Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue

Posted on February 26 2023 by dion1

Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue
L to R: Charles Barbour Jr, Mary Evans, Ronnie West, Bonnie Johnson, “Red” George

Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue (Lexington KY)

Personnel :

Bonnie Johnson

Robert Taylor “Red” George

Ronnie West

Charles Barbour Jr

Mary Evans

Discography :

Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue
1960 - You'd Better Run / Those Bells (Nikko 611)

Bruce Marvello
1960 - Teen-Age Broken Heart / You've Got To Love Me Too (Nikko 610)

Biography :

Bonnie and the Little Boys Blue were students and friends from Lexington’s original Paul Laurence Dunbar and Frederick Douglass High Schools. Robert Taylor “Red” George teamed with Ronnie West and tenor Charles Barbour Jr . A couple young ladies, Bonnie Johnson and Mary Evans complete the group. “Red” George, Bonnie and another friend (Emmett Brown) had experience singing on street corners downtown, which preceded the true formation of the group.

Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue
Bruce Marvello

Also, at least two future Blue Boys had prior recording experience backing Bruce Marvello on label owner Tom Birch’s original composition “Teen-Age Broken Heart.” Clearly their voices made an impression on Birch and he approached the quintet with an offer of a recording contract. Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue was delivered to an unknown studio on Division Street in Nashville, Tennessee. With a group of seasoned studio musicians, The group recorded "You'd Better Run" b/w "Those Bells" released on the Tom Birsh's label "Nikko". The single helped launch the group into the Lexington market and shows followed at the predominantly black music clubs .
https://www.lexingtunes.com/2021/09/25/bonnie-and-the-little-boys-blue/

Songs:

Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue

You'd Better Run Those Bells

Bruce Marvello

Teen-Age Broken Heart

...

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The Speidels

Posted on February 26 2023 by dion1

The Speidels

The Speidels (Chattanooga, TN.)

Personnel :

Ralph Emery (Lead)

Discography :

1962 - Oh Baby / A Lovely One (Monte Carlo 101)

Biography :

Vocal group from Chattanooga, TN. . They Recorded "Oh Baby" "A Lovely One" released by a new firm named "Monte Carlo". The Speidels also played a lot of clubs in Chattanooga.

Songs :

A Lovely One Baby

..

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The Aladdins (2)

Posted on February 25 2023 by dion1

The Aladdins (2)
Richard DiTuccio, Clayton “Butch” Oelkuct, John Nicolini, Unknown

The Aladdins (2) (Hartford, Connecticut)

Personnel :

John Nicolini

Russel Stanavage

Butch Oelkuct

Richard DiTuccio

Discography :

1958 - Dot My Love / My Charlene (Frankie 6)

Biography :

Early in November 1958 , four youths from Bulkeley High School in Hartford named the "Aladdins" made their debut on the Kathy Godfrey Show. The Aladdins, whose manager is Frank Drury, president of the Police Athletic League are John Nicolini, Russel Stanavage, Butch Oelkuct and Richard DiTuccio. The group recorded two songs: "Dot My Love" and "My Charlene" released by Frankie Records.

The Aladdins (2)

Frankie Records was one of the many Indies labels in Connecticut in the late 1950's and 1960's. Founded by Jimmy and Johnny Mastrio. " Dot My Love" ranks in the top 40 locally. At the end of 1958 The Aladdins received an invitation to appear on Ted Mack's Amateur Show but had to refuse since the group was now classed as professionals.

Songs :

Dot My Love My Charlene

...

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Ronnie Jones & The Classmates (3)

Posted on February 25 2023 by dion1

Ronnie Jones & The Classmates (3)

Ronnie Jones & The Classmates (3) (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Ronald Jones (Lead)

Alfred Brown

James Jones

Bernard Courtney

Charles Phillips

Jessie Cone (Guitar)

Discography :

1957 - Little Girl Next Door / Teenage Rock (End 1002/End 1025)
1958 - Lonely Boy / My Baby Crys (End 1014)

Biography :

Ronnie Jones & The Classmates all hailed from North Philadelphia. The Group was originally known as the Regionaires. The Group appearing in & winning contests including at the Apollo in New York . Group members were brothers Ronnie & James Jones, Alfred Brown, Bernard Courtney, Charles Phillips and Jessie Cone on Guitar.Between 1954 and 1958, they were local Hero's and the biggest group in Philly during this era singing at the Uptown Theater, the Apollo Theater and appearances on American Band Stand, and many other venues, The group also traveled and shared the stages with such late greats like Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Frankie Lymon, Etc...

Sometime in early 1957, George Goldner formed the End and Gone labels and recorded the group. Ronnie Jones & The Classmates cut four sides for End: "Little Girl Next Door", "Teenage Rock", "Lonely Boy" & "My Baby Crys" . "Little Girl Next Door" and "Teenage Rock" was released again in 1962/1963 on End 1125. Ronnie Jones went on to record on the I & D and Philly Groove record labels with the group Broadway Express (Philly Soul) in the 1970's.

Songs :


Lonely Boy                               Little Girl Next Door


Teenage Rock                                       My Baby Crys

.....

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The Triangles (2)

Posted on February 19 2023 by dion1

The Triangles (2)
Reuben Pando, Lucy Duran & Frankie Gonzalez

The Triangles (2) (Chino, Ca.)

Personnel :

Lucy Duran

Reuben Pando

Frankie Gonzalez

Discography :

The Triangles (2)
1961 - My Oh My / Really I Do (Fifo 107)

Lucy Duran
1961 - Oh Sweet Baby / I Tried To Make You Understand (Fifo 109)

Rosie And Ron
1961 - Bring Me Happiness / So Dearly (Donna 1338)

Biograhy :

Out of Chino, California, Lucy Duran (who sang with the Velveteens) would join up with Ruben Pando & Frankie Gonzales to form the Triangles. They recorded "My Oh My" and "Really I Do" released in 1961 by Fifo Records. Lucy Duran would record for Fifo as a solo artist. "Oh Sweet Baby" and "I Tried To Make You Understand" would also be released in 1961. The same year, Lucy and Ralph Valdez of Hawthorne were billed as Rosie & Ron by Del-Fi/Donna label owner Bob Keane. He wanted to capitalize on the popularity of Rosie & The Originals & Ronnie & The Pomona Casuals who also had hits at the time. Two ballads "So Dearly" and "Bring Me Happiness" both penned by Ruben Pando were recorded in 1961 with the Velveteens backing and released on the Donna label (Donna 1338). The record became a number 1 seller in the Los Angeles area. It was released with two different label variations. https://wwwyoufoundthateastsidesoundcom.blogspot.com

Songs :

The Triangles (2)


Really I Do    My Oh My

Rosie And Ron


Bring Me Happiness                             So Dearly

...

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The Cabarets

Posted on February 18 2023 by dion1

The Cabarets with Tommy Lysaght on the left

The Cabarets (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Personnel :

Tommy (Liss) Lysaght

Kenny Cochran

Gene Gay

Ray Voss

Discography :

The Cabarets & The Matadors
1962 - There Must Be A Way / Times Is Tough (Saxony 1002)

Tommy Liss & The Matadors
1963 - Just In Make Believe / Times Is Tough (Saxony 1005)

Biography :

The Cabarets were a classic street corner singing group comprised of Tommy (Liss) Lysaght, Kenny Cochran, Gene Gay and Ray Voss. In 1962 they signed for Saxony, a new Cincinnati label, owned by Paul Trefzger and Bud Reneau. They recorded "There Must Be A Way" and "Times Is Tough" (Composed by Tommy) with the instrumental accompaniment of the Matadors. The Matadors often appeared behind Saxony Record vocalists. and consisted of Saxony's owner Bud Reneau, with Bud on guitar, Warren Hauck on bass, Tom Dooley on Piano and David Listerman on drums. In 1963, Without his vocal group the Cabarets but with the Matadors, Tommy Lysaght once again recorded "Times Is Tough" and "Just In Make Believe" on the other side backed by a girl group, maybe the Saxony's Teardrops. The single will be released as Tommy Liss & The Matadors.

The Cabarets
The Matadors

American singer and songwriter, Thomas Michael Lysaght (Alias Tommy Liss, Tommy Sears) sang in clubs around Cincinnati for many years and was well known in Nashville where he recorded demos for different studios. He had several regional releases. His most successful song was called “Walk On The Outside”, which was released in 1969 using the name "Tommy Sears" and was recorded in Nashville. He used the name "Tommy Sears" in some of his recordings in honor of a singer and friend of his J.T. Sears, who died driving home from a singing gig. Additional bands he may have been involved in include: The Ice, aka The Raspberry Ice, and The Satins.

Songs :

The Cabarets & The Matadors

There Must Be A Way Times Is Tough

Tommy Liss & The Matadors

Just In Make Believe Times Is Tough

...

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The Mascots (3)

Posted on February 16 2023 by dion1

The Mascots (3)

The Mascots (3) (Bronx, New York)

Personnel :

Tommy Addonizio

Albert Albanese

Dennis Adinolfi

Johnny Fanelli

Discography :

1962 - Blue Birds Over The Mountain / Timberlands (Mermaid 107)
1963 - Once Upon A Love / Hey Little Angel (Blast 206)

Biography :

The Mascots were a vocal and instrumental group from the Wakefield section of the Bronx (NY) and were composed by Tommy Addonizio, Albert Albanese, Dennis Adinolfi and Johnny Fanelli. Ray Allen (real name Ray Albanese) was the father of Albert Albanese. Ray Allen was part of The Ray Allen Trio, The Gum Drops, The Upbeats, The Classmates and The Four Classmates. The Mascots were another of the groups managed by writer, arranger, producer and singer Vinny Catalano. The group records on the Vinny's New York based label Mermaid Owned by Vincent Catalano and Don Ames. “Blue Birds Over The Mountain”, a cover of Ersel Hickeys, and “Timberlands” written by Ray Allen was released in April 1962.

The Mascots (3)
Vinny Catalano Ray Allen (Albanese)

Some months later, the Mascots recorded "Once Upon A Love" and "Hey Little Angel" both co-written by Ray Allen released by Blast Records, another label Owned by Vincent Catalano and Don Ames. The Mascots, besides singing, were also instrumentalists. In fact, they (along with one studio musician) were the band that backed the Excellents on their Blast release (# 205): "You Baby You” b/w “Coney Island Baby.”

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Blue Birds Over The Mountain                     Once Upon A Love


Hey Little Angel                            Timberlands

...

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The Mascots (2)

Posted on February 12 2023 by dion1

The Mascots (2)
Larry Hovis, Jerry Lloyd, Joe Toland and bottom Harry Bell

The Mascots (2) (Houston, Texas)

Personnel :

Harry Bell (Lead Tenor)

Larry Hovis (Tenor)

Joe Toland (Baritone)

Jerry Lloyd (Bass)

Discography :

The Mascots (1)

1955 - Please Have Mercy / Dreamboat (MGM 11959)
1955 - Relax-A-Voo / The Others I Like (MGM 12027)
1955 - Nobody's Arms / Little Mustard Seed (MGM 12107)
1956 - Java Jive / Who Put The Devil In Evelyn's Eyes (MGM 12107)

Larry Hovis

Singles :
1958 - Do I Love You / We Could Have Lots Of Fun (Capitol 3873)
1958 - Silly Tears / Helplessly Hopelessly (Capitol 3961)
1959 - A Rose To Remember You By / I Love You More (Capitol 4130)
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You / I Want To Fall In Love (Capitol 4281)

Ep :
1959 - Introducing Larry Hovis (Capitol Pro 1162/63)
My Heart Belongs To Only You / 'Deed I Do / Nice To Be In Love / Exactly Like You

Lp :
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You
My Heart Belongs To Only You / 'Deed I Do / But Beautiful / Love-Wise / Just In Time / Nice To Be In Love / Then I'll Be Tired Of You / I Want To Fall In Love / S'posin' / Polka Dots And Moonbeams / Exactly Like You

Biography :

Not really a Doo Wop or Rhythm & blues and not to be confused with the Mascots that will become the famous O'Jays, this is an early pop vocal group from Houston, Texas. The Mascots were composed by Jerry Lloyd, Harry Bell, Larry Hovis and Joe Toland. the group formed 1952/53 in Reagan High School in Houston and called itself the Four Spades. They won a talent contest which guaranteed the group a trip to New York City and an appearance on the television show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.

The Mascots (2)

The Four Spades were convinced by Arthur Godfrey to change their name in order for radio stations to play their music in the 1950's. A contest was held on a Texas radio station for fans to pick out a new name for the group and Mascots was chosen (The O'Jays were once called The Mascots as well). The Mascots, appeared on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts” in 1956. The Mascots became the house band for The Continental Club in 1955. This was the year that Morin Scott open The Continental Club as a private supper club.

The Mascots (2)
Joe Toland, Larry Hovis, Harry Bell & Jerry Lloyd

Rusty Weir's mother, Iona, was the one who hired The Mascots to provide entertainment for the supper & dance crowd. Tenor Larry Hovis was signed to Capitol Records in November, 1957, after having penned a song recorded by Joel Grey, "Everytime I Ask My Heart". He recorded a few singles and released his only album, My Heart Belongs to Only You. His biggest song was "We Could Have Lots of Fun".

The Mascots (2)
During his time at Capitol, in March 1959, CARLTON Records released an lp by The Bill Gannon Trio, of which Larry was also a member. On there, he sang and also played drums. Larry Hovis became much more famous after The Four Spades and the Mascots, thanks to a singing, dancing, comedy & acting career that took him to Hollywood and Hogan's Heroes!

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Mascots (1)


Please Have Mercy                             Java Jive


Little Mustard Seed                            Dreamboat


The Others I Like / Relax-Ay-Voo                     Nobody's Arms

(Who-Who-Who) Who Put The Devil In Evelyn's Eyes

Larry Hovis

We Could Have Lots Of Fun My Heart Belongs To Only You

I Want To Fall In Love

...

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