Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

Dion & The Fordham Baldies

Posted on January 31 2018 by dion1

1956 - The Fordham Baldies, Vinny Duke, Joe Zinzi, Jackie Serra & Dion Dimucci

Dion & The Fordham Baldies

Personnel :

Dion DiMucci

Discography :

1957 - Rooftop Serenade (Unreleased)

Biography :

The Fordham Baldies were a very real gang from the mid -1950s that centered around the Little Italy section of the Bronx (East 187th Street , Belmont Avenue, Arthur Avenue area). They boasted Dion DiMucci of Dion and the Belmonts as a member, and contrary to their representation in the movie (The Wanderers), they were not actually bald, but took their name from the bald eagle. According to Dion, The Fordham Baldies in a way were his first singing group, They would back up him singing and guitar playing in his Bronx Neighborhood, Schoolyard Parties, their Clubroom Dances.

Dion & The Fordham Baldies
Dion

Dion recorded "Rooftop Serenade" on a Pentron tape recorder that his landlady owned. He got so much use outta it, he think his dad bought it for him. The way the guitar is so upfront, he can't believe a real studio woulda let him get away with that. The guys behind him were just a couple of guys from the poolroom. Then he took the tape to Allegro Studio in the basement of 1650 Broadway, and they made an acetate. You can only play that thing just so many times before it's unplayable, and that's why it sounds like it does. The tape must have been recorded over years back. Anyway, he used that acetate to get his first record deal.

Songs :

Rooftop Serenade

…

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The Deans (2) aka The Four Playboys / The Four Deans

Posted on January 29 2018 by dion1

The Deans (2) (Brooklyn, New York)
aka The Four Playboys / The Four Deans

 Personnel :

 Joe Macaluso (Tenor)

 Tom Cori (Baritone)

 Fred Khoury (Bass)

  Discography :  

The Deans (2)

Singles :
1960 - My Heart Is Low / I'll Love You Forever (Mohawk 114)
1960 - Humpty Dumpty / Le Chiam (Goodluck) (Mohawk 119)
1961 - It's You / I Don't Want To Wait (Just For Saturday Night) (Mohawk 126)
1961 - Little White Gardenia / I Don't Want To Wait (Just For Saturday Night) (Laurie 3114)
1963 - I'm Gonna Love You / Don't Let Her Cry Tonight (Tin Pan Alley 316)
1963 - Pretty Nola / Ricky Rocky Poo-Poo-Poo (Honeywell Jackson) (Tin Pan Alley 319)
Unreleased :
1960 - Walk With Me (Mohawk)
1960 - Carol (Mohawk)
1960 - Little Girl (Mohawk)
1960 - Come On (Mohawk)

 The Four Deans (The Four Playboys)
1992 (Recorded 58) - So Very Wrong / Mr Echo (Park Ave.7)

 Biography :

The Deans formed in 1956-1957 and went on to record for Mohawk records. Originally, calling themselves The Four Playboys : Ralph Maffei (Lead) , Tom Cori (Baritone), Fred Khoury (Bass)and Joe Macaluso (Tenor) and eventualy lead on all recordings, when Ralph Maffei left the group to get married. The 3-man group liked Dean Martin and for awhile called themselves the Dino’s, eventually settling on the Deans. They auditioned live in 1960 for Irv Spice.

The Four Playboys

Irv Spice owner of Mohawk Records, was a musician who engulfed most of his productions with strings and full orchestration. He is probably best known releasing Dion & The Belmonts and The Dimensions’ first discs, two groups who went on to national fame. Mohawk Records and it’s subsidiaries Wizz, Abel, dragon, Dee and Hawk have been involved in many recordings both released and unreleased.

The Deans

Irv Spice quickly signed them to a contract, their outstanding "Blend and Sound" made them sound like a 5-man group. The group started recording at Dick Charles Studios, and cut three singles from 1960 to 1961 before joining Laurie records for one single: "Little White Gardenia" b/w "I Don't Want To Wait (Just For Saturday Night)". Despite two other records on the Tin Pan Alley Labels in 1963, they never achieved great success.

The Four Playboys Aka The Four Deans aka The Deans (2)

In the early 1990, Park Avenue released "So Very Much" and "Mr. Echo" recorded in 1958 by the original group, the Four Playboys, with Ralph Maffei on lead. The single was released under the name of The Four Deans .

Songs :

The Deans (2)

My Heart Is Low                 I'll Love You Forever                       Humpty Dumpty


          Le Chiam             It's You                I Don't Want To Wait


Little White Gardenia              I'm Gonna Love You              Don't Let Her Cry Tonight


Pretty Nola                        Walk With Me                                     Carol


Little Girl                           Come On

 The Four Deans / The Four Playboys 

So Very Wrong Mr Echo

...

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The Jivers

Posted on January 24 2018 by dion1

The Jivers
Darryl Perrault & John Saulter

The Jivers (Los Angeles, CA)

Personnel :

John Saulter (Lead)

Darryl Perrault (Baritone/Bass)

Peter Bryant (Tenor)

Douglas Brown (Tenor)

Charles Farmer (Bass)

Discography :

1956 - Cherie / Little Mama (Aladdin 3329)
1956 - Ray Pearl / Dear Little One (Aladdin 3347)

Biography :

Los Angeles-based R&B vocal group the Jivers formed in 1955--according to Marv Goldberg's profile in the November 2001 issue of Discoveries, founder Daryll Perrault (baritone) previously teamed in an unnamed quartet that briefly collaborated with Jesse Belvin before backing Al Smith on four sides for Combo as one of several Smith support staffs credited as the Savoys.

Darryl Perrault then teamed with fellow Centennial High students Peter Bryant (tenor), Douglas Brown (tenor), John Saulter (Lead) and Charles Farmer (bass) to form the Jivers--after signing to Aladdin, the group cut four songs at Capitol Studios in June 1956, with their debut single "Cherie" hitting stores a month later. The follow-up, "Ray Pearl," appeared in October, like its predecessor failing to generate any notice--with bookings scarce and their Aladdin deal expiring, the Jivers dissolved in 1957. Perrault resurfaced briefly in 1965, teaming with brother Larry to record "Oldie But Goodie" for Ray Charles' Tangerine label.

Songs :


Little Mama                                                 Cherie


   Ray Pearl                                             Dear Little One

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The Swans (3)

Posted on January 21 2018 by dion1

The Swans (3) (Toledo, OH.)

Personnel :

Tommy Jones

Byron Thomas

Earl Fontain

Henry Goodwin

Discography :

Paul Lewis (The Mighty Swamba) & The Swans (3)
1954 - Wedding Bells Oh Wedding Bells / Little Senorita (Fortune 813)

The Swans (3)
1955 - Mister Cool Breeze / I'll Forever Love You (Fortune 822)

Biography :

Fortune Records was formed by composer-lyricist Devora Brown and her husband Jack in 1946 in Detroit. Jack and Devora decided to establish their own record company with the main purpose to record Devora's songs. In the beginning, they operated out of their home, then they rented a place on Linwood Avenue in Detroit. Their first record was "Jane" by Russ Titus. It was a hit in Detroit. The elusive national hit record was "Jealous Love" by The Davis Sisters in 1952. Two years later "Adios My Desert Love" and "The Wind" by Nolan Strong & The Diablos was a triumph in Black vocal group harmony.

The Swans with disc jockey Lady B (Fran Belcher) (L to R) Earl Fontain, Tommy Jones, Lady B, Byron Thomas and Henry Goodwin

Fortune released records by Rhythm & Blues artists Blues Legend John Lee Hooker, Nolan Strong & The Diablos, Andre Williams, Nathaniel Mayer and many others. In addition, the label featured product by Rockabilly, Country and Gospel artists. Fortune's Biggest National Hit was "Village Of Love" by Nathaniel Mayer. Released in May, 1962, the record reached #22 on the Billboard Pop Chart.

In November 1954, a group of Four Fellows From Toledo named the Swans and constituted by Tommy Jones, Byron Thomas, Earl Fontain and Henry Goodwin signed a recording contract with Fortune Records. The Swans were managed by Paul lewis, a reverend prophet from Toledo. Lead singer Tommy Jones wrote two songs "Wedding Bells Oh Wedding Bells " and "Little Senorita ". Paul lewis recorded the two songs backed by the group. The single was released in December 1954 by Paul Lewis (The Mighty Swamba) & The Swans. Finally, early 1955, the Swans recorded their single "Mister Cool Breeze" b/w "I'll Forever Love You", both wrote by Tommy Jones.

Discography :

The Swans (3)

Mister Cool Breeze I'll Forever Love You

Paul Lewis (The Mighty Swamba) & The Swans (3)

Little Senorita Wedding Bells Oh Wedding Bells

…

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The Norvells

Posted on January 19 2018 by dion1

Richard Pegue (with the glasses) & Toya Perry (Girl)

The Norvells (Chicago, IL,)

Personnel :

Richard Slaughter (Lead)

Billy Smith (Tenor)

Richard Pegue (Baritone)

Claude “Dee-Dee” Wyatt (Tenor)

Victor Trice (Bass)

Toya Perry

Discography :

1963 - (Why don’t You Try That) Greasy Kid Stuff / As I Walk Alone (Checker 1037)
1968 - Without You / Whv Do You Want To Make Me Sad (Penny 107/Janis 6366)

Biography :

Richard Pegue was born on July 29, 1943, in Chicago to a beautician and a policeman. His father died in the line of duty when he was only two years old. Pegue would go on to develop a strong career in radio. This career began at age eleven, when Pegue's grandmother gave him a reel-to-reel tape recorder for his birthday. By sixteen, he was using his recorder to D.J. at dances at South Side schools. Richard Pegue With Billy Smith, formed a vocal group named the Belvederes at Hirsch High School. They recruited replacements from the Hirsch cafeteria. They brought in first tenor Claude "Dee-Dee" Wyatt, bass singer Victor Trice, and primary lead/second tenor Richard Slaughter, who had transferred in from Parker High. Gary, Indiana's Spaniels were the foundation from which the Belvederes built their sound.

The Norvells
Richard Pegue (with the glasses)

Slaughter's voiced gave the group an edge over other kids at Hirsch who didn't sound like the biggest stars of local radio. Keen marketers, the Beleveders created a special Yuletide program for the school hallways. These flashes of creativity sold them at the newly integrated Hirsch, where they were a bit of an anomaly. In 1963, the Belvederes changed their name to the less-square Norvells, a brainchild all Pegue's. The Novells cut two songs for Checker at the end of 1962 "Greasy Kid Stuff" b/w "As I Walk Alone". In 1965, Pegue wrote and produced “I’m Not Ready to Settle Down.” Performed by the Cheers, the song still enjoys radio airplay today. In 1968, he became the music director at WVON Radio. In 1968, Penny Records will release another Norvells single "Without You" b/w "Whv Do You Want To Make Me Sad". When WVON was sold in 1975, Pegue found work at various radio stations in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, including WOPA and WGCI, where he worked as a program director and fill-in disc jockey.

Songs :


              As I Walk Alone               (Why don’t You Try That) Greasy Kid Stuff


Whv Do You Want To Make Me Sad                   Without You

…

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The Raiders (1)

Posted on January 18 2018 by dion1

The Raiders (1)
Robert Wahlsteen (Bob Chance)

The Raiders (1) (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Willie Bobbitt (Lead)

Al Hardy (Lead and Bass)

Robert Wahlsteen (First Tenor)

Leroy Haskins (Second Tenor)

Jessy Payton (Baritone)

Discography :

Singles :
1958 - Raiders From Outer Space / The Castle Of Love (Atco 6125)
1958 - Walking Through The Jungle / My Steady Girl (Brunswick) 55090

Unreleased :
Well Baby (Atco)
School Me In The Art Of Love (Atco)

Biography :

At the tender age of 10, Robert Wahlsteen (Bob Chance) won his first talent contest, and at 12, appeared on the TV show "Opportunity Knocks". In early 1957 , in the Bedford, Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, The Romans a local vocal group lost their first tenor and Robert Wahlsteen joined the group as new tenor. The Romans are an interracial group consisted of Willie Bobbitt (Lead), Leroy Haskins (Second Tenor),Jessy Payton (Baritone), Al Hardy (Lead and Bass) and Robert Wahlsteen (first Tenor), 5 kids, ranging in age from 14 -18 years old.

The Raiders (1)

The Romans moved to New York’s famous brill building and contacted with Roy Hamilton who send the group to Gale Records. The group recorded several demos : "Castle Of Love", "Well Baby" , "School Me In The Art Of Love", "Mr.Conductor", "The Night She Were Pink". Roy Hamilton present the demos to Al Lewis and Don Kirshner who liked the songs and signed as their managers. Al and Don change the group name to The Dovers and send this to Atco Records where with the help of Bobby Darin recorded in 1957 the sides "Raiders From Outer Space"b/w "Castle Of Love". Under the group name of The Raiders.

The Raiders (1)

Without success and with the Atco label dedicated to the Darin’s recordings the group led out, also in this time Willie Bobbitt and Leroy Haskins left the group. Frank Feliciano joined as new member, now The Raiders have two white and two black members. Robert’s brother Herb Wahlsteen signed as their new manager and moved the group to Decca’s Brunswick label who recorded the guys in 1958 "Walkin Through The Jungle7"b/w "My Steady Girl". Again without any success the group members disgusted broke up soon. Robert put a new group in New Jersey, The Enchanters signed with ABC Records where recorded some demos but none were released as a single. In 1959 he joined the marines, in 1966 back and in the late 60’s and the 70’s recorded under the name of Bob Chance.

Songs :


       The Castle Of Love    Raiders From Outer Space


         My Steady Girl                       Walking Through The Jungle

…

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The Manhattans (3) aka The Strollers (2)

Posted on January 14 2018 by dion1

The Manhattans (3) aka The Strollers (2) Maxine Brown

The Manhattans (3) (New York)
aka The Strollers (2)

Personnel :

Freddy Johnson (Lead)

Maxine Brown

Gilbert Monk

Discography :

The Manhattans (3)
1958 - How Do You Say I'm Sorry / Love Is Where You Find It (Warner 1016)

The Strollers (2)
1958 - Wer're Strollin' / Crowded Classroom (Warner 1018)

Biography :

According to The Louisiana Weekly (April 1961)
Maxine Brown first started as a Gospel singer with prof. Charles Taylor, and switched to polular tunes in 1957, joining forces with four fellows to form a group called The Manhattans composed by Freddy Johnson, Gilbert Monk and two other boys whose names have been forgotten. For Warner Records they Waxed "How Do You Say I'm Sorry" and "Love Is Where You Find It". The group was going well until some of the guys got drafted, leaving The Manhattans a trio, Freddy Johnson, Maxine Brown and Gilbert Monk. Maxine and Freddy The Strollers which clicked in a mild sort of a way with tune called "Crowded Classroom") This was shortly followed by a changeover to Carlton Records and a new vocal group known as the Treys before signing as a solo artist with the Nomar label.

The Manhattans (3) aka The Strollers (2)

Her recording debut, 1960’s “All In My Mind”, is often cited as one of the first soul singles. The backing was that of a fairly typical tick-tocking rock’n’roll bal- lad, albeit with a great trombone line, but Brown was fantastic, creating a tremendous amount of tension and simmering emotion by restraining her gospel chops and then let- ting them out sparingly. “Funny” followed in a similar style in 1961, and Brown was signed by ABC-Paramount on the back of the two songs’ R&B chart success.

Songs :

The Manhattans (3)

Love Is Where You Find It How Do You Say I'm Sorry

The Strollers (2)

Wer're Strollin' / Crowded Classroom

...

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The Toledos aka The Highlighters

Posted on January 12 2018 by dion1

The Highlighters aka The Toledos

The Highlighters (Toledo, Ohio)
aka The Toledos

Personnel :

Frank Williams (Lead)

James Sutton

Howard Bell

Jay Hooker

Discography :

The Highlighters
1958 - Flang Dang Do / The Bull (New Song 115/116)
1962 - Las Vegas Drive / Well (New Song 133/134)

Chuck Dockery bb The Highlighters
1958 - Baby Let's Dance / I Just Love You (New Song 117/118)

The Toledos
1961 - This Is Our Night / John Smith's Body (Down 2003/End 1094)

Biography :

Frank Williams, James Sutton, Howard Bell and Jay Hooker were so proud to be from Toledo in the Nord of Ohio that they called themselves The Toledos. The group signed for the blues label New Song, label founded by Porter Roberts in the late 1940s. New Song was based in Toledo, Ohio, about ninety miles south of Detroit. Renamed the Highlighters By Porter, the group recorded a couple of single that passed without pain or glory : "Flang Dang Do" b/w "The Bull" in 1958 and "Well" b/w "Las Vegas Drive" in 1962. By the way, they were instrumentally accompanied by Fred Harris' Red Top Trio composed by Fred Harris (Organ), Big Joe Burrell (sax) and Louis "Swing " Lee (drums). Both disks came out under two different names, The Highlighters with Fred Harris' Red Tops Organ Trio and Fred Harris' Red Tops Organ Trio vocal by Highlighters.

The Highlighters aka The Toledos

After their first single on New Song, The Highlighters backed Chuck Dockery on "Baby Let's Dance" and "I Just Love You" (New Song 117/118). Chuck Dockery is native of northern Ohio his real name was Charle. Dockery was employed as an insurance salesman and as a bassist for some country artists. Dockery began a solo career when he was presented with the opportunity to record on the New Song blues label of his countryman Porter Roberts. He turned New Song into a rocker label thanks to songs like "Baby let's dance" (1958) or "Rock while we ride" (1960), but with no success he left the music almost totally.

The Highlighters aka The Toledos
Chuck Dockery

New Song would not last much longer in the business, and after some good album, among which we can highlight the high school "Darling" (1961) by Beverly Bea, would close its doors. The Highlighters's story does not stop there, the group records two tracks, "This Is Our Night" and "John Smith's Body". The single will be released by the Down label, a subsidiary of Gone records, a label founded by George Goldner. It will be published in 1961 under their original name, The Toledos.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Highlighters


Flang Dang Do                                           The Bull


    Well                       Las Vegas Drive

The Toledos

This Is Our Night John Smith's Body

Chuck Dockery bb The Highlighters

Baby Let's Dance

…

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Dean Barlow & The Montereys (3) aka The Bachelors (4)

Posted on January 10 2018 by dion1

The Bachelors (4) aka The Montereys (3)
Dean Barlow

Dean Barlow & The Montereys (3) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Bachelors (4)
ref The Crickets

Personnel :

Dean Barlow (Lead)

Bill Lindsay (Second Tenor)

Billy Baines (Bass)

Ed "Sonny" Jordan (Tenor)

Waldo Champen (Tenor)

Discography :

The Bachelors (4)
1956 - Dolores / I Want To Know About Love (Earl 101)

Dean Barlow & The Bachelors (4)
1956 - Baby / Tell Me Now (Earl 102)

Dean Barlow & The Montereys (3)
1957 - Dearest One / Through The Years (Onyx 513)
1957 - Angel / Tell Me Why (Onyx 517)(Never issued)

Biography :

Dean Barlow, originally named Grover Barlow, was the one constant through several different versions of the Crickets. He also sang in several other groups and attempted a solo career with a series of singles on the Jay Dee label. Label proprietor Joe Davis was a strong supporter of Barlow, hiring recording engineers time and time again to point microphones in the direction of his hauntingly expressive voice. The third Crickets configuration (Dean Barlow, Bill Lindsay, Bobby Spencer and Freddy Barksdale) stayed together for about a year. Grover Barlow was introduced as "Dean Barlow".

The Bachelors (4) aka The Montereys (3)
The third Crickets group : Barlow, Spencer, Lindsay and Barksdale Waldo Champen

He announced and sang his new solo recording ("I'll String Along With You"), which the group didn't even know existed. In spite of this, they did a few more shows together before breaking up definitely.In 1956, Bill Lindsay eventually re-joined Dean Barlow in a new group : The Bachelors, the other members were Billy Baines, Ed "Sonny" Jordan, and Waldo Champen . The new group released two records on the tiny Earl label (owned by Tommy "Dr. Jive" Smalls and Sammy Lowe). The first was "I Want To Know About Love" (led by Dean) c/w "Dolores". The second was "Baby" c/w "Tell Me Now" (both led by Dean). The Bachelors eventually changed their name to the Montereys, recording four songs for Jerry Winston's Onyx label in early 1957.

The Bachelors (4) aka The Montereys (3)
Dean Barlow & Bill Lindsay

Their only Onyx release was "Dearest One" (a duet lead by Dean Barlow and Bill Lindsay), backed with "Through The Years" (fronted by Sonny Jordan) in August 1957 (Onyx 513). "Dearest One" became a regional hit in New York. There was supposed to be a second Montereys record: "Angel" (led by Bill Lindsay), backed with "Tell Me Why" (led by Dean). It was slated to be released as Onyx 517, but for some reason was never issued. These were Dean's last group records.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Crickets/crickets.html

Songs :

The Bachelors (4)


Dolores                            I Want To Know About Love

Dean Barlow & The Bachelors (4)


Baby                                                Tell Me Now

Dean Barlow & The Montereys (3)


   Dearest One                                Through The Years


Angel                                             Tell Me Why

…

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Carlo & The Cupids (4)

Posted on January 7 2018 by dion1

(L to R) Tony, Michael, Bob - (Front) Carlo

Carlo & The Cupids (4) (Fulton, New York)
ref : The Royal Rockers ???

 Personnel :

 Carlo Blandina (Lead)

Michael Iannelli (saxophone, Vocals)

Bob Babcock (Vocals)

Tony DiMiglio (Vocals)

 
 Discography :

Carlo & The Cupids (4)
1958 - Teenage Blues / Crazy Rock (Parker 501/Judd 1007)

The Royal Rockers
1959 - Where Can She Be / Scramble ( Jimmy Stevens) (Darl 114)

Biography :

Singing group from Fulton formed in 1957 and composed by Carlo Blandina, Michael Iannelli, Bob Babcock and Tony DiMiglio. Besides singing, they also play musical instrument. In November 1958, Carlo & the Cupids recorded two tunes. The numbers are "Teenage Blues" and "Crazy Rock". The single was released on the Parker label out of Broadway in December, re-released on The Judd Label later. The Judd label was owned by Sam Phillips' brother Judd Phillips. The label was established in Sheffield, Alabama, in 1958, and continued operations until 1961.

(l to r) Carlo Blandina, Michael Iannelli, Bob Babcock and Tony DiMiglio

Carlo & the Cupids were one of the warm up groups at the Meadow Brook Theater in Cedar Grove NJ followed by the Everly Brothers, Frankie Avalon & Fabian. They performed on channel 13 "Jocko's Rocket Ship": American Bandstand's competition. In 1959/60 a single by the Royal Rockers was released on Darl Records with a picture sleeve of Carlo & the Cupids. In fact "Scramble" is a rockabilly tune by Jimmy Stevens. The other side "Where Can She Be" is a ballad but it's not sure whether it's Carlo & the Cupids.

Songs :

Carlo & The Cupids (4)

Teenage Blues Crazy Rock

The Royal Rockers

Where Can She Be

…

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