Doo Wop - Rhythm & Blues - jcpiazza26@gmail.com

The Belvederes (3)

Posted on January 6 2017 by dion1

Eddie Sullivan & John Staples (Belvederes)

The Belvederes (3) (Chicago)
Ref: The Four Gents (1)
Ref: The Desidero’s

Personnel :

Eddie Sullivan (Lead)

John Staples

Willie Crowley

Jerry Brown

Kenneth Brown

Discography :

1958 - Let's Get Married / Wow Wow Mary Mary (Trend 30 009)

Biography :

Around 1954, in grade school, Eddie Sullivan meet the futures members of the Four Gents, Sullivan was with these individuals through high school. After being together all those years and practicing for so long, they finally recorded a disc. "On Bended Knee," the ballad side, was weighed down by a rudimentary musical accompaniment and amateurish production. Sullivan, however, could write a solid melody even if the lyrics were simplistic , so the vocal arrangement and tune were carrying the record. "Linda," also written by Sullivan, sported a Latin tempo, as did so many droops of the era.

The Belvederes (3)
The Dedidero's

Around 1958, the Four Gents split in half. Louis Pritchett and Waymon Bryant joined Matthew Perkins and Calvin Baron to form the Twi-lites and Eddie Sullivan and John Staples joined with Willie Crowley, and brothers Jerry and Kenneth Brown to form the Belvederes. Eddie Sullivan on lead and the Belvederes recorded "Let's Get Married" b/w "Wow Wow Mary Mary" on Trend Records, a subsidiary of Kapp Records owned by Fred Kaplan. The latter group lasted one year before breaking up. A few years later, in 1963, Eddie Sullivan recorded another record as a member of the Desideros.

Songs :

Let's Get Married Wow Wow Mary Mary

....

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The Del-Rhythmetts

Posted on January 5 2017 by dion1

Gladys Horton

The Del-Rhythmetts (Detroit, MI)
ref : The Marvelettes

Personnel :

Gladys Catherine Horton

Jeanette McClaflin

Juanita McClaflin

Rosemary Wells

Discography :

1959 - Chic-A-Boomer / I Need Your Love (J-V-B 5000)

Biography :

Gladys Catherine Horton was born on 30 May 1945 in Gainesville Florida, to parents originally from the West Indies. Given up for adoption at the tender age of nine months old, she spent much of her formative years in foster homes before settling with the Jones family on Harriet Street, Inskter. Church played a large role in her early musical experience and she became a regular with the Millenarian Specials, her local church choir. At fourteen years old she and three school friends’ Jeanette and Juanita McClaflin and Rosemary Wells, formed a singing quartet named The Del-Rhythmetts and even managed to get Joe Van Batte, a local record store owner to record them. (1) The release, The De-Rhythmetts — “I Need Your Love b/w Chic A Boomer” — JVB 500 which was recorded in 1959 and is a real old school attempt at a doo wop ballad, slid into obscurity without causing so much as a ripple in the market but did receive some local airplay which must have thrilled the young ladies. The single sparse guitar accompaniment on the A side is augmented by a pretty mean tenor sax player and the flip has an equally adept flautist involved, so maybe some-one showed a little faith in the youngsters.

                                                                   Gladys Horton

In 1960 Horton formed a group with her former high school glee club members Georgeanna Tillman, Katherine Anderson and Juanita Cowart. She also invited Georgia Dobbins to join her new group. Formerly calling themselves The Casinyets (can't sing yet), the group eventually auditioned for Motown after a talent contest, and while the audition was successful, the group was requested to return to Hitsville with an original song. After member Georgia Dobbins co-created the song "Please Mr. Postman", Dobbins suddenly left the group after her father forbade her to be in nightclubs. Dobbins, who was also the group's original lead singer, gave Horton the spotlight to be the lead vocalist, a spot Horton was not comfortable with in the beginning. The group changed their name to the Marvelettes shortly after Motown signed the act and released "Please Mr. Postman" in the summer of 1960 when Horton was reportedly just fifteen years old.

Songs :


I Need Your Love                                   Chic-A-Boomer

...

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The Rhythm Stars

Posted on January 3 2017 by dion1

The Nicardi Brothers
The Rhythm Stars

The Rhythm Stars (Newark NJ)
Ref : The Nicardi Brothers / Bros.

Personnel:

Nick Puccio

Arthur Salicetti

Discography :

The Rhythm Stars
1958 - Lynn / Oh Moon (Clock 1007)
1959 - My Girl Babe / Bandstand March (Corsican 0057)

The Nicardi Brothers
1960 - That Pretty Girl / Lonely (ABC 10086)

The Nicardi Bros.
1960 - The Ring / How Come I'M Crying Now? (ABC 10144)

Biography :

Nick Puccio started singing at the very young age of 4 years old. He sang on stage with the great Louie Prima at the age of 6. During the Puccio family summers at the Jersey Shore in Long Branch, on any given night, you would find little Nick singing, dancing, and acting for crowds of people on the boardwalk.

The Nicardi Brothers

In his teens, Nick formed a singing group called "The Rhythm Stars" with Arthur Salicetti & some friends from Newark High School. Nick and Artie wrote and recorded some songs for the Group and the Rhythm Stars recorded two singles for Clock & Corsican Records and sang Rock and Pop at many of the local night spots and concert halls.

Nick Puccio

When the group broke up, Nick Puccio a Arthur Salicetti decided to form a team named the Nicardi Brothers. In 1960 they wrote and recorded "That Pretty Girl" b/w "Lonely" and "The Ring" b/w "How Come I'M Cry Now?" for ABC. As he grew older, with the help of his friends Joe Pesci and Frank Vincent (who is like a brother to Nick), he was given a chance to live a dream by playing a small role in the film "Casino". That was the start of his film career. He then went on to do the all time TV hit "NYPD Blue", and films like "The Shadow Conspiracy", "Witness To The Mob"..........

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Rhythm Stars

Lynn / Oh Moon My Girl Babe

Bandstand March

The Nicardi Bros.

The Ring How Come I'M Crying Now?

…

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Clydie King & The Sweet Things (1)

Posted on January 2 2017 by dion1

Clydie King & The Sweet Things (1) (Los Angeles)
Ref : Little Clydie & The Teens (1)

Personnel :

Clydie King

Sherlie Matthews

Discography :

Clydie King & The Sweet Things (1)
1962 - Boys In My Life / Promises (Philips 40001)
1962 - Turn Around / Don't Hang Up The Phone (Philips 40051)
1963 - Only The Guilty Cry / By Now (Philips 40107)

Little Clydie & The Teens (1)
1956 - A Casual Look / Oh Me (RPM 462)

Biography :

Clydie King, a singer who started recording at the age of 13, and progressed to become one of the most in demand singers of the LA music scene. Clydie Mae Crittendon was born in Dallas, Texas, on August 21, 1943. She is generally thought a backing singer, but in fact has made many records of her own, some of them a surprisingly long time ago. She made her first, ‘A Casual Look’ b/w ‘Oh Me’, in the mid-1950s in Memphis, for the Bihari Brothers’ label RPM, billed as by Little Clydie King & The Teens. Soon afterwards, credited as Clydie King, she made two singles on Speciality. She even did a stint with Don Julian's Meadowlarks.

In early 1962, with Sherlie Matthews, she made three further singles for Philips as Clydie King & the Sweet Things. Later, Clydie King & Sherlie Matthews was part of Bonnie & The Treasures, The Blackberries… Clydie was a member of Ray Charles' Raeletts for three years and contributed to early 1960s recordings by producer Phil Spector. But it was a number of mid 60's singles on Imperial that were to be the highmark of her solo career.

Clydie King & The Sweet Things (1)

The Raelettes (1965) with Clydie King, Clydie King

Done at Gold Star with most of the 'Wrecking Crew', 'Missin' My Baby' is one of the best records to come out of LA during this time....with No apology to Phil Spector.Clydie went on to sing with a who who's of music superstars....Dylan, Rolling Stones, Streisand, but Pookie will always Think of Clydie with the sound of this one.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Clydie King & The Sweet Things (1)


     Boys In My Life                          Only The Guilty Cry


By Now                                       Promises

Little Clydie & The Teens (1)

Oh Me A Casual Look

...

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The Four Chaps (1)

Posted on December 31 2016 by dion1

The Four Chaps (1) (Philadelphia, PA.)

Personnel :

Sam Ambrosino

Danny DeSapio

Jerry Ross

Frank Palerma

Discography :

1956 - Completely Yours / Foolish Little Butterfly (Rama 195)
1956 - Roll Over Beethoven / Wrong Number (Rama 199)

Biography :

James Edward Myers (26 October 1919 Philadelphia – 10 May 2001 Bonita Springs) was an American songwriter, actor, producer, and raconteur. Myers is best known as the credited co-writer of "Rock Around the Clock" for which he used the pseudonym "Jimmy DeKnight". Myers co-wrote the song with Max C. Freedman, though doubt has been cast as to whether Myers actually participated in the writing of the song.

In 1956, James E. Myers signed a vocal group, the Four Chaps, to a personal management contract. The Four Chaps are Sam Ambrosino, Danny DeSapio, Jerry Ross and Frank Palerma. Myers’s first move was to sign them to a term pact with Rama Records, and he supervised their first recording session in New York City .

James Edward Myers

Their first are “Completely Yours”, backed with “Foolish Little Butterfly”. On their second records they covered Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" contemporary with Berry's own Chess Records release. Needless to say, the songwriter won this match-up -- no surprise given the dorky "do-wop do-wop do-wop" backing chorus and the Four Neat Guys-type vocals. The 4 Chaps disappeared soon after their thrust at immortality.

Songs:
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Roll Over Beethoven Completely Yours / Foolish Little Butterfly

...

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The Heart Breakers

Posted on December 30 2016 by dion1

The Heart Breakers (Rocky River, OH)

Personnel :

?

Discography :

1959 - Hum-Be-Doo-Be / Boodely Bump (Cos-De 1001/1002)

Biography :

Vocal group from Rocky River, OH. The girls recorded "Hum-Be-Doo-Be" b/w "Boodely Bump" on the local label Cos-De

Frankie Avalon with deejay Jerry Healey and the Heart Breakers

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Boodely Bump Hum-Be-Doo-Be

...

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The De-Los aka The Sherrys

Posted on December 28 2016 by dion1

The Sherrys

The De-Los (Philadelphia)
aka The Sherrys

Personnel :

Delores "Honey" Wylie (Lead)

Delphine Cook

Dinelle Cook

Joyce ? (Soprano)

Clarence Smith (Bass)

Discography :

1958 - Lullabye Serenade / Pork And Gravy (Cedar 302)

Biography :

The Sherrys were a short-lived girl group with a rich, soulful sound, built around dance numbers that they performed with extraordinary exuberance, organized by Philadelphia singing star Little Joe Cook. A veteran of gospel and R&B, Cook had led a group called the Thrillers from the mid-'50s. In 1958, Little Joe began putting a group together around his two daughters, Delphine and Dinelle Cook, Delores "Honey" Wylie, Joyce ? and Clarence Smith, Bass of the Students.

The De-Los aka The Sherrys

Billed as the De-Los the group recorded "Lullabye Serenade" b/w "Pork And Gravy" both sides lead by Delores Wylie on the Cedar label. In 1961, they changed their name as the Sherrys and did some backup work for Maureen Gray, Billy & the Essentials and Bobby Rydell. At this time, the Sherrys consisted of Delphine 'Sugar' Cook, Dinelle Cook, Charlotte Walker and Delores 'Honey' Wylie.
Thanks to Mike Sweeney

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Lullabye Serenade Pork And Gravy

...

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Donna & The Dees

Posted on December 24 2016 by dion1

Donna & The Dees (Decatur, Illinois)

Personnel :

Donna Durbin (Vocals)

Bill Durbin (Guitar)

Kenny Durbin (Guitar)

Doris Durbin (Bass / Guitar)

Bob Durbin (Drums)

Discography :

Singles :
1962 - Happy Holiday / Hunkey Was Doing The Monkey (BCS 102)
1962 - I Know There's a Santa Claus / Jingle Bells (BCS 101)

Lp :
1962 - Happy Holiday with Donna & The Dees (BCS 300)
Happy Holiday / Hunkey Was Doing The Monkey / I Know There's a Santa Claus / Jingle Bells

Biography :

Donna and the Dees were a family musical group originally from Illinois but were popular during the early 1960s in the Miami area. The group consisted of brothers and sisters from the Durbin family - Donna on vocals, Bill guitar, Kenny guitar and other instruments, Doris bass and guitar, Bob on drums.

Songs :

I Know There's a Santa Claus Happy Holiday

...

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The Campanions

Posted on December 23 2016 by dion1

Joe Mendoni (left), Mike McLaughlin (center), Richie Green (right) and Gilbert Cruz (crouching down with the bongo)

The Campanions (New York) (New York)

Personnel :

Gilbert Cruz

Joe Mendoni

Mike McLaughlin

Richie Green

Discography :

1961 - I Want A Yul Brynner Haircut / Dorothy My Monster (Dee-Dee 1047)

Biography :

The Companions were Vocal group from New York composed by Joe Mendoni, Mike McLaughlin, Richie Green & Gilbert Cruz. In 1961 they may have enjoyed some modest airplay with their two novelty songs released on the Dee Dee Label, "Dorothy My Monster" and "I Want A Yul Brynner Haircut" both written by Gilbert Cruz.

Dee Dee released the singles as the Campanions, not The "Companions" with an "o".

Songs :


Dorothy My Monster                     I Want A Yul Brynner Haircut

...

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The Shallows

Posted on December 22 2016 by dion1

The Shallows on Rae Cox

The Shallows (New York)

Personnel :

Joseph Bailey

Lawrence Bailey

William Branch

Eddie Brooks

Discography :

Singles :
1961 - How Lucky I Am / Wrecking My Life (Rae Cox 108)
1962 - I Wonder / Do The Bug (Forlin 503)
Unreleased :
1961 - How Well I Remember (Rae Cox)
1961 - Wrecking My Life (Acappella) (Rae Cox)
1961 - How Lucky I Am (Acappella) (Rae Cox)

Biography :

In June of 1959 music veterans Eddie Wilcox and Teddy McRae form two record labels to be called Rae-Cox and Enrica. Some of the talent signed to the new labels were Edmund Hall, jazz clarinetist, pianist Linton Garner (brother of Errol), The Sunsets, Serenaders, Carnations, and Patti Russo.

The Shallows
Eddie Wilcox

In 1961, The Shallows, composed by Joseph Bailey, Lawrence Bailey, William Branch and Eddie Brooks cut "How Lucky I Am" b/w "Wrecking My Life" on Rae Cox (108) and have an unreleased side "How Well I Remember" . In 1962, Forlin Records from New Jersey released "I Wonder" b/w "Do The Bug" but I don’t know if it's the same group, but there is a high probability ...
Thanks to Mike Swenney

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)


How Lucky I Am                               Wrecking My Life


How Well I Remember (takes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)        Do The Bug / I Wonder

Wrecking My Life (acap.) How Lucky I Am (acap.)

…

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