Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Tempos (2) aka Those Four El Dorados

Posted on October 31 2016 by dion1

The Tempos (2) aka Those Four Eldorados
(Paste up picture) top : Louis Bradley, James Maddox & Jewel Jones - Bottom : Marvin Smith

The Tempos (2) (Chicago)
aka Those Four El Dorados

Personnel :

Marvin Smith (Lead)

Louis Bradley (Second Tenor)

Jewel Jones (First Tenor)

James Maddox (Baritone)

Discography :

Those Four Eldorados
1958 - A Lonely Boy / Go Little Susie (Academy 8138)

The Tempos
Single :
1958 - Promise Me / Never Let Me Go (Rhythm 121)
Unreleased :
1958 - Patricia ( (Rhythm)
1958 - To Love Again ( (Rhythm)

Biography :

When Nickens left the El Dorados they soldiered on as a quartet. A few additional singles performed well in certain U.S. cities, but didn't measure up to their prior hit status. Their next single, "Tears on My Pillow" (a different song from Little Anthony and the Imperials' hit record), was the last by all of the original El Dorados; soon after its release, the group and Pirkle Moses Jr. separated over a disagreement on new management. Moses Jr. soon joined another Vee Jay act, the Kool Gents, who had been left without a singer when their frontman, Dee Clark, departed for a solo career. John McCall (tenor), Douglas Brown (second tenor), Teddy Long (second tenor and baritone), and Johnny Carter (bass) of the Kool Gents joined with Moses Jr., to become the New El Dorados.

The Tempos (2) aka Those Four Eldorados
Jewel Jones, Louis Bradley, James Maddox

During this same time, the remaining El Dorados -- Jones, Bradley, and Maddox -- joined up with new lead singer Marvin Smith. Smith had moved with his family to the west side of Chicago in the late '40s, where he attended Crane High and sang on street corners and in church choirs, before joining the group as their new lead vocalist. To avoid legal problems with Vee Jay, the group's name was changed to Those Four El Dorados for 1958's "A Lonely Boy," Academy Records of Chicago. Jewel Jones' name on the label was spelled J-u-e-l-l (each member's name was listed). Those Four El Dorados' later traveled to the West Coast, and connected with a former NBA basketball star Don Barksdale, who had formed his Rhythm Record Company in Oakland, CA. The group changed monikers again, this time calling themselves the Tempos, but the group faltered again, and returned to Chicago, splitting up in 1961.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/ElDorados/eldorados.html

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Tempos

Promise Me Never Let Me Go

To Love Again Patricia

Those Four Eldorados

A Lonely Boy Go Little Susie

...

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The Cameos (1)

Posted on October 29 2016 by dion1

The Cameos (1)
Vernon Green

The Cameos (1) (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Vernon Green (Tenor)

Frankie Marshall (Tenor)

Kenneth Williams (Tenor)

Discography :

1955 - Only for You / Craving (Dooto 365)

Discography :

The Medallions were formed by lead singer Vernon Green in Los Angeles, California, USA, after record company boss Dootsie Williams commented on the quality of his voice as he was walking down the street one day. The rest of the group were built around Green’s strong vocal abilities, and took their collective name from their leader’s fondness for jewellery. They released three singles for Dootone’s Dooto subsidiary between 1956 and 1957 in this manner.

The Cameos (1)
                                                                         Dootsie Williams

Green responded by putting together a new group featuring Kenneth Williams and Frank Marshall, issuing "Only For You" b/w "Craving" on Dootone in June 1955. Billed as the Cameos, this formation did not last, however, and Dootsie Williams then placed Green as singer with another of his groups, the Dootones (who shared the name of the label).

Songs :


Only for You                                            Craving

…

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The Savoys (4) aka The Savoy's aka Cindy Adams & The Kingsmen (3)

Posted on October 28 2016 by dion1

The Savoys (4) aka Cindy Adams & The Kingsmen (3)

The Savoys (4) (San Jose, CA)
aka The Savoys's aka Cindy Adams & The Kingsmen (3)

Personnel :

Albert Richie (lead Vocals, Piano)

Beverly Soares (Vocals, Percussion)

Chris Ray (Lead Guitar, Vocals)

Bruce Hird (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals)

Discography :

The Savoys (4)
1959 - The Mortal Monster Man / Watching The Sea ‎(Bella 2212/13-58)
1960 - You're The Beating Of My Heart / You Heartless One (Christy 130)

The Savoy's
1959 - I Love My Baby / You And I (Bella 18)

Marguerite Trina & The Savoys (4)
1959 - The Rocking Tree / The Brat (Bella 19)

Cindy Adams & The Kingsmen (3)
1960 - You And I / Baby Pie (Shelby 1)

Pat La Rocca & The Savoys (4)
1959 - Rowena / Don't Do Me Wrong (Bella 15)

The Savoys (4) aka Cindy Adams & The Kingsmen (3)

Biography :

This group hailed from San Jose, CA and played throughout the bay area during the late 50s and early 60s.. The Savoys were composed by Albert Richie (lead Vocals, Piano), Beverly Soares (Vocals, Percussion), Chris Ray (Lead Guitar, Vocals) and Bruce Hird (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals). In 1959 The Savoys signed a recording contract with Bella Records. The Bella label was created by John Pusateri out of San Jose, California. John, a native of Franklin, Louisiana, had moved to San Jose in the 1920s but kept close contact with musicians in south Louisiana. He produced and created a wealth of great music, mostly doo-wop in the 1950s. He was also a prolific writer and composer for other labels as well.

The Savoys (4) aka Cindy Adams & The Kingsmen (3)

John Pusateri Pat La Rocca

The Savoys cut two singles for Bella , "The Mortal Monster Man" b/w "Watching The Sea" and "I Love My Baby" b/w "You And I" and backed Pat La Rocca and Marguerite Trina. In early 1960, They recorded "You're The Beating Of My Heart" b/w "You Heartless One" at Christy Records of Los Gatos (California). "I Love My Baby" and "You And I" on Bella Records by The Savoys were released under Cindy Adams (Beverly Soares) & The Kingsmen on Shelby Records. The Doo Wop intro to "You And I" was removed from this release and "I Love My Baby" was renamed "Baby Pie". Albert Richie married Beverly and formed a new group in the late sixties called Beverly Rich & The Poor Boys with a different lineup.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Savoys (4) / The Savoy's


You're The Beating Of My Heart                     You And I


The Mortal Monster Man                Watching The Sea

Pat La Rocca & The Savoys (4)


Rowena                                        Don't Do Me Wrong

Marguerite Trina & The Savoys (4)

The Rocking Tree / The Brat (Bella 19)

...

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The Short Twins

Posted on October 24 2016 by dion1

The Short Twins

The Short Twins (Hollywood, CA)

Personnel :

Robert Labnon

Ray Labnon

Discography :

1958 - Take A Look / I'm Gonna Love You More And More (Apex 76428 /Eagle 1005)
1960 - Love Is Just A Game To You / We Are In Love (Apex 76652/Jewel 1656)
1961 - Lover Boy / Plymouth Rock (20th Fox 283)

Biography :

Robert Labnon and Ray Labnon, twin brother, were living out in Hollywood, California after Robert had traveled all around out in Hollywood, California. They decided to come back home and visit and go to New York City and audition, audition for the Godfrey. Arthur Godfrey and his whole entourage liked the twin brothers, so they we were on the show. They won the grand prize and performed the first week with two other acts and they won. That entitled the twin brothers to come back three weeks later to compete with the three winning acts and they won that which was the grand prize of five thousand dollars. They finished that and get a phone call from Jimmy Dean. Jimmy Dean calls them up and says "I would love to have the boys in Washington D.C. on my TV show next Wednesday or whenever, if they can make it.” They “We will Make it. "So they went out there and they had a national hook up with Jimmy Dean's TV show .

The Short Twins

So they did that and came back to New York on completion of that and started living in New York City now. they had rented a nice apartment and started going to all the various offices, agents, writers, music writers, and they were looking to try to get some recordings going. One thing led to another and they met another set of twins in New York. They were from Canada and they said “Boys why don't you come with us to our Office. They are looking for some talent to record.” So, they went and met these writers , they sang and auditioned for them. They liked the twins very much and said “OK, we will record you.” . The first record was released in 1958 : "Take A Look" b/w "I'm Gonna Love You More And More" on Apex.

The Short Twins

This was the first record that they put out, and then they went out on a thirty-one day tour with the company sending the Short-Twins to Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, New Hampshire, for thirty-‐one days going to all the radio stations, all the disc jockeys getting that record going. They went back to New York and recorded “Love Is Just A Game To You" b/w "We Are In Love” for Apex. The Short Twins recorded a third single in 1961 for 20th Fox "Lover Boy" b/w "Plymouth Rock". In 1962, Ray met a beautiful lady named Donna, They became Donna & The Short Twins. They used to do songs in French, Italian. They traveled. They got hooked up with the shows in Europe and went to Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, Tripoli entertaining all the military bases, a state‐side contract, all the Military Bases for some years.

Songs :

Love Is Just A Game To You

...

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The Imperials (2) aka The Gaylords

Posted on October 23 2016 by dion1

The Gaylords aka The Imperials (2)

The Gaylords (Newark, New Jersey)
aka The Imperials (2) Maybe The Ambassadors (1)

Personnel :

George Copes

Rudy Copes

James Morris

Earl Thomas

Louis Van Dyke

Discography :

The Gaylords
1953 - Get Mad, Baby / Go On, Baby (Savoy 852)

The Imperials (2)
1953 - My Darling / You Should Have Told Me (Savoy 1104)
1954 - Why Did You Leave Me / Hard Workin' Woman (Derby 858)

The Ambassadors (1)
Single :
1954 - Darling I'm Sorry (I Made You Cry) / Willa Bea (Timely 1001)
Unreleased :
1954 - Calling For love (Timely)
1954 - Moanin' (Timely)

Biography :

Vocal group from Newark, New Jersey, The Gaylords consisted of George Copes, Rudy Copes, James Morris, Earl Thomas, Louis Van Dyke. May 23, 1952, the group recorded four sides in the same session : "Get Mad Baby","Go On Baby", "My Darling" and "You Should Have Told Me". Savoy released "Get Mad Baby" b/w "Go On Baby" as the Gaylords (# 852).

The Gaylords aka The Imperials (2)

Because there was a pop group at mercury also called the Gaylords, Savoy changed this group's name to the Imperials and released " My Darling" b/w "You Should Have Told Me". The same Imperials, in July 1954, had a release on Derby (# 858): "Why Did You Leave Me" b/w "Hard Workin' Woman". Louis Van Dyke was part of the Ambassadors that recorded for Timely in Sept '53, maybe the imperials became the Ambassadors…???

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Gaylords


       Go On, Baby                              Get Mad, Baby

The Imperials (2)


              My Darling                           You Should Have Told Me


Why Did You Leave Me                    Hard Workin' Woman

The Ambassadors (1)


Willa Bea / Darling I'm Sorry.....                       Calling For love

Moanin'

...

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The Debonairs (1) aka The Debonaires (2) aka The Jades (4)

Posted on October 22 2016 by dion1

The Jades (4) aka The Debonairs (1) aka The Debonaires (2)

The Debonairs (1) (Long Beach, CA)
aka The Debonaires (2) aka The Jades (4)

Personnel :

Arthur Holly (Lead)

David Kelly

Joe Sprewell (Tenor , Piano)

Willie "Hootie" Melvin

Bobby Miles (Bass)

Discography :

The Debonairs (1)
Singles :
1957 - Why Can't We Be As Other Lovers Are / The Bill Collector (Combo 129)
1957 - Cause Of A Bad Romance / For The Woman I Love (Combo 149)
Unreleased :
1957 - In My Memories (Combo)
1957 - Christmas Time (Combo)
1957 - Crazy Santa Claus (Combo)
1957 - Nita (Combo)

The Debonaires (2)
Singles :
1959 - Every Once In A While / Mama Don't Care (Dore 526)
1961 - Every Once In A While / Gert's Skirt (Dore 592/702/795)
1962 - Hold Back The Dawn / Mama Don't Care (Dore 654)
1964 - Everybody's Movin' / Mama Don't Care (Dore 712)
Unreleased :
1959 - Dorothy (Dowley)
1959 - Laura (Dowley)
1959 - Fare Thee Well (Dowley)

The Jades (4)
1963 - Hold Back The Dawn / Mama Don't Care (Dore 687)

Biography :

The Debonairs from Long Beach, California, evolved through numerous line-up changes into an accomplished amateur vocal group in the early 50s. They recorded some material for Johnny Otis' Dig label in 1956 and for Dootsie Williams in 1957 but this was shelved.

The Jades (4) aka The Debonairs (1) aka The Debonaires (2)

Jake Porter

Jake Porter was one of the select group of independent record company owners who gave us the best of West Coast R&B and doo-wop music. Starting in the early 50s and persevering until the early 70s, Jake recorded numerous groups, duos and R&B outfits for his Los Angeles-based Combo label. Jake Porter recorded the Debonairs and released "Why Can't We Be As Other Lovers Are" b/w "The Bill Collector" and "Cause Of A Bad Romance" b/w "For The Woman I Love". When these failed to sell, they split up.

The Jades (4) aka The Debonairs (1) aka The Debonaires (2)

Reforming in 1959 with different personnel, the Debonaires laid down some tunes for the Downey label, run from a record store in the LA suburb of that name but, yet none of this was issued. Their next stop, a session for Dore on 17 June 1959, 'Every In A While', an outstanding ballad featuring Joe Sprewell on lead. It became such a favourite of Bedell's that he issued it four times between 1959 and 1967. In an attempt to update the arrangement, some extraneous overdubs including strings were added to the 1967 pressing .

Songs :

The Debonairs (1)


Cause Of A Bad Romance             The Bill Collector


Why Can't We Be As Other Lovers Are          For The Woman I Love


Crazy Santa Claus                              Christmas Time


    Nita                                     In My Memories

The Debonaires (2)


              Doroyhy                         Every Once In A While / Gert's Skirt


Hold Back The Dawn                            Mama Don't Care

Everybody's Movin'

…

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The Combo-Netts aka The Combonets aka The Combo-Nets

Posted on October 20 2016 by dion1

The Combo-Netts aka The Combonets aka The Combo-Nets
Jennell Hawkins

The Combo-Netts (Los Angeles, CA)
aka The Combonets aka The Combo-Nets

Personnel:

Jennell Hawkins

Mary Ann Miles

Dora Lee Pickett

Darlene Powell

Discography :

Singles :

Jake Porter & The Combo-Netts
1955 – If I Had My Wish / Hi-Diddle Diddle (Combo 74)

Clemons Penix & The Combonets
1956 - No Evil / I’ve Been Searching (no backing group) /(Combo 117)

Jake Porter & The Combo-Nets
1956 – I Ain’t Got Time / What Kinda Man Is This (Combo 118)

Unreleased :
1956 – Got To Have You Baby (Combo)

Discography :

A student at Jefferson and Freemont High Schools, Jennell gained her first singing experience with Ray Brewster, Bill Piper and Marc Gordon in the Fidelitones. (The group never recorded, but Gordon eventually became a successful producer of acts like the Fifth Dimension.) While at school, Jennell met Richard Berry (of 'Louie, Louie' fame). One day early in 1954 Berry told Jennell he was going to the studio and asked her if she wanted to accompany him. They met [arranger] Maxwell Davis and ended up recording that same afternoon. The result was 'Each Step', which was released by Flair Records under the monicker Ricky & Jennell.

The Combo-Netts aka The Combonets aka The Combo-Nets
Jake Porter

The experience of making a record helped Jennell establish herself in local music circles. A reluctant vocalist, she preferred playing the piano and organ, so when Berry asked her to join Fanita Barrett, Gloria Jones and Annette Williams in the Dreamers, the group with which he regularly recorded, she initially declined. Her piano, however, was heard on 'My Aching Heart', a 1955 release on Flip Records by the Flippers. Jennell subsequently joined the Dreamers on the same label for 'Since You've Been Gone', on which she sang lead. Also during 1955-56, she teamed with Mary Ann Miles, Dora Lee Pickett and Darlene Powell in the Combo-Netts, who recorded three singles for Jake Porter's Combo label, including their best-known side, 'Hi Diddle Diddle'.

The Combo-Netts aka The Combonets aka The Combo-Nets
Jennell Hawkins

As a solo vocalist, Jennell enjoyed her biggest success late in 1961 with the Richard Berry-written tune 'Moments To Remember' on Titanic, which was reissued as 'Moments' on Amazon, a label owned by the DJ Rudy Harvey.Around the same time, Flip re-released 'Since You've Been Gone' as Jennell Hawkins and the Dreamers. Another single, her version of Barrett Strong's 'Money (That's What I Want)', reached the R&B chart in 1962. Jennell also released 'In The Groove' on Harvey's Azuza label, but his shady business practices (which may well have ultimately led to his unsolved murder) left her disillusioned with the recording industry and she quit the business, dedicating herself to her marriage and the church.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Jake Porter & The Combo-Netts

Hi-Diddle Diddle / If I Had My Wish

Jake Porter & The Combo-Nets

I Ain’t Got Time What Kinda Man Is This

Got To Have You Baby

Clemons Penix & The Combonets

No Evil

…

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The Turbans (1) aka The Sharp Tones

Posted on October 16 2016 by dion1

The Turbans (2) aka The Sharp Tones
Harry "Little" Caesar

The Turbans (1) (Oakland, CA)
aka The Sharp Tones

Personnel :

Harry "Little" Caesar (Lead)

Al Williams (First Tenor)

Burl Carpenter Second Tenor)

Willie Roland (Baritone)

Andre Goodwin (Bass)

Charles Fitzpatrick (Tenor)

Discography :

The Turbans (1)
1955 - No No Cherry / Tick Tock-A-Woo (Money 209)
1955 - The Goose Is Gone (But The Nest Is Warm) / Tick Tock-A-Woo (Money 209)
1955 - When I Return / Emily (The Turks)   (Money 211)

The Sharp Tones
1955 - Made To Love / Since I Fell For You (Post 2009)

Biography :

Record shop owner ("Dolphin's of Hollywood"), John Dolphin founded Money Records in 1954, after having sold his Recorded in Hollywood Records label masters. In 1955, Money Records released "No, No Cherry" b/w "Tick Tock A-Woo" by The Turbans out of Los Angeles. These are not the same Turbans (from Philadelphia) who recorded for the Herald label ("When You Dance)", but a group from Oakland, California. The Turbans from Oakland were a sextet, led by Harry Caesar . Born Horace Caesar, 18 February 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pa. During his recording career Harry "Little" Caesar was based in Oakland, California. He sounded enough like Percy Mayfield that the Modern label withheld his 1951 session from release. He enjoyed one hit in 1952, "Goodby Baby".

The Turbans (2) aka The Sharp Tones
Harry "Little" Caesar

The other Turbans were Al Williams (1st tenor), Burl Carpenter (2nd tenor), Charles Fitzpatrick (tenor), Willie Roland (Baritone) and Andre Goodwin (Bass). The same year, also appears on Money "The Nest Is Warm (But The Goose Is Gone)" b/w "Tick Tock-A-Woo " same record number (Money 209) . The Group have a third single with "When I Return" coupled with Emily by The Turks on Money 211. The California Turbans had recorded months before their East Coast namesakes However the group ended up changing their name to the Sharp Tones and recording for the Post label (a subsidiary of Imperial) "Made To Love" b/w "Since I Fell For You". Although Caesar is undoubtedly best known for his ‘story’ songs, he was recorded by his producers in a variety of different styles on different label (Modern, Dolphin, Downey). He recorded as Little Caesar before he made his acting debut in 1969 on an episode of Diahann Carroll's TV series JULIA, as Herb the Handy(man). He became known for his low, gravely voice and under-his-breath delivery.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Turbans (1)


When I Return                                 No No Cherry


   Tick Tock-A-Woo             The Goose Is Gone (But The Nest Is Warm)

The Sharp Tones

Made To Love / Since I Fell For You

...

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The Treble Chords

Posted on October 15 2016 by dion1

The Treble Chords (Bronx, N.Y.)

Personnel :

Ercote Gaudioso (lead vocals)

Anthony Cacase

Al Diaco

Tony DiBari

Discography :

Single :
1959 - My Little Girl / Teresa (Decca 31015)

Unreleased :
1959 - Little Louie (Decca)
1959 - Without Your Love (Decca)

Biography :

This vocal quartet came together in the Bronx in 1957 and was composed by Ercote Gaudioso, Anthony Cacase, Al Diaco and Tony DiBari. The Treble Chords winning several amateur contests and appearing at many local nightspots. They Came the attention of Decca Records through their appearances at one of these nightspots. They recorded four tunes for Decca in July 1959 : "My Little Girl", "Teresa", "Little Louie" and "Without Your Love".

The Treble Chords

Decca released "My Little Girl" b/w "Teresa" both composed by Al Diaco. "Little Louie" and "Without Your Love" should go out on a new single on Decca, but unfortunately will never be released. In 1961 the group broke up but Diaco and Gaudioso with Jay Ferrara and Anthony Biletto reformed the group with a new lead singer, Anthony Vizzari and recorded some demos for Cousin Records as The Monterays but again these sides were unreleased.

Songs :


My Little Girl                                               Teresa


Without Your Love                                    Little Louie

...

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The Clicks (1)

Posted on October 15 2016 by dion1

The Clicks (1)

The Clicks (1955) Top : Donald Ashby, Gabriel Suggs and Ray Wheaton - Bottom : Prentiss Polk

The Clicks (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Gabriel Suggs (Second Tenor)

Prentiss Polk (First Tenor)

Ray Wheaton

Donald Ashby (Bass/Baritone)

Discography :

Single :
1955 - Peace And Contentment / Come Back To Me (Josie 780)

Unreleased:
1955 - You Broke My Heart (Josie)
1955 - Hold Me (Josie)

Biography :

The Gabriel Suggs' Ebonaires changed their name to the Revelaires about March 1954 & recorded Three singles for Burgundy records in Detroit owned by Art & Bob Sutton. By 1955, Gabriel formed a new group with Ray Wheaton, Prentiss Polk and Donald Ashby. Ray Weaton was part of the Ebonaires occasionally, and sang with Charlie Owens Ink Spots and Also with Dusty Brooks & The 4 Tones in the late 40, early 50. Donald Ashby is not a beginner either, he have been with the Beale Street Boys in 1950.

The Clicks (1)

The newly formed group named the Clicks signed a recording contract with Josie Records, a subsidiary of Jubilee Records in New York City and was active from 1954 through to 1971. At the session, the Clicks recorded four songs. Josie released "Peace And Contentment" b/w "Come Back To Me" in June 1955. The single will go unnoticed and the band split soon after. Prentiss Polk joined Malcom Dodds & the Tunedrops in 1957.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Peace And Contentment / Come Back To Me Hold Me / You Broke My Heart

...

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