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

The Laurels (2)

Posted on May 3 2016 by dion1

The Laurels (2)
Bobby Relf

The Laurels (2) (Los Angeles, CA)

Personnel :

Bobby Relf (Lead)

Ronald Brown

Ted Brown

Sam Jackson

Discography :

The Laurels (2)
1954 - Fine Fine Baby / T.J. (by Jake Porter) (Combo 66)
1955 - Tis The Night / Truly, Truly (X 0143)

Bobby Relf & The Laurels (2)
1955 - Farewell / Yours Alone (Flair 1063)

Bobby Relf (bb The Laurels uncredited)
1956 - Our Love / The Shuck (Ernie Freeman instrumental) (Cash 1019)
1956 - Little Fool / I’m Not Afraid (Dot 15510)

Jesse Belvin bb Bobby Relf & The Laurels (uncredited)
1955 - Gone / One Little Blessing (Speciality 550)
1955 - Where's My Girl / Love Love Of My Life (Speciality 559)
1956 - Betty My Darling / Dear Heart (Hollywood 1059)

Biography :

Born in Los Angeles in 1937, Robert Relf assembled a doo-wop group called the Laurels while attending Fremont High School. The Laurels Consisted of Ronald Brown, Ted Brown, Sam Jackson and Bobby Relf. They released three singles between 1954 - 1955. They had one release each on the Combo (1954), Flair (1955) and "X" (1955) labels. Bobby Relf & The Laurels, though uncredited, provided background vocals for Jesse Belvin on Speciality & Hollywood Records

The Laurels (2)
Jesse Belvin

The following year Relf released two 45s probably accompanied by the uncredited Laurels, "Our Love" and "Little Fool", before spent short stints with the Crescendoes, the Upfronts featuring Barry White on baritone vocals, Valentino and the Lovers (Donna Records) The Hollywood Flames and Bobby Day and the Satellites. With the Crescendos, he recorded "Finders Keepers", "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Sweet Dreams" for Atlantic Records in 1956, alongside Prentice Moreland, Young Jessie of The Flairs, and Bobby Byrd of The Hollywood Flames.

The Laurels (2)
Bob & Earl : Bobby Relf & Earl Nelson

The Hollywood Flames, a group that had previously featured Bobby Byrd, as well as Earl Nelson. Byrd had formed the original Bob & Earl with Nelson in 1957, and when he went solo in 1962, Bobby Relf proved the natural replacement. They recorded Harlem Shuffle in 1963 a song part-arranged by the keyboards player, Barry White.
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/3ROWNEW/YoursAlone.htm

Songs :

The Laurels (2)


         Fine Fine Baby                       Truly, Truly / Tis The Night

Bobby Relf & The Laurels (2)

Yours Alone / Farewell

Bobby Relf (bb The Laurels (2) (uncredited)


            Our Love                         I’m Not Afraid / Little Fool

Jesse Belvin bb Bobby Relf & The Laurels (2) (uncredited)


Gone / One Little Blessing            Where's My Girl / Love Love Of My Life


Betty My Darling Dear Heart

…

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The Charters (1)

Posted on May 1 2016 by dion1

The Charters (1)

The Charters (1) (Manhattan, New York)

Personnel :

Richie Rios (Lead)

Eddie Lebron

Bobby Dominick

Richie Molina

David Rosenberg

Discography :

1963 - My Rose / El Merengue (Tarx 1003)
1963 - I Lost You / My Little Girl (Alva 1001)
1963 - Lost In A Dream / This Makes Me Mad (Merry-Go-Round 103)

Biography :

"The Charters" were from NY's Lower East Side (Lillian Wald and Riis Projects in Manhattan). The members were Eddie Lebron & Bobby Dominick from Jacob Riis and David Rosenberg, Richie Molina and Richie Rios from Lillian Wald.

The Charters (1)

The Charters (1961)

From 1959-1963 The Charters would practice on 6th St nearly every night. In 1962, The group cut their first single : " My Rose" b/w "El Merengue" released on the Tarx Labelin early 1963. Tarx Records was part of Ben Smith's stable of New York labels, including : Tra X, TraX, TriX & X-tra. Joe Webb, their manager, wrote "El Merengue"k and have idea to combine Doo Wop with latin

The Charters (1)

Richie Rios The Charters (1963)

Their second single " I Lost You" b/w "My Little Girl" was produced in New York, and written by New Yorker, Jimmy Bailey. The single was released on Alva. A third single was released by the Charters on the Merry-Go-Round Label in December 1963, "Lost In A Dream" b/b "This Makes Me Mad".

The Charters (1)

The Charters (1961)

According to Richie Rios, the charters recorded a fourth single, but which one ?. It would seem, The Charters on The Mel-o-dy label (Motown) was from Toledo, Ohio. Their Mel-o-dy cuts were produced and recorded in Toledo.

Songs :


El Merengue                                     My Rose


My Little Girl                             I Lost You


Lost In A Dream                       This Makes Me Mad

...

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The Fabulous Fremonts

Posted on May 1 2016 by dion1

The Fabulous Fremonts (Pueblo, Colorado)

Personnel :

Irene Chavez (Guitar / Vocal)

Henry Garcia (Guitar / Vocal)

Vic Macheto (Saxophone / Vocal)

John Rivera (Drums / Vocal)

Discography :

1964 – Gee Whiz / Watermelon Man (Valerie 2003)

Biography :

The Fabulous Fremonts formed in the early 1960’s and were headed up lead singer and bass guitar player (and table steel guitar player) Irene Chavez. Irene started playing guitar at the age of 7 and would occasionally join her mother as a duet performing on local radio in Pueblo. Irene – with help from her mother – assembled the Fremonts which included Henry Garcia on lead guitar, Vic Macheto on saxophone and John Rivera on drums. They took their name from a Las Vegas night club ash tray “The Fremont”. They usually performed as “The Fabulous Fremonts” but would also go by “The Fremonts”. In 1961, while attending Central High, Irene entered the GI Forum competition which was a talent and beauty contest. She won the Pueblo competition, the state of Colorado competition and placed third in the national competition in Las Vegas. Vic Macheto and John Rivera both departed the band with Rivera being replaced by drummer John Trujillo.

The Fabulous Fremonts

The Fremonts continued as a trio performing at Pueblo’s Honey Bucket and Tony’s Danceland. Next came the opportunity to cut a record, the Fremonts asked their manager (Irene’s mother) if they could cut a record. A session was scheduled with Valerie Records (the Band Box subsidiary) and the band made the long drive north to Denver accompanied by Irene’s soon-to-be-husband, Tano Roybal. After recording several songs on tape, “Gee Whiz” and “Watermelon Man” were deemed the best and pressed as a record. For around $500 the band received the master tape and 300 records. “Gee Whiz” received local airplay and did chart #38 on the local charts.
https://kimsloans.wordpress.com/tag/irene-chavez-roybal-fabulous-fremonts/

Songs :

Gee Whiz

….

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Julito & The Latin Lads (1)

Posted on April 26 2016 by dion1

Julito & The Latin Lads (1) Julio Manuel Acevedo Lanuza

Julito & The Latin Lads (1) (Puerto Rico)

Personnel :

Julio Manuel Acevedo Lanuza "Julio Angel" (Lead)

Julio Castro

Cesar Nieves

Paco Lara

Pepe Miranda

Gigi Nieves

Discography :

1963 - Nunca / Poesia En Movimento (by Pepe Luis) (Rico-Vox 27)

Biography :

Julio Manuel Acevedo Lanuza, (December 23, 1945 – July 6, 2015) better known as Julio Angel, was a Puerto Rican trio, bolero, rock and pop singer. During the early 1960s, Julio Angel made his television debut at Puerto Rico's WAPA-TV canal 4 television channel, singing with The Tropicals, participating in Myrta Silva's show, "Una Hora Contigo" ("One Hour With You"), which lead him to become one of the nueva olas teen idols in Puerto Rico.

Julito & The Latin Lads (1)
The Tropicals (L to R) Frank (Paco), Eddie Cal, Joe (Pepe),Julio Angel, Eddie Almo & Frankie Cal.

Around this time, Julio Angel started singing along rock stars like Neil Sedaka, Frankie Avalon and others during their concerts in Puerto Rico. In 1963, Julio Angel formed the group The Latin Lads with Julio Castro, Cesar Nieves, Paco Lara, Pepe Miranda and Gigi Nieves.

Julito & The Latin Lads (1)
Julio Manuel Acevedo Lanuza

The group recorded "Nunca" on Rico-Vox as Julito & The Latin Lads produced by Alfred D. Herger. Julio Angel scored a radio hit with "Nunca" ("Never" the Earls song). In 1965, he joined Alfred D. Herger in a show named "Canta la Juventud". In 1966, Acevedo and Herger would collaborate on another show, named "2 a Go-go".

Songs :

Nunca (Never)

…

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Nate & The Royaltees

Posted on April 25 2016 by dion1

Nate & The Royaltees

Nate & The Royaltees (Indianapolis, In.)

Personnel :

?

Biography :

This vocal group from indianapolis perform in the city and its surroundings in 1963 ... Have they recorded ???

...

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The Quotations (1)

Posted on April 23 2016 by dion1

The Quotations (1)

The Quotations (1) (Brooklyn, New York)
(The Early Years)

Personnel :

Larry Kassman (Lead)

Richie Schwartz (First tenor)

Lew Arno (Second Tenor)

Harvey Hershkowitz (Baritone)

Discography :

The Quotations (1)

Singles :
1961 - Imagination / Ala Men Sy (Verve 10245)
1962 - This Love of Mine / We'll Reach Heaven Together (Verve 10252)
1962 - See You in September / Summertime Goodbyes (Verve 10261)
1964 - In The Night / Oh No I Still Love Her (Admiral 753)

Demos :
1959 - Time Was
1959 - Sunday Kind Of Love
1959 - September In The Rain
1960 - Imagination
1960 - We'll Reach Heaven Together
1962 - Why Not, Why Not You

Mike Regal bb The Quotations (1)

1963 - Too Young / Is It True What They Say About Barbara? (Kapp 506)

Biography :

The Quotations, best known for their 1961 smash hit "Imagination", were first formed in late 1958 in Barney's pool room on Kings Highway and East 14th street in Brooklyn, N.Y. Richie Schwartz (First tenor), Lew Arno (Second Tenor) and Harvey Hershkowitz (Baritone) were harmonizing when Larry Kassman asked if he could sing with them. Larry instantly was asked to join the group as lead singer. The group took their name from a song "Quotations Of Love" that a friend Mike Rose had written and the group often sang.

The Quotations (1)

The Quotations could often be found singing under the Rainbow Store by the Kings Highway train station, Manhattan Beach, The Brighton Beach boardwalk and at Sid Gordon's Bowling Alley. Most Members attenuated James Madison High School. In 1959 they recorded their first demos "Time Was", "Sunday Kind Of Love" and "September In The Rain". Lew Arno sings lead on "September In The Rain". A songwriter who worked for Don Kirshner and whose brother was a friend of the Quotations heard the group and decided to become their manager. The songwriter, Helen Miller took the group on various auditions but the group was always told o come back with original Material.

The Quotations (1)

In 1961, the Marcels had a number one hit with "Blue Moon" and this gave the idea to take another old standard and give it some outrageous treatment. In 1961, the Quotations first release "Imagination" on Verve Records a division of MGM brought the group Success. Concert appearances followed as far away as Detroit and in the southern states. The flip side "Ala Men Sy" caused problems because many disc jockeys decided to play this side rather than "Imagination". In 1962 the Quotations follow-up release "This Love of Mine" b/w "We'll Reach Heaven Together" received some airily. In April 1962 the group recorded "See You in September" and "Summertime Goodbyes". The Quotations felt that "See You in September" was going to be a big hit for them. Verve Records planned a late spring release for this record but somehow the record didn't get released until the last week in August. Disc Jockeys decided to not play this summer song because the summer was all but over.

The Quotations (1)
1964 - (L to R) Larry Kassman, Sandy Sonner, Richie Schwartz and Harvey Hershkowitz.

The Quotations rarest record was released on Admiral Records in early 1964. These two sides "In The Night" and "Oh No I Still Love Her" were recorded in 1962 and the group themselves were never aware that this record was released. Admiral records was owned by Richard Wolfe who was also the producer and arranger for the Quotations Verve Releases. "Why Not, Why Not You" is a demo recorded by the Quotations in 1962. Hellen Miller brought this tune and the Quotations arrangement of it to the attention of the Dovells and they released their own version of it one of their albums.

The Quotations (1)

"Too Young" and "Is It True What They Say About Barbara?" were recorded on Kapp Records in 1963 under the artist name Mike regal. Mike Previously was the lead singer for Bobby Roy and The Chord-A-Roys who came from the Brighton Beach and the Sheepshead Bay Sections of Brooklyn and recorded for JDS Records. Mike also was the lead of the Romeos who recorded the answer to the Token's "Lion Sleeps Tonight" on Amy Records, "The Tigers Wide Awake". In 1964, Sandy Sonner replaced Lew Arno and the group recorded some acappella sides for Relic Records and finally the group broke up.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Quotations (1)


Imagination                     Ala Men Sy                    This Love of Mine


We'll Reach Heaven Together       See You in September        Summertime Goodbyes


In The Night               Oh No I Still Love Her             Time Was (demo)


Sunday Kind Of Love   (demo)        September In The Rain (demo)       Imagination (demo)


We'll Reach Heaven Together (demo)          Why Not, Why Not You (demo)

Mike Regal bb The Quotations (1)


           Too Young         Is It True What They Say About Barbara?

...

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The Teasers (1)

Posted on April 22 2016 by dion1

The Teasers (1)

The Teasers (1) (Indianapolis, In.)

Personnel :

Bill Cox (Lead / Baritone)

Al (Eggie) Parran (First Tenor)

Bob Hyde (Second Tenor)

Pete Merril (Bass)

Henry Gooch (Guitar)

Discography :

1954 - How Could You Hurt Me So / I Was A Fool To Let You Go (Checker 800)

Biography :

Singer Bill Cox was an original members of the “Four Kings and A Jack,“ a singing quintet that “wowed” patrons at New York’s La Ruben Blue a few year ago. Bill organized The "Five Teasers" in 1953 with Al "Eggie" Parran, Bob Hyde, Pete Merril and Henry Gooch. The band performed in the area and its surroundings and quickly became popular in Indianapolis clubs they occur throughout the years 1953/56. During these four years, some other members were part of the group, Eddie Green, Turner Robinson and Eddie Williams.

The Teasers (1)
In 1956, The Teasers Dot Record Artists????

The Teasers make appearance on TV programs in East Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee. The Teasers appeared at Tony’s Supper Club on North Meridian in 1954 and signed a recording contract with Checker Records. Checker Records is a record label that was started in 1952 as a subsidiary to Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois. The label was founded by the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil. The group will record one single in 1954 "How Could You Hurt Me So" b/w "I Was A Fool To Let You Go ."

Songs :

Was A Fool To Let You Go / How Could You Hurt Me So

…

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The Titantics

Posted on April 13 2016 by dion1

The Titantics

(1961) The Titantics (L to R ) Roy Smith, LeRoy Harper, Tommie Shannon & Paul Weeden Jr.

The Titantics (Indianapolis, In.)

Personnel :

Roy Smith (Lead)

LeRoy Harper

Tommy Shannon

Paul Weeden Jr.

Discography :

The Cassidy Sisters & The Titantics
1958 - Rockin' At The Hop / Stardust Waltz (Hop 505)

Biography :

The Titanics were one of the many groups that were part of the R&B scene in Indianapolis in the 1950s. Members of the group are: Raymond Smith, LeRoy Harper, Tommy Shannon and Paul Weeden. Formed in 1956, they received their big chance while appearing on the Matt Dickerson Teenage Talent Shows back in the early 50s on stage at the Walker Ballroom.

(1957) The Titantics

They have performed for Milt Nixon, Ted Mack, Terminal Bar of Music, Indiana Fairgrounds, Flamingo Supper club, Carver Center, Kokomo, and have wailed with Sam Cook, vocalist; the combos of Cy "Floor Show" Jones, Willis "Mr. Hammond" Dyer, Harry Farlen, Count Fisher, Jimmie Coe, Cantrell Mitzs and Duke Hampton, and have done background singing for the Cassidy Sisters on the Hop label in Cincy in January, 1958.

The Titantics
The Cassidy Sisters

The Cassidy Sisters including Shari, Patsy, and Anita Cassidy. The Cassidy Sisters recorded two singles at Solid Gold and Hop Records, two labels of Indiana.

Songs :

Rockin' At The Hop

…

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Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers aka The Sweethearts (3) aka The Lovables

Posted on April 10 2016 by dion1

The Sweethearts (3) aka Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers

(L to R) Kim Lewis, Barbara Sullivan and Shirley Sullivan

The Sweethearts (3) (New York)
aka Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers aka The Lovables

Personnel :

Barbara Sullivan

Shirley Sullivan

Kim Lewis

Discography :

Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers
1961 - Laughing At Me / Love Is The Thing (Lescay 3001)

The Sweethearts (3)
1962 - In Between Kisses / (He's My) Superman (Brunswick 55237)
1963 - What Did I Do? (What Did I Say?) / He's A Yankee (Brunswick 55240)
1963 - What Will Mother Say / Everybody I Know (Brunswick 55255)
1964 - Have You Ever Fell In Love / No No (I Won't Break My Lover's Heart) (Brunswick 55265)

The Lovables
1967 - We Got A Need For Each Other / You Can’t Dress Up A Broken Heart (Toot 600)
1967 - Just Beyond My Fingertips / Anyman (Toot 604)
1967 - You’re The Cause Of It / Beautiful Idea (Toot 605)
1968 - Take Me For A Little While / You Know That I Love You (Toot 608)

Biography :

Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers were Barbara Sullivan, her younger sister Shirley and Kim Lewis. Barbara were originally from Augusta, GA, but moved to New York when she was two. As the Sullivans they sang in church, including Shirley Sullivan and four brothers. Kim Lewis, a close friend of the Sullivan sisters sang in her church's choir, and spent a year singing with the The Gospel Twilights, who included her sister and cousin. In junior high school she sang with The Ronettes for two years before the group became famous. In 1961 Barbera, Shirley and Kim cut 'Laughing At Me' / 'Love Is The Thing' on Lescay 3001 as Barbara J & The Silver Slippers.

The Sweethearts (3) aka Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers

The Lovables (1967)

Now renamed The Sweethearts in 1963 they turned up on Brunswick 55237 for 'In Between Kisses' b/w 'Superman' and followed up with the Barbara Sullivan /William Leo McCorkle penned song 'What Did I Do (What Did I Say) ' b /w ' He's a Yankee' on Brunswick 55240. The follow up released in December 1963 on Brunswick 55255 is 'Everybody I Know' b/w 'What Will Mother Say' and their fourth and final Brunswick release from 1964 is 'Have You Ever Fell In Love' b/w 'No, No, I Won't Break Your Heart'. In 1967, as the Loveables, the girls cut four singles on Toot Records. Shirley went on to marry Cuba Gooding Sr (singer from The Main Ingredient) and their son is Cuba Gooding Jr (The actor).
http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/L/lovables/index.php

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Barbara J. & The Silver Slippers


Love Is The Thing / Laughing At Me

The Sweethearts (3)


In Between Kisses                (He's My) Superman                 He's A Yankee


What Did I Do? (What Did I Say?) Everybody I Know Have You Ever Fell In Love


No No (I Won't Break My Lover's Heart) What Will Mother Say

...

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The Moonbeems

Posted on April 9 2016 by dion1

The Moonbeems
Billy Tircuit

The Moonbeems (New Orleans, LA)

Personnel :

Simon Washington (Lead Tenor)

Vontell Lane (Tenor)

Johnny Meyers (Tenor)

Elaine Edwards (Contralto)

Billy Tircuit (Bass / Baritone)

 Discography :

The Moonbeems
Singles :
1958 - Cryin' The Blues / Teen Age Baby (Sapphire 1003 / Checker 912)
1959 - Cryin’ The Blues / Mardi Gras Mambo (The Hawketts) (Sapphire 2250) 
Unreleased :
1959 - The Way You'll Always Be (Sapphire)
1959 - Maria (Sapphire)

Billy Tircuit
1958 - Face The Facts / Crazy Green Lizard (Pontchartrain 400)

Biography :

In 1958, a local New Orleans group was to have a release on Sapphire, it was to be their only release. They were working with Johnny Russell and a Disc Jockey on WJBW known as the "Hound Dog". The Moonbeems were a versatile group and could switch parts. the group consisted of Simon Washington (Lead Tenor), Vontell Lane (Tenor), Johnny Meyers (Tenor), Elaine Edwards (Contralto) and Billy Tircuit (Bass / Baritone). Billy Tircuit and Vontell Lane have been part of the recording Monitors (Aladdin & Speciality Records). The group had some songs including "Cryin' The Blues", and would rehearse usually about three times a week. It took eight months of rehearsals before everyone was satisfied with the song.

The Moonbeems
Snookum Russell

The group finally have a recording session at Cosmos studios with Snookum Russell, pianist and arranger for Sapphire records. At this session the group recorded four sides. "Cryin' The Blues", "Teen Age Baby", "The Way You'll Always Be" and "Maria". "Cryin' The Blues" was then released first on Sapphire and it broke in the New Orleans area. Paul Gaytin of Chess records liked it and it was sent to Leonard Chess. The record was then released on the Checker Label. The Moonbeems did a lot of entertaining around New Orleans, including a 2-week stint at the big Natal's nite club. Once again, however, there were disagreements in the group, and they broke up in 1959. In 1961, many of the Monitors original members got together and renamed themselves again to the Senors. The group members were Billy Tircuit, Adolph Smith, Vontell Lane, and Clarence Phoenix. Their new lead singer was Adolph's brother, Milton Smith.

Songs :

The Moonbeems

Teen Age Baby / Cryin’ The Blues

Billy Tircuit

Face The Facts / Crazy Green Lizard

…

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