Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Interludes (3)

Posted on February 12 2022 by dion1

The Interludes (3)

The Interludes (3) (Los Angeles, CA.)

Personnel :

Billy Hall (lead

Billy Belfield

Dennis Watson

Ron Gipson

Tommy Deureaux

Robert McGhee

Discography :

1962 - Darling, I'll Be True / Wilted Rose Bud (King 5633)

Biography :

The Interludes had a recording session with Johnny Otis in Los Angeles on 15 March 1962. The results included two ballads, "Darling, Be True" and "Wilted Rosebud", which were released as King 5631. The group was a sextet: Billy Hall (lead), Billy Belfield, Dennis Watson, Ron Gipson, Tommy Deureaux and Robert McGhee. They formed in the late 1950s at Freemont High School - a location which was a rich spawning ground for many Los Angeles vocal groups in the early 1950s. This Interludes group is not connected with the Boston-based Interludes who recorded for RCA in 1961.

Songs :

Darling, I'll Be True Wilted Rose Bud

...

See comments

The Teardrops (2)

Posted on February 11 2022 by dion1

The Teardrops (2)

The Teardrops (2) (East Harlem, New York)

Personnel :

Paulie Ciaurella (Tenor, Baritone & Guitar)

Tony Ciaurella (Baritone, Accordion)

Discography :

Singles :
1956 - My Inspiration / I Prayed For Love (King 5004)
1957 - Don't Be Afraid to Love / After School (King 5037)
1957 - Jellyfish / Bridge Of Love (Dot 15669)
1958 - Sugar Baby / Catch Me, I'm Falling Again (Rendezvous 102)
1959 - Al Chiar Di Luna (Porto Fortuna) / We Won't Tell (Josie 856)
1959 - You're My Hollywood Star / Cry No More (Josie 862)
1959 - Daddy's Little Girl / Always You (Josie 873)
1966 - Till / Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (Frisky 243)
1966 - Two Stars / Ol' Man River (Frisky 914)
1966 - Hey Gingerbread / Champaign Lady (Laurie 3325)
1976 - Welcome Back Kotter / Champagne Lady (Laurie 3642)
1977 - Goodnight Elvis / Hey Gingerbread (Laurie 3660)

Unreleased :
196? - You and I (Laurie)

Lps :
1963 - The Teardrops At Trinchi's (20th Century Fox 5011)
Hey Look Me Over / Mala Femmena (Always You) / Chella La / My Prayer / My Melancholy Baby / Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You) / Scarpricciatiello / You Are My Destiny / Ddoje Stelle So Cadute / Just Say I Love Her / Mama / My Yiddish Mama / When The Saints Go Marching In

The Teardrops (2)

1966 - Our Best (Frisky 243)
Let Me Know / Love Is A Many Splendored Thing / You Mean Everything To Me / My Yiddishe Momma / 'Till / Old Man River / Two Stars / Why / Na Voce Na Chitarra / Passione / Just Say I Love Her / Infatuation

The Teardrops (2)

Biography :

Paulie “Teardrop” Ciaurella, and his brother, Tony, started making music in the early 1950s as the Teardrops. Born in East Harlem, they would pack up their instruments, and take their show on the road. The Teardrops became known for their Italian songs and show, unique to the era. From opening at New York’s Copacabana Club in 1953, to Las Vegas and ultimately Atlantic City, The Teardrops were a fixture.

The Teardrops (2)

When they signed to king records in 1956, Paul is twenty two years old plays the guitar, and sings both tenor and baritone. Tony, twenty years old play the accordion and sing baritone. Before the end of 1956 and April 1958, the teardrops recorded four singles, two for King records, one for Dot Records, who have moved to Hollywood, California, and one for the Label Rendezvous, also established in california.

The Teardrops (2)
The Four Coins with Tony & Paul Ciaurella

According to Cashbox February 21, 1959, Danny Kessler, Record company executive, publisher and talent agent send them to Josie Records, a subsidiary of Jubilee Records in New York City. The Teardrops recorded "Al Chiar Di Luna (Porto Fortuna)" b/w "We Won't Tell", and two others records for Josie. Another group of "Teardrops" had already recorded two singles for Josie in 1954, one of which was re-released in 1960 on the Port label. The Teardrops of 1954 has nothing to do with the brothers Paul & Tony. It is possible to imagine that they did not agree to change their name after having already made a reputation on stage and having recorded four singles.

The Teardrops (2)

Over the next six years, The Teardrops appeared on all the major stages and recorded an album for 20th Century Fox in 1963: The Teardrops At Trinchi's. In 1966, they recorded a second album for Frisky Records owned by Henry Rosenberg in Kearny, NJ. In 1966, Ernie Maresca with whom the two brothers have been friends for a long time, wrote them two songs which were released by Laurie the same year :"Hey Gingerbread" b/w "Champaign Lady".

Songs :


You're My Hollywood Star          Champaign Lady                        You and I


      My Inspiration                 I Prayed For Love                  Don't Be Afraid to Love


Jellyfish                        Bridge Of Love                      Sugar Baby


Al Chiar Di Luna (Porto Fortuna)       We Won't Tell              Hey Gingerbread

...

See comments

The Charmers (4) ref: The Van Dykes (2) ref: The Temptations (1)

Posted on February 7 2022 by dion1

The Charmers (4) ref: The Van Dykes (2) ref: The Temptations (1)

The Charmers (4) (Brooklyn, NY)
ref: The Van Dykes (2)
ref: The Temptations (1)

Personnel :

Inez Williams (Lead)

Mike Cruz (First Tenor)

Tony Rivera (Second Tenor)

Benny Ortiz (First Tenor)

Cesar ...

Julio ...

Discography :

1962 - My Kind Of Love / Johnny (Laurie 3142)
1963 - I Cried / Shy Guy (Laurie 3173)
1963 - Sweet Talk / Work It Out (Laurie 3203)
1964 - Looking For Trouble / After You Walk Me Home (Pip 800)
1965 - Where's The Boy / It's A Funny Way We Met (Louis 6806)

Biography :

The Charmers hailed from Brooklyn, Ny. It is unanimous opinion that they recorded both incredibly tender and weepy ballads and some rockin' dance tunes, all filled with tight harmony fronted by a bold and confident female lead. Some of the guys in the group had been members of The Van Dykes, who recored the smooth group harmony ballad "The Bells Are Ringing" for King Records in 1958, a New York area favorite during the revival year of 1961. Due to the renewed interest in the single, Mike Cruz and Tony Rivera from The Imperials and the Van Dykes and Benny Ortiz from The Van Dykes reformed the group, they added Cesar and Julio .

The Charmers (4) ref: The Van Dykes (2) ref: The Temptations (1)
The Van Dykes with Charmers' Mike Cruz ,Tony Rivera and Benny Ortiz

Along the way, a new name change occurred and a new member, Inez Williams, was brought in to sing lead. They were called locally the Latino Charmers of Brooklyn, NY. "My Kind Of Love" was their first of three waxings for Laurie records, released in late 1962, coupled with "Johnny" (Laurie 3142). They second single on Laurie is incredible "I Cried" "Shy Guy", all the voices are just perfect. The Charmers released one more singles after their tenure with Laurie, one on the very short-lived Scepter subsidiary PIP and another on Louis Records rounding out a favorable body of recordings. from 1962 to1965 the personnel could be different since Uncle Sam took his tithe.

Songs :


My Kind Of Love                                        Johnny


I Cried                                         Shy Guy


Sweet Talk                                   Work It Out


   Looking For Trouble                         After You Walk Me Home


     Where's The Boy                        It's A Funny Way We Met

...

See comments

Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1)

Posted on February 6 2022 by dion1

Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1)

Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1) (Boston, Massachusetts)

Personnel :

Jerry Diamond (Lead)

...

Discography :

Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1)
1958 - Let's Make It (Ooh-Whad-A-Ya-Mean) / Lindy-Lou (RCA 7257)

Jerry Diamond
1957 - Sunburned Lips / Don't Trust Love (Atlantic 1145)

Biography :

Jerry Diamond's a 22 year-old lad from The Boston area who got together in a recording studio (quite by accident) with three teenage gals who were being auditioned. The result : a rock'n'roller a la "Lollipop," Lindy-Lou. The billing : Jerry Diamond and the Sparkles. Jerry Diamond had previously recorded "Sunburned Lips" b/w "Don't Trust Love" released by Atlantic.

Songs :

Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1)

Lindy-Lou / Let's Make It

Jerry Diamond

Sunburned Lips

...

See comments

The Dreamers (6)

Posted on February 5 2022 by dion1

The Dreamers from Left, Edmund Walters, G.G. Greer, Ralph Steward & Ed Stewart

The Dreamers (6) (Largo, FL.)

Personnel :

Ralph Steward (Lead, Baritone, Guitar)

G.G. Greer (First Tenor)

Edmund Walters (Second Tenor)

Ed Stewart (Bass)

Sharon Madson (Piano)

Kenny Keen (Drums)

Discography :

Singles:
1958 - Dear I / Only Time (Tri-Dec 8757)
1959 - Don't Cry / It's Gonna Be Alright (Nugget 1000)
1959 - Seconds / Mama Lucie (Dream 101)
Unreleased:
1958 - Talking About It (Tri-Dec)
1958 - Devil Congo Drums (Tri-Dec)

Biography :

Organized in 1956 from the Largo High School glee club, this six-member group is recording on the Tri Dec label in 1958. Their first record was "Dear I" backed with "Only Time." both written by Ralph Steward. "Dear I" made the top 40 locally and the Dreamers doing shows and dances throughout the state. All teen-agers, The line up Is: Ed Steward, M. C. and bass; Ralph Steward, baritone and guitar; G. G. Greer, first tenor; Edmund Walters, second tenor; Sharon Madson, piano and Kenny Keen, drums. They all live In Largo or Clearwater.

The Dreamers with The Links Band at the Clearwater Auditorium Ralph Steward

They recorded two other songs for Tri-Dec : "Talking About It," by Green and "Devil Congo Drums," by Ralph Steward. Unfortunately these two titles will never be released. In addition to over 10 original numbers the Dreamers do many current hits, such as "At The Hop" "Daddy Cool" and "Get A Job." In early 1959, Ralph Steward wrote "It's Gonna Be All Right" and "Don't Cry" who were issued in 1959 on Nuggett Records, a Tampa label owned by Lonzo and Oscar, once a popular country act. A third single will be released the same year on the Dream Label with two new titles written by Ralph "Seconds" and "Mama Lucie."

Songs :


    Don't Cry                                     It's Gonna Be Alright


Seconds                                          Mama Lucie

Only Time / Dear I

...

See comments

Ricky & Robby aka Rick & Rob - ref: The Fireflies

Posted on February 4 2022 by dion1

Ricky & Robby aka Rick & Rob - ref: The Fireflies

Ricky & Robby (Bronx, New York)
aka Rick & Rob
ref: The Fireflies

Personnel:

Robert Saraniero

Richard Spero

Discography :

Ricky & Robby
1959 - Purple Pedal Pushers / Suzzane (Golden Crest 530)

Rick & Rob
1959 - Purple Pedal Pushers / Suzzane (Golden Crest 530)

The Fireflies
1960 - Give All Your Love To Me / Marianne (Canadian American 117)

Biography :

The Fireflies was formed by producer Gerry Granahan in Long Island in 1957 with Ritchie Adams, Lee Reynolds, Paul Giacalone and John Viscelli. "You Were Mine", which was their biggest hit. It spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at #21 on October 26, 1959. In 1960, After four singles for Roulette & Ribbon records, the Fireflie's broke up. Lee Reynolds & Gerry Granahan recording as Lee & The Sounds.

Ricky & Robby aka Rick & Rob - ref: The Fireflies

Months later, Lee form a new Fireflies group with Frank Piaza, Robert Saraniero and Richard Spero. Robert Saraniero and Richard Spero, two handsome brothers from the Bronx, had written and recorded two nice doo-wop songs in early 1959, "Purple Pedal Pushers" and "Suzzane" which had been released by Golden Crest as Ricky and Robby. The New Fireflies recorded one single in 1960 for Canadian American Records with "Give All Your Love To Me" and the beautiful ballad "Marianne written by Robert and Richard. Robert Saraniero sang lead on both songs.

Songs :

Ricky & Robby

Suzzane Purple Pedal Pushers

The Fireflies

Give All Your Love To Me Marianne

...

See comments

The Hollyhocks

Posted on February 2 2022 by dion1

The Hollyhocks

The Hollyhocks (Knoxville, TN)

Personnel :

Clifford Curry (Lead)

Willie Earl Drummond (First Tenor)

Vestee Huddleston (Second Tenor)

Clayton Whittington (Baritone)

Leon “Mickey” Prater (Bass)

Discography :

1957 - You For Me / Don't Say Tomorrow (Nasco 6001)

Biography :

Clifford Curry attended Austin High School, 1951-55 during a time when the lines between races were clearly drawn and respected. By 1953 Curry garnered a reputation in his school as an outstanding singer. Benjamin Washington was a classmate at Austin High who introduced Curry to his singing group, The Echoes. They included the Myers brothers, Herbert, and twins, John and James, Charles Holloway (bass singer), and Benny Washington (lead singer).

The Hollyhocks
Clifford Curry

By 1954 he was a senior in high school. Curry sang with The Echoes for black audiences in churches and at clubs, and with The Fabulous Six at the University of Tennessee fraternity parties, debutant balls, and white night clubs. The Group signing a recording contract with Savoy records. Savoy management decided to rename the group The Five Pennies. They cut three singles. When The Five Pennies quit high school to go on tour Curry’s father refused to allow him to go until he got his diploma. With The Five Pennies away, Curry continued with The Fabulous Six who grew more willing and eager to play his songs.

The Hollyhocks Ernie Young (founder of Nashboro, Nasco and Excello labels)

While The Five Pennies toured during high school, Curry’s four other friends formed a group called The Bingos. That group included, Willie Earl Drummond, Vestee Huddleston, Clayton Whittington and Leon “Mickey” Prater. Curry wrote his own songs and sang into his small reel-to-reel tape recorder until the group saved enough money to drive to Nashville to record one 45 on Nashboro Records. Curry was the lead singer on both; “Don’t Say Tomorrow” and “You For Me” the later, a song Curry co-wrote with Mickey Prater. Then the owner of Nashboro Records, Ernie Young, changed their name to The Hollyhocks. The man loved flowers. The following year, he joined a band called the Contenders (Dewey Guy, his twin brother, Lewey Guy, Jerry Johnson, Wayne Cronan, and Bob Adams). In late 1958, they recorded "Mr. Dee Jay"/"Yes I Do" for Earl Dorrance's Blue Sky Records (although the label called them the "Continders"). Then, as "Dewey Guy and the Fabulous Six," they had "Rock A While"/"Can't Stand To Be Alone" on Ralph Stevens' Ridgecrest Records in early 1959. Cliff also had a solo effort on Ridgecrest: "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss"/"Crazy For You."

Songs :

You For Me Don't Say Tomorrow

…

See comments

The Temptations (1) ref :The Van Dykes (2) ref : The Charmers (5)

Posted on February 1 2022 by dion1

The Van Dykes (2) aka The Temptations (1)
The Temptations with Efrain Rivera on lead in 1955

The Temptations (1) (Brooklyn, New York)
ref: The Van Dykes (2)
ref : The Charmers (5)

Personnel :

Efrain Rivera (Lead)

Mike Cruz (First Tenor)

Tony Rivera (Second Tenor)

Ray Pena (Baritone)

John Cales (Bass)

Discography :

The Temptations (1)
1958 - Standing Alone / Roach's Rock (King 5118)

The Van Dykes (2)
1958 - The Bells Are Ringing / Meaning Of Love (King 5158/DeLuxe 6193)
1959 - Once Upon A Dream / Dame Tu Corazon (Felsted 8565)
1960 - Gift Of Love / Guardian Angel (Spring 1113/Donna 1333)

Biography :

The Temptations were a Hispanic group from South Brooklyn who had one release on King in 1958. Both sides of their rare single,"Roach's Rock"/ "Standing Alone" (King 5118) were recorded in a New York City studio on two separate days in February 1958. The group members were Efrain Rivera (lead), Mike Cruz (first tenor), Tony Rivera (second tenor), Ray Pena (baritone) and John Cales (bass). They were not related to the Temptations on Goldisc or Savoy and could never have foreseen the worldwide fame of their Motown namesake on Gordy.Another group as the Temptations who recorded for Savoy, staked a prior claim to the name obliging the King Group to change its name to the Van Dykes in time for their next release.

The Van Dykes with Mike Cruz on lead

The group changed personnel (with Mike Cruz and Tony Rivera remaining, they added Benny Ortiz, Junior Garcia and Ray Martinez) and recorded "The Bells Are Ringing" b/w "Meaning Of Love" (King 5158) in October 1958 as The Van Dykes. "The Bells Are Ringing", an exquisite record that surprisingly failed to elicit the response it merited. Three Years later, demand for the record at New York's Time Square record shop, a legendary haven for collectors, created a resurgence of interest in "The Bells Are Ringing" which had a long since become unavailable.

The Van Dykes (2) aka The Temptations (1)

A young King employee named Seymour Steinbeigle who had been given the task of overseeing King's back catalogue, re-issued "The Bells Are ringing" on King's Deluxe subsidiary to meet a demand on the East Coast where sales, helped by a little airplay pushed it to #99 on the hot 100 - a poor showing for a record of such undoubted quality. Seymour Stein later founded Sire Records. During the revival year of 1961. Due to the renewed interest in the single, Mike Cruz, Tony Rivera and Benny Ortiz reformed the group, they added Cesar and Julio . Along the way, a new name change occurred and a new member, Inez Williams, was brought in to sing lead. They were called The Charmers.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Temptations (1) 

Standing Alone                               Roach's Rock

The Van Dykes (2)


The Bells Are Ringing                      Meaning Of Love

 Once Upon A Dream                               Gift Of Love


Guardian Angel                               Dame Tu Corazon
...

See comments