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The Chatters

Posted on by dion1


Left to right, Bonnie Burgess, Charlotte Voinche, Kerry Ann Constantin, and Diana Kay Bier

The Chatters (Crowley, Louisiana)


Personnel :

Bonnie Burgess (alto)

Charlotte Voinche (alto)

Kerry Ann Constantin (Soprano)

Diana Kay Bier  (Soprano)



Discography :

1959 - Teenage Love Affair / My Darling One (Viking 1001)



Biography :

Known as "The Chatters," this girl group 16-year-olds from Crowley consisted of Bonnie Burgess, Charlotte Voinche, Kerry Ann Constantin, and Diana Kay Bier. Diana Kay Bier, a talented soprano who plays the piano, plays the lead role in both songs. She also wrote the music and words "at the same time" from the rock'n'roll melody pair and formed the quartet. They  are all part of the school's drumming and drumming corps. Bonnie and Charlotte sing on the viola and Kerry sings the soprano with Diana. Charles "Dago" Redlich, operator of a local record shop who assisted them in cutting the record.

The Chatters

It all started when "Dago" learned that Diana had written the words and music to a couple of tunes. He induced her into forming a quartet and cutting the record on his new Viking label. While "Dago" gathered together some background, consisting of a guitar player, a piana player, a bass player and a few "hummers," Diana called in her three friends and the practice sessionsgot underway. The day finally came, the group gathered in a studio next to the record shop, and "Teenage Love Affair" and "My Darling One" were recorded. The recording was sent to a Houston firm, pressed, and "The Chatters" were in business. The quartet has become a popular source of entertainment since the word got around. They have been called upon to sing at several proms, at the Youth Center dances, at record hops, and with a number of area bands. They have also dipped lightly into those singing television commercials.




Songs :

  
Teenage Love Affair                            My Darling One



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The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2) 

The Suburbans (4) (Passaic, New Jersey)
aka The Five Classics (2)


Personnel :

Harry Arthur (Tenor)

Joseph Pasquino (Tenor)

Ralph Santora (Baritone)

Bernard Nathanson (Bass)

 

Discography :

The Suburbans (4)
1959 - Alphabet Of Love / Sweet Diane Cha Cha (Port 70011)
1960 - Little Bird / King Of Broken Hearts (Kip 221)
1961 - Mississippi Mud / Love Me (Flamingo 539)
1961 - Lovin' Hands / Love Me (Gee 1076)

The Five Classics (2)
1961 - Mississippi Mud / Love Me (Pova 6142)



Biography :

Vocal group from Passaic, New Jersey. Leader of the singers is Harry Arthur, 18 year old, Passaic High School Senior. Writer of most of their songs, Harry has a tenor voice and does all the arranging. Ralph Santora, 17 year old sophomore of Fairleigh Dickinson University, sings Baritone and Joseph Pasquino, 18, is Tenor. Bernard Nathanson, 20, is the Bass. When the Suburbans first organized they had five members. Ronald VanDunk was with them until he was invited to a command performance with the marines. Norman Oldam replaced him for a while. The marines didn't call him, but a bride changed his mind. Joseph Serniglia tried the entertainment field, but decided it wasn(t the profession for him.

The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)    The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

They practice about three times a week. Mrs Grace Schurman of the Licoln Music Shop, is their manager. In May 1959, they cut their first record on the Port Label, a subsidiary of Jay-Gee Record, "Alphabet Of Love" b/w "Sweet Diane Cha Cha" both wrote by Harry Arthur. "Alphabet Of Love" is being plugged by disk jockeys like Danny Styles the "Cat Man" and Clint Miller. In September 1960, the Suburbans recorded for Kip records owned by Lonnie Kaufman in New York, "Little Bird" b/w "King Of Broken Hearts", both wrote again by Harry Arthur. The group have entertained at many clubs in the area and across the country and appeared on a number of TV and Radio shows.

The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)    The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

At this time, Harry Arthur left and Bruce Starzzo and Angelo Gerardi integrate the group. Joseph Pasquino takes the lead role and wrote the fabtastic "Love Me". Paul Poveromo of The Five Classics  on Arc records produced the group for their third singles. The Suburbans auditioned at Paul's house and recorded "Mississippi Mud" b/w "Love Me". The single  was released on Flamingo records. The same year The single was re-released on Pova records as The Five Classics. The Suburbans re-recorded "Love Me" the same year with different arrangements for Roulette Records . The new "Love Me" was released by Gee Records (Roulette subsidiary) with "Lovin' Hands".

 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)    

The Suburbans (4)

  
Mississippi Mud                                       Love Me   

  
Lovin' Hands                                         Alphabet Of Love

  
Sweet Diane Cha Cha                      King Of Broken Hearts


  
   Little Bird                                   Love Me (On Gee)





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The Crescendos (1)

Posted on by dion1

The Crescendos (1)
top : Mitchell Alexander and Prentice Moreland - bottom : Earl Nelson, Bobby Relf and Bobby Byrd

The Crescendos (1)  (Watts, Los Angeles)
 

Personnel :

Bobby Byrd (Lead)

Bobby Relf (Tenor)

Prentice Moreland (Tenor)

Earl Nelson (Tenor)

Mitchell Alexander (Bass)

 

Discography :

Singles :
1956 - Sweet Dreams / Finders Keepers (Atlantic 1109) 

1959 - Sweet Dreams / I'll Be Seeing You (Atlantic 2014)

Unreleased :
1956 - You'll Be There (Atlantic)




Biography :

In September 1956, Bobby Byrd recorded some sides for Atlantic with a group billed as the "Crescendos".  The others were Earl Nelson (tenor with the Hollywood Flames and the voices with Bobby Byrd and many other groups) , Bobby Relf (lead singer of the Laurels) , Prentice Moreland (lead singer of the Chanteclairs)  and Mitchell Alexander (bass of the Feathers).

The Crescendos (1)

Atlantic released "Finders Keepers" b/w "Sweet Dreams". January 1959 saw a re-release of Bobby Byrd & the Crescendos' "Sweet Dreams" on Atlantic. This time it had "I'll Be Seeing You" as the flip.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/HollywoodFlames/hollywoodflames.html



Songs :

    
I'll Be Seeing You                            Sweet Dreams


Finders Keepers
 

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The Doodlers (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Doodlers (2)  
 Seated is Wehlan McPherson - Left to right : Randy Williams, Jay Hoyle, Don Florey

The Doodlers (2) (Longview, Texas)

 

Personnel :

Wehlan McPherson (First Tenor)

Don Florey (Second Tenor)

Jay Hoyle (Baritone)

Randy Williams (Bass)


 

 

Discography :

 1958 - Linda sue / Solitude (Quality K1765/Jones 1001)
1958 - The Dangerous Dangeroo / It's A Sin To Tell A Lie (Jones 1002)




Biography :

The Doodlers, formerly the "Four Fresh boys" composed of a quartet of former Longview High school students. They listened to many of the pop vocal groups and jazz ensembles of the day, and aspired to sound similar to them. Thanks to an innovative high school choir director, the Doodlers actually met in choir and then formed their own group. Fortunately, William T Jones of the Jones Apothecary (drug stores) in the Houston area, had a chance to hear them perform.

   
Randy Williams, Jay Hoyle, Don Florey and Wehlan McPherson                                                                                                                          

He liked their sound and signed them to a recording and management contract. The Doodlers played some local venues, and then were carted off to Chicago to get choreographed and start performing in the night clubs of the windy city. Along the way, the Doodlers cut two records. The first sold well in the midwest and beyond, and was called Linda Sue.

     
                              Randy Williams, Jay Hoyle, Don Florey and Wehlan McPherson                     

WIND radio DJ Howard Miller gave it a ton of spins. There was a second record called the Dangerous Dangeroo. They had a chance to sing with Elvis Presley once in Kileen, Texas, and it must have been an unforgettable experience. They toured all over the country, mostly in their own station wagon.
http://www.colorradio.com/doodlers.htm






Songs :
updated by Hans-Joachim)

 
  
The Dangerous Dangeroo                           Linda sue

  
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie                          Solitude

 

 

 

 

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The Ocapello's

Posted on by dion1

The Ocapello's 

The Ocapello's (East Orange, NJ)

 

Personnel :

Pat Coleman

Artie Johnson

Jimmy Tymes

Walter Tooney

Vincent Williams

 

Discography :

1966 - The Stars / Anytime (General 106/107 / Checker 1144)


Biography :

In 1960, Patrick Coleman singing with the East Orange's Cameos, with his brother William and sister Patsy. They only cut one single "Wait up" b/w "Lost Lovers" on the tiny Dean label. Six years later, Patrick became a member of the legendary Ocapellos.

The Ocapello's
(L to R) Vincent Williams, Jimmy Tymes,Walter Tooney, Pat Coleman and Artie Johnson

The Ocapello's recorded two songs : "The Stars" b/w "Anytime " Members of this one-record group were Pat Coleman, Artie Johnson, Jimmy Tymes, Walter Tooney and Vincent Williams. The single was released in 1966 on General #107.

The Ocapello's

In June 1966, Checker purchased the General master and released it in August 1966 on Checker (# 1144).  It was again released in 1972. "The Stars" got a lot of play in Pittsburgh, PA over the years.

Songs :

  
The Stars                                         Anytime



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Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts

Posted on by dion1


Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts (Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)

 

Personnel :

Mel Cabang "Mel Calvin" (Lead)

Paul Texeira


Discography :

Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts
1962 - I Love You / My Mummy (Bertram International 215)

The Tilton Sisters & The Kokonuts
1960 - Put Your Arms Around Me Honey / He Knows (not them) (Bertram International 217)


Biography :

Comedian, singer, actor, Mel Cabang, aka the Legend in Hawaii and Uncle Mel is also known in 1962 as Mel Calvin.  Mel was born on the big island of Hawaii and graduated high school in 1960, later receiving a bachelor’s degree in music and a minor in psychology.

Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts
Bob Bertram with The Tilton Sisters (Muriel and Gwen Tilton)  (updated by Hans-Joachim) 

He wanted to teach music but ended up being a musician in his own first band under the name of Mel Calvin & the KoKonuts with some Kaimuki boys. They cut one single for Bertram "I Love You" b/w "My Mummy"  and backed the Tilton Sisters on "Put Your Arms Around Me Honey " . Bertram owned several labels, including Lariat, whose artists included Joe Maphis, Polynesian (which released hula records aimed at the tourist trade) and Bertram International, which recorded rock & roll.
http://www.pbase.com/halinhi/khs60misc&page=2


Songs :

Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts

  
I Love You                                          My Mummy

The Tilton Sisters & The Kokonuts


Put Your Arms Around Me Honey

 

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The Indigos (1)

Posted on by dion1

The Indigos (1)
(L to R) Denny Brooker, Joe Corbo, Sandy Fiscella, Tony Silvestre, and Michael Basso
 

The Indigos (1) (Mount Vernon, New York)


Personnel :

Sandy Fiscella

Tony Silvestre

Michael Basso

Denny Brooker

Joe Corbo


Discography :

1957 - Servant Of Love / Woo, Woo, Pretty Girl (Cornel 3001)
1958 - Everything Plus / High School Social (Cornel 515)


Biography :

Vocal group from Mount Vernon, New York., The group consisted of Sandy Fiscella (Lead), Denny Brooker, Joe Corbo, Tony Silvestre, and Michael Basso. The Indigos recorded "Servant Of Love" written by Sandy Fiscello and Denny Brooker b/w "Woo, Woo, Pretty Girl" written by Joe Corbo and Mike Bosso. The single was released in November 1957 by new label Cornel.

The Indigos (1)   The Indigos (1)

Cornell Records has been organized by Bill Fisher and Cornel Tanassy, with headquarters at 1674 Broadway. Tanassy is a former pianist-conductor for Marian Marlowe and arranger for Perry Como, Joe Stafford and others. Their first singles were the Indigos & Bob Neblett. Their second and last single was recorded on April 25, 1958 and was written by Brook Benton and King Curtis, both on Cornell Records.



Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

  
   Servant Of Love                              Woo, Woo, Pretty Girl


Everything Plus / High School Social


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Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2)

Posted on by dion1

Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2)
Manuel Pena, Hank Ayala and Eddie Ramirez

Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2) (Weslaco, Texas)

 

Personnel :

Hank Ayala (Lead / High Tenor)

Manuel Pena (High Tenor)

Eddie Ramirez (Second Tenor)

 
Discography :

1960 - Betty Jo / Handsome (Backbeat 530)

Biography:

Hank Ayala was born and raised in the coastal plain town of Weslaco Texas. Hank discovered in Junior High that he had definite musical ability and as was common in those days, formed a singing group. Originally, the group had seven members, but they whittled it down to three. While singing at a local hop, radio DJ Bobby Dixon approached them with the idea of singing locally with his connections.

Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2)   

The group eventually cut a record on the Houston based Backbeat label, and were fortunate to have Bobby Doyle and Kenny Rogers play on the session.They enjoyed it so much, they actually played several gigs with the Matadors in the surrounding area. Once the record was released, they actually played it over the intercom at the Matadors school - Weslaco High School.


Hank Ayala, Manuel Pena and Eddie Ramirez

The record did very well locally, but did not catch on nationally. They didn't really have an effective manager, and that was a stumbling block to their career. The group broke up as they finished high school. Eddie Ramirez Went into the air Force and Manuel Pena went off to college. Hank was left on his own, and did some solo work and assembled a group, but did not continue with it for long.
http://www.colorradio.com/hank_ayala_matadors.htm
http://whitedoowopcollector.blogspot.fr/
 

Songs :


  
Betty Jo                                     Handsome

 

 

 

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Herb Price & The Darts (3)

Posted on by dion1

Herb Price & The Darts (3)
(From left) Herb Price, Jerry Clark, Richard Williams, James Clark Jr. and Virgil Gooding

Herb Price & The Darts (3) (Davenport Iowa)


Personnel :

Herbert Price (Lead)

James Clark Jr. (First Tenor)

Virgil Gooding (Second Tenor)

Richard Williams (Baritone)

Jerry Clark (Bass)


Discography :

1959 - Shimmy Shimmy (Cha Cha Cha) / Gone Too Long (Tempus 1506)


Biography :

The group composed of Herbert Price, James Clark Jr., Virgil Gooding, Richard Williams and Jerry Clark have been entertaining local group for several months. The Boys are well-known to Davenport High students as the "Davenport Darts." Herb & Jerry, both Davenport High School graduates are students at the State University of Iowa and the University of Dubuque respectively. Herb dropped classes to work with the Darts but plans to return to school. Virgil and Jim are seniors at Davenport High school and Richard is a student at J.B. Young Junior High School.

Herb Price & The Darts (3)   Herb Price & The Darts (3)

The Darts began singing as a group in early 1958. It all started when several of the boys were sitting in one of their homes singing when they discovered , with the aid of a tape recorded, that they were much in need of practice. After about two weeks of just practicing the scale they really started singing. During the fall months of 1958, the boys received a recording contract with the Tempus Co. of Peoria, Ill, and they recorded "Shimmy Shimmy (Cha Cha Cha)" and "Gone Too Long". The songs are heard frequently over the radio stations.



Songs :

  
          Gone Too Long                       Shimmy Shimmy (Cha Cha Cha)


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The Threeteens aka The Dreams (4) aka The Cupcakes (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Threeteens aka The Dreams (4) aka The Cupcakes (2)
Janis Cox, Left, Donna Crunk,  top, Pam Crunk

The Threeteens (Phoenix, Arizona)
aka The Dreams (4)
aka The Cupcakes (2) 


Personnel :

Donna Crunk

Pam Crunk

Janis Cox


Discography :

The Threeteens
1958 - Dear 53310761 / Doowaddie (Rev 3516)
1959 - For The Love Of Mike / X + Y = Z (Rev 3522/Todd 1021)

The Cupcakes (2)
1959 - It's Willy / Deutsche Rock und Roll (Time 1011)

The Dreams (4)
Singles :
1962 - Too Late / Inexperience (Smash 1748)
Unreleased :
1962 - No Love Lost
1962 - I Forgot About You

Denny Reed bb Donna & Pam Crunk (Uncredited)
1960 -  A Teenager Feels It Too / Hot Water  (Trey 3007)


Biography :

The Threeteens were a Phoenix girl group consisting of Donna and Pam Crunk (daughters of Connie Conway, whose real name is Connie Crunk) and their friend Jan Cox. Connie Conway, a noted musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and music teacher worked with songwriter/producer Lee Hazelwood (writer of “These Boots Are Made of for Walking”(Nancy Sinatra), and producer of Wayne Newton) . The Three girls were from Washington High School in Phoenix and in 1958 Donna, Jan & Pam signed a recording contract with Lester Sill and Lee Hazlewood to record at the Audio Recorders studio in Phoenix.


Donna Crunk & Janis Cox

As the Threeteens, they cut four songs released by Rev Records in Phoenix owned by Bill Thorne & Frank Porter . "Dear 53310761"  b/w "Doowaddie" on Rev 3516 and "For The Love Of Mike" b/w  "X + Y = Z" on Rev 3522, This Rev 45 was also released on Todd label. "Dear 53310761" On Rev Records #3516 had Duane Eddy on Guitar (The number "53310761", of course, refers to Elvis' U.S. Army serial number). The girls did most of the girl backgrounds at Audio Recorders.

   
Donna Crunk                                               Janis Cox                                                              Pam Crunk

In 1959 They changed their name as the Cupcakes and cut "It's Willy" b/w "Deutsche Rock und Roll" for Time records. In 1961, Pam & Donna, renamed the Dreams,  drove to L.A. to work with Lee Hazlewood and cut 4 sides for smash Records.  Only the single "Too Late" b/w "Inexperience" was released on Smash 1748 .


Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 
 

The Threeteens

  
Doowaddie                                      Dear 53310761

   
X + Y = Z                                  For The Love Of Mike

The Cupcakes (2)


 It's Willy / Deutsche Rock und Roll
 

The Dreams (4)

  
Too Late                                        Inexperience


Denny Reed bb Donna & Pam Crunk (Uncredited)

   
A Teenager Feels It Too                               Hot Water



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