Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Nightcaps

Posted on October 17 2015 by dion1

The Nightcaps

The Nightcaps (Salina, Kansas)

Personnel :

Doug Exline

John Weigand

Bob Sanders

Janet Holm

Biography :

(From The Salina Journal - January 5, 1958)
Freshmen at Kansas State College, Doug Exline, John Weigand, Bob Sanders and Janet Holm formed a group known as the Nightcaps. The foursome sings varied repertoire of popular songs arranged by Bob Sanders who also play Piano accompaniment for the group. They sang for many small parties andd informal groups at the college. Moving up a year in school, experience and popularity they have recently added to their list of successful appearances such jobs as an intermission spot at the Stan Kenton concert, The Fu Carnival, the big three college talent show and a weekly program on the student training radio station KSDB with occasional tape recordings played on Manahattan's KMAN.

...

See comments

The Philadelphians

Posted on October 15 2015 by dion1

The Philadelphians

The Philadelphians (Philadelphia, Pa)

Personnel :

Big John Bowie (Lead)

Frank Gordon (Bass)

Sam (Second Tenor)

Eddie (First Tenor)

Gino (Baritone)

Discography :

The Philadelphians
1961 - The Love That I Lost / Dear (Campus 101)
1962 - Coming Home To You / Church Bells (Campus 103)
1962 - The Vow / I Missed Her (Cameo 116)

Big John & The Philadelphians
1963 - My Love, My Love / Cleo's Theme (by Vince Monata & His Orchestra) (Guyden 2093)

Biography :

The Philadelphians were a Philadelphia R&B male harmony group of the late fifties and early sixties. The Philadelphians used to rehearse at The Community Center located at 10th and Thompson Sts. of The Cambria Hgts. projects. Members of The Philadelphians were Big John as lead, Frank Gordon as bass, Sam as second tenor, Eddie as first tenor and Gino as baritone singer.

The Philadelphians

They were produced by Steve Schulman on Campus Records. They cut two singles for the label "The Love That I Lost" b/w "Dear" May 1961 (Campus 101) and "Coming Home To You" b/w "Church Bells" Feb 1962 (Campus 103). In 1962, they cut a third single for Cameo, a major American Philadelphia-based record labels: "The Vow" b/w "I Missed Her"

The Philadelphians

Their last single was recorded in 1963 for Jamie-Guyden "My Love, My Love" as Big John & The Philadelphians. The group broke up, But Big john bowie continue to perform on stage for several years with an instrumental group also called the Philadelphians. John Bowie also had releases on Merben Records in 1966 and Phil-LA of Soul Records the next year.

Songs :

The Philadelphians


Dear / The Love That I Lost               Coming Home To You


Church Bells                       The Vow / I Missed Her

Big John & The Philadelphians

My Love, My Love

…

See comments

The Raindrops (6)

Posted on October 11 2015 by dion1

The Raindrops (6)

Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry & Laura Greenwich

The Raindrops (6) (New York)

Personnel :

Jeff Barry

Ellie Greenwich

Laura Greenwich

Discography :

Singles :
1963 - What A Guy / It's So Wonderful (Jubilee 5444)
1963 - The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget / Even Though You Can't Dance (Jubilee 5455
1963 - Hanky Panky / That Boy John (Jubilee 5466
1964 - Book Of Love / I Won't Cry (Jubilee 5469
1964 - Let's Go Together / You Got What I Like (Jubilee 5475)
1964 - One More Tear / Another Boy Like Mine (Jubilee 5487
1965 - Don't Let Go / My Mama Don't Like Him (instrumental) (Jubilee 5497)

Unreleased :
N/A - Do Wah Diddy Diddy (Jubilee)
N/A - More Than A Man (Jubilee)
N/A - Talk About Me (Jubilee)
N/A - Can't Hide The Hurtin' (Jubilee)

Lps :
1963 - The Raindrops (Jubilee 5423)
What A Guy / Hanky Panky / I Won't Cry / It's So Wonderful / Da Doo Ron Ron / When The Boy's Happy / The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget / Isn't That Love / Every Little Beat / Even Though You Can't Dance / That Boy's Messin' Up My Mind / Not Too Young To Get Married

The Raindrops (6)

Biography :

The Raindrops were an American pop group from New York, associated with the Brill Building style of 1960s pop. The group existed from 1963 to 1965 and consisted of Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, both of whom worked as writer/producers for numerous other acts before, during and after their tenure as The Raindrops.

The Raindrops (6)

Laura Greenwich, Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry

The group was formed around the nucleus of childhood friends Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Greenwich had recorded a single in 1958 ("Cha-Cha Charming", as by Ellie Gaye) while a college student, and Barry began working for a Brill Building music publisher in 1959, penning the hit "Tell Laura I Love Her" amongst others. The two met again that year and began dating; simultaneously, they began writing songs together, mainly for other artists. However, a couple of Greenwich-led discs were issued in the early 1960s under pseudonyms, one credited to Ellie Gee and The Jets, another to Kelli Douglas.

The Raindrops (6)

Ellie & Jeff In the 0ffice of the Brill Building

Greenwich and Barry would marry in October 1962. Greenwich also got a job in music publishing, not only writing but also singing on various demos of her publisher's songs. In early 1963, Greenwich and Barry recorded a demo of their composition "What a Guy", a tune Barry had written for The Sensations. However, the group's label, Jubilee Records, chose to release Barry and Greenwich's demo as the single under the name 'The Raindrops' (the group name was reportedly inspired by "Raindrops," a 1961 hit song by Dee Clark).

The Raindrops (6)

Ellie & Jeff In the Studio

The single hit #41 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and the follow-up, "The Kind of Boy You Can't Forget", hit #17. The Raindrops sound was "girl-group" in style, with Greenwich singing lead vocal and double-tracked harmony parts, and Barry providing nonsense-syllable bass vocals. At this point, the group began to attract attention. Media stills of the group often depicted the group as a trio, featuring Greenwich and Barry as well as Greenwich's younger sister Laura, who did not sing on the records.

The Raindrops (6)
Bobby Bosco, Beverly Warren, Laura Greenwich & Ellie Greenwich

The Raindrops made occasional live appearances, but rarely with the same personnel as on record; Ellie Greenwich sometimes had Beverly Warren sing live for her, and Bobby Bosco filled in at times for Barry. To preserve the illusion that the group was a trio, Laura Greenwich also occasionally appeared in live performances with the group, singing into a dead microphone.

The Raindrops (6)

The Raindrops released an album on Jubilee towards the end of 1963; a third single, "That Boy John", was a minor hit but sank at radio after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. After a few further minor hits, Barry and Greenwich stopped releasing material as The Raindrops in early 1965, around the same time they became involved with Red Bird Records.

The Raindrops (6)

Raindrops on the road : Ellie, Bobby Bosco & Beverly Warren

Both Greenwich and Barry enjoyed successful careers as songwriters after the demise of The Raindrops, and Greenwich went on to a modest solo career as a singer as well. They divorced late in 1965, although they continued to write songs together for a time. They reunited on record for a 1967 single credited to The Meantime, which failed to chart. This was their last professional project as a duo. Both Greenwich and Barry were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1991.

John Clemente (Girl Groups: Fabulous Females That Rocked the World)
http://www.billboard.com/artist/418919/raindrops/biograph
http://www.spectropop.com/gg/raindrops.html
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-raindrops-mn0000894028/biography
http://history-of-rock.com/raindrops.htm
https://rockhall.com/inductees/greenwich-and-barry/bio/
http://spectropop.com/EllieGreenwich2/index.htm
http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/ellie_greenwich.htm
http://www.spectropop.com/JeffBarry/index.htm
http://www.45cat.com/artist/the-raindrops-us
 

Songs :


What A Guy         It's So Wonderful          The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget


Even Though You Can't Dance             Hanky Panky              That Boy John


Book Of Love              I Won't Cry                     Let's Go Together


You Got What I Like                   One More Tear           Another Boy Like Mine


Da Doo Ron Ron              Isn't That Love           That Boy's Messin' Up My Mind


Talk About Me                   Don't Let Go

....
 

See comments

The Uniques (2) aka The Five Thrills (2)

Posted on October 10 2015 by dion1

The Five Thrills (2) aka The Uniques (2)

The Five Thrills (2) (Port Chester, NY)
aka The Uniques (2)

Personnel :

Arthur Epps (Lead Tenor)

Curtis Smith (First Tenor)

Richard Welch (Second Tenor)

Ben Peterson (Baritone)

Benjamin Todd (Bass)

Discography :

The Uniques (2)
Single :
1958 - Tell The Angels / Hey, Little Cupid (End 1012)

The Five Thrills (2)
Unreleased:
1957 - Hey, Little Cupid (End)
1957 - Tell The Angels (End)
1957 - Love Express (End)
1957 - Pretty As A Rose (End)

Biography :

The group consisted of Arthur Epps as lead singer, Benjamin Todd as bass, Curtis Smith as first tenor, Richard Welch as second tenor and Ben Peterson sang baritone. They all lived in Port Chester, New York. They were all 18 or 19 years old and Harvey Katz was their manager.1958 was a banner year for END Records. In 1958, the Uniques, previously known as the Five Thrills, recorded "Hey,' Little Cupid" and "Tell The Angels" on the END Label (END #1012), just after the Chantels recorded "Maybe" (END # 1005).

The Commands The Five Thrills (2) aka The Uniques (2)

Later that year, Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded their first record on END, “Tears on My Pillow”. "(END # l027). The Flamingos recorded “Lovers Never Say Goodbye” (END # 1035). In late 1957, while they were the "Five Thrills", the group recorded four unreleased songs, including another version of "Hey, Little Cupid" and "Tell The Angels” as well as "Love Express" and "Pretty As A Rose".

Songs:

The Uniques (2)

Tell The Angels Hey, Little Cupid

The Five Thrills (2)

Hey, Little Cupid Pretty As A Rose Tell The Angels

Love Express

…

See comments

The Star-Drifts

Posted on October 7 2015 by dion1

The Star-Drifts

The Star-Drifts (Brooklyn, NY)

Personnel :

Teddy Grable

Joey Etle

Howie Tyll

Joe "J.B." Belucci

Tony Clausi

Discography :

Single :
1963 - She's Gone / An Eye For An Eye (Goldisc G3)

Demo :
1958 - She's Gone
1958 - All my Love
1958 - Way Over There

Biography :

The Star-Drifts started singing in a hallway on 24th street between Mermaid Ave. and Surf Ave. in December of 1958. Billy Reo, Howie Tyll and Teddy Grable started to sing and listen for the harmonies bouncing off the walls of this huge...apt.Building.

The Star-Drifts
Later on They were joined by others who sang with the group. They recorded their first professional recording in June 1963 for Goldisc records, A George Goldner Production. Panama Francis was on drums that night, along with some other very Talented studio guys. 27 takes on "She's Gone" and 28 takes on "An Eye For An Eye".

The Star-Drifts David Panama Francis

In 1964 Teddy Grable join Mike Lewis when he decided to reform The Concords. The new formation recorded for Epic Records in 1964 "Should I Cry" b/w "It's Our Wedding Day". Many of these Brooklyn groups were friends and were sometimes like interchangable parts.
By Teddy Grable

Songs :

An Eye For An Eye / She's Gone

…

See comments

The Dahills

Posted on October 7 2015 by dion1

The Dahills

The Dahills (Brooklyn, New York)
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Dennis Lambert (Lead)

Ed Lambert (Baritone & Arrangements)

Gordon Bayne (Second Tenor & Bass)

Joe Cenamo (First Tenor & Alternate Lead)

Discography :

The Dahills
1964 - Michelle / Why Do We Have To Say Goodnight (Musicor 1041)
1976 - Do You Want To Go Steady / Please Be My Girlfriend (Clifton 13)
1977 - She's My Angel / I Who Love You (Crystal Ball 107)

Dennis & The Dahills
1962 - Once Upon A Time / I Don't Believe In Fairy Tales (unreleased)
1963 - Arlene* / Janie, Please Believe Me (unreleased)
*Erroneously released on Crystal Ball 105 as by The Four Winds!

Biography :

The Dahills was formed in Brooklyn NY in the early 60's by a few friends who knew each other from high school (Erasmus Hall). The groups 1st tenor, Joe Cenamo was a friend they met while singing at the beach. Joe Cenamo sang with the Del Cades.

They chose the name from a street in our neighborhood, Dahill Road. This was a common way to name groups back then... Dion and The Belmonts got their name from Belmont Ave. in the Bronx.

The Dahills

They recorded all songs between 1962 and 1965. Most of the material was produced by The Tokens another very popular group from Brookyn in that era. Dennis Lambert went on to a very successful career as a world famous song writer and record producer. He's enjoyed great success with a career spanning over 3 decades. Gordon Bayne.

http://www.ofallthethingsmovie.com/reviews-press/

Songs :

The Dahills

She's My Angel         Please Be My Girlfriend              Why Do We Have To Say Goodnight / Michelle

Do You Want To Go Steady               I Who Love You

Dennis & The Dahills

Once Upon A Time / I Don’t Believe In Fairy Tales Arlene / Janie, Please Believe Me

....

See comments

The Rockaways (1) aka The Charades (1)

Posted on October 5 2015 by dion1

The Charades (1)

The Charades (1) (Elmont, New York)
aka The Rockaways (1)

Personnel :

Lewis Berryman

RobertCarrillo

Alan Richwald

Maurice Iazetta

Joe Pastorelli

Discography :

Alicia & The Rockaways (1) - Ken Darrell & Rockaways (1)
1956 - Why Can't I Be Loved / Never Comin' Back (Epic 9191)
1957 - I'm Not Goin' Steady / Faleroo (Epic 9226)

The Charades (1)
1958 - Now I´ll cry / ? (Lancer 101)
1958 - Make Me Happy, Baby / Shang Lang A Ding Dong (U.A. 132)
1959 - Bright Red Shiney Pants / Let Me Love You (U.A. 183)

Jody Lin bb The Charades (1)
1959 - Why Is He Staying Away / Oh Henry (Luxor 100)

Biography :

Vocal & instrumental group from New York formed in 1955 and composed by Lewis Berryman, Robert Carrillo, Alan Richwald, Maurice Iazetta and Joe Pastorelli. The band performed in New York and its surroundings for a year before being discovered by Zober & Salmi.

The Charades (1)

The Rockaways with Kenneth Darrell & Alicia Iazetta

Writers Bert Salmirs and Wally Zober were based in New York as was Atlantic Music Corp. They were so impressed with the harmony and performance, They quickly introduced the group to Epic Records launched in 1953 by Columbia Records . The group began their recording careers as the Rockaways, and backed Maurice Iazetta's sister, Alicia and pop singer Ken Darrell on two singles. Both singles written by Bert Salmirs and Wally Zober.

The Charades (1)

Little success has led the group to change company and name. The Group signing a recording contract with United Artists as the Charades. Formed in New York City in 1956, United Artists not only had their own recording artists, but were used to launch recordings from other labels to the national scene.

The Charades (1)
Jody Lin
The Charades recorded two singles and backed Jody lin on "Why Is He Staying Away" and "Oh Henry" on her Luxor single. Again, all the songs are written by Bert Salmirs and Wally Zober .

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Alicia & The Rockaways (1)

Why Can't I Be Loved I'm Not Going Steady

Ken Darrell & The Rockaways (1)

Never Comin' Back Faleroo

The Charades (1)

Now I´ll cry                   Make Me Happy, Baby            Shang Lang A Ding Dong


Bright Red Shiney Pants              Let Me Love You

Jody Lin bb The Charades (1)

Why Is He Staying Away Oh Henry

...

See comments

The Casals

Posted on October 3 2015 by dion1

The Casals

The Casals (Bronx, NY)

Personnel :

Jimmy Castor

Anthony Salveggi

Discography :

Single:
1961 - 8 O'Clock Scene / Teacher Crush (Seville 105)

Unreleased:
1960 - Tears In My Heart

Biography :

Jimmy Castor began his recording career as a doo wop singer in New York. He was recording at the same time as Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers during the mid-50's. Jimmy wrote and recorded 'I Promise to Remember' b/w 'I Know The Meaning Of Love' for the Wing imprint with Jimmy Castor and the Juniors in 1956. Jimmy later replaced Frankie Lymon in the Teenagers.

Richard Barrett

Anthony Salveggi, the lead singer of the Four Cheers on End became good friends with Richard Barrett. By the early 1960’s, Richard Barrett had left George Goldner but was still managing the Chantels, Imperials and several other acts as well as singing himself. One of the acts Barrett was managing was the Casals, a rock & roll vocal duet consisting of Jimmy Castor and Tony Salveggi (CAStor and SALveggi). Barrett got himself signed to the Seville label (owned by Murray Sporn and Danny Kessler) and took the Casals along with him. The casals recorded “Eight O’ Clock Scene” and “Teacher Crush” for Seville.

Songs :

8 O'Clock Scene Teacher Crush

Tears In My Heart

….

See comments

The Socialites (2)

Posted on October 2 2015 by dion1

1964, (Clockwise from top), Gloria Meggett, Sandra Durant,Lorraine Anthanio & Eloise Covington

The Socialites (2) (Bronx, New York)
(With Hans-Joachim)

Personnel:

Lorraine Anthanio

Eloise Covington

Delores Rainey

Mildred "Kym" Trant

Gloria Meggett

Discography :

The Socalites (2)
1962 - Jimmy / The Click (Arrawak 1004)
1964 - You're Losing Your Touch / Jive Jimmy (Warner Bros. 5476)

Lorraine & The Socialites (2)
1963 - The Conqueror / Any Old Way (Mercury 72163)

Biography :

The Socialites were from Grace Dodge High School in the Bronx and formed around 1960. The group consisted of Lorraine Anthanio, Eloise Covington, Gloria Meggett, Delores Rainey Kym Trant. Anthanio, Trant and Covington had previously attended Junior High School 40 together where they had become friends while singing in the glee club.

The Socialites (2) (
1962, Joe De Angelis (Manager), Lorraine Anthanio, Delores Rainey, "Kym" Trant, Eloise Covington & Gloria Meggett

Upon entering high school they again entered the glee club. Later Meggett and Rainey joined with the girls to form the Socialites. Singing the popular songs of the day. One day the girls sing at the schools weekly assembly. Just sophomores or juniors the girls were to sing for the seniors assembly where they did "Down the Aisle of Love."

The Socialites (2) (

The Socialites with Sunny & the Horizons at Alan Fredericks Show in 1962

After this the group began performing more and more, not only at school, but as part of a youth organization tour too. Appearing at record hops and summer concerts the group would perform at three and four events daily. At the suggestion of a classmate that occasionally played piano for the group they went to see Joe Simmons. Simmons was a songwriter and producer that was associate with Arrawak Records a local Bronx label.

The Socialites (2)

Securing an audition, they journeyed to Manhattan where they sang "Jimmy" and "The click", both written by Lorraine, for Simmons. Thoroughly impressed, Simmons recorded the songs and they were released in 1962. While at 1650 Broadway (the Brill Building) they met Brooklyn songwriter Joe De Anglis who became the group's manager. De Angilis proved to be a fair and earnest business man making sure the Socialites got paid and that people didn't bother them. In the meantime "jimmy" was receiving local airplay and the Socialites were busy playing locally.

The Socialites (2) (

1965, At the World’s Fair, Queen, New York. Eloise, Sandra, Gloria & Lorraine

In 1963 the group moved to Mercury Records. Re-named Lorraine and the Socialites the recorded "The Conqueror." The was popular in New York and the group continued making appearances around New York. Kym who was married and in nursing school found the demands on her time to be to great and left the group. The last Socialite single was "You're Losing Your Touch" for Warner Brothers in 1964. Continuing to make live appearances in 1964 and 1965. By this time Delores had left and been replaced by Sandra Durant. They also appeared at the New York World's Fair.
John Clemente (Girl Groups: Fabulous Females That Rocked the World)

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Socalites (2)


Jimmy               You're Losing Your Touch             Jive Jimmy


The Click                          Any Old Way / The Conqueror

…

See comments