Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

David Campanella & The DellChords

Posted on February 28 2019 by dion1

David Campanella & The DellChords
Clockwise from bottom, David Campanella, George Kafcos, Kenny Hamilton and Joey Vertucci.

David Campanella & The DellChords (Brooklyn, NY)

Personnel :

David Campanella (Lead / Second Tenor)

George Kafcos (Lead / Baritone)

Kenny Hamilton (Bass)

Joey Vertucci (First Tenor)

Discography :

1959 - Everything's That Way / Over The Rainbow (Kane 25593)

Biography :

George Kafcos (Kafcopoulos) and best friend Kenny Hamilton from Flushing had a ramshackle group with no name. Kenny Hamilton attended Queens Day School in Sunny Side Queens with David Campanella. George Kafcos attended Bayside H.S. and Kenny brought David around to their neighborhood and introduced george to him.

David Campanella & The DellChords
Early Dellchords : Larry Marshal, George Kafcos, Algie Hough, Georgia Kafcos (Manager), Kenny Hamilton & David Campanella

David Campanella was living in Glen Cove NY at the time, he was son of Roy Campanella, nicknamed "Campy", an American baseball player, primarily as a catcher. Their three part harmony blew away anything they had heard with their group and that at that moment was the beginning of the group. The DellChords were born. They needed more voices and they take in their adventures Algie Hough and Larry Marshall from Queens Day School as well.

David Campanella & The DellChords
Early Dellchords, with Roy Campanella (Larry Marshall, Kenny Hamilton, Algie Hough, George Kafcos and David Campanella)

This group configuration now was three black guys and two white guys (Kenny Hamilton and George Kafcos). Algie and Larry sang with the group very briefly and they will be replaced by Joey Vertucci , a First Tenor from Corona NY. Now, the future recording group was one black guy (David) and three white guys (Kenny, George & Joey).

David Campanella & The DellChords
David Campanella, George Kafcos, Joey Vertucci and Kenny Hamilton

They signing a recording contract with Richard Oats, head of Kane Records in 1959. The Dell Chords cut two songs for Kane, The classic "Over The Rainbow" and "Everything's That Way". George Kafcos wrote the words and music to "Everything's That Way" for his girlfriend at the time, a really cute blond nicknamed "Chickey".

David Campanella & The DellChords
David Campanella, Joey Vertucci, George Kafcos and Kenny Hamilton Auditioning for Alvin Wilks (Bottom)

David Campanella wrote the riff at the fade out end of the song and that is his voice doing the riff. Incidentally, they never received a dime. Long story as to why they didn't pursue them? They were 15 years old. For several years David Campanella  was in trouble with the law. He was a member of the street gang the Chaplains, and he was convicted for disorderly conduct and burglary. He died age 41 drug related dead.

Songs :


Over The Rainbow                       Everything's That Way

..

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The Sirocs

Posted on February 28 2019 by dion1

The Sirocs

The Sirocs (Little Silver, N.J)

Personnel :

... Godfrey

Biography :

In 1959, The Sirocs from Little Silver, N.J. came in 2nd singing at The Apollo Theater

...

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The Inspirations (3)

Posted on February 28 2019 by dion1

The Inspirations (3)

The Inspirations (3) (Harlem, NY.)

Personnel :

William Perkins

Burnett Lengester

Willie Wiggins

Joe Warren

Felix Hunt

Harry Dixon

Discography :

Single :
1956 - Maggie / Raindrops (The Crying Song) (Apollo 494)

Unreleased :
1956 - Pretty Mama (Apollo)

Biography :

"Raindrops" by the Inspirations is an old favorite of R&B collectors recorded on February 25, 1956 at Beltone studios in New York. "Raindrop","Maggie" and "Pretty Mama" were all recorde one afternoon in a memorable session that also spotlighted the Keynotes and Vocaltones.Apollo usually rejected the teenage street corner vocal group in favor of more polished older singer, but by the winter of 1956, they needed younger local groups to compete with strong NYC labels like Rama and Old Town.

The Inspirations (3)

The Inspirations Crying lead can't quite reach the heights of Jackie & the Starlites later "Valarie", but his pipes got quite a workout that day on "Teardrops" ("The Crying Song") . "Maggie" was the flip, released as apollo #494 to good NY airplay in March 1956. Members of the group were William Perkins, Burnett Lengester, Willie Wiggins, Joe Warren, Felix Hunt and Harry Dixon.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Raindrops (The Crying Song) Maggie

Pretty Mama

...

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The Victorians (1) aka The Four Fellows (2)

Posted on February 28 2019 by dion1

The Four Fellows (2) aka The Victorians (1)
The Victorians / Four Fellows - Top : Bobby Thompson, Charlie Moore & Roy Battle - Bottom : Tommy Haynes & Bill Carey

The Victorians (1) (Brooklyn, New-York)
aka The Four Fellows (2)

Personnel :

Donnie Sehested (Lead)

Bobby Thompson (Lead Tenor)

Roy Battle (Baritone)

Bill Carey (Baritone / Bass)

Charlie Moore (Guitar)

Discography :

The Four Fellows (2)
1953 - Stop Crying / Break My Bones (Tri-Boro 101)

The Victorians (1)
1956 - Heartbreaking Moon / I'm Rollin' (Saxony 103)
1956 - Wedding Bells / Please Say You Do (Selma 1002)

Biography :

This Four Fellows formed sometime before 1952 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Originally called the Dreamers, they finally settled on the "4 Fellows." Members were: Charlie Witherspoon (tenor lead), Caswell "Cas" Bridges (tenor), Roy Battle (baritone), Bill Carey (baritone/bass) and Charlie Moore (guitarist). The Four Fellows playing the Baby Grand, the 802 Club, the Gay Hearts Ballroom, Town Hill, and a lot of little clubs with forgettable names in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. There was the New York Amsterdam News Benefit show, held at the Apollo Theater and some appearances on a radio show on WWRL.

The Four Fellows (2) aka The Victorians (1)
The Four Felows

They even did a package tour with the Miller Sisters and the Hearts. After only a couple of months, Charlie Witherspoon left, to be replaced by tenor John Kelly. In the spring of 1953, the 4 Fellows met up with Larry Smith, owner of Tri-Boro Records who issued the four Fellows' "Stop Crying" b/w "Break My Bones." Nothing much happened with the record and the guys went back to their occasional appearances. Then, in late 1953, John Kelly left replaced by tenor Bobby Thompson. In late 1954, Caswell "Cas" Bridges left the group and started The Clefftones who recorded for Old Town . Cas had been replaced by tenor Tommy Haynes. because of the other Four Fellows group, they called themselves the Victorians.

The Four Fellows (2) aka The Victorians (1)
Caswell "Cas" Bridges

Tommy Haynes had left and Donnie Sehested joined full time. The Victorians were now Donnie Sehested, Bobby Thompson, Roy Battle, Bill Carey, and Charlie Moore. In January 1956, the Victorians' "Heartbreaking Moon"/"I'm Rollin'" were released on Saxony. Then they hooked up with Neil Sedaka, who gave them a tune he'd written, "Wedding Bells." On May 15, 1956, they recorded "Wedding Bells" and "Please Say You Do". These were issued on Selma, another of Morty Craft's labels. After that, the 4 Fellows/Victorians fell apart.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/4Fellows/4fellows.html

Songs :

The Victorians (1)


Heartbreaking Moon                             I'm Rollin'


    Wedding Bells                                      Please Say You Do

The Four Fellows (2)


Stop Crying                                    Break My Bones

...

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The Seniors (5) aka The Angelenos? and The Angelinos?

Posted on February 20 2019 by dion1

The Seniors (5) aka The Angelenos ?

The Seniors (5) (Los Angeles, CA.)
aka The Angelenos ?
aka The Angeiinos ?

Personnel :

Rudy Ray Moore

?

Discography :

The Seniors (5)
1960 ~ Hully Gully Fever (And The Flu Bug Too) / Pitter Patter Heart (Kent 342)
1960 - My Soul / Emily (The Turks) (Ball 001)

The Angelinos
1961 - On An Island / As Long As I Have You (Peepers 2824( (first pressing)

The Angelenos
1961 – Don’t Cry Baby / As Long As I Have You (Peepers 2824) (second pressing)
1961 - Hully Gully Fever / Come On Baby (Peepers 2827) (first pressing)

Bobby Lawrence & The Angelenos
1962 - Hully Gully Fever / Come On Baby (Peepers 2827) (second pressing)

Biography :

Rudy Ray Moore born March 17, 1937 in Fort Smith, Arkansas recorded some songs for Federal Records in the early 1950s. The most famous of these recording sessions is "Step it up and go." Although Moore's singing career didn't hit the big time, he did deliver some truly great soulful rock n' roll songs in a similar vein of Richard Berry. Moore moved to Los Angeles, California in 1959. Several more singles were released by various labels, including his own Vermont Records, with Moore performing either as a solo artist or with other vocal groups like The Seniors.

The Seniors (5) aka The Angelenos ?
Rudy Ray Moore

In 1960, with The Seniors Rudy Ray Moore recorded "Hully Gully Fever (And The Flu Bug Too)" b/w "Pitter Patter Heart" On Kent records and "My Soul" on Ball. In 1961 we find the same version of "Hully Gully Fever" by The Angelenos also from los angeles. It may be possible that this is the same group with Rudy Ray Moore replaced by Bobby Lawrence...

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Seniors (5)

Hully Gully Fever My Soul

Pitter Patter Heart

The Angelenos


Hully Gully Fever                          Don't Cry Baby


As Long As I Have You                 Come On Baby

...

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The Top Notes (2)

Posted on February 18 2019 by dion1

The Top Notes (2)
Howard Guyton & Derek Martin

The Top Notes (2) (Detroit)

Personnel :

Derek Martin

Howard Guyton

Discography :

1960 - Wonderful Time / Walkin' With Love (Atlantic 2066)
1960 - Say Yes / Warm Your Heart (Atlantic 2080)
1961 - Hearts Of Stone / The Basic Things (Atlantic 2097)
1961 - Always Late (Why Lead Me On) / Twist And Shout (Atlantic 2115)
1962 - Wait For Me, Baby / Come Back, Cleopatra (Festival 1021)
1963 - It's All Right / I Love You So Much (ABC 10399)

Biography :

The Top Notes was a rhythm and blues vocal group, centered around the singers Derek Martin and Howard Guyton. They released a number of singles in the early 1960s, amongst which was the first recording of "Twist and Shout". Derek Don Martin (also known as "Derek Ray") was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 2, 1938. He began his professional career at the age of 17 when he joined Duke Ellington as a vocalist. Howard "Howie" Guyton (also known as "Guy Howard") was born c. 1938. He was a cousin of Dave "Baby" Cortez, who performed with Guyton and Martin in The Pearls.

The Top Notes (2)

Despite being primarily a vehicle for Martin and Guyton, other members of The Top Notes included George Wilson Torrence Jr. (who later became a pastor in Duncan, Oklahoma) and singers known as Roy and Johnny. When the group changed record labels in 1961, the lineup consisted solely of Martin and Guyton, who subsequently hired Barbara Wells, Dionne Warwick and Rosco King, a bassist who had previously sung with them in The Five Pearls. The group was formed from members of Martin and Guyton's previous bands, known at various times as The Five Pearls, The Sheiks, The Pearls, and Howie and the Sapphires. The Top Notes signed to Atlantic Records in 1960,releasing two singles "A Wonderful Time" (b/w "Walkin' with Love") and "Say Man" (b/w "Warm Your Heart")—the same year.

The Top Notes (2)
Derek Martin

In 1961 the group recorded the single "Hearts of Stone" (b/w "The Basic Things") under the direction of Phil Spector, with King Curtis on saxophone. The second single that year was the first recorded version of Phil Medley and Bert Berns's "Twist and Shout", which was also produced by Spector. Recorded at Atlantic Studios on February 23, 1961, Martin and Guyton were accompanied by an orchestra conducted and arranged by Teddy Randazzo, which included (among others) King Curtis on tenor saxophone, Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, and Panama Francis and Gary Chester on percussion and drums respectively.Further accompaniment came from a 10-piece string ensemble and vocals from The Cookies. In 1962, the group released "Wait for Me Baby" (b/w "Come Back Cleopatra) on Festival Records, before their final single, "I Love You So Much" (b/w "It's Alright") was released through ABC-Paramount Records in 1963.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Walkin' With Love                                      Say Yes


       The Basic Things                  Always Late (Why Lead Me On)


Twist And Shout Come Back, Cleopatra


Wait For Me, Baby                       I Love You So Much


It's All Right                                   Wonderful Time


Warm Your Heart                                Hearts Of Stone

…

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The Enchanters (3)

Posted on February 18 2019 by dion1

The Enchanters (3) (Brooklyn, NY)

Personnel:

Joe Mano (Lead Tenor)

John Ianoni (Lead Baritone)

Larry Fawcette (Baritone)

Mike Seltzer (Second Tenor)

Mickey Dabulis (Tenor/Bass)

Discography :

1961 - I Lied to My Heart / Talk While You Walk (Musitron 1072)
1963 - Oh Rose Marie / Bewildered (1562/1563)

Biography :

The Late 50s saw the rise of white doo wops groups and one of the hotbeds of this movement was the Bushwick neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Bushwick was a mixed neighbourhood and the white street corner singers there picked up the style of their black friends. The groups were friendly towards each other, united by a love of the music, and members frequently moved from group to group. The main goal was a recording deal and a few made the grade. After plotting their vocal skills at the Friday night dances at St Michaels Catholic Church, the enchanters got the chance to follow their friends the Fascinators, Marvels, and clusters with a record of their own in early 1961. "I Lied to My Heart" was a big local hit and made it into the hot 100 in March. It only spent a couple of weeks on the national chart, but it got the group a lot of work on stage. Their second and last release "Oh Rose Marie", didn’t do as well on the minuscule JJ&M label and the group slowly faded away. The group is composed by Joe Mano (Lead Tenor), John Ianoni (Lead Baritone), Larry Fawcette (Baritone), Mike Seltzer (Second Tenor) and Mickey Dabulis (Tenor/Bass).

Songs :


I Lied to My Heart                             Talk While You Walk


Oh Rose Marie                                  Bewildered

...

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The Tren-Dells aka The Trend-Els

Posted on February 16 2019 by dion1

The Tren-Dells aka The Trend-Els

The Tren-Dells (Louisville, Kentucky)
aka The Trend-Els

Personnel :

Johnny Hourigan (Lead)

Joe Bergman (Tenor)

William Summitt (Baritone)

Bill Mathley (Bass) 

Discography :

The Trend-Els
1961 - I'm So Young / Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby (Tilt 779)

The Tren-Dells
1962 - I Miss You So / Moments Like This (Tilt 788)
1962 - Tough Litthe Buggy / Hey Da-Da-Dow (Jam 111)
1962 - Nite Owl / Hully Gully Jones (Capitol 4852/Jam 1100)
1963 - Ain't That Funny / Mr. Doughnut Man (Sound 7 Stage 2508)
1964 - I'll Be There / Everyday (Southtown 22001)
1965 - Sha-La-Lah-La / Sweets For My Sweet (Boss 9916)
1967 - Love / It's So Right (Boss 9919)
1967 - That's My Desire / Let's go Steady For The Summer (Boss 9921)

Unreleased :
1962 - Hey Little Sheila (Tilt)
1962 - I Love You (Tilt)
1962 - Look at Me (Tilt)

Lps:
1983 ?- Drive-In Dreamin' (Bridges 2705)
Rock & Roll will stand / Cherie Pie / Tonight / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin / Under The Boardwalk / Shout / Let The Good Time Roll / Tears On My Pillow / Blue Moon / Ooh, Baby Baby / Chain Gang / For Your Precious Love

Biography :

Members of the Tren-Dells are Johnny Hourigan, Lead Vocal; Joe Bergman, Tenor; Bill Summitt, Baritone, replaced by Jim Settle ;61, replaced by Charlie Schuck ;65; Bill Mathley, Bass. They began their careers calling themselves the Four Frantics. They traveled and performed regularly with the Carnations and Paul Penny.

The Tren-Dells aka The Trend-Els
1962, The Tren-Dells : Johnny Hourigan, Joe Bergman, Jim Settle, Bill Mathley

Their first release, “Don’t You Hear Me Calling Baby” went to number 2 on WKLO. The flip side of this single, “I’m So Young”, featured Paul Penny. The Tren-Dells had the most charted local singles during the fifties and sixties. They had seven songs on the charts during that time. In September, 1962, the Tren-Dells released their biggest success, “Nite Owl”, which went to number 3 on WKLO and number 2 on WAKY.

The Tren-Dells aka The Trend-Els
1959, The Tren-Dells, the Carnations & Paul Penny

When it became a regional hit on the Jam label, it was released nationally on Capitol. While the Tren-Dells were under contract with Capitol, part of the group along with several other local artists were used in a studio group for one release, “I’m Not Going To Work Today”.

The Tren-Dells aka The Trend-Els

In the mid-sixties, the Tren-Dells recorded, “It’s So Right”, a song written by a young unknown studio artist they were working with at the time. This young man was Charlie Daniels. The Tren-Dells were together from 1960 to 1972. After the group had disbanded, Johnny Hourigan spent two or three years as a studio singer, performing on many recording sessions at Allen-Martin Studios.

1965, The Tren-Dells : Charlie Schuck, Joe Bergman, Bill Mathley

Johnny joined the Sultans around 1975. Jim Settle had gone onto become a part of Soul, Inc. and Elysian Field. In 1983, there is a group performing in and around the Lexington, Kentucky area called the Tren-Dells. The only original member with this group is Charlie Schuck .

Songs :

Moments Like This I Miss You So I'm So Young

Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby       Hey Da-Da-Dow          Tough Litthe Buggy


Hully Gully Jones                   Nite Owl                     Ain't That Funny


Mr. Doughnut Man                  I'll Be There                That's My Desire

Let's Go Steady For The Summer

...

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The Kampus Kids aka Rick & The Legends (4)

Posted on February 14 2019 by dion1

The Kampus Kids aka Rick & The Legends (4)
The Kampus Kids (East Liverpool, Ohio)
aka Rick & The Legends (4)
aka Riki & The Rikatones

Personnel :

Rick Palmer (Guitar / Lead Vocal)

Jerry Nolan (Rhythm Guitar / Vocal)

Jay Stewart (Guitar Bass / Vocal)

Discography :

Rick Palmer
1958 - You Threw A Dart / My Greatest Wish (Carlton 491)

The Kampus Kids
1960 - Leave Me Alone / Mr Rainbow Man (Ensign 5000)

Riki & The Rikatones
1960 - Whiphash / T.N.T. (Manhattan 201)

Rick & The Legends (4)
1963 - The Diary Of A Teenage Bride / All Of Your Love (JD 155)
1965 - I Wonder Why / Leave Me Alone (JD 162)
1966 - I Wonder Why / Love Me Like I Know You Can (UA 5093)

Biography :

Originally from East Liverpool, Ohio, the group begin in 1958 as The Teen-Kings, a musical group comprised of Rick Palmer, Bill Pipes, Don Hay and Jerry Nolan. In November 1958, Rick Palmer recorded "You Threw a Dart" b/w "My Greatest Wish" released On Carlton records.In 1959 Rick Palmer on lead vocal and lead guitar teamed up Jerry Nolan on rhythm guitar and vocal and Jay Stewart on bass and vocal. Their current manager sold their contract to Buck Ram. As Their new manager, Buck provided the group with "Mr. Rainbow Man" and "Leave Me Alone" released on on the new Ensign label (Antler’s subsid) as the The Kampus Kids.

The Kampus Kids aka Rick & The Legends (4)
The Kampus Kids - From top : Jay Stewart, Jerry Nolan & Rick Palmer

The single made it all the way into the top five on radio station WNOR in Norfolk, Virginia. Even though the song was extremely popular regionally it failed to achieve success nationally. After several ups and downs they moved to Cleveland Ohio where their manager had a "You Write 'Em and I'll Record 'Em" business for songwriters who wanted to hear their songs recorded. They were his house band and some of the recordings they made for him were released on his Manhattan label as Riki & The Rikatones, two Rockabilly "Whiphash" and "T.N.T.". In the very early 60s (1961/1962) the band relocated to the Norfolk, Virginia area & played Virginia Beach regularly as well as the naval base officers club. It was here that the band got to open up for and back-up the late, great Roy Orbison. Rick Palmer also did lots of session work and played with Ray Peterson on "Tell Laura I love her".

The Kampus Kids aka Rick & The Legends (4)
clockwise from top left: Jean Palmer, Buzzy Rose, Jerry Nolan and Rick Palmer

He backed up Nashville artist, Minnie Pearl also. In 1968 the band relocated to Massachusetts where they recorded "Love me like I know you can" in their basement for the United Artists label. In 1962 Buzzy Rose joined Rick Palmer and Jerry Nolan as their drummer and added Rick's wife Jean (keyboards & vocals). They call themselves The Coachmen and changed to Rick & The Legends. Soon they cut their first record on the JD label "The Diary Of A Teenage Bride" b/w "All Of Your Love". The next record was "I Wonder Why" b/w "Leave Me Alone". Then United artists cut "I Wonder Why" and a new song Rick wrote, "Love Me Like I Know You Can".

Songs :

The Kampus Kids


Mr Rainbow Man                                   Leave Me Alone

Rick & The Legends (4)


The Diary Of A Teenage Bride                    All Of Your Love


   I Wonder Why                       Love Me Like I Know You Can

Rick Palmer

You Threw A Dart

Riki & The Rikatones

Whiphash (Rockabilly) T.N.T. (Rockabilly)

..

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The Marvels (2) aka Del Tones (2)

Posted on February 14 2019 by dion1

The Marvels (2) aka Del Tones (2)

The Marvels (2) (Hollywood, CA.)
aka Del Tones (2)

Personnel :

Leo Pegues

Everett Henderson

Jimmy Batten

???

Discography :

The Marvels (2)
1958 - Did She Leave You / Lovely Charms (Magnet 1005)
1959 - You Crack Me Up / Just Another Fool (Munrab 1008)

Del Tones (2)
1959 - Best Wishes / Walkin Out the Back Door (Ro-Ann 1001)

Biography:

The Marvels from Hollywood, CA. are composed by Leo Pegues, Everett Henderson, Jimmy Batten and and another guy. The group recorded Three fine records around 1959/1959. "Did She Leave You" b/w "Lovely Charms" on Magnet 1005 is probably the easiest to find. Their second single "You Crack Me Up" b/w "Just Another Fool" on Munrab records (H.B. Barnum backwards!) is extremely rare, while their last single "Best Wishes" b/w "Walkin Out the Back Door" released as the Del tones is also very rare.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Marvels (2)

Did She Leave You Just Another Fool

You Crack Me Up

Del Tones (2)

Best Wishes / Walkin Out the Back Door

…

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