Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Grand Prees (1)

Posted on June 19 2021 by dion1

The Grand Prees (1) (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Vinnie Palace (Lead)

Anthony Armentani (First Tenor & Lead)

Nick Pucillo (Second Tenor)

Jimmy Romano (Baritone)

John Lombardo (Bass)

Discography :

The Grand Prees (1)
Unreleased :
1962 - My Desire (Sound Plus)
1962 - Foolish Things (Sound Plus)
Singles:
1963 - Alone / I’m Gone (Haral 779)
1964 - World’s Fairest Chic / Other Worlds (J & G 1719)

Jimmy Eden (Jimmy Testa) & The Revelers (Grand Prees uncredited)
1963 - Goddess of Love / Beatle Walk (Haral 780)

Biography :

Group from South Philly in the late 50's / early 60's. They were from the area around 11th & Shunk. Their members were Vince Palace, Anthony Armentani, Nicky Pucillo, Johnny Lombardo & Jimmy Romano. 11th & Shunk in South Philadelphia, the ward which produced Richie & the Royals. In their wake came the Grand Prees, a melange of disparate singers who idolized the Royals, as well as the Royals’ prime influence, Anthony & the Sophomores.

As South Philly white groups go, the Sophs were top of the heap, with hit records, a broad fan base, and more gigs than they could go to. Insofar as idols, the Grand Prees could have done far worse. “In the beginning,” notes first tenor/lead Anthony Armentani, “it was me, John Lombardo, and a dude named Anthony Campagna, We harmonized on the street corner like most everybody else, and I did some leads. We kept out of trouble and enjoyed ourselves, plus the girls gravitated to singers. That we loved.

“But we were short a baritone, so I remembered this guy in the neighborhood, Jimmy Romano. We shuffled around to his house one day and asked him if he wanted to join us.” The ensemble was now a quartet, but a more accomplished lead voice was called for as Anthony was only suitable for certain songs. Jimmy was a member of the glee club at Thomas Junior High (where his Science teacher was Mr. Todarello, owner of Rello Records and discoverer of Richie & the Royals), where he sang side by side with a sonorous voice, Vinnie Palace, so the task at hand was to lure Vinnie into the fold. “He heard our sound,” burbles Romano, “and he signed up right away. It was an easy sell.” Campagna lost interest, and tenor Nick Pucillo was conscripted, and the final lineup was set, and would remain so for the ensuing three years: Vinnie Palace, lead, Anthony Armentani, first tenor and alternate lead, Nick Pucillo, second tenor, Jimmy Romano, baritone, and John Lombardo, bass."

Thanks to Jim Romano
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113450178679167&v=info

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Grand Prees

My Desire / Foolish Things Alone

I'm Gone

Jimmy Eden & The Revelers

Beatle Walk Goddess of Love

...

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The Classics (2)

Posted on June 4 2021 by dion1

1962, L to R : Hank Stevenson, Larry Fields, Chico Waters and Ray (Boone) Leary

The Classics (2) (Portland, OR)

Personnel :

William “Mickey” Stevenson

Elliott Gabriel

J. Marls

Discography :

1958 - If Only The Sky Was A Mirror / Gosh But This is Love (Class 219)
1959 - Let Me Dream / You're The Prettiest One (Crest 1063)

Biography :

Vocal group from Portland in Oregon, the Classics will have several personal changes during their five-year performance, between 1958 and 1962. For their first records, Group members were Elliott Gabriel (bass), J. Marls and most famous member William “Mickey” Stevenson. They wrote both songs and recorded in L.A.. Elliott Peter Gabriel sings bass vocal on the songs and was the brother of renowned musician Charles Henry Gabriel (Charlie Gabriel). Elliott was traveling touring with many vocal groups around the country, Bobby day and the Satelites, The Classics, Bobby Thurston. William Stevenson went on to become song writer, producer and head of Motown Records’ A&R department through the 1960’s. During this time he was husband to Motown star Kim Weston and wrote or co-wrote many of Motown’s monster hits.

The Classics (2)
The Classics With "Ray Boone" (2nd from the right)

The single was released by Class Records. Class Records was stablished in Los Angeles, California in 1951 by songwriter and record producer Leon René. In 1959, the Classics recorded "Let Me Dream" and "You're The Prettiest One" again in L.A., at this time The group members were William Young (Lead Singer), Larry Fields, Chico Waters, William “Mickey” Stevenson and Howard Bullard. Their second single was released by Crest Records. Ellis Ray Leary aka "Ray Boone", father of The Whitney Family children became the lead vocalist for The Classics from 1960 until 1962 with Hank Stevenson, Larry Fields and Chico Waters.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

If Only The Sky Was A Mirror                 Gosh But This Love


       Let Me Dream                        You're The Prettiest One

…

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