Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Sultans (3)

Posted on April 26 2019 by dion1

The Sultans (3)

The Sultans (3) (Louisville, KY)

Personnel :

Tom "Cosmo" Cosdon (Lead)

John St. Clair (Tenor)

Ralph Zehnder (Baritone)

Lenny Whatley (Bass)

Discography :

The Sultans (3)
1961 - It'll Be Easy / You Got Me Goin (Tilt 782)
1962 - Toss In My Sleep / I Feel Your Love Growing Cold (Jam 103)
1962 - Mary, Mary / How Far Does A Friendship Go (Jam 107)
1963 - Christina / Someone You Can Trust (Guyden 2079)
1964 - Poor Boy / Don't Tie Me Down (Jam 113)
1964 - She’s Got It / Stay My Love (Backstage 1101)
1965 - Don't You Just Know It / She Loves Me (Afco 522)

Cosmo bb The Sultans (3)
1962 - Sweetheart Please Don't Go / Just Words (Tilt 789)

Biography :

The Sultans were organized in the basement of Charles Woodring in 1959. Michael Woodring started the group and sang with them for eighteen months. He developed ulcers and had to quit. Mr. and Mrs. Woodring continued furnishing the group a place to practice and remained their biggest fans. The basement of the Rush Inn, located at Brownsboro Rd. and Melwood Ave., was also a frequent place to rehearse.

The Sultans 1962 : R.Metzger, J. St. Clair, B. Summitt, L. Whetley, G. Owens, B.Crabb, G.Fawbush, R.Deetch, F.Rush

The Sultans were Tommy “Cosmo” Cosdon, Lead Vocal, replaced by Richard Metzger ‘61, replaced by Wayne McDonald ‘63 ‘til ‘64; John St. Clair, Tenor; Ralph Zehnder, Baritone replaced by Bill Summitt ‘61; Lenny Whatley, Bass; George Fawbush, Lead Guitar; Vince Tabler, Rhythm Guitar, replaced by George Owens on keyboards ‘61; Ronnie Deetch, Sax; Bill Crabb, Bass Guitar; Frank Rush, Drums. Their first paying job was a breakfast at Trinity High School in ‘59. It was after the junior prom and it payed $20. They also frequently played at the VFW’s in St. Matthews.

1959 - (L to R) Tom "Cosmo" Cosdon, John St. Clair, Ralph Zehnder & Lenny Whatley

In 1961 the Sultans recorded their first record, “It’ll Be Easy”, a song written by Charles Woodring. In the sixties, Mr. Woodring’s songs were recorded by several local artists including “Just Words” by Cosmo, “Till I Hear It From You” by the Monarchs, and “Someone Like You” by Eddie Morris. “It’ll Be Easy” was the first record by a local artist to go to the number 1 spot on the local charts. It remained in the number 1 position for five weeks and remained on the charts all summer.

1959 - Top : George Fawbush, Ronnie Deetch, Frank Rush & Vince Tabler
Bottom : Eddie Hess, Mike Woodring, Tom "Cosmo" Cosdon & Ralph Zehnder

After the Sultan’s second recording session which produced “Sweetheart Please Don’t Go”, a management decision was made to release the record listing only Cosmo and not the Sultans. Cosmo began appearing with a new backup group, the Counts. He was replaced by Richard Metzger. Through the sixties the Sultans had a string of local and regional hits. In ‘62, “Toss In My Sleep” went to number 7 on WKLO’s charts. In ‘63, “Mary, Mary” went to number 16 on WAKY. “She’s Got It” and “Poor Boy” also charted locally. The group broke up in 1970 and reformed in 1972.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Sultans (3)


It'll Be Easy                       You Got Me Goin                 Toss In My Sleep


Mary, Mary                 How Far Does A Friendship Go                  Poor Boy


She’s Got It                             Stay My Love                        She Loves Me


     Don't You Just Know It   Christina / Someone You Can Trust

Cosmo bb The Sultans (3)


Sweetheart Please Don't Go                 Just Words

…

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The Swingin' Phillies

Posted on April 26 2019 by dion1

The Swingin' Phillies

The Swingin' Phillies (Philadelphia, Pa)

Personnel :

Charles Cosom (Lead)

Philip Hurtt (First Tenor)

Richard Hill (Secod Tenor)

Ronald Headon (Baritone)

Al Hurtt (Bass)

Discography :

1958 - Frankenstein's Party / L-O-V-E (De Luxe 6171)

Biography :

The Swingin' Phillies are a Philadelphia based group and the members were: Charles Cosom, Philip Hurtt, Richard Hill, Ronald Headon and Al Hurtt founder of the group. The boys formed their group after discovering each other at their church, wich has music and voice classes. Charles and Phil still attend high school, while the other boys have been graduated. they range in age from seventeen to twenty.

Songs :

Frankenstein's Party L-O-V-E

...

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The Debs (4)

Posted on April 22 2019 by dion1

The Debs (L to R) : ?, Rozanda and Delores Taylor

The Debs (4) (Dayton, Ohio)

Personnel :

Delores Taylor

Rozanda ...

?

Discography :

Clarence Lavelle bb The Debs (4) (Uncredited)
1960 - Every Evening After School / Don't Come Back Knokin' (Buckeye 1004)

Biography :

This singing trio from Dayton Ohio, comprised Delores Taylor, Rozanda and another girl . They called themselves the Debs. They recorded some songs, but unfortunately they will never be released. Finally, they backed singer Clarence Lavelle on "Every Evening After School" and "Don't Come Back Knokin" released in 1960 by Buckeye Records from Dayton, but the backed group does not appear on the single.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Every Evening After School / Don't Come Back Knokin'

...

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The Epics (3) aka The Indigos (2)

Posted on April 20 2019 by dion1

Milton "Buddy" Williams

The Epics (3) (Baytown, Texas)
aka The Indigos (2)

Personnel :

Milton "Buddy" Williams (Lead)

Jeannie Capers (Lead)

Jessy Tober

Johnny Barnes

Discography :

The Epics (3)
1960 - Girl By The Wayside / Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum (Lynn 510)
1961 - The Magic Kiss / (I’m Gonna Pay You Back With) The Very Same Coin (Lynn 513)
1961 - Last Night I Dreamed / Most Of All (Lynn 516)
1961 - Last Night I Dreamed / The Magic Kiss (Sabra 516)
1961 - Grounded / Wishing You Were Mine (Eric 7001)

The Epics (3) Featuring Jeannie
1962 - I Want To Be Your Girl / So Many Times (Dante 3004)

Jeannie & The Epics (3)
1962 - Mama Dear / Glad To Be Free (Dante 3006)

The Indigos (2)
1961 - Girl By The Wayside / Ho-Hum Deedle-Dum (A Girl Named Sue) (Image 5001)
1962 - My Dream Girl / Beyond Your Wildest Dreams (Cadette 8003)

Biography :

The Epics are from Deer Park and Baytown (Texas) and all were Deer Park High School graduates when the group organised in November, 1957. The Epics consisted of Milton "Buddy" Williams (Lead vocalist), Jeannie Capers (Lead vocalist), Jessy Tober (vocalist) and Johnny Barnes (vocalist).In November 1960, The Epics had their first record released on the Lynn Label, "Girl By The Wayside" b/w "Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum".

The Indigos (2) aka The Epics (3)

Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum" became Week's Pick Hit on Houston's KILT. The wax disc has also been selected as tops by a radio station in Detroit, Mich. On sale in area record shop ,the record will have good sales. In the process Lynn releases two more singles. They did have a few other records, One on Sabra (A Lynn subsidiary) with Two with songs already released by Lynn Records. Milton "Buddy" Williams quit the Epics, replaced by Cecil Holliman . In May 1961, "Girl By The Wayside" b/w Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum was released on Image Records as The Indigos.

The Indigos (2) aka The Epics (3)

For their Three Las Singles, Jeannie Capers became the Lead singer. The Epics cut one single on Eric Records and Two for Dante Records. Most of the Epics songs written, arranged, and released by singer, guitarist (songwriter and producer) Ray Doggett. The story does not end there, Jeannie Capers, Johnnie Barnes, Cecil Holliman joined Jack Cockran (From Bellaire). The quartet recorded "My Dream Girl" b/w "Beyond Your Wildest Dreams". The single was released by Cadette Records as The Indigos.

Songs :

The Epics (3)


Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum                       Girl By The Wayside


The Magic Kiss                            The Very Same Coin


Last Night I Dreamed                      Wishing You Were Mine

The Epics (3) Featuring Jeannie


I Want To Be Your Girl                        So Many Times

...

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The Val-Chords

Posted on April 18 2019 by dion1

Picture received under the name "Valcords" - Is it the Val-Chords?

The Val-Chords (Manhattan, New York)

Personnel :

Tommy Drumgoole (Lead)

Raymond Brown (Bass)

J. Merriweather

C. Sealy

R. Van Putten

Discography :

1957 - Candy Store Love / You're Laughing At Me (Gametime 104)

Biography :

The mid-1950s marked a new phase in the rock-and-roll sub-genre subsequently dubbed doo-wop, the rise of what would later be termed "gang doo-wop," so named because of the influx of juvenile groups featuring high-tenor leads, many of whom were classmates at the same junior high- or high school or who lived in the same neighborhood. The success of the Teenagers on Gee records, in January 1956, started a veritable flood of such groups seeking auditions, many of whom dropped off the map almost as soon as they appeared. The group of eighth and ninth graders called the Val-Chords were among them. The Val-Chords were aiming at the same market as the Youngtones and consisted of Tommy Drumgoole,Raymond Brown, J. Merriweather, C. Sealy and R. Van Putten.

The Val-Chords

Wayne Stierle, who owns the group's masters, say that when they auditioned for Gametime in New York, the label's owner was so impressed he signed them on the spot. He thought their sound was new and possessed hit potential. They released one record, in 1957 "Candy Store Love" and its flip, "You're Laughing at Me" and disbanded, presumably to finish school. It was recorded on the Gametime label, one of those record labels also known in the industry as "fly-by-nights"--here today, in business to make a buck, and gone tomorrow when no hits were produced (their only other signed artist was a group called Vincent Macree and the Rhythm Kings). The disc received some airplay on Alan Frederick's Night Train radio show but made little noise outside local airwaves.

Songs :

Candy Store Love You're Laughing At Me

...

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Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Posted on April 17 2019 by dion1

Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) aka Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Donnie & The Dreamers (12) (Bronx, NY.)
aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Personnel :

Louis "Donnie" Burgio (Lead)

Peter "Pete Alonzo" Vecchiarelli

Andy Catalano (Tenor)

Frank Furstaci (Baritone)

Discography :

Donnie & The Dreamers (12)
Singles:
1961 - Count Every Star / Dorothy (Whale 500)
1961 - My Memories Of You / Teenage Love (Whale 505)
1961 - Carole / Ruby My Love (Decca 31312)
unreleased
1961 - Heaven Only Knows (Whale)

Kenny & The Whalers (2)
1961 - Life Is But a Dream / Life Is But a Dream (Whale 504)

Biography :

Lead Singer Louis "Donnie" Burgio, Peter "Pete Alonzo" Vecchiarelli, Andy Catalano, and Frank Furstaci came from the Bronx, that fertile field for Street Corner doo whoppers. Donnie & The Dreamers had a talent for adding that doo wop touch to pop standards and they proved it in early 1961 with their hit version of the 1950 oldie "Count Every Star".

Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) aka Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

While this was hot (it spent 10 weeks on the chart) the Whale label followed it up by sending out deejay samples of "Life Is But A Dream", calling the Group Kenny & The Whalers. It went nowhere. The Dreamers then turned the Harptones' 1954 ballad favourite "My Memories Of You" into a sparkling jump tune and scored their second national hit. Two weeks after "Count Every Star" left the chart, "My Memories Of You" took its Place.

Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) aka Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)
                                                                                                                                    Vinny Catalano

Encouraged by this, Decca leased all the Whale tracks by the group and issued "Carole" in October,1961. No Further hits came along and the group disappeared. Vinny Catalano worked with his kid brother's group, recording over 10 excellent sides, most lost and unreleased.

Songs :

Donnie & The Dreamers (12)


Count Every Star                                        Dorothy


My Memories Of You                                 Teenage Love


   Carole                                             Ruby My Love

Heaven Only Knows

Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Life Is But a Dream

...

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The Idols (1) aka The Swans (4)

Posted on April 16 2019 by dion1

The Swans (4) aka The Idols (1)
Dorothy Berry

The Idols (1) (Los Angeles, CA)
aka The Swans (4)

Personnel :

Dorothy Berry (Lead)

Charlotte Holmes

Barbara Holmes

Discography :

The Idols (1)
1961 - Just A Little Bit More / Why Must I Cry (Reveille 1002/Dot 16210)

Dorothy Berry & The Swans (4)
1961 - You Know You Lied / Hold Me (Vanco 101)

Biography :

Richard and Dorothy Berry married in 1957, raising two children. Their marriage lasted over ten years, ending in 1968. Inspired by her husband’s musical talents, Dorothy pursued her own path in the music business, beginning as a singer for the girl group, The Idols in the early 1960s. the group consisted of Dorothy Berry, Charlotte Holmes and Barbara Holmes. They recorded two songs composed by Richard Berry "Just A Little Bit More" and "Why Must I Cry" released in April 1961 on Reveille Records and also released on Dot 16210. Promo copies have "Why Must I Cry" credited to The Swans instead of the Idols. The Same years, The group recorded "You Know You Lied" and "Hold Me" released On Vanco as Dorothy Berry And The Swans.

The Swans (4) aka The Idols (1)
Richard & Dorothy Berry

As she gained more expertise as a lead singer, Dorothy Berry was soon groomed as a solo artist, recording for such labels as Garpax, Challenge, Little Star, and Tangerine. After working with a variety of different projects with such artists as Solomon Burke, the Righteous Brothers, and David Gates, Dorothy Berry was offered an opportunity to join Ray Charles as a Raelette. With a chance o see the world with one of the most successful recording artists of all time, Dorothy joined up with Ray Charles to sing on-stage and in the studio.

Songs :

The Idols (1)


   Why Must I Cry                                   Just A Little Bit More

Dorothy Berry & The Swans (4)


        Hold Me                                    You Know You Lied

...

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Honey & The Dew-Drops (1)

Posted on April 16 2019 by dion1

Honey & The Dew-Drops (1)

Honey & The Dew-Drops (1) (Madison, WI)

Personnel :

Scottie Stuart "Scott A Cameron" (Lead)

Sandy Stuart "Cameron"

Jack Bach "Bienlisbach"

Walter Roberts

Frank Zitske

Discography :

Honey & The Dew-Drops (1)
1958 - Come My Little Baby / Confucius Say (MMC 005)

Scottie Stuart
1960 - Nightmare / Little Rocker (MMC 006)

Biography :

Scott A Cameron is a graduate of Madison West High School, Class of “57”. In 1958, Scott put his talent to work recording “Come My Little Baby” & "Confucius Say", his first of two singles on MMC Records as a lead singer in the vocal group “Honey & The Dew-Drops”. Other members are Sandy Stuart "Cameron", Jack Bach "Bienlisbach", Walter Roberts and Frank Zitske. Then in 1960, recording his second single as “Scottie Stuart” singing a song he wrote “It Was A Nightmare” and the song “Little Rocker” written by Tom Kropp, the guitar player. His first touring days also began in Wisconsin with a series of “The Star-A Thon”, theatre performances sharing the bill with other popular musicians.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Honey & The Dew-Drops (1)

Come My Little Baby Confucius Say

Scottie Stuart

Nightmare Little Rocker

...

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The Royal Drifters aka The Jolly Drifters

Posted on April 15 2019 by dion1

The Royal Drifters aka The Jolly Drifters
The Royal Drifters

The Royal Drifters (Hawaii)
aka The Jolly Drifters

Personnel :

Danny Bobbitt

Moki Cabalse

John Akana

Walter Choi

Rudy Molina

Discography :

The Royal Drifters
1959 - Little Linda / S'Why Hard (Teen 506)
1959 - To Each This Own / Da Kind (Teen 508)

Robin Luke With The Jolly Drifters
1958 - Chicka Chicka Honey / My Girl (Bertram International 208 / Dot 15839)

Biography :

All group members were from Honolulu and attended McKinley High School. The group were composed by Moki Cabalse, John Akana, Walter Choi, Rudy Molina, Larry Akana and Danny Aranio. They sang together in high school and In 1958 they were known as The Jolly Drifters, a group who sang backup vocals for Robin Luke on "Chicka Chicka Honey" and "My Girl".

The Royal Drifters aka The Jolly Drifters
Robin Luke The Jolly Drifters

Robin Luke was discovered by Hawaii entrepreneur Kimo Wilder McVay. Luke was living in Honolulu, Hawaii, attending Punahou School, in 1958 when he wrote and recorded a Billboard #5 hit, "Susie Darlin'" a song named after his then five-year-old sister, Susie. The track also reached #23 in the UK Singles Chart. He continued to record, but was unable to repeat his Top 10 success. His first four singles were recorded for the small International label in Honolulu. After "Susie Darlin'" started getting local airplay, Dot Records bought his recording contract and the International master tapes.

The Jolly Drifters aka The Royal Drifters
The Royal Drifters (L to R) Danny Bobbitt, Moki Cabalse, John Akana, Walter Choi and Rudy Molina.

After their "Chicka Chicka Honey and "My Girl", Larry Akana & Danny Aranio parted ways to join the U.S. Air Force and Danny Bobbitt joined the group. The Five guys changed their name fro the Royal Drifters. The Royal Drifters became a hot group that was the warm up act for all the nation's top singers and groups like Elvis, Everly Brothers, etc. that came to Hawaii in the late 50s and early 60s. The Royal Drifters recorded songs as "S’ Why Hard", "Da Kind", "Little Linda" & "To Each His Own" under the Teen Records label in 1959.

Songs :

The Royal Drifters

Little Linda                               S'Why Hard


To Each This Own                                  Da Kind

Robin Luke With The Jolly Drifters

Chicka Chicka Honey My Girl

....

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The Gazelles

Posted on April 15 2019 by dion1

The Gazelles

The Gazelles (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Vernon Fusell (Lead)

Charles Jones

Donald Langston

Donald Lee

Carlton Prater

Discography :

Single:
1956 - Honest / Pretty Baby, Baby (Gotham 315)
Unreleased :
1956 - Ride, Donald, Ride (Pretty Baby, Baby) (Gotham)

Biography :

Vocal group from Philadelphia composed by Vernon Fusell (Lead), Charles Jones, Donald Langston, Donald Lee and Carlton Prater. In 1956, Alethia Prater of Philadelphia, Carlton Prater's mother, undersigned the group's Gotham contract on August 15, 1955, leading us to surmise that the group members were young. During the Gotham session, Gazelles recorded two songs composed by Donald Langston and Carlton Prater ; "Honest" and "Pretty Baby, Baby" released on Gotham #315. A Previously Unreleased Take of "Pretty Baby, Baby" can be found under the name of "Ride, Donald, Ride". Gotham Records was an American record label formed by Sam Goode (Goody) and Ivin Ballen in New York City in 1946. In January 1948 Ballen acquired the interest of Goode and became the sole owner. He then moved the company to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the label was based for the rest of its existence until 1956. The label specialized in rhythm and blues.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Pretty Baby, Baby Honest

Ride, Donald, Ride

...

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