Singles : 1964 - Oh Let Me Dream / Zoom Zoom Zoom (Day 1000) 1966 - Cards Of Love / Flames (Marcel 1000) Acappella : 1966 - Oh Let Me Dream (Marcel) 1966 - Hey You (Marcel)
Biography :
Danny Marcella and Jim Day (Producer off the Reminiscents' Marcel and Day labels) with Bill Maddocks and George Hamburger from Lyndhurst were some of the original members of The Reminiscents and probably the members who recorded the first single in 1963 - "Oh Let Me Dream" b/w "Zoom Zoom Zoom". In 1964/65 Danny Marcella discovered a group singing on their school steps. The group have sung in many School dance in their Area before signing a recording contract with Danny. They are from Lyndhurst and consisted of Angelo Naviello (Lead), John Costa (Bass), Judy Steinhart (1st Tenor), Walter Kritsky (2nd Tenor) and Bob Sibilio (Baritone). The Group recorded "Cards Of Love" b/w "Flames" .Danny Marcella and Jim Day released the single on their Marcel label under the name of The Reminiscents.
1964 - For Your Love / Please Lie To Me (Cleopatra 104)
Biography :
In 1961, a Newark’s semi-delinquent gang of eighteen year olds singing to impress the girls who clustered there: Edward “Jukebox” Pasterczyk, Rocco Galante, Danny Buckley, and later Paul Whistler. Rocco Galante was part of the Pageants who recorded in 1961 "Saturday Romance" b/w "Make You My Queen" on the Du-Well label. “Jukebox” started the whole thing, Everybody always called him Jukebox, never called him Eddie.” Pasterczyk had earned this nickname in a very literal way—by harmonizing with the jukeboxes at the car hop before the group formed.
Tommy Falcone Rocco Galante with the Pageants (Center)
Caught in a fateful traffic jam, a frustrated Tommy Falcone (owner of Cleopatra Records) rolled down his window only hear "Jukebox" harmonizing with friends on a Newark street corner. He was so impressed with the doo-wopping sound that he signed "Jukebox" on the spot— and the Reminiscents became the very first single released on Cleopatra Records. With the business established, Falcone took the Reminiscents into the studio in 1963 to cut the exuberantly bouncing “For Your Love” with Paul Whistler on lead b/w “Please Lie to Me.” It charted locally, bringing the group no small amount of Jersey fame and sent them out on the road.
Clockwise from top : Arnie Immerman, Jimmy Randazzo, Robert DiPasquale & Sonny Peters
The Visions (2) (Cleveland, OH.)
Personnel :
Robert DiPasquale "Bocky Boo" (Lead)
Sonny Peters
Arnie Immerman
Jimmy Randazzo
Discography :
The Visions (2) 1961 - Marlene / Darling dear (Warwick 108) 1961 - There'll Be No Next Time / So Close (Brunswick 55206) 1962 - Tell Me You're Mine / All Through The Night (Big Top 3092 ) 1962 - Swingin'Wedding / Secret World (Of Tears) (Big Top 3119) 1963 - Tommy's girl / Oh boy what a girl (Mercury 72188) 1964 - Down In My Heart / Tell Her Now (without Bocky) (Coed 588)
Bocky & The The Visions (2) 1964 - Mojo Hanna / The Spirit Of '64 (Philips 40224/Redda 1501) 1964 - I'm not worth it / I’m pickin’ petals (Philips 40242) 1965 - I Go Crazy / Good Good Lovin (Redda 1504) 1966 - The Bounce / To be loved (Redda 1505)
Bocky Dee'o 1965 - I Can't Stand It Anymore / Hang On - Girl (Redda 1504)
Biography :
Bocky and the Visions (1961-65) This early pop/rock band started out as a four- man group with no instrumentation (think Four Seasons). Robert DiPasquale ( a.k.a. Bocky), the undeniable leader, quickly attracted fans with his powerful vocal style. Early members included Sonny Peters, Arnie Immerman, and Jimmy Randazzo, and there were also sax and horn players Mike Geraci and Vic Walkuski. In 1961 the group recorded "All Through the Night" and "Tell Me You're Mine." Those who remember that early rock scene, however, best recall Bocky's 1964 lineup, which included Richie Greene (a.k.a. Dick Whittington) on lead guitar, Tony Bodanza (also known as Tony Styles) on rhythm guitar, Don Schwartz on bass, and Buddy Maver on drums.
While playing at all the "in" clubs on both sides of Cleveland, Bocky and the Visions cut a deal with Philips record label, making it the first official Cleveland- area rock band to sign with a national label. "Spirit of '64" and "I'm Not Worth It," both written by Bodanza, got airplay on the top radio stations and became the group's biggest local hits.
"Bocky and the Visions was the biggest [of the area groups at the time]," recalls fan and Outsiders member Sonny Geraci. "They had songs that hit the Top 10 in Cleveland. Kids, myself included, thought they were a national act because we always heard them on the radio." During its four-year reign as Cleveland's top band. During its four-year reign as Cleveland's top band, Bocky and the Visions opened for the biggest acts of the day at the "hottest" venues. At Public Hall they opened for Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, the Dave Clark Five, the Beach Boys, the Four Tops and The Shangri-Las.
They also opened for the Animals at the Cleveland Arena, and for Jan and Dean at Euclid Beach Park. They appeared on the American Bandstand- type dance show The Big j Show {pre-Upbeat). "That whole period was a gas," Maver says. "Opening for the Rolling Stones in 1964 was particularly memorable. It was all so low- tech. I don't even think the drums were miked. Charlie Watts was set up on the floor, and there was no drum riser at all. " When Bocky and the Visions broke up in 1965 , members went on to other bands. Bocky wound up in Rastus, while Maver formed Richie and the Fortunes with Richie Greene, Bodanza, Schwartz (soon replaced by Jay Mohler), and sax player Terry MacLoud.
Songs :
The Visions (2)
Marlene / Darling Dear There'll Be No Next Time / So Close
Tell Me You're Mine All Through The Night
Secret World (Of Tears) / Swingin'Wedding Tommy's Girl / Oh Boy What A Girl
1958 - Why Don't You Write Me / Teen Town Hop (Future 2200)
Biography :
The Philharmonics were a versatile African-American vocal quintet from Springfield, Missouri who became successful despite origins in a then-racially-intolerant town and era. They were at their peak in the 1950s and performed across the United States. The group could adapt to many styles of music from gospel, rhythm and blues and pop to country and Western. They had splendid harmony, choreography, a colorful wardrobe and an impeccable stage presence.
The Philharmonics in the 1950s (l-r): Chick Rice, James Logan, Elbridge Moss, Homer Boyd and George Culp
The group was originally a quartet, composed of Homer "Jolly" Boyd, George Culp (bass), Elbridge "Old Man" Moss , and Clarence "Chick" Rice (baritone) . Joe Neal Hardin was an earlier member. The group became a quintet with the addition of James Logan (tenor) .Their roots were in gospel music. Moss, from Kentucky, performed with vocal groups during his World War II service in the US Army.
Upon discharge, he visited his brother in Springfield, met and married a local girl, and moved to the town in the mid-1940s. He met the others in the choir at Gibson Chapel Church where they performed with pianist Florence Sample Thompson. Boyd was 17 and in high school when he joined. In the early 1950s, the group won twice on a talent show on CBS-TV, The Original Youth Opportunity Program, hosted by Horace Heidt, which showcased young performers from across the country. They also toured with the show.
(L-R Elbridge 'Old Man' Moss, Homer 'Jolly' Boyd, George Culp, James Logan, Clarence 'Chick' Rice)
The Philharmonics, nicknamed the Phils, were regularly featured on ABC's nationally broadcast television show, Ozark Jubilee, from 1955 to 1960 and provided background vocals for many of the country music stars on the program. They also appeared on ABC's The Eddy Arnold Show in 1956, and briefly had their own show on Springfield's KYTV-TV. They recorded on the Cardinal Records label.Their singles included "Teen Town Hop" and "That's Why I'm Losing You", both written by Moss.
1960 - Napoli / Tanto Bleu (Caldwell 403) 1960 - Anita / ?? (Caldwell ?)
Biography :
The Romans, consisting of Tony Godino, Lenny Guarino and Ronnie Serra, were a Pittsburgh-based trio that signed with Guyden Records on July 7, 1960. They were appropriately named because they sang in both Italian and English—in the same song. They also wrote their own songs along with Louis Guarino, from whom Guyden bought the masters (and his partner Charles Caputo). The group is not to be confused with the Del-Fi group Little Caesar and the Romans, which had the hits, “Those Oldies But Goodies (Reminds Me of You).”
Louis Guarino, songwriter and producer of the Romans’ records, was best known as Lennie Martin’s partner in Calico Records. They put out the Skyliners’ “Since I Don’t Have You” in 1959 and Chad & Jeremy’s “Yesterday’s Gone” in 1964 as the first in a string of hits. Lennie Martin died in late 1963 and Lou Guarino ran the label himself, now called World Artist Records. The sale of the Romans’ record to Guyden came in between these high points in the career of the Pittsburgh music business entrepreneur and producer. http://jamguy.com/Romans/main.php
Eugene Dixon " Gene Chandler", Car: Ben Broyles, Bottom James Lowe, Shirley Jones and Earl Edwards
The Dukays (Chicago)
Personnel :
Eugene Dixon " Gene Chandler" (Lead)
Shirley Jones (Tenor/Soprano)
James Lowe (Second Tenor)
Earl Edwards (Baritone)
Ben Broyles (Bass)
Discography :
The Dukays 1961 - The Big Lie / The Girl's A Devil (Nat 4001) 1961 - Nite Owl / Festival Of Life (Nat 4002/ Vee-Jay 430/Oldies 45) 1961 - Duke Of Earl / Kissin' In The Kitchen (Nat 4003/(Vee-Jay 416) 1962 - I'm Gonna Love You So / Please Help (Vee-Jay 442) 1962 - I Feel Good All Over / I Never Knew (Vee-Jay 460) 1963 - Combination / Every Step (Vee-Jay 491) 1964 - The Jerk / Say You Love Me (Jerry-O 105) 1964 - The Jerk / Mo'Jerk (Jerry-O 105) 1965 - Mellow-Fezneckey / Sho-Nuf M. F. (Jerry-O 106) 1965 - Mellow-Fezneckey / Mellow-Fezneckey (Jerry-O 106)
The Duke Of Earl 1962 - Duke Of Earl / Kissin' In The Kitchen (Vee-Jay 416) 1962 - Walk On With The Duke / London Town (Vee-Jay 440) 1962 - Daddy's Home / The Big Lie (Vee-Jay 450) 1962 - I'll Follow You / You Left Me (Vee-Jay 455)
Biography :
Gene Chandler was born Eugene Drake Dixon in Chicago, Illinois, on July 6, 1937. He attended Englewood High School on Chicago's south side.[1] He began performing during the early 1950s with the band The Gaytones. In 1957, he joined The Dukays, with James Lowe, Shirley Jones, Earl Edwards and Ben Broyles (the unforgettable bass on "Duke of Earl) , soon becoming their lead singer. After his draft into the U.S. Army he returned to Chicago in 1960 and rejoined the Dukays.
The Dukays were offered a recording contract by Nat Records and recorded a single with producers Carl Davis and Bill "Bunky" Sheppard, "The Girl Is a Devil" (1961). "The Girl Is a Devil," sold locally and did a little business outside of Chicago in 1961. This was followed with a session in August 1961 that resulted in four sides, most notably "Nite Owl" and "Duke of Earl". Nat Records chose to release "Nite Owl" and it became a sizeable R&B success at the end of 1961.
They were showstoppers live: everything about them was exciting, especially Shirley Jones (Dixon's cousin), who stepped and blew notes right along with the fellows, almost a funky edition of The Platters. In December of 1961, Nat released their third single, "The Duke of Earl" b/w "Kissin' in the Kitchen," and all hell broke loose. Meanwhile, Davis and Sheppard shopped the "Duke of Earl" recording to Vee-Jay Records company, which released it in 1962 by Dixon as a solo artist with the name "Gene Chandler"(he adopted the surname from actor Jeff Chandler and people always shortened his first name anyway). The Dukays felt slighted, abused, and mistreated. Vee Jay didn't re-record the song, but simply slapped their label on new pressings on the Nat acetate.
1962 - Charles Davis , Earl Edwards, James Lowe & Margaret "Cookie" Stone
As appeasement, Vee Jay signed the group to a separate deal and reissued their second single "Nite Owl." Charles Davis (aka Nolan Chance) replaced Chandler and Margaret "Cookie" Stone took over for Shirley Jones, who quit. Vee Jay issued three singles by The Dukays, two in 1962 and one in 1963, but none of them clicked. They appeared uncredited on a few of Chandler's solos, before he switched to Constellation Records, the label that made him an R&B icon.
1964 - Claude McRae, James Lowe, Earl Edwards & Richard Dixon
Nearly two years passed before The Dukays surfaced in November 1964 on the Jerry-O label with "The Jerk." The new group featured Claude McRae (lead), Richard Dixon, Earl Edwards, and James Lowe. In 1965, Jerry-O, owned by Jerry J. Murray, issued the final Dukays single, "Mellow-Fezneckey" b/w "Sho-Nuf M.F." (a scandalous title for the times); neither did much business and they disbanded. Nolan Chance recorded solo for Constellation and other labels, while Chandler carved a stellar solo career.
The Biscaynes (Vallejo, CA) aka The Viscaynes aka The V-Tones (1)
Personnel :
Sylvester Stewart "Sly Stone"
Frank Arellano
Charlie Gebhardt
Vern Gebhardt
Charlene Imhoff
Maria Boldway
Discography :
The Viscaynes Singles: 1960 - Stop What You are Doing / I Guess I'll Be (Tropo 101) 1961 - Yellow Moon / Heavenly Angel (VPM 1006) Unreleased: 1961 - Just a Fool For Your Love 1961 - You're My Only Love 1961 - Maybe I'm Wrong
The Vi-Tones (1) 1961 - Stop What You Are Doing / I Guess I'll Be (Arleen 1007)
The Biscaynes 1961 - Yellow Moon / Uncle Sam Needs You (My Friend) (VPM 1006)
Jasper Woods (BB Viscaynes) 1962 - I’m Coming Home / Hully Gully Papa (VMP 1009)
Sly Stone & The Biscaynes 1976 - Oh What A Nite / You've Forgotten Me (Subarro 489)
Danny (Sly) Stewart 1961 - A Long Time Alone / I'm Just A Fool (Luke 1008)
Sylvester Stewart 1961 - A Long Time Alone / Help Me With My Broken Heart ( G&P 901)
Biography :
Sylvester Stewart was the second of five children. After the family moved from Dallas, Texas to Vallejo, California (near San Francisco), he and his brother Freddie and their sisters Rose and Vaetta formed "The Stewart Four" as children, performing gospel music in the Church of God in Christ and even recording a single in 1952.
All of the Stewart children except oldest sister Loretta would later adopt the surname "Stone" and become members of Sly & the Family Stone. Jon Turk a Childhood friend, had watched Sly Perform in Church and in 1958 noticed him playing guitar and keyboards in San Francisco club with local acts like the Webs and Jimmy Terrel. He Got him to join his own band, the Royal Aces.
L-R: Frank Arellano, Charlie Gebhardt, Charlene Imhoff, Ria Boldway, Vern Gebhardt and Sylvester Stewart.
During the same period Sly managed to talk his way into holding down a weekly job as regular fixture on a San Francisco-based television pop show, the Dick Stewart Show.Slay Briefly changed his name to Danny Stewart and tried his luck as a gospel- pop crooner; releasing a song entitled " A long Time Alone" that enjoyed mild popularity within the Bay Area but not enough to convince him to keep the new name.
Sylvester Stewart "Sly Stone" ca.1959 Sylvester Stewart "Sly Stone" ca.1961
The same year he reverted to his given name, Sylvester Stewart, and released another single, "Help Me With My Broken Heart", that also vanished quickly. Then he joined high school bands The Vicounts. The Vicounts were a Vallejo singing group that was very unique because it was an integrated band. they had a Filipino. Sly was the Afro. There were girls and boys and all different colors. Sly had a hell of a time back because he was having an affair with one of the white girl in the band - the most beautiful girl - and they had to keep it secret. When they started recording, the group had to change the name to Viscaynes, because the Vicount name was registered to another group.
Left to right: Charlie Gebhardt, Jim Kozier, Sly, Frank Arellano, Mike Stevens, Art Bigornia and Tom Recknagel The two Gal's are Charlene Imhoff, and Maria Boldway.
They recorded "Stop What You are Doing" for the Trop label in 1960. it xas fooled by "Yellow Moon" and "Heavenly Angel" for VPM in 1961. There was a typographical error on their third record and The Viscaynes was misspelled the Byscanes for "Uncle Sam Needs You". "Yellow moon wasn't a big hit but it got him the attention of Bob Mitchell and Tom Donahue (San Francisco's two most important disc jockeys of the sixties), who hired him to work at Autumn records. In 1961, Arteen Records released "Stop What You are Doing" b/w "I Guess I'll Be " under the name of The Vi-Tones. Then in 1963 he wrote "The Swim" for the black R'n'B singer Bobby Freeman and had his first gold record.
The Toy Dolls 1962 - Little Tin Soldier / Fly Away (Era 3039)
Biography :
A hit is a hit, however small and fleeting. Susan Leslie and her singing friend Libby Redwine were in extremely good company when they debuted on the final Hot 100 in 1962. Other newcomers to the list that week included Paul & Paula, Sandy Stewart, the Rebels, Ned Miller and the Chrystals, all of whom were destined for the top 20 and beyond.
Alas the youthful Los Angeles based duo was to stall at lowly #84 during their month on the charts with their Era records 45, "Little Tin Soldiers". The label's 1968 reissue of The Toy Dolls' tremulous treasure found fewer takers. Still, as someone once said, a little bit of something beats o whole lot of nothing. Susan and Libby had made their debut the year before on the same label with "(He Had) Pretty Eyes" b/w "Bye, Bye, Bye " under the name of Libby & Sue.
The Teen Tones (1) (Columbus, GA.) aka The Meloaires
Personnel :
Gerald Powers (Lead)
Larry Kent (First Tenor)
Bob Burnett (Baritone)
Gordon Barksdale (Bass)
Discography :
The Teen Tones (1) 1958 - Faded Love / Gypsy Boogie (Nu-Clear 1/Wynne 107))
Bill Collins bb The Teen Tones (1) 1958 - Mercy / Turn To Your Bible (NBC-1 / NBC-2)
The Meloaires Single: 1958 - Indebted To You / You Know Baby (Nasco 6019) Unreleased : 1958 - I'm So Glad (Nasco/Excello) 1958 - Don't Ever Get Married (Nasco/Excello)
Biography :
Most teen-agers like rock ‘n’ roll, but four local high school boys have built musical careers on it. After a round of Columbus radio, TV and civic club appearances in June 1957, The quartet auditioned June 8 for Pops director Albert Coleman, and were notified that they were to appear on the July 28 program at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.
The Original Teen Tones : Charles Brown, Larry Kent, Bob Burnett and Gerald Powers
The “Teen Tones,” all students at Baker High School, were organised six months ago by Gerald Powers, who sings the tenor lead. The other “Teen Tones” are Larry Kent, first tenor, Robert Burnett, baritone and Gordon Barksdale, bass.Gordon, who at 15 boasts a deep bass voice, joined the quartet when the original bass, Charles Brown, graduated and went on active duty with the Army Reserve.. The others are 16.
Gerald Powers, Gordon Barksdale, Larry Kent and Bob Burnett
The boys are all members of the Baker High Choral Club and the Concert Choir, and started singing as a quartet “just for kicks."’ Hugh Deen, Baker vocal director, has helped the Teen Tones with their selections, and accompanies them when necessary, although they usually sing without accompaniment. Gerald once studied piano, and Gordon was a member of the Baker High Band, but none of the Teen Tones read music.
In early 1958, The Teen Tones signing a recording contract with Sam Persons owner of Nu-Clear Records in Columbus. They cut "Faded Love" b/w "Gypsy Boogie". The Teen-Tones' record will be the first edited by the company in February 1958. A few months later in the same year, they change their name to the Meloaires and recorded four songs for Ernie Young (founder of Nashboro, Nasco and Excello labels).
"Till The End Of The Dance" b/w "My Pretty Baby" appeared on Nashboro's, subsidiary label Nasco in September 1958. The Nasco label had success with the Crescendos in 1958 with a song called "Oh, Julie," which made the pop music Top 10. The company was a part of Excello rec Music who produced a great many doo wop groups of the 50's.
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