The Debonaires (1) (Atlanta, GA) aka The Five Debonaires
Personnel :
Arthur Simon
Emory Cloud
Milton Boykin
Discography :
The Debonaires (1) 1957 - Darling / Whispering Blues (Herald 509)
The Five Debonaires 1957 - Darling / Whispering Blues (Herald 509)
Biography :
Bill lowery in Atlanta produced the Debonaires, or Five Debonaires as they were called originally on "Whispering Blues" (Herald 509). The group from Atlanta Georgia and included Arthur Simon, Emory Cloud and Milton Boykin, while Wesley J. Jackson arranged and provided guitar backing. Lowery had just a smash with "Young Love", he went on to produce Tommy Roe, Joe South and Ray Stevens, so the Debonaires’ catchy doo-wop was a real anomaly for him. Released in December, 1957, the flip "Darling" became very popular among oldies fans for the tricky bass parts and nice harmonies.
The Brooks Four(Bound Brook, New Jersey) aka The Four Winds (6) aka The Teamates (3) (By Robert Paladino)
Personnel :
Bob Dileo (Lead & Second Tenor)
Frank Giaretta (First Tenor)
Frank Delisi (Baritone)
Bob Paladino (Lead, Bass & Baritone)
Discography :
The Brooks Four 1962 - I'm Not Good Enough For You / I'll Be Faithful (Sinclair 1007)
The Four Winds (6) Single: 1963 - Playgirl / Jennifer (Felsted 8703 /Derby 10022) Unreleased : 1963 - A chance To Live
The Teamates (3) Single: 1964 - Calendar Of Love / I Say Goodbye (Lemans 006/006) Unreleased : 1964 - Darlene (Lemans) 1964 - Sadboy (Lemans)
Biography :
The Brooks Four was formed in Bound Brook Highschool in 1960. All four members were Italian/American friends living within 6 blocks of each other, in Bound Brook, New Jersey, USA. We had 2 Franks (Frank Giaretta 1st Tenor, Frank Delisi, Baritone) and 2 Bob's (Bob Dileo, 2nd Tenor, Lead Singer, Arranger, Songwriter, myself ,Bob Paladino, Bass/Baritone, Lead Singer, Songwirter, ). Hence our name The Brooks Four! We practiced alot, realized that our voices blended well, and sang for school talent shows, private parties, etc. We were attracting adults and musicians who recognized that we could sing 4 part harmony. As teenagers we sang with big bands, (At the Rutgers University Military Ball, we performed alongside the Duke Ellington Band. We performed original songs written by local adult composers, and guest stared with my brothers band in NJ nightclubs. In 1961, we entered the battle of the groups in New York City hosted by renowned disc-jockey, "Murray The K". We placed in the top 20 finalists singing a 4 part harmony song called "It's a blue World", a vocal jazz standard, not a rock'n roll song!
Bob DiLeo and I composed "I'll Be Faithful" in 1962 and sang it for Vinny Catalano, producer for Sinclair Records. We recorded for V. Catalano, and that same night he produced "Your my Coney Island Baby", by the Excellents. They got the hit record, and we did not. However, Bob DiLeo and I arranged "I'll be faithful" with a great falsetto and harmony introduction, that was cut from the record by V. Catalano, I felt it was a major mistake on his part. In 1963 we recorded under the name "The Four Winds" for Felsted Records, Jennifer , and Playgirl (written by Mike Paladino, my brother). Playgirl received a red bulllet sure hit potential) by Billboard Magazine in early November, in about 2 weeks Pres.
Vinny Catalano
John F. Kennedy was assasinated, and "the music stopped", and when it resumed, our record was shelved! In 1964 we recorded for LeMans Records under the name The Teamates. We recorded "Calendar of Love" (on youtube) written by my brother Mike, and "I say Goodbye", written by me. We did the first live color TV broadcast from the NY Worlds Fair with the Shangrilas, Joe Williams, Ronnie Dove, etc. We then did The Clay Cole TV Show from NYC with Jimmy Clanton, Gary U.S. Bonds, etc. Shortly thereafter, we started to play instruments, and get bookings in seaside resorts. In 1965 we had an audition set up for the Lawrence Welk TV show, and despite this prospect, Bob Dileo decided to try and make it as a solo performer.
He had Bob Marcucci, Frankie Avalon & Fabians manager representing him. He had many opportunities, but to this day, he still performs in local nightclubs. 1n 1968 I wrote, produced and performed on 2 Motown type songs entitled "You don't love Me"and "Where were You" (both on youtube). The Studio owners were Tony Bongiovi (Jon Bonjovi) uncle, and Tony Camillo. Tony Camillo arranged the strings/horns for both sides, took my record to Motown, as part of his portfolio of arrangements, and became a " Grammy winner arranger/conductor" for Gladys Knight. I always hoped that The Brooks Four would reunite! In 2006, Frank Giaretta passed away!
Upper left is Bob DiLeo, Upper right is Bob Paladino lower left is Frank Giarett and lower right is Frank Delisi
Notes :
Here are a few notes about Darlene and Sadboy unreleased demos by The Teamates, in 1964. Both songs were written by Robert Paladino and vocally arrranged by Bob DiLeo of the Teamates. The demo's were recorded in the same timeline with the released record (Calendar of Love, I Say Goodbye), using the same studio (Stea Phillips, NYC), same music arranger (Charles Calello), same Engineer (Gordon Clark). It should be noted that the exact same staff and studio were utilized by Frankie Vallie/Four Seasons for most of their long list of hit records in the 1960's. Listeners may be able to hear a similarity between the style of the Seasons and that of The Teamates on these two selections. The Teamates on many occasions would perform at Record Hops, or on Television, and would sing Calendar of Love (A Side), and encore with Darlene, instead of I Say Goodbye, which was the released B side of the record. These songs are made available through an old demo that Robert Paladino kept for the last 46 years.
A Chance To Live (Unreleased) Song written by Tom DeCillis (US Disc Jockey) called "a chance to live". We recorded this as the Four Winds in 1964 for Nick Massi and Tom DeVito of The Four Seasons. It was for the Leukemia Foundation and was never released.
Robert Paladino The Brooks Four
Songs :
The Brooks Four
I'll Be Faithful (My favorite Doo Wop) I'm Not Good Enough For You
The Seniors (2) 1956 - Evening Shadows Falling (I Think Of You) / I’ve Got Plenty Of Love (Tetra 4446) 1959 - Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life Young / Rock And Rolly (ESV 1016) 1960 - I've Lived Before / Hello, Mr. Robin (Decca 31112) 1961 - When Will I Fall In Love / Baby, Say The Word (Decca 31244)
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2) (instru. The Orbits) 1958 - If You Don't Want My Lovin' / Love Is Everything (Decca 30656)
Ronnie Neat With The Four C-Notes And The Orvits 1957 - Have Mercy On Me, Baby / Mister Rock And Roll (Four C-Notes) (Bramble 3003)
Ron Neat with The Janet Shay Trio 1960 - Ronnie / Say I'm The One (Alcar 1501/ Pelpal 1502)
Biography :
Carl Dobkins Jr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in January 1941. He was raised in a musical family. At the age of nine Carls’ mom and dad bought him a ukulele with a plastic Arthur Godfrey attachment that played chords by pushing buttons. He soon took off the attachment and learned over fifty hillbilly songs as a child. At the age of sixteen, young Carl made a demo of two songs he wrote with his backup group, The Seniors. The Seniors first met with a common interest in singing at Nast Memorial Methodist Church in Cincinnati. The group sang together for approximately eight years.
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2)
The group was formed in the early 50's in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area and consists of Paul Powers, Keith Ross, Ray James & Harry Clifton. The seniors will have several staff changes over the years, Bill Smith, Marv Lockart, Mike "Froggy" Bridges... In 1956, the group recorded "Evening Shadows Falling (I Think Of You)" b/w "I’ve Got Plenty Of Love" on Tetra. They toured the East Coast when “Evening Shadows Falling” climbed to the top of the local charts in Philadelphia.
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2) & The Orbits (Instru.)
Friends in Carls’ neighborhood introduced Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors to Gil Sheppard. In Cincinnati Gil Sheppard was a popular deejay, Gil was taken with young Dobkins Jr. and his musical ability and the demo he had recorded. Sheppard offered to become his his manager. Carl Dobkins Jr. was promoted as “The Teenage Rage.” As a result of the buzz that happened as a result of his singing at dance parties and record hops, Carl was signed up with Fraternity Records in Cincinnati. His only release with Fraternity was his 1958 single “Take Hold of My Hand” b/w “That’s Why I’m Asking.”
The Seniors (2)
Carl moved over to the Decca label for his next recording. "If You Don't Want My Lovin" was the plug side. A nice mid tempo outing, it is credited to Carl Dobkins Jr. and The Seniors. It was recorded at the King record studios in Cincinnati, and the record did well in a few markets, including Charleston West Virginia. After recording "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" at King Records studios, Sheppard sold the master recording to Decca Records. Dobkins then recorded sessions for Decca in Nashville, Tennessee, which included "My Heart is an Open Book" in 1959, which reached No. 3 on the pop chart and number 11 on the R&B chart.
The Seniors (2) Ray James (Ron Neat)
At the same time, the Seniors recorded "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life Young" and "Rock And Rolly" single for ESV and two for Decca, and signed with Decca for two records "I've Lived Before" b/w "Hello, Mr. Robin" and "When Will I Fall In Love" b/w"Baby, Say The Word". Ray Dean James, one of the Seniors recorded two singles in 1957 and 1960 under the name of Ron'nie' Neat. He also released a number of singles under his own name, did some session work as a background vocalist at the legendary King Records studios and did nightclub performances that included music and stand-up comedy at dozens of clubs in Greater Cincinnati.
Hiram Johnson ran a small R&B label that, in the late '50s, recorded some of the best of the Chicago's doo wop groups. Although he only had hits with the Shells' "Baby Oh Baby" and the Dubs' "Don't Ask Me to Be Lonely," reveals that Johnson Records was a haven for obscure vocal acts. Groups like the Carribians, the Arcades, Little Nate and the Chryslers, the Cameos, the Marvels, Bobby Capri and Velvet Satins, Cleo and the Crystaliers and the Cordovans show that the label had a sound -- a crude one, to be sure.
The Cordovans' "My Heart" / "Come On Baby" (#731) was first released in the Winter of 1958 on The Johnson Label now run by Jim McCarthy. The group, Which included Irvin Cox (the songs were written by Alvin grant and Alvin Hassell, also in the group), could not be located when the records was re-issued by McCarthy in the Fall of 1960.
Single : 1956 - Why Did You Make Me Cry / I Hear Wedding Bells (Savoy 1502)
Unreleased: 1956 - What Is The Proper Age (Savoy) 1956 - Do You Know (Savoy)
Biography :
Savoy Records is an American record company and label established by Herman Lubinsky in 1942 in Newark, New Jersey. Savoy specialized in jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel music. In September 1956, Herman Lubinsky announced the signing of a new group of teenagers from the Brooklyn, The Cubs. The group consists of Lee Witherspoon, Beni Israel, David Makonnen and Tafari Makonnen recorded four song in New York; "Why Did You Make Me Cry", "I Hear Wedding Bells", "What Is The Proper Age" and "Do You Know".
Herman Lubinsky
The first two titles will be released on Savoy # 1502. "I Hear Wedding Bells" by The group is a Masterpiece with a spoken bridge that combines diffidence and sincerity Quite a Trick. The Cubs have the classic kiddie lead voice ala the Schoolboys, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers.
Single : 1956 - Dreamin' And Dreamin' / Everlasting Love (Jay-Dee 810)
Unreleased : 1956 - Working For My Baby (Jay-Dee) 1956 - Easy Baby (Jay-Dee)
Biography :
The Dubs formed from the merging of two short-lived vocal groups in Harlem, New York, The Five Wings and The Scale-Tones. The Five Wings (originally "The 5 Stars") were an up-and-coming group with members Jackie Rue (lead, later of Jackie and the Starlites), Frank Edwards (tenor), Billy Carlisle (second tenor), Melvin Flood (baritone), and Tommy Grate (bass). They recorded for King Records in 1955, but when they were unable to find success, the group began to splinter. Rue, Flood, and Edwards left, Kenny "Butch" Hamilton joined, and, shortly afterwards, Carlisle's cousin Richard Blandon was in following his discharge from the United States Air Force.
Meanwhile, The Scale-Tones had been formed by James "Jake" Miller and Thomas Gardner, who had added Cleveland Still (lead), James Montgomery, and Don Archer. They made one record on the Jay-Dee label in early 1956. After some prompting by Blandon when he showed up at a Scale-Tones' rehearsal, a new group emerged. This included Blandon and Carlisle from the Five Wings, and Still, Miller and Gardner from the Scale-Tones. The Five Wings' manager, Buddy Johnson's brother Hiram, offered to manage the new group. As The Marvels, they recorded an unsuccessful single, "I Won't Have You Breaking My Heart", for ABC-Paramount. The group then renamed themselves The Dubs, and released Blandon's song "Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely" on the Johnson label set up by their manager. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Dubs/dubs.html
Frank Devon 1955 - Cry Baby / Tic Toc Melody (George Rank And Orchestr) (Klick 1602)
The Highlights (1) 1956 - City Of Angels / Listen, My Love (Bally 1016) 1957 - To Be With You / Will I Ever Know? (Bally 1027) 1958 - Indiana Style / Turn Around Shoes (Bally 1044)
Frank Pizani 1957 - Angry / Every Time (Bally 1040) 1958 - Lisa The Tower Of Pisa / You're Breaking My Heart (Carlton 476) 1959 - Play A Slow One / So Goes My Love (Warwick 518)
Frank Pizani bb Harvey & The Moonglows (Uncredited) 1959 - Wanna Dance / It's No Fun (Afton 616) 1959 - Steady Cha Cha / The Stars Will Remember (Afton 617)
Frank Pisani 1959 - I Volunteer / If You Should Ever ( Argyle 1001)
Tony Calzaretta 1963 - Our Wedding Day / Tear Drops On My Pillow (Mal 1001)
Biography :
Born and raised in “The Patch” on Chicago’s Near Northwest Side, Frank Pizani graduated from Holy Rosary Grade School, St. Mel High School and DePaul University. His big break came in the mid- 1950s while he was working as an usher at WGN-TV for “Bandstand Matinee,” the No. 1 show for teens at the time. Frank would settle the audience down before the show by singing the current hits. One day, the audience convinced the show’s host, Jim Lounsbury, to let Frank sing live on television. He caught the eye of the show’s producer, who paved the way for Frank’s first record, “Cry Baby, Cry” under the name of Frank Devon.
In 1956 Frank joined Frank Calzaretta, Tony Calzaretta, Jerry Oleski and Bill Melshimer, The Highlights were born. The Highlights were catapulted to national fame when they won the “Arthur Godfrey Talent Show” . The group's first recording was of a song called "Jingle-lo", which they took to the local Bally Records. Bally Records was an independent record label formed in Chicago in December, 1955. It was active during 1956 and 1957. It was a subsidiary of Bally Manufacturing Company and was headquartered at 203 N. Wabash Avenue in Chicago. The label liked the group but not the song "Jingle-lo" , and gave them one called "City Of Angels" instead .
"City of Angels" [Bally 1016] reached #5 in Chicago and #19 nationally after its release in September, 1956, resulting in personal appearances and TV guest spots. In February The Highlights' followup single, "To Be With You" [Bally 1027], which reached #16 locally and #84 nationally. There's no telling what could have happened to them, where it not for the petty jealousies of the other four boys, whom Frank brought together for the group. They went behind Frank's back and bought the rights to name "The Highlights", and then said to him: "We own the name now, so if you wanna keep being the star of this group, you're gonna have to work for us".
The Highlights without Frank Pizani Frank Pizani
There was no way he could accept this proposition, so he quit. The four other Highlights, without Frank fizzled like stale soda water, while Frankie couldn't get any work, because he was not allowed to bill himself as "formerly of the Highlights". About a decade later, another Chicago group wanted to call themselves The Highlights, but upon finding out that name was already taken, changed their names to the Chi-Lites, and the rest is history. In 1958, The Highlighs recorded "Indiana Style" & "Turn Around Shoes [Bally 1044] and broke up, Tony Calzaretta will record a single under his own name in 1963. Frank Pizani starts a solo career with "Angry" & "Every Time" [Bally 1040]. Frank Pizani made #14 locally and #70 nationally with "Angry". In 1958 {August 21st} Frank Pizani performed "Angry" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV weekday-afternoon program 'American Bandstand'.
The Highlights without Frank Pizani
In 1958, Frank recorded four songs for a new label, Afton Records. He recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago. Leonard Chess helped Frank produce the session and Harvey and the Moonglows get credit for the arrangement and a great vocal background on "Wanna Dance" b/w "It's No Fun" (Afton 616) and "Steady Cha Cha "b/w "The Stars Will Remember" (Afton 617).
The Wonders (8) (Los Angeles, Ca) aka The Splendors (3) aka The Symbols (4)
Personnel :
James Williams
Donnell Thomas
Charles Morrison
Richard Byrd
Leonard Green
Discography :
The Wonders (8) 1962 - Please Don't Cry / With These Hands (Bamboo 523)
The Splendors (3) 1962 - Island Called Romance / Puddin'Tain (Jano 004)
The Symbols (4) 1963 - Last Year About This Time / Better Get Your Own One Buddy (Doré 666)
Biography :
The Wonders "Please Don't Cry", released in September 1962, was written by Don Thomas (real name Donnell Thomas) but misprinted as Dan Thomas on the label. The song was published by Aee-Cee-Mmm Music and the record was produced by ACM Productions, both of which were Ed Cobb and Lincoln Mayorga's companies. Don Thomas sang with the Splendors, who recorded an also-ran version of "Puddin'Tain", released on Jano concurrently with the Alley Cats' hit version on Philles in December 1962. There was a name switch to the Symbols for "Last Year About This Time" on Dore, released in March 1963, on which Thomas took the lead for his own composition. The Splendors/Symbols were James Williams, Donnell Thomas, Charles Morrison (later of the Larks), Richard Byrd and Leonard Green, and were likely also the Wonders - a group name not to be confused with Tony Allen's Wonders/Wanderers, Don Thomas also composed the Blisters' 1963 vocal group 45 "Shortnin. Bread" / "Cookie Rockin' In Her Stockings" on Liberty. That was another Cobb-Mayorga production; the groups could well be related.
Songs :
The Wonders (8)
Please Don't Cry With These Hands
The Splendors (3)
Island Called Romance Puddin'Tain
The Symbols (4)
Last Year About This Time Better Get Your Own One Buddy
The Escorts hailed from Roselle, NJ., Marion Saunders was the female lead, Malcolm Norwood, first tenor, Robert Hurting, second tenor and Bobby Mc Lawn, bass. In 1956, they recorded "Sorry" and "It's Love To Me" released by Premium owned by Joe Leibowitz located in Linden, NJ. The Escorts "Sorry" and "It's Love To Me" enjoyed slight sales in the spring and summer 1956, and the Roselle, N.J.-based group managers by Percy Shepard appeared with the Heartbeats and Lillian Leach & The Mellows at the Paramount Theatre in Newark and in Passaic and Trenton, New Jersey.
The Peddlers appeared on local television back in 1958, doing the Rising Generation Show on WHIO TV as well as doing shows in the Cincinnati area that appeared on channels 5,9, and 12.
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