Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues

The Cobras (1)

Posted on December 30 2023 by dion1

The Cobras (1)

The Cobras (1) (Pasadena, CA)

Personnel :

Otis Lee (lead Tenor)

Nate Lee (bass)

Jimmy Randell (Tenor/Baritone)

Discography :

1955 - Cindy / I Will Return (Modern 964)

Biography :

The Cobras had formed around 1952 as group of neighborhood friends. Otis Lee was the tenor lead, joined by his brother Nate (bass) and Jimmy Randell (tenor/baritone). There was a fourth slot in the group, but it changed so often, that they doesn't remember the name of a single guy who filled it. They sang together for a couple of years

The Cobras (1)

The Group were a fine vocal group who had just one release - "Sindy" aka "Cindy’ / "I Wil lReturn" on Modern 964 in August 1955. Their cover of the West Coast favourite "Sindy" followed the original, written and recorded by Squires (Mambo 105), and another version by the Tenderfoots (Federal 12228). In spite of being released (and advertised) with two different spellings, the Cobras' rendering didn't significantly rival the airplay and sales of the Squires.
https://www.uncamarvy.com/Dukes/dukes.html

Songs :

Cindy I Will Return

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The Exotics (1)

Posted on December 26 2023 by dion1

The Exotics (1)
????? Photo received by email entitled "1963-The Exotics" - no certainty that they are the same group

The Exotics (1) (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

Personnel :

Morrison Oskry

Robert Smith

Ray Louis

James Minkins

Daniel Boone

Discography :

1961 - Darling, I Want To Get Married / That's My Desire (Coral 62268)
1961 - The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" / Hotcha Mighty Knows (Coral 62289)
1962 - Manpower / Fortune Hunter (Coral 62310)
1962 - My Life's Desire - Part I / My Life's Desire - Part II (Coral 62343)
1964 - Sad Sad Song / Let's Get Together (Coral 62399)
1964 - Like You Hurt Me / Big Time Charlie (Coral 62439)

Biography :

The Exotics were a singing quintet met in the Air Force, they are from Pease Ai Base, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The group will quickly be noticed by their performances and will sign a contract with the Coral label. Between 1961 and 1964, Coral released six singles by the group. During these three years the group will change personnel as arrivals and departures take place.

The Exotics (1)

According to a Newspaper from may 1962, the group consists of The talented young servicemen, Morrison Oskry, Robert Smith, Ray Louis, James Minkins and Daniel Boone. The Exotics have appeared in Portland, Biddeford, Wells, Boston, New York City and Providence.

Songs :


Darling, I Want To Get Married                     That's My Desire

The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" / Hotcha Mighty Knows


Manpower                                          Fortune Hunter


My Life's Desire - Part I                       My Life's Desire - Part II


Sad Sad Song                        Let's Get Together


Like You Hurt Me                       Big Time Charlie

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The Jaytones

Posted on December 24 2023 by dion1

The Jaytones (Lakewood, New York)

Personnel :

Jimmy Waters (Lead)

James Bell

James Gibson

Fred Green

Stanley Samuels

Biography:

Lakewood Senior High School singing group formed in 1958 and composed by James Bell, James Gibson, Fred Green, Stanley Samuels and Jimmy Waters. In 1958, they has been entertaining high school students at talent shows and school dance.

Unfortunately, I don't think they are the Jaytones managed by Julius Dixon who recorded at the same time for Timely and Brunswick records. Some sources say The JayTones on Timely and Brunswick were an Italian American trio. If anyone has information about the group, don't hesitate to contact me at:
jcpiazza26@gmail.com

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John & Judy

Posted on December 24 2023 by dion1

John & Judy
Judy & The Gents (Scott Walker "Engel", Judy Maus and John Maus)

John & Judy (Los Angeles, Ca.)
aka Judy & The Gents

Personnel :

John Maus

Judy Maus

Discography :

Johnny & Judy
1958 - Bother Me Baby / Who's To Say (Aladdin 3420)
1973 - I Don't Like To Sleep Alone / Good Thing (QCA 8011)

John & Judy & The Newports
1962 - Yes We're Moving / When You Are Lonely (Admiral 905)

John & Judy
1959 - Hideout / Lovebug (Doré 530)
1960 - You Can't Have My Love / Tell Me (Doré 540)
1960 - Why This Feeling / Tell Me (Doré 553)
1961 - I Love You So / Love Slave (Eldo 118)
1961 - Live It Up / Oh! No No (Arvee 5025)

Biography :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Originally from New York, where Judy was born in 1941 and John in 1943, their lives changed dramatically after the family moved to California in 1948. In the summer of 1958, they made their first record, 'Bother Me Baby' (as Johnny & Judy) for Aladdin, a pioneering 1940s R&B label attempting (and failing) to come to terms with the white pop market.

John & Judy
Sister Judy & Brother John Judy & John

A year passed before the brother-sister duo made their next record for Doré Records owned by Lewis Joseph Bedell. Lewis Joseph Bedell founded Era Records and then Doré Records in Los Angeles, California in the 1950s. John & Judy's initial Dore session took place at Western Recorders, with owner Don Blake manning the console. "Hideout " picked up airplay along the West Coast and sold creditably well, resulting in two further Dore releases . in 190/61 they added Scott Walker "Engel" and they were called Judy & The Gents. By 1962, they had become the John & Judy Four with Scott Engel on bass alongside Al Schneider on drums.

John & Judy
Scott Walker "Engel and John Maus                          The Walker Brothers

Then, in November 1963, playing on the fact they all looked alike, they became the Walker Family. When Judy finally left the band in early 1964 they became the Walker Brothers Trio, then finally, the Walker Brothers (mark 1) - Schneider, Engel and Maus.

Songs :


Who's To Say                                          Hideout


Tell Me                                        Why This Feeling


I Love You So                                   Love Slave


When You Are Lonely                    Yes We're Moving

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The Daarts

Posted on December 23 2023 by dion1

The Daarts (Logan, Utah)

Personnel :

Keith Nielsen

Erkki Kerttula

Dale Lofthouse

Bobby Stahell

Discography :

Dale Lofthouse & The Daarts
1961 - You've Been Gone Too Long / My Heart Cries (Hitman 722)

The Daarts
1961 - Beloved Stranger / Cut Me Up (Dyna 109)

Biography :

Group formed in the Utah State University by Dale Lofthouse, Keith Nielsen, Boyd Jackson and Boyd Gobe, but soon the group is evolving. Kertulla who came to the United States from Finland on a student visa, met Keith Nielsen, while he served as an LDS Missionary in Finland, He met he again in Ogden, Utah. where Nielsen invited him to join a quartet.

When a member of the quartet was called into the service, Kerttula and Nielsen along with Dale Lofthouse continued as a trio. At this time, Lofthouse is employed at Vegas Village as floor Manager of the nursery section. At a engagement at the Grand Canyon, They met Bobby Stahell, also singing there and formed the Daarts. Bobby Stahell and Keith Nielsen married shortly after.

Dale Lofthouse wrote "You've Been Gone Too Long" and "My Heart Cries". The Daarts recorded the two songs who were released on Hitman Records in Las Vegas. Bobby Stahell wrote the two new tracks "You've Been Gone Too Long" b/w "My Heart Cries" release the same year on Dyna records in Las Vegas.

The Daarts gained national attention with "Beloved Stranger". The Group enoying considerable popularity and appeared on television and radio programs in Southern California and Nevada. The Young singing group was officially named emissaries of the city of Las Vegas and has appeared at the Hacienda Hotel in Fresno, Calif. In 1961, they all resided in Las Vegas, Nev. Bobby Stahell wrote "Dream Boy" for their next single, But the song was never released until Keith Nielsen executed his military obligations.

Songs :

The Daarts

Beloved Stranger Cut Me Up

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The Chanticleer's

Posted on December 17 2023 by dion1

The Chanticleer's
(L to R) John DiPalma, Robert Christine, Sal Tino & Harry McConagle (Bob Consiglio not present)

The Chanticleer's (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

John DiPalma (Lead / FirstTenor)

Robert Christine (Baritone / Bass)

Sal Tino (First Tenor)

Harry McConagle (Second Tenor)

Bob Consiglio (Baritone)

Discography :

1959 - Carol / Bring Her Back to Me (????)

Biography :

Vocal group from Brooklyn known as "The Chanticleers" The five-some range from 18 to 22, and all of them have had some experience, either solo or with another group. 19 year-old Robert Christine (375 87th St.) sings baritone as well as bass, oldest member of the group and the one with the most experience is 22-year-old Sal Tino (273 79th St), Sal is a song-writer. As a matter of fact it will be his song "Carol," which the group will recorded on its first demonstration record . He also wrote another song, it's called "Bring Her Back to Me" It was inspired, the same girl who inspired "Carol." Another song-writer in the group is 18-year-old Harry McGonagle, (146 92nd St ) sings second tenor, Bob Consiglio, baritone (1260 56th St.) is 18 years old, John DiPalma, 18 year-old, (407 90 th St.) sings first tenor. In mid 1959, They had a chance of an audition with Alan Freed , as well as opportunities for contracts with several record companies. Unfortunately, none of their songs will be released... Or not yet.

...

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The Spotlites aka The Dawns (4)

Posted on December 10 2023 by dion1

The Spotlites aka The Dawns (4)

The Spotlites (Brooklyn, NYC)
aka The Dawns (4)

Personnel :

Sandy Colon (Lead)

Eddie Barbosa

Big Jimmy Lampkin

Little Jimmy Reed

Henry Young

Discography :

The Dawns (4)
1959 - I Love You So Tonight / Trav'lin' (Catalina 1000)

The Spotlites
1959 - 1963 - Trav'lin' / All Kinds Of Dancing Goin' On (Catalina 1001)

Biography :

Vocal group from Brooklyn composed by Sandy Colon (Lead), Eddie Barbosa, Big Jimmy Lampkin, Little Jimmy Reed and Henry Young. In august 1963, the Quintet locally known as the Spotlites the group records three songs for the little Brooklyn label Catalina. Catalina released "I Love You So Tonight" and "Trav'lin'" both written by Big Jimmy Lampkin and Little Jimmy Reed Under a new name : The Dawns! At the same time the label again released "Trav'lin'" with "All Kinds Of Dancing Going On", this time under their real name: The Spotlites.

Songs
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Spotlites

Trav'lin' All Kinds Of Dancing Goin' On

The Dawns (4)

I Love You So Tonight / Trav'lin'

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The Royal Jacks (1)

Posted on December 3 2023 by dion1

(L to R) Henry Tezzi, George Maxim, Leonard Colangelo and David Mancuso

The Royal Jacks (1) (Mamaroneck, New York)

Personnel :

David Mancuso (Vocal)

George Maxim (Guitar & Vocal)

Leonard Colangelo (Vocal)

Henry Tezzi (Drummer)

Discography :

1958 - The Big Ring / I'm In Love Again (20th Fox 45-100)
1959 - Who What Where, When And Why / Night After Night (Studio [Dist. 20th Fox] 9903)

Biography :

The Royal Jacks were a group from Mamaroneck, New York composed by Henry Tezzi (Drummer), George Maxim (Guitar & Vocal) both Mamaroneck High School sophomores, Leonard Colangelo (Vocal) ninth grader at Rye Neck High School and David Mancuso (Vocal), a Freshman at The West Chester Community College. David Mancuso is the leader of the foursome wich was organised in 1955.

The Royal Jacks (1)

In mid-1958, The Royal Jacks recorded their first two self-composed songs. "The Big Ring" and I'm In Love Again" will be released by 20th Fox. A year and a half later the group recorded two magnificent Doo Wop with "Who What Where, When And Why" also composed by the group and "Night After Night" by Vince Catalano and Pete Alonzo.

The Royal Jacks (1) (
The Royal Jacks (1961) - Henry Tezzi, Bob Porto, Leonard Colangelo, David Mancuso and Alex Cceruzzi

The group has appeared at many Westchester spots, including the Veteran's Administration, Port Chester; Pathfinder Club, White Plains; Fort Slocum, New Rochelle: Larchmont Shore Club, Mamaroneck Elks Club, La Mar spectacular at Mamaroneck Junior High School, Standard Athietic Club in Mount Vernon, Blessed Sacrament in New Pochelle and CYO dances in Mount Vernon. They appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and on the ‘Grady and Hirsh Show” ovez a local Wilmington, Del, station. With some personnel changes, The Royal Jacks continued to perform for several years in New York and its surrounding areas.

Songs :


              Night After Night                Who What Where, When And Why


The Big Ring                                I'm In Love Again

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The Four Checkers

Posted on December 3 2023 by dion1

The Four Checkers

The Four Checkers (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

Personnel :

Junior Behum

Bob Sailor

Bill Bonach

Red Kunz

Discography :

1959 - Sheila / Broken Heart (Ace 129)

Biography :

The Four Checkers, comprising Junior Behum, Bob Sailor, Bill Bonach and Red Kunz, have recorded two of their original tunes, "Sheila" and "Broken Heart", for Ace Records, Jackson, Miss. The Group has written some 18 tunes and this is their first release on any label.

The Four Checkers
Organized four years ago, the Checkers are well know thru Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. All the lads are Pittsburghers. Promotion on their new release in the Western States is being handled by Bill's dad, Al Bonach, former pro, now residing in Las Vegas, Nev.

Songs :

Sheila Broken Heart

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