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Terry & The Crowns (4) (New Jersey)
Personnel :
Terry Haber (Lead)
John Wojcik
Discography :
1977 (1961) - Shelly My Love / Teenage Romance (Harvey 103)
Biography :
Vocal group from New Jersey fronted by Terry Haber. The Quintet recorded two songs in 1961 written by Terry; "Shelly My Love" and "Teenage Romance". The two songs were never released until 1977 on the Harvey Label.
Songs :
Teenage Romance Shelly My Love
...
The Orbits (2) (Hartford, Connecticut) )
Personnel :
Kenneth "Scrappy" Newkirk (Lead)
Stanley Sheets
Richard Morehead
Louis Pitman
Discography :
1956 - Message Of Love / I Really Do (Flair-X 5000)
Biography :
Vocal group from Bellevue Square in Hartford, The Orbits were composed by Kenneth "Scrappy" Newkirk (Lead), Stanley Sheets, Richard Morehead and Louis Pitman. The Orbits recorded two songs written by Kenneth Newkirk :"Message Of Love" and "I Really Do". The single will be released in early 1957 by Flair-x Records.
Flair -X Records was established in 1956 by three former vaude luminaries have joined forces to set up. The trio consists of former comic and gag writer Lee Tully, president and artist and repertoire head; Sid DeMay, formerly of the team of DeMav, Moore and Martin, executive veepee and sales chief. and former magician and head of. Genie Records, James Jimae, assistant i.&r. chief.
Songs :
Message Of Love I Really Do
...
Duke Anthony, Richard Garza , Joe Perez & Randy Garibay
The Pharaohs (4) (San Antonio, Tx)
Personnel :
Randy Garibay (Lead)
Duke Anthony
Joe Perez
Oscar Cavazos
Richard Garza
Discography :
The Pharaohs (4)
Unreleased:
1959 - The Big Mistake (Wildcat)
1959 - Baby Doll (Wildcat)
Ronnie Chambers & The Pharaohs (4)
Unreleased:
1959 - Valley Of Lost Dreams (Wildcat)
1959 - Empty Avenue (Wildcat)
Doug Sahm & The Pharaohs (4)
1959 - If You Ever Need Me / Crazy Daisy (Warrior 507)
Al Epp & The Pharaohs (4)
1959 - My Dream Girl / Breaking My Heart (Wildcat 0018)
Jack Arnold & The Chalecos (Vocal by Baby Ray & The Pharaohs (4))
1959 - Pistol Packing Mama / Hey, Jo Baby (Wildcat 00018]
Biography :
Ramiro Beltran (Randy) Garibay, the “Chicano Bluesman,” was born in San Antonio's Palm Heights neighborhood on December 3, 1939. He was the son of Isidro and Feliz Garibay. His parents were Mexican immigrants, and the family divided its time between home in the San Antonio barrio and a life as migrant workers traveling throughout the American Midwest. G
(Top) Duke Anthony and Joe Perez (Bottom) Oscar Cavazos , Richard Garza and Randy Garibay
aribay began his musical career early when he joined vocal harmony groups as the lead singer. He first sang with the Velvets and then the Pharaohs while attending Burbank High School. The Pharaohs were composed by Randy Garibay, Duke Anthony, Joe Perez, Oscar Cavazos and Richard Garza. The Pharaohs became the go-to vocal group for local recordings and radio jingles. They first appeared on vinyl backing Doug Sahm (the MarKays) on “Crazy, Crazy Daisy“. Later they backing Al Epp, Jack Arnold & Ronnie Chambers.
Doug Sahm Al Epp
After learning to play guitar on a Sears and Roebuck instrument given to him by his brother for his eighteenth birthday, Garibay left the vocals-only doo-wop group to play guitar for Sonny Ace and Charlie and the Jives. e played in local San Antonio blues clubs, including the renowned Eastwood Country Club, before joining the Dell-Kings. The group started a road adventure that took them first California.
Songs :
The Pharaohs (4)
The Big Mistake
Doug Sahm & The Pharaohs (4)
Crazy Daisy If You Ever Need Me
Al Epp & The Pharaohs (4)
My Dream Girl Breaking My Heart
Jack Arnold & The Chalecos (Vocal by Baby Ray & The Pharaohs (4))
Pistol Packing Mama Hey, Jo Baby
Ronnie Chambers & The Pharaohs (4)
Valley Of Lost Dreams Empty Avenue
...
The Chuck-A-Lucks (3) (Great Falls, Montana)
Personnel :
Robert Lee Clark
Joseph R. Dubois
Dwight John Osborne
Ronald Tucker
Kenneth Williams
Discography :
1961 - Pick Up And Deliver / Long John (Warner Bros 5198)
1961 - Cotton Pickin' Love / I’m Hospitalized Over You (Warner Bros 5234)
Biography :
The group leaders of The Chuck-A-Lucks Ronald Tucker and Kenneth Williams met while in the United States Air-Force, they were stationed in Great Falls Montana . The group consists of Joseph R. Dubois, Robert Lee Clark, Dwight John Osborne, Ronald Tucker and Kenneth Williams.
It was not until 1961 to see a first single from the Chuck-A-Lucks released by Warner Bros with "Pick Up And Deliver" and "Long John", followed a few months later by "Cotton Pickin' Love" and "I’m Hospitalized Over You". Ken Williams was the lead singer of the classic Northern Soul group, The Superiors, who were a fabulous New York harmony soul group in the 1960's.
Ronald Tucker, was also in The Superiors. Ken was a very prolific songwriter, producer, and arranger, and often worked with the legendary Van McCoy, and occasionally also recorded songs as a solo singer as well, such as this classic, "Come Back" for Okeh. With the Superiors he recorded a huge classic called "What Would I Do", which seems to have been their only real monster on the scene. Ken also worked a lot with J.R. Bailey, and with Johnny Northern, two late but great geniuses.
Songs :
Pick Up And Deliver Long John
Cotton Pickin' Love I’m Hospitalized Over You
...
The El Sierros (Manhattan, New York)
aka The Palisades (5)
Personnel :
Barry Edelman (Lead)
Casper Sierra
Joe Philips
Phil Rudnicki
Chuck Aaronson
Discography :
The Palisades (5)
1962 - This Is The Nite / Relic Rock (Inst.) (Mediaval 205)
The El Sierros
Singles :
1963 - Daddy's Coming Home / Sunday Kind of Love (Yussels 7702)
1964 - Life Is But A Dream / Pretty Little Girl (Times Sq 101)
1964 - Picture Of Love / Sweeter Than (The Young Ones) (Times Sq 36 / Relic 527))
1965 - Valarie / Love You So (Relic 534)
LP :
1964 - The Sound Of The City Acappella (Times SQ 201)
Sometimes I Wonder / Our Love Is A Vow / Glory of Love / This Is the Nite / Over The Rainbow / Walking Along
Unreleased:
1964 - Seven Little Stars
1964 - Those Oldies That I Cry For
1964 - When I Fall In Love
1964 - Pennies from Heaven
Biography :
From the lower east side of Manhattan emerged a group called the Sierras's. They took their name from one of their members Casper Sierra. The other members were Barry Edelman (Lead), Joe Philips, Phil Rudnicki and Chuck Aaronson. They started to record for Slim's Time square label but had to change their name due to fact another Sierras group was already out there. So was born The El Sierros and the Myth the group was of Puerto Rican descent.
Phil Rudnicki
The El Sierros would be managed by Pete Shekeryk who would take them to Joe Schulman's Yussels record label out of Newark, N.J. The label didn't las long and eventually The El Sierros were approached by someone from WNJR radio to do a remake of "This is The Nite" with was released under the name The Palisades.
Songs:
The El Sierros
Daddy's Coming Home Sunday Kind of Love
Pretty Little Girl Picture Of Love Valarie
Love You So Sometimes I Wonder Glory of Love
This Is the Nite Walking Along When I Fall In Love
Life Is But A Dream Seven Little Stars Our Love Is A Vow
Over The Rainbow Pennies From Heaven
The Palisades (5)
This Is The Nite
...
Ralph Grizzanti, Pat Santacroce, Rich Gullone, Al Chelik, Joe Lavery
The Blen-Dells (Carbondale, PA.)
Personnel :
Rich Gullone (Lead)
Joseph L. Lavery (Second Tenor)
Alexander "Jack" Chelik (First Tenor)
Pat Santacroce (Baritone)
Ralph Grizzanti (Bass)
Discography :
Single :
1961 - Say You're Mine / Forever (Bella 608)
Unreleased:
1961 - Angel Love
1961 - The Chiropractor Twist
Biography :
Joseph L. Lavery and Ralph Grizzanti began doing vocals of popular songs during assembly programs at Benjamin Franklin High School in Carbondale. They were later joined by Rich Gullone and usually a fourth singer. They were known as the Sensations, later the Populaires. In the late months of 1959, the three students Joseph L. Lavery, Ralph Grizzanti and Rich Gullone was joined by Pat Santacroce and Alexander "Jack" Chelik of Mayfield, both attending Lakeland. Ralph sang Bass, Jack first tenor, Joe second Tenor, Pat Baritone, and Richie was the lead singer.
Joseph L. Lavery, Alexander "Jack" Cheli and Ralph Grizzanti Top to Bottom: Pat , Ralph , Rich , Al ,Joe
The Bien-Dells were formed, performed locally. Rehearsals were held in the rear of tony's Grocery Store in Lackawanna avenue in Mayfield, using a donated piano. Later the piano was lowered into the basement of the Tony's residence where rehearsals continued preparing for shows. After months of practice, the group put together show of doo-wop's greatest hits from the Five Satins, the Platters, the Coasters, the Monotones, Danny & the Juniors, the Elegants and Duion & The Belmonts. The group started to perform at local events such as Lake Bandstand at Lake Wallenpaupack and at Newton Lake.
Finally, after year of practice the Bien-Dells journeyed to NYC for a recording session at Bell Sound Studios. Max Feinstein of the Skitch Henderson/Tonight Show organised the session with featured Milt Hinton on Bass (worked with Duke Ellington and Count Basie), Art Narotti on Vibes, chimes and percussion, O.C. Johnson on drums, Tony Newsome on tenor sax, Al Caiola on guitar (Worked with Steve Lawrence and Eddy Gorme) and Bert Keys on organ. Four songs were recorded "Say You're Mine", "Forever" (The two that were chosen and released as the two sides of a 45 RPM on Bella Records) "Angel Love" and "The Chiropractor Twist".
In Studio
While the record did not do as well outside of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the band went on to perform with a number of prominent acts, such as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, the Regents, the Skyliners and the Dovells and two unknown groups at the time, the Temptations and the Supremes. "Forever" made WARM's Top 10. In promotion of their record in 1962 they appeared on the Channel 16 WNEP's TV Bandstand. The group appeared on TV shows and record hops. The group separated in 1963 but were reunited in early 1991.
Songs :
Say You're Mine Forever
...
The Imperials (4) (Providence, Rhode Island)
Personnel :
Tom Batista
Joe DiBiase
Don Troiano
Michael Traficante
Discography :
1958 - C'Mon Tiger (Gimme A Growl) / The Glory Of Love (Liberty 55119)
Biography :
These Imperials were from Providence, Rhode Island, and were formed by Joseph DiBiase and Tom Battista, both of whom played in their school band. DiBiase started playing piano at the age of 5 and later pursued studies in conducting and arranging. DiBiase and Battista along with Don Troiano and Michael Traficante formed the Imperials as teens, and the group appeared on radio and television. While touring in California, the group was picked up by Liberty Records. The group's only single was "C'mon Tiger (Gimma a Growl)," a song written by Hal Winn. Winn was a British producer and songwriter who composed a lot of songs with interesting titles, such as "(Come on and) Join the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Girls in Love," recorded by the Cody Sisters in 1959, and "Rate-a-Date Book," recorded by Linda Star & the Starlets in 1963. In the 1970s, Winn produced and composed for the Mystic Moods Orchestra.
Reunion Concert The Imperials perform at Foxwoods in 1994
The B-side was "The Glory of Love," a pop oldie that has been recorded countless times. The song had been a #1 pop hit for Benny Goodman in 1936 and a #1 R&B hit for the Five Keys in 1951 and would become a minor hit for the Roommates in 1961.The Imperials recorded their single with the Spencer-Hagen Orchestra, which also recorded separately for Liberty on albums such as Essence of Romance. (Hear the orchestra's recording of "Voodoo" here.) The Imperials don't appear to have lasted long after "C'mon Tiger" was released.
Songs :
The Glory Of Love C'Mon Tiger (Gimme A Growl)
...
Sandy Yaguda, Sydelle Sherman and Kenny Vance
The Harbor Lights (New York)
aka The Harbor Lites
Personnel :
Sandy Deane "Yaguda"
Sidell Sherman
Kenny Rosenberg "Vance"
Discography:
The Harbor Lites

1960 - What Would I Do Without You / Is That Too Much To Ask (Jaro 77020)

The Harbor Lights

1960 - Angel Of Love / Tick A Tick A Tock (Mala 422)
Anastasia bb The Harbor Lights
1960 - Time Bomb / That's My Kind Of Love (Laurie 3066)
Biography :
In 1959, Kenny Vance and Sandy Yaguda were part of a vocal group called the Harbor lites; so called because they lived in Belle Harbor, New York. The other members were Sydell Sherman, Gail Sherman, Linda Kahn and Richie Graff. They all attended the same school. One of the owners of IVY Records, Stan Feldman, also lived in that neighborhood and the Harbor lites went to his home to audition for his label. He thought that the group was terrible and told them to go home and do a lot of practicing. Linda, Gail and Richie left the group at this point and the three remaining members practiced constantly : Sandy Yaguda, Sidell Sherman and Kenny Vance .
When they thought that they were good enough they went back to his office to audition again. This time they were signed to a contract and their first record was "Is That Too Much To Ask"- originally on Ivy but Jaro Records purchased the master. Jaro stood for The J. Arthur Rank Organization. In 1960, the groups other single "Tick-a Tick-a Toc," which may have been released briefly by Jaro, came out on Mala label, a struggling, medium size New York company.The group backed Anastasia (aka Dean Parrish) on his first single for Laurie Records. Kenny Vance & Sandy Yaguda then formed another group with Howie Kane and Jay Traynor. The new group auditioned for Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who signed them to United Artists Records, and named the group Jay and the Americans.
Songs :
The Harbor Lites
What Would I Do Without You Is That Too Much To Ask
The Harbor Lights
Tick A Tick A Tock Angel Of Love
Anastasia bb The Harbor Lights
That's My Kind Of Love
...
Willie Pastrana
The Summits (1) (Bronx, New York)
Personnel :
Willie Pastrana
Benny Píes Plano "Flat Feet"
Big Lip Bobby
Yugo
Tony
Discography :
1961 - Go Back Where You Came From / Times Square Stomp (inst.) (Times Square 422)
Biography :
Willie Pastrana was born on August 24, 1944 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He started in the music business when he was a teenager. With the neighborhood friends they form a vocal group. The group consisted of five teenagers, there were Benny "Flat Feet" (Benny Píes Plano), Yugo, Tony, Bobby "Big Lip" and Willie Pastrana. Benny "Flat Feet" had written and arranged a wide variety of songs. The boys called Willie Pastrana "Budda Rica" because he was the only Puerto Rican and everyone was black or brown.They used to sing rock and roll and doo wop music. They sang in the "Washington Hall". Washington Hall was any space they found on Washington Avenue, they searched among all those spaces for the ones that resonated. The more the space echoed, the better the sound of the group.
Willie Pastrana (right) with his brother Bobby
Soon after, they discovered a show that was produced by a talent scout who worked for the "Times Square" radio station. They went to the "downtown" of the city and there they played With their new material, 200 bands participated, but they picked them and in the late summer of 1961 they recorded the song "Go back Where You Came From" ("Come back from where you come from ") for" Times Square "radio. The studio had a side where they played instruments and another where they sang. They recorded the song to start the presentation. The recording was also broadcast on radio station 1010 WINS, listeners chose a name for the band, they chose "The Summits".
Bobby & Willie Pastrana
Songs :
Go Back Where You Came From Times Square Stomp
...
The Cavaliers (2) (Bronx, New-York)
Personnel :
Stephen Glaser "Scott Stevens" (Lead)
Lloyd Needelman (First Tenor)
John Duff (Second Tenor)
Jackie Morgan (Baritone)
Junie Smith (Bass)
Discography :
The Cavaliers (2)
1958 - Dance Dance Dance / Play By The Rules Of Love (APT 25004)
Scott Stevens & The Cavaliers (2)
1959 - Sunday In May / Why Why Why (APT 25031)
Unreleased :
1958 - Angel
1958 - Bench Of Love
Scott Stevens
1959 - I Found A Girl / I Like Girls And Girls Like Me (ABC 10-054)
1960 - You're Only Young Once / Too Long Ago (Apt 25044)
Unreleased :
1960 - Power Of Love
1960 - Loved In Vain
1960 - I Wonder
1960 - Gone Is My Love
Biography :
The group, originally known as the Satellites, first got together in the Sedgwick Community Center at the Sedgwick Housing Projects in the Bronx in 1956. Lead singer Scott Stevens (real name Steve Glaser), who also wrote most of the group's repertory, and first tenor Lloyd Needleman both attended William Howard Taft High School; while original bass vocalist Junie Smith was a school dropout, and John Duff was a student at Cardinal Hayes High School. The group, which functioned as a quartet and a quintet at various times, reportedly made it onto Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour, where they ended up getting bounced from the competition for sounding too professional.
With their sound, which freely mixed black and white harmony vocal influences, they were popular locally, and by 1957 events seemed to be moving the Cavaliers' way again. Following a show at the Sunnyside Ballroom in Queens, NY, they were approached by producer Ed Portnoy, who invited them to an audition. They were signed to his Ivy Records label, and they made their recording debut in early 1958. "Dance, Dance, Dance" seemed to have the potential to be another "At the Hop" with some more inventive singing and an even more rousing beat, and Portnoy sold that recording to ABC Paramount, who issued it on their APT Records imprint.
Scott Stevens
It never charted nationally but it sold well in cities up and down the East Coast, and reportedly got the group a scheduled appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand (an appearance that was canceled, according to Glaser, over the group's mixed-race makeup). They did make it on to Alan Freed's television show on the strength of their single "Why, Why, Why," which seemed to hold a lot of promise, and Scott Stevens was interviewed by Freed. The group's history was cut short in 1958 by Stevens' decision to go solo.
Songs :
The Cavaliers (2)
Dance Dance Dance Play By The Rules Of Love
Scott Stevens & The Cavaliers (2)
Sunday In May Why Why Why
Angel Bench Of Love
Scott Stevens
I Found A Girl You're Only Young Once
Too Long Ago I Like Girls And Girls Like Me
Gone Is My Love Power Of Love
Loved In Vain I Wonder
...
