearance at the french TV, they got a contract with the French's Festival label and cut eight songs.

When they returned to the United States after their military service, they recorded two singles as Doug Van Beck Trio. Doug Morris later wrote "Sweet Talkin' Guy" for The Chiffons and produced many Laurie label acts.

Songs :

The GI's

Lucy Too Much Dreamin's No Good Please Wait

...

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Johnny Schilling & The Sherwoods (4)

Posted on September 18 2014 by dion1

Top : Lenny LaMonica & Tom Nigra - Below : "Little" Johnny Schilling andTony Valastro

Johnny Schilling & The Sherwoods (4) (Chester, NY.)

Personnel :

"Little" Johnny Schilling (Guitar/Vocals)

Tom Nigra (Bass/Vocals)

Tony Valastro (Tenor Sax/Vocals)

Lenny LaMonica (Drums)

Discography :

1964 - Marcelle / King of the World (C&A 507)

Biography :

Little Johnny Schillingand the Sherwoods was a vocal & instrumental group from Chester, NY. Little John on guitar and vocals, Tom Nigra on bass and vocals, Tony Valastro on tenor sax and vocals and Lenny LaMonica on drums. The band was formed in 1962 and played steadily all over New York state and Jersey.

Johnny Schilling & The Sherwoods recorded two fabulous Doo Wop "Marcelle" and "King of the World" for C&A Records producer, Vinnie Catalano in New York City in 1964. They played together until 1968. Little John Schilling is still working as a musician in Central Florida with Nightly Blues, a blues, jazz and r&b group. Little John and the Sherwoods are not to be confused with another band called the Sherwoods from Connecticut.

Songs :

King of the World Marcelle
...

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The Holidays (4) aka The Standards (2)

Posted on September 16 2014 by dion1

The Holidays (4) (Manhattan, New York)
aka The Standards (2)

Personnel :

Tony Castro (Lead)

Larry Loeb (First Tenor)

Larry Rizzo (Baritone)

Harry Jay (Second Tenor)

Fred "Duke" Hodgkinson (Bass)

Discography :

The Spirals
Unreleased :
1957 - I've Got The World On A String

Tony & The Holidays (4)
Singles :
1962 - There Goes My Heart Again / My Love Is Real (ABC 10295)
Unreleased :
1959 - Your Way
1959 - The Glory of Love
1959 - I Was Such A Fool
1962 - I'm Confessin'
1959 - Come Go With Me
1959 - Each Step I take
1960 - Tick Tock
1961 - Melissa
1962 - Apple Blossom Time

Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays (4)
1963 - Time To Dream (Brahms Lullaby) / My Love Is Real (Sabina 506)
1963 - That Background Sound / Now It's All Over (Sabina 510)

Biography :

In the late '50's a group from Manhattan know as the Spirals got their chance to record. The Financial backers were there to choose one of the two groups sharing studio time. The Second Group, Little Anthony's group won and the rest is history.

The Spirals The Vibratones

Larry Loeb (First Tenor) and Larry Rizzo (Baritone) would now join Harry Jay who was just released from the Army. Harry have been singing with the Vibratones. Harry discovered lead singer Tony Castro and along with bass Fred "Duke" Hodgkinson (formally of the Versatiles), Tony & The Holidays were born.

The Holidays

After much practice the group recorded their first demo "Melissa" and "Tick Tock". This soon led to a release on ABC Records, "There Goes My Heart Again" b/w "My Love Is Real".

The Holidays

By the end of 1962 the group moved to Sabina Records and recorded several sides for the Belmonts and Jerry Granaham, under the new name Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays, "Time To Dream", "My Love Is Real", "Now It's All Over" and "That Background Sound" to mention a few. The latter also had Freddie & Angelo of the Belmonts in the Background.

The Holidays

Tony Castro would soon leave the group being replaced by lead singer Richie Tsonos. Along with new lead singer came a group name change. Now the Standards would have two releases on the Magna Label with two sides being picked up and nationally distributed by Chess records.

The Holidays

Throughout their recording years the group or group members lent their talents on the Backgrounds of many '45's, the most important being Larry & The Legends on Atlantic Records backing Larry Santos.

Songs :

Tony & The Holidays (4)

My Love Is Real There Goes My Heart Again Apple Blossom Time

The Glory of Love

Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays (4)

Time To Dream (Brahms Lullaby) My Love Is Real That Background Sound

Now It's All Over

...

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The Companions (2) aka The Four Fellows (3)

Posted on September 14 2014 by dion1

The Four Fellows (3) (Brooklyn, New York)
aka The Companions (2)

Personnel:

Milton Bennett (Lead)

Albert Williams Jr (Bass)

Pringle Sims (Tenor)

Larry Banks (Baritone)

Discography :

The Companions (2)
1959 - Why, Oh Why Baby / I Didn't Know (Brook's 100/Federal 12397)
1959 - Falling / Oh What A Feeling! (Dove 240)

The Four Fellows (3)
1962 - That's Why I Pray / The City (Pop-Line 0208)

Biography :

Bessie White (Banks) sung with a quartet called Three Guys and a Doll, who subsequently became the Four Fellows without her; while a member of the group, she met bass/baritone singer Larry Banks, who was the de facto leader of the group, and married him on stage at the Royal Theatre in Baltimore. Larry Banks was a New York-born baritone/bass singer (and songwriter) who helped organize and lead the quartet. They survived well enough, even making some television appearances, and scored a hit with "Soldier Boy".

Albert Williams, Milton Bennet, Pringle Sims & Larry Banks

Larry and most of the original members had left and Larry & Bessie next turned up on the Brooks label in 1959, singing as the Companions. Larry's sister Harriette joined the couple in the group and close friend and soon to be writing partner Milton Bennett, his cousin Al Williams and Pringle Sims who has just left The Strangers. Larry wrote both sides of the single 'Why Oh Why Baby' / 'I Didn't Know (You Got Married)'. It was then picked up by Federal for national release in 1960.

Bessie Banks
The group have another record on the Dove Label. In 1960, Milton Bennett, Albert Williams Jr, Pringle Sims and Larry Banks perform on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour as the Companions. In 1962, the same four guys cut "That's Why I Pray" b/w "The City" on the Pop-Line Label under their new name or old name : The Four Fellows…
Thanks to Marv Goldberg

Videos :

The Companions - Albert Williams, Milton Bennet, Pringle Sims & Larry Banks on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Companions (2)


Why, Oh Why Baby                 I Didn't Know                    Falling

Oh What A Feeling!

The Four Fellows (3)


That's Why I Pray                         The City

...

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Gerry & The Gems (2)

Posted on September 12 2014 by dion1

Gerry & The Gems (2) (Queens, New-York)

Personnel:

Steve Feldman "Gerry Stevens" (Lead)

Phil Aron (Baritone/Bass)

Barry Fettner (Second Tenor)

Steve Dworkin (First Tenor)

Discography :

Singles :
1963 - I Remember / Oh Nancy (The Ambassadors) (Bay 210)
1963 - Come Along / Just One Of Those Things (Tyrone & The Newports) (Wax Trax 501)

Unreleased :
1963 - In The Still Of The Night
1964 - Dear Lady Twist
1964 - Can't Tell Her
1964 - Everytime
1964 - Why Must You Treat A Girl So Bad
1964 - Just A Little Girl

Biography :

Gerry & The Gems (Steve Feldman aka Gerry Stevens, Phil Aron, Barry Fettner & Steve Dworkin) were from Little Neck, New York, which is northeastern Queens. They all lived within a few blocks of each other & were in the same grade in school. Steve Feldman had been playing piano & writing songs since he was in grade school. Although the group sang the standard doo wop songs, They also did original material that Steve wrote. In 1963, They went into a studio in Brooklyn, NY & recorded 3 tunes, 2 originals written by Steve, "I Remember" & "Come Along", and an uptempo version of "In The Still Of The Night".

1964 - Steve Dworkin, Phil Aron, Steve Feldman, Betsy Flehner

The group was supposed to record for M-G-M, with Teacho Wiltshire producing & arranging, but that didn't happen. Barry eventually left the group and Betsy Flehner, also from the neighborhood, joined. Having a female gave the group a different sound. they did shows with Betsy, but never recorded with her. Steve, Phil & Steve went on as a trio & recorded 2 songs at Belltone Studios in NY, "Can't Tell Her" & "Everytime", both written by Steve F. All the top studio musicians played on the record but it was never released. The group recorded lots of demos and did some singing with Joey Levine (of Ohio Express fame), who Steve sometimes wrote with & a teenage Bernadette Peters. The group eventually went their separate ways, but remain friends to this day.
Thanks to Steve Feldman

Songs :


I Remember                        Can't Tell Her     Why Must You Treat A Girl So Bad


In The Still Of The Night             Just A Little Girl                Dear Lady Twist

Come Along

Complement :

In 1970, Steve Dworkin was producing and had to put a group together for a recording of Da Doo Ron Ron, so he called in Phil & Steve Feldman. He called the group Quicksand & it was released on Mercury Records (it is on Youtube). Phil Aron left music and opened his own business. He now lives in upstate New York. Barry Fettner, who also left singing, passed away a few years ago.

1963 - 2007 : Steve Dworkin, Steve Feldman, Phil Aron, Barry Fettner on bottom.

Steve Dworkin formed a writing/producing partnership with Gary Willet of The Ovations and was a staff writer/producer for Super K Productions. He produced albums for The Queens Nectarine Machine & The Boarding House on ABC, & singles for The Charles E. Funk Rebellion on White Whale, The Flying Giraffe on Bell, Quicksand on Mercury and later on Her produced the High School Reunion album for The Ovations on Crystal Ball Records & The Emotions on Crystal Ball.

1964 - 2007 : Steve Dworkin, Phil Aron, Steve Feldman, Betsy Flehner

He is a recording engineer in mid-town Manhattan & still lives in New York. Steve Feldman continued writing and had some success with "We're Acting Like Lovers" by The Spellbinders on Columbia, Don't You Ever Give Up On Me by Dee Dee Warwick, Determination by Dean Parish, Sweeter Than Suger & Mercy by The Ohio Express, Porcupine by Nature Zone, he co-produced the "Let It Be Written, Let It Be Sung" album by Ellie Greenwich & had a solo album on Evolution Records. A single from it "Let Me Be Forever" went top 5 in South America. He also worked as a studio musician and a jingle singer. As a favor to Steve Dworkin, he put his lead vocal on "Lovin' Cup'" & "Candy Cane", by The Charles E Funk Rebellion. Steve lives in New Jersey.
Thanks to Steve Feldman

….

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The Cineemas

Posted on September 12 2014 by dion1

The Cineemas (Baltimore, MD))

Personnel :

Sandra Chambers (Lead)

Carol Speight (Second Lead)

Jackie Williams

Estelle Williams

Discography :

1964 - Never Gonna Cry / A Crush On You (Dave 911)

Biography :

Vocal group from Baltimore, The Cineemas were Sandra Chambers (lead), Carol Speight (second Lead) , Jackie and Estelle doing background vocal. “The Cineemas” cut a 45 record called, “Never Gonna Cry” b/w "A Crush On You". It was a very rare track on a seldom seen record label, Dave Glascoe.

Songs :

Never Gonna Cry A Crush On You

...

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Billy Abbott & The Jewels (4) aka The Tymes

Posted on September 6 2014 by dion1

Billy Abbott & The Jewels (4) (Philadelphia , PA)
aka The Tymes

Personnel :

Billy Vaughn aka Billy Abbott (Lead)

George Williams, Jr (Tenor)

George Hilliard (Second Tenor)

Albert Berry (First Tenor)

Norman Burnett (Baritone)

Donald Banks (Bass)

Discography :

1963 - Groovy Baby / Come On And Dance With Me (Parkway 871)
1964 - It Isn't Fair / Hey Good Lookin' (Parkway 905)

Biography :

Billy Abbott was actually named Billy Vaughn, but changed it so as not to be confused with the orchestra leader of that name. He previously recorded with The Corvells who released the Billy Jackson songs 'Daisy'/ 'Take My Love' on ABC-Paramount in 1962 (a group of that name also recorded on Lido, Tip Top and Blast).

Prior to their short tenure as The Jewels, Billy's backing band had been The Latineers and later had a string of hits as The Tymes. The vocal group also later backed acts liked Chubby Checker and Johnny Maestro and can be heard on Len Barry's best known number, '1-2-3'. Billy and the group's follow up (and his last Parkway single), which featured noteworthy revivals of two 1950s favourites, Don Cornell's 'It Isn't Fair' and Hank Williams' 'Hey Good Lookin'', failed to chart.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Come On And Dance With Me Groovy Baby

It Isn't Fair / Hey Good Lookin'

...

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