The Vel-Aires aka The Bel-Aires (3) aka The Rhythm Masters
Top : Willie Graham - Middle : Ira Foley & Randolph Bryant - Bottom : Donald Woods
Donald Wood & The Vel-Aires (Los Angeles)
aka The Bel-Aires (3)
aka The Rhythm Masters
Personnel :
Donald Woods (Lead)
Randolph Bryant (Tenor)
Willie Graham (Second Tenor)
Ira Foley (Bass)
Discography :
The Bel-Aires (3)
1955 - This Paradise / Let's Party Awhile (Flip 303)
1955 - White Port And Lemon Juice / This Is Goodbye (Flip 304)
Donald Woods & The Vel-Aires
1955 - Death Of An Angel / Man From Utopia (Flip 306)
1955 - Stay With Me Always / My Very Own (Flip 309)
1956 - Heaven In My Arms / Mighty Joe (Flip 312)
The Rhythm Masters
1956 - Baby We Two / Patricia (Flip 314)
Biography :
Donald "Buster" Woods originally recorded with The Medallions, from Los Angeles, California. The Medallion's group leader was Vernon Green, but when Woods split from Green he took three of the Medallions with him to form The Bel-Aires, who were known as the Vel-Aires when they weren't backing Woods. In 1954, Flip Records, a small, Hollywood based label, that specialized in Doo-Wop, recorded two Singles by The Bel-Aires, "This is Paradise," backed with "Let's Party Awhile," (Flip #303) and "White Port & Lemon Juice," backed with "This Is Goodbye," (Flip #304).
Darryl Perault (Jivers & Rhythm Masters)
In June, Flip issued the group's third record, but by then their name had been changed to the "Vel-Aires." It's probable that this was due to the existence of another West Coast Bel-Aires, this one a black and white duo that had covered Marvin & Johnny's "Tick Tock" on Crown in 1954. Flip Records recorded two other Singles by Donald Wood & The Vel-Aires. In 1955, Donald Woods had left to try a solo career. Willie, Randolph, and Ira got a replacement tenor: Darryl Perault (who would go on to sing with the Jivers) and, on December 10, 1955, they recorded "Baby We Two" and "Patricia" for Flip as the "Rhythm Masters".
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Medallions/medallions.html
Songs :
The Bel-Aires (3)
This Paradise Let's Party Awhile
White Port And Lemon Juice This Is Goodbye
Donald Woods & The Vel-Aires
Heaven In My Arms Stay With Me Always
Death Of An Angel Man From Utopia
Mighty Joe My Very Own
The Rhythm Masters
Baby We Two Patricia
...