Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Chords (1)

Posted on October 29 2019 by dion1

The Chords (1)
(L to R) James Brown, Strother Brown, Walter Douglas & Arthur Bell

The Chords (1) (Washington, D.C.)

Personnel :

James Brown

Strother Brown

Walter Douglas

Arthur Bell

Discography :

1953 - In The Woods / Daddy Loves Mommy (Gem 211)

Biography :

By 1953 Mrs. Lillian Claiborne was an eight-year veteran of the music publishing and recording field. She had already enjoyed a good run of 78 rpm single releases on DC records from 1947-1950. She had placed her most promising artists on other labels (The Cap-Tans to Gotham, Dot, and Coral, TNT Tribble, The Heartbreakers, and the Young Gospel Singers to RCA Victor, and Frank Motley to Gotham and later to Specialty -all with mixed results.

The Sh-Boom Chords

By 1953 she was ready to get back into the local record business and managed The Chords from Washington, D.C. composed by James Brown, Strother Brown, Walter Douglas & Arthur Bell who recorded on NY's Gem Records the songs "In The Woods" b/w "Daddy Loves Mommy" . As these guys had the "Chords" name before the ones who did "Sh-Boom", the resulting legal actions (which dragged on for months) forced a name change - of the Sh-Boom guys - to the "Chordcats".
Thanks to Marv Goldberg

Songs :

In The Woods Daddy Loves Mommy

...

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The Manhattens aka The Grand Prix's

Posted on October 27 2019 by dion1

The Manhattens aka The Grand Prix's

The Manhattens (Detroit, Mi)
aka The Grand Prix's

Personnel :

Donald Calloway

Larry Calloway

Discography :

The Manhattens
1963 - Why Should I Cry / The Feeling Is Mutual (Big Mack 3911)

The Grand Prix's
1964 - I See Her Pretty Face / You Drive Me Crazy (Big Mack 2942)

Biography :

Detroit soul label founded by Ed McCoy. , Ed McCoy started the label from an office on Livernois near Fenkell in Detroit. Later he purchased the building on Warren Ave.(between Livernois and Wyoming) it was a old movie theatre but the seats had been removed, the stage was still there and he put his 2 track recording equipment up on the stage area, he had a couple dozen of these cheap $5. plastic mikes hanging every where from the ceiling. In 1963, The Manhattens featuring brothers Donald and Larry Calloway Recorded one single for Ed McCoy: "Why Should I Cry" b/w "The Feeling Is Mutual". The group would change its name to the The Grand Prix's when New Jersey's Manhattans broke nationally and in 1964, they recorded the splendid "I See Her Pretty Face " b/w "You Drive Me Crazy" .

Songs :

The Manhattens


Why Should I Cry                         The Feeling Is Mutual

The Grand Prix's


I See Her Pretty Face                        You Drive Me Crazy

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The Rockers (2) aka The Trojans (2)

Posted on October 26 2019 by dion1

The Rockers (2) (St. Louis)
aka The Trojans (2)

Personnel :

Art Lassiter (Lead)

Douglas Martin

George Green

Murrey Green

Discography :

The Trojans (2)
1955 - As Long As I Have You / I Wanna Make Love To You (RPM 446)

The Rockers (2)
1956 - What Am I To Do / I’ll Die In Love With You (Federal 12267)
1956 - Down In The Bottom / Why Don’t You Believe (Federal 12273)
1957 - Tell Me Why / Count Every Star (Carter 3029)

Biography :

Lassiter was born in 1928 in North Carolina. His parents were cotton sharecroppers, and Lassiter began singing after joining his uncles' gospel group. At the age of 14, he moved to Newark, New Jersey to live with his mother who had moved there for work. While in Newark, Lassiter performed with the Jubilaires. Lassiter later joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War. After leaving active service, Lassiter returned to the United States. During a cross-country drive, he broke down in St. Louis. While there he sang at an amateur club night, and was given a permanent booking. He often sang covers of Ray Charles songs, and formed The Bel-Airs with brothers George and Murrey Green and Douglas Martin. By late 1955, the band renamed themselves The Trojans and recorded with RCA Records, backing Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. The group backed Turner again the following February, this time on Federal Records under the name of The Rockers.

Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm

Turner offered Lassiter a place in his Rhythm Revue, where he subsequently met and worked with Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, and Albert Cook. In March 1960, Turner chose Lassiter to front the Kings of Rhythm. Lassiter's trio of backup singers — Robbie Montgomery, Frances Hodges, and Sandra Harding were called The Artettes, and eventually formed the foundation of The Ikettes. Ike Turner wrote "A Fool in Love" specifically for Lassiter, but Lassiter failed to turn up to the song's recording session at the expensive Technosonic Studios in St Louis. Tina Turner—then going by the stage name Little Ann—knew the song from rehearsal sessions, and recorded a guide track to act as a demo. Lassiter's failure to appear for the session was around the time he had disagreements with Ike Turner over financial matters; he was soon no longer a member of the Rhythm Revue.

Songs :

The Trojans (2)


As Long As I Have You                  I Wanna Make Love To You

The Rockers (2)


What Am I To Do                           Down In The Bottom


Tell Me Why                         Count Every Star


I’ll Die In Love With You                        Why Don’t You Believe
…

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The Alma-Keys

Posted on October 26 2019 by dion1

The Alma-Keys (Tarentum, PA)

Personnel :

James Mansfield Kemp (First Tenor)

Richard Hayden (Second Tenor)

Lloyd Daniel Hayden Jr. (Baritone)

William Kemp (Bass)

Roland Hayden (Lead / Baritone)

Discography :

The Alma-Keys
1962 - Please Come Back To Me / Jumpin Twist (Kiski 2056)

Tawni Sims bb The Alma-Keys
1962 - Goodbye My Love / Will You Please Be Mine (Kiski 2057)

Biography :

Vocal group composed by James Mansfield Kemp (first tenor vocals), Richard Hayden (second tenor vocals), Lloyd Daniel Hayden Jr. (baritone vocals), William Kemp (bass vocals), Roland Hayden (lead vocals, baritone vocals) from Tarentum, PA. backed by The Citations. Kiski Recording Companys "The Alma Keys" who cut a classic doo wop track at the studio backed with a great dance number back in February of 1962. The Alma-Keys were essentially a doo-wop group, and by 1962 interest in doo-wop music was on the wane. There was still plenty of interest in THE TWIST though, so the Alma-Keys recorded their own variation on it ("Jumpin' Twist") with some doo-wop vocal tendencies.

The Alma-Keys

The story goes that Al Rearigh the owner of the company was driving through the Tarentum neighborhood one night and these guys were singing on a street corner. They were signed immediately and the 45 was cut and released Feb. 1962 Kiski 2056.. Lead singer Roland Hayden was a big football star at Tarentum HS and all members sang in the choir at the Bethel Methodist ? Church in Tarentum. Popular teen DJ on station WKPA in New Kensington Bob Livorio played both sides often on his Saturday afternoon shows.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Alma-Keys

Please Come Back To Me Jumpin Twist

Tawni Sims bb The Alma-Keys

Please Come Back To Me / Jumpin Twist

...

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The T-Tones

Posted on October 24 2019 by dion1

(L to R) Donna Henderson, Sarah Sparks & Sue Kinder

The T-Tones (Tazewell, Virginia)

Personnel :

Sue Kinder

Donna Henderson

Sarah Sparks

Discography :

Lanie Walker & The T-Tones
1959 - Jumpin The Gun / Tonite I Walk Alone (Blue Hen 235)

Jimmy Kinder & The T-Tones
1959 - Hangover / Alone (Blue Hen 501)

Biography :

Vocal group from Tazewell High School in Virginia consisted of Donna Henderson, Sarah Sparks & Sue Kinder. The T-Tones signed in 1959 with Blue Hen Records as back up group for the label. Blue Hen Records was run by Sam Short in Harrington, DE. ably assisted by A&R man Hugh Lee Stevenson. He owned a grocery store and ran the label out of a part of the store.

The T-Tones
Lanie Walker Jimmy Kinder

Best known for his two rural rockabilly songs "No Use Knocking On My Door" and "Ennie Meenie Miney Mo" recorded in 1958, Rockabilly singer Lanie Walker recorded "Jumpin The Gun" b/w "Tonite I Walk Alone" with the T-Tones in mid’ 1959. The Same year, the group back up Sue’s brother Jimmy Kinder, 17-year-old Tazewell High school student on "Hangover" b/w "Alone". Jimmy had never planned on making singing a career until a recording talent scout heard of his vocal ability and signed him. immediately. The teenage group have made several personnel appearences to promote their disc.

Songs :

Lanie Walker & The T-Tones

Jumpin The Gun

…

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The Emeralds (4)

Posted on October 23 2019 by dion1

The Emeralds (4)

Jeff Okun, James Fischer, Joe Barnett and Cubie Maddox

The Emeralds (4) (South Haven, Mi)

Personnel :

James Fischer (Soprano Lead)

Joe Barnett (Baritone)

Jeff Okun (Tenor)

Cubie Maddox (Bass)

Discography :

1959 - The Lover / Madamoiselle (Venus 1002)
1963 - Marsha / You're Driving Me Crazy (Venus 1003)

Biography :

By Joel Chandler - Four High School boys from South Haven High School compose a quartet known as the Emeralds. Two sophomores, 15 year old Joe Barnett and sixteener Jeff Okun, and two juniors, 16 year old Cubie Maddox and seventeener James Fischer are the singers who working together since early 1958 . The group started out in 1956 as The Cloves, an unreleased group. They made it on a local TV station, WKZO-TV. The Cloves lasted about a year, until about 1957, when they changed their name to the Dell Chords.

The Emeralds (4)

The group of boys that are known as the Emeralds was formed in September of 1958 and began performing almost immediately, as most of them had been in the Dell Chords. Possibly as a result of winning a talent show, The Emeralds got a recording deal with Venus Records, Inc at 1111 W. 62nd Street in Chicago. The first record was Venus 1002, Mademoiselle b/w The Lover, and it was released sometime during the week of May 25, 1958. The second one was Venus 1003 (You're Driving Me Crazy), and it was released sometime after that.

The Emeralds (4)
James Fischer, Jeff Okun, Joe Barnett and Cubie Maddox

They attended the Southwestern Michigan Vocal festival at Western Michigan University as members of their choir, they were greatly applauded by almost 1300 attending students, and were commended for their fine harmonisation. The Emeralds entertained frequently in town and in neighboring towns including such places as the boat Show, ’59, Queen Contest, ’59, Post Prom frolics, Bangor and South Haven talent Shows, school dances and at Watervliet High School.

The Emeralds (4)

In June of 1959, the group was featured on both Chicago Band Stand (which was on WNBQ-TV) and the Howard Miller Radio Show on WMAQ. After that, the group lasted another year until Maddox and Fischer graduated. The Emeralds got back together in 1961, but it didn't work out and the group was done.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Lover                                         Madamoiselle


You're Driving Me Crazy                               Marsha

…

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The Lakewoods

Posted on October 15 2019 by dion1

The Lakewoods
(From Left) Linda, Sandra and Rus

The Lakewoods (Lakewood, CA)

Personnel :

Linda Leeper

Sandra Leeper

Rus Leeper

Discography : :

1962 - Everlasting Love / The Golden Locket (Associated Artists 1660)

Biography :

The Lakewoods were a vocal trio from Lakewood, Ca. composed by sisters’ Linda, Sandra and Rus Leeper. Linda, 14, and Sandra, 13, are students at Hoover Junior High School and Rus attends Holmes Elementary School. In 1962, The Lakewoods recorded the very nice "Everlasting Love" b/w "The Golden Locketon" released by Associated Artist Records. Jesse Hodges is credited as producer on the Associated Artists release. Hodges owned Hollywood Sound Recorders and he owned the Associated Artists label, which released about twenty 45s, including a couple of Hodges’ own singles.

Songs :

Everlasting Love

…

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Laverne Ray & The Raytones (1)

Posted on October 13 2019 by dion1

Laverne Ray & The Raytones (1)

Laverne Ray & The Raytones (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Laverne Ray (Lead)

John Davis

John Pope

Vera Turner

Discography :

1957 - I've Got That Feeling / I'm In Love Again (Okeh 7091)

Biography :

According to Marv Goldberg' they seemed to be from New York. This vocal group were composed by Laverne Ray, John Davis, John Pope, and Vera Turner. They were around at the same time as Rudy Ray Moore & the Raytones, b Ray and Moore were not the same person. He's probably the Laverne Ray who was backed up by the 3 Riffs on Jubilee in 1949 (http://www.uncamarvy.com/3Riffs/3riffs.html).In 1957, Laverne Ray & The Raytones recorded two songs "I've Got That Feeling" and "I'm In Love Again" released by Okeh Records.
http://www.uncamarvy.com

Laverne Ray & The Raytones (1)

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

I've Got That Feeling / I'm In Love Again

...

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The Mixers

Posted on October 13 2019 by dion1

The Mixers

The Mixers (Chicago, Illinois)

Personnel :

Clyde Walker (Lead)

Percy Chatman

Jimmy Kelly

E. Edwards

Discography :

1958 - Johnny's Got A Girl Friend / You Said You're Leavin (Bold 101)
1959 - Casanova / Love And Kisses (Bold 102)

Biography :

Percy Chatman was born in Shelby, Mississippi to loving parents, Robert and Ernestine Chatman. After the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, Percy began singing as a teenager in various local singing groups. In 1955, Percy Chatman, Clyde Walker, Jimmy Kelly and E. Edwards formed a singing group called The Mixers. The Mixers soon made their way to Chicago, Illinois, where they recorded four sides released by Bold Record "Johnny's Got A Girl Friend" b/w "You Said You're Leavin" in 1958 and "Casanova" b/w "Love And Kisses" in 1959. After returning to Omaha, and for many years thereafter, Percy began a solo singing career, performing in local Omaha night clubs such as The Workman Club, The Off Beat, The Elks Hall, Allen's Show Case, Club Lido and The Midwest Club.

Songs :

You Said You're Leavin / Johnny's Got A Girl Friend

Casanova / Love And Kisses

...

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Andre Williams & His New Group (2)

Posted on October 6 2019 by dion1

(L to R) : Steve Gaston, Bobby Calhoun, Andre Williams, "One" Riff McGriff (Guitar), Jay Johnson & Geno Parks

Andre Williams & His New Group (2) (Detroit)

Personnel :

Andre Williams (Lead)

Gino Purifoy "Geno Parks"(Tenor)

Steve Gaston (Second Tenor)

Bobby Calhoun (Baritone)

Jay Johnson (Bass)

Discography :

Andre Williams & His New Group (2)
1956 - Bacon Fat /Just Because Of A Kiss (Fortune 831/ Epic 9196)

Andre Williams bb His New Group (2)
1957 - You Are My Sunshine / Mean Jean (Fortune 834)

Biography :

Prior to "Village of Love," Fortune's biggest-selling record was likely "Bacon Fat" (Fortune 831 and Epic 9196, late 1956) by Andre Williams and His New Group, which featured Williams' proto-rap over a sleazy, bluesy arrangement. "Bacon Fat" (the name of the song refers to a dance) reached No. 9 R&B on the Billboard chart in early 1957 after it was leased to Columbia's Epic subsidiary for national distribution. According to the research of Marv Goldberg, who has interviewed many of the people involved, Bacon Fat did not lead to fame and fortune for all of its participants. For the singing group The 5 Dollars, for whom Andre was supposedly a nominal fifth member, and who had written the tune and sung the backing vocals, it threw fat on the fire in their relationship with Fortune.

Andre Williams & His New Group (2)

When the record actually was released, it was no longer Andre Williams and The Five Dollars (or even 'The Don Juans', the pseudonym Andre had encouraged them to adopt for some of their recordings and shows - wearing handkerchief masks) but Andre Williams & His New Group - and the backing voices were somebody else. They belonged to another Detroit group, The Dexatones with Steve Gaston (second tenor), Bobby Calhoun (baritone), and Jay Johnson (bass). The other member of the "New Group" was Andre's friend, Gino Purifoy "Geno Parks". The New Group made several appearances with Andre, including the Flamingo Club in Memphis, and some gigs in Cleveland.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/5Dollars/5dollars.html

Songs :


Just Because Of A Kiss                               Bacon Fat


You Are My Sunshine                              Mean Jean

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