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

The Diplomats

Posted on April 9 2016 by dion1

(L to R) Bobby Pizullo, Bobby Tribuzio, Joe Rella, Bobby Bruce and Vinnie Agustinelli

The Diplomats (Bronx, New York)

Personnel :

Bobby Pizullo

Bobby Tribuzio

Joe Rella

Bobby Bruce

Vinnie Agustinelli

Biography :

Before singing with the Earls in the 70's, Bobby Tribuzio was in a singing group called "The Diplomats"in 1961. They sang at all the church dances they could find. Once in a while, they had a trio with them, which consisted of guitar, bass, and drums . The Diplomats never made a record, only played at local dances, etc...

...

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Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls

Posted on April 8 2016 by dion1

Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls (Detroit, Michigan)

Personnel :

Bobbie Smith (Elma Holman) (Lead)

Sheena Carson (Genever Holman)

Kay Green (Kay Hemphill)

Tina LaGora (Tina Green)

Louvain Demps (temporarily)

Discography :

The Dream Girls
1959 - Oh This Is Why / Don't Break My Heart (first version) (Twirl 1002)
1959 - Don't Break My Heart / Oh, This Is Why (Cameo 165)
1960 - Don't Break My Heart (second version) / I Could Write A Book (Big Top 3059)

Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls
1959 - Crying In The Night / I'm In Love With You (Metro 20029)
1960 - Love Him / Heartaches (Metro 20034)
1961 - Wanted / Mr. Fine (Big Top 3085)
1962 - The Duchess of Earl / Mine All Mine (Big Top 3100)
1962 - Here Comes Baby / I Get A Feeling My Love (Big Top 3111)
1962 - Now He's Gone / Your Lovey Dovey Ways (Big Top 3129)

Bobbie Smith
Singles:
1964 - Walk On Into My Heart / Miss Stronghearted (American Arts 2)
1965 - (You Know) I'll Be Around / Wait (Bell 628)
Unreleased:
1966 - I Can't Say No To You

Biography:

The Dream Girls are probably one of Detroit’s best kept secrets when it comes to girl groups of the 50’s and 60’s. While they cranked out 10 singles between 1959 and 1965, they stood in the shadows of hit-makers like the Supremes, the Shirelles, the Marvelettes, and the plethora of girl groups that hit the scene during this early era of Doo Wop, R&B, and Soul. Discovered by Irving Micahnik and Harry Balk of Artists, Inc. based in Detroit, the group was made up of four young girls that included Bobbie Smith (Elma Holman), her sister Sheena Carson (Genever Holman), Kay Green (Kay Hemphill), and Tina LaGora (Tina Green). Bobbie and Kay were 18 years old when the group started, and Sheena and Tina were 21. Bobbie sang lead as she had the best voice and the most versatility in the group. Balk and Micahnik wasted no time recording the girls. At the time, Balk managed Little Willie John and Kenny Martin, and created the Twirl Records label in order to get 1000 singles pressed and distributed locally in a hurry.

Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls

Bobbie Smith at the Apollo (1960)

The session yielded: The Dream Girls’ songs “Don’t Break My Heart” / “Oh This Is Why.” Micahnik and Balk released “Don’t Break My Heart” on Twirl #1002. The single got almost immediate airplay in Detroit and surrounding areas. Harry and Irving initially pressed 1,000 copies, and found themselves reordering another 1,000 singles of the Dream Girls.“Don’t Break My Heart” did pretty well, and Balk and Micahnik managed to lease that single out to Cameo Records. Artists, Inc. and the newly formed Twirl label were off to a good start with the single climbing the charts. At the next session The Dream Girls recorded “I’m In Love With You” and “Crying In The Night. The recordings were released on MGM Records’ Metro label, which helped twofold in that these records were manufactured “in house” by MGM and distributed nationally through MGM’s distribution network, allowing for better exposure than the Twirl label could ever hope for.

Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls

In early 1960, Harry Balk brought the Dream Girls over to Berry Gordy’s Motown Studio on Grand Boulevard in Detroit, where the group recorded “Love Him” (written by stable artist Shirley Jackson) and “Heartaches” (written by Royal Jokers’ Ted Green). While “Love Him” was a good effort, it proved unsuccessful as a single, but did make a little noise in the Midwest. Then the girls recorded “I Could Write A Book,” There wasn’t a B-side, so Balk had the girls re-record “Don’t Break My Heart” for the bottom side and they released it on New York’s Bigtop Records. It was at this time that Tina from the group got pregnant, and temporarily had to leave the group to give birth, and so an ad was placed in the Detroit newspapers to fill her spot in the Dream Girls. Louvain Demps auditioned and filled that spot in the group. With “Wanted” and “Mr. Fine” as a double-sided hit single in the Midwest, the Dream Girls started getting some good gigs booked with Motown artists like Smokey Robinson, Martha & the Vandellas, the Temptations, and the Four Tops.

Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls

When Gene Chandler had a hit with “Duke of Earl,” Maron McKenzie wrote an answer to the Duke, with “The Duchess of Earl.” “The Duchess of Earl” was soulful with R & B flavor and the flipside “Mine All Mine” was more in the Doo Wop vein. After the “Duchess,” Tina rejoined the group and Louvain left to find work as a background singer at Motown. In the summer of ’62, Bobbie Smith & the Dream Girls recorded “Here Comes Baby” and “I Get A Feeling My Love.” As with their previous three singles, this Dream Girls’ 45rpm was released on Bigtop. Jones’s, however, was issued on Mr. Peacock Records, a somewhat obscure label that included acts like Nino & the Ebb Tides and the Viscounts. “Now He’s Gone” b/w “Your Lovey Dovey Ways” was another promising single for the Dream Girls. Years later, the Detroit Cobras would go on to cover “Now He’s Gone.” In 1963 the girls were in their 20’s, some of the girls had a baby or were getting pregnant, or they didn’t want to sing anymore, and the group broke up.

Brian C. Young

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Dream Girls

Oh This Is Why / Don’t Break My Heart (first version) Don't Break My Heart (second version) / I Could Write A Book

Bobbie Smith & The Dream Girls


Crying In The Night                    Wanted                                    Mr. Fine


The Duchess of Earl             Mine All Mine                  Here Comes Baby


Now He's Gone            Your Lovey Dovey Ways

Bobbie Smith

Walk On Into My Heart Miss Stronghearted (You Know) I'll Be Around

Wait

...

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Kenny Loran & The Laurels (4)

Posted on April 6 2016 by dion1

Kenny Loran & The Laurels (4)

Kenny Loran

Kenny Loran & The Laurels (4) (Lawndale, CA)

Personnel :

Kenneth Albert Loranger "Kenny Loran" (Lead)

LaVerne Loranger

Jim Logue

Danny Hinzo

John Wells (Bass)

Discography :

1958 - Lonely Boy / Change Of Love (Challenge 59010)

Biography :

Kenny Loranger "Kenny Loran" started out singing with friend Danny Hinzo in 1957. They called themselves "The Jamaica Jerks". They eventually became a five man group with the addition of John Wells, LaVerne Loranger (Kenny’s Brother) and Jim Logue, all from Leuzinger High School, in Lawndale, CA.

Kenny Loran & The Laurels (4)
Jim Logue Danny Hinzo John Wells LaVerne Loranger

A neighbor by the name of Bill Peppers heard them sing, and approached them to do a record. Bill changed the group's name to 'Kenny Loran & The Laurels'. Challenge Records cut their recording. "Lonely Boy" and a B-side titled "Change of Love". Both were written by Kenny.

Kenny Loran & The Laurels (4)

The group was hired as back up singers for Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps. The manager for Kenny Loran & The Laurels died of a heart attack. The group disbanded in 1959. Mr Peppers rented the Red Wagon , and started a program on KFWB called 'Hawthorne Night of Stars' with headliners Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, and The Crickets.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Change Of Love Lonely Boy

...

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The Equadors aka The Cardinals (4) aka The Modern Ink Spots

Posted on April 5 2016 by dion1

The Cardinals (4) aka The Equadors aka aka The Modern Ink Spots

Top : O.Drummond, B.Davis, M.Robinson & R. Grant -   Bottom : R.Foreman, A.Turner & L. Thomas

The Equadors (Philadelphia, PA)
aka The Cardinals (4) aka The Modern Ink Spots

Personnel :

Al Turner (Lead)

Oscar Drummond (First Tenor)

Rilly Foreman (Second Tenor)

Lynn Thomas (Baritone)

Reginald Grant (Bass)

Mitchell Robinson (Guitar)

Billy Davis (Drums)

Discography :

The Equadors

Single:
1958 - Sputnik Dance / A Vision (RCA EPA 4286)
Ep :
1958 - Sputnik Dance / I'll Be The One / A Vision / Stay A Little Longer (RCA EPA 4286)

The Modern Ink Spots
1962 - Spotlight Dance / Together (In Your Arms) (Rust 5052)

The Cardinals (4)
1963 - Why Don't You Write Me / Sh-Boom (Rose 835)

Biography :

Philadelphia R&B group the Equadors formed in 1955. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the February 1999 issue of Discoveries, lead Al Turner, first tenor Oscar Drummond, second tenor Rilly Foreman, baritone Lynn Thomas, and bass Reginald Grant were all high-school friends born and raised in the same North Philly neighborhood. Originally dubbed the Chants, the quartet typically performed alongside accompanists Mitchell Robinson on guitar and Billy Davis on drums, eventually making them full-time members of the roster. Local real estate salesman Larry Kerrin soon agreed to manage the Chants, landing them a plum gig in New Jersey opening for Ray Charles and Pigmeat Markham. The exposure nevertheless failed to launch the group to the next level, and in mid-1956 they began appearing as the Equadors, replacing Kerrin with WHAT DJ Lloyd "Fatman" Smith. Upon signing with the Jolly Joyce Booking Agency, the group landed a record deal with RCA Victor, and in early 1958 traveled to New York City to record a four-song session issued in full a month later.

The Cardinals (4) aka The Equadors aka aka The Modern Ink Spots
King Curtis

The EP format actually hampered the Equadors' chances at radio, where the conventional single reigned supreme, and although the lead track, "Sputnik Dance" (featuring the great King Curtis on saxophone), was subsequently reissued with flip side "A Vision," the damage was done. The Equadors nevertheless performed the single on American Bandstand, and toured the East Coast on a bill with Frankie Lymon and Paul Anka. In early 1960 Jolly Joyce execs rechristened the Equadors the Modern Ink Spots in a scheme to position the group for the supper-club circuit. The ploy was a success, with gigs at upper-crust nightspots like the famed Peppermint Lounge soon to follow. Although their repertoire now consisted of the usual ballads and standards, the Modern Ink Spots gradually worked some of their old R&B material back into their sets.

The Cardinals (4) aka The Equadors aka aka The Modern Ink Spots

Baritone/tenor Gary Evans joined the lineup in 1962, around the same time drummer Davis left the group. His replacement, Claude Higgs, signed on in time to cut the lone Modern Ink Spots single, the Rust release "Spotlight Dance." Prior to a 1963 booking in Quebec, the Modern Ink Spots learned of a rival group with the same name already touring Canada -- after another quick change, they traveled north as the Cardinals, and under that moniker recorded "Why Don't You Write Me" for the Rose imprint. In the final months of their career they again performed as the Modern Ink Spots, but split in 1965 when Turner signed on with the Philadelphia Police Department.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Equadors/equadors.html

Songs :

The Equadors


Sputnik Dance                           I'll Be The One


        A Vision                       Stay A Little Longer

 The Modern Ink Spots 

Spotlight Dance Together (In Your Arms) 

 The Cardinals (4) 

Why Don't You Write Me Sh-Boom 

….

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The Three Vales

Posted on April 3 2016 by dion1

The Three Vales
(L to R) Richard Blair, Ronnie Blair & Dick Sedlock

The Three Vales (McKeesport, Pa)

Personnel :

Richard Blair

Ronnie Blair

Dick Sedlock

Discography :

Dick Vale The Three Vales
1957 - Sure Nuff / Rock A Billy Blues (Coral 61844)

The Three Vales
1957 - Blue Lights Down Low / Aye Aye Aye (Cindy 3007)

Unreleased :
1958 - Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered / Aye Aye Aye

Biography :

This group formed in 1956. After many hours of daily practice, they obtained their first job performing at local club. They led to many other local appearances. Pittsburgh Deejay Jay Michael helped them get an audition with Gale records. They recorded masters for gale, but nothing was ever released on that label. Moe Gale had sold their masters to Coral Records, which eventually released a three Vales disc with "Sure Nuff" b/w "Rock A Billy Blues".

The Three Vales
(L to R) Dick Sedlock, Ronnie Blair & Richard Blair

The artist designation of their coral release was either an error or promotional "gimmick", they were identified as Dick Vale & The Three Vales instead of Three Vales.The Coral recording did quite well and they appeared with many of the names Rhythm and Blues and Rock'n'Roll stars at the dance hall. The success of "Sure Nuff" earned them a spot on Jay Michael's August 23, 1957 Top Ten Revue at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh. The program was billed as "A Shower Of Stars"and included Sal Mineo, Jill Corey, the Four Coins, the clovers, the Bobbettes, Huey Smith, the Velours and others.

The Three Vales
(L to R) Richard Blair, Ronnie Blair & Dick Sedlock

The fall of 1957, Richard Blair collaborated with Sonny Gilmer of the Premiers in penning a ditty called "Blue Lights Down Low". Jay Michael heard the three Vales do it at one of his hop. He was so impressed, Michael contacted his friend, George Goldner, who owned Roulette Records. Without delay, a recording session was shelled for the group. Sonny & the Premiers accompanied the Three Vales to New York and provided instrumentation for "Blue Lights Down Low" and "Aye Aye Aye". Following the release of "Blue Lights Down Low" on Roulette's subsidiary Cindy label, the Three Vales continued performing throughout the Pittsburgh vicinity. Ron Blair was drafted in June 1958 and the Three Vales parted. At this time brother Richard Blair moved on to California.

The Three Vales

After his service obligation ended, Ron returned to Pittsburgh in 1960. He and Sedlock re-formed the Three Vales, getting Mike Salvi to replace Richard Blair. Additionally, the group included Rudy Salvi on guitar and Mike Cinna on drums. The Three Vales were once again on the scene. On June 21, 1961, the Three Vales went into the recording studios at united recording service in Pittsburgh. With Sonny & the Premiers backing, the group recorded "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" b/w an updated " Aye Aye Aye". Their effort was splendid but no attempt to find a label ensued. Although there was no recording, they toured and entertained at clubs. They remained together for more than a year and finally broke up for good.

Songs :

Dick Vale & The Three Vales

Sure Nuff Rock A Billy Blues

The Three Vales

Aye Aye Aye Blue Lights Down Low

...

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The Paramounts (1)

Posted on April 2 2016 by dion1

The Paramounts (1)
Robert Peebles (Robert Knight)

The Paramounts (1) (Franklin, Tennessee)

Personnel :

Robert Peebles (Robert Knight) (Lead)

Clarence Holland

Richard Simmons

Neil Hooper

Kenneth Buttrey

Discography :

The Paramounts (1)
1960 - Congratulations / Why Do You Have To Go (Dot 16175)
1961 - When You Dance / You're Seventeen (Dot 16201)

Robert Knight
1961 - Because / Dance Only With Me (Dot 16256)
1962 - Free Me / The Other Half Of Man (Dot 16303)

Biography :

Born in Franklin, Tennessee, Knight made his professional vocal debut with the Paramounts. In 1961, Richard Simmons formed the group The Paramounts, a quintet consisting of school friends with Robert "Knight" Peebles, Kenneth Buttrey, Neil Hooper and Clarence Holland. The Paramounts was produced by Noel Ball for Dot Records and they recorded two singles "Congratulations" b/w "Why Do You Have To Go" and "When You Dance" b/w "You're Seventeen" .

The Paramounts (1)

It was Noel Ball who had come up with the stage name Robert Knight, and released a couple of solo singles on him. After a moderate R&B chart hit in 1961 with "‘Free Me", there was some kind of contractual issue with Dot, and he never recorded for them again. Knight went on to attend Vanderbilt University, where he formed another vocal group, The Fairlanes. Gayden heard him singing with them one night, and was blown away. He brought him to Cason and Russell, who he knew were looking for talent for their new label. His first recording, ‘Everlasting Love’, written by Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden, was an immediate success and earned him a No.13 US hit.

Songs :

The Paramounts (1)


Congratulations                    Why Do You Have To Go


When You Dance                       You're Seventeen

Robert Knight

Dance Only With Me Free Me

The Other Half Of Man

...

Everlasting Love

...

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The V.I.P.'s

Posted on March 30 2016 by dion1

The V.I.P.'s

The V.I.P.'s (New York)
ref : The Fantastics (1)

Personnel :

Jackie Carter

Fred Warner

Larry "Dub" Lawrence

Bill Nicholson

Horace Williams

Discography :

1964 - You Pulled A Fast One / Flashback (Bigtop 518)
1964 - I'm On To You Baby / If He Wants Me (Bigtop 521)
1965 - Don't Pass Me By / You Ain't Good For Nothing (Bigtop 100)

The V.I.P.'s
French Ep

Biography :

From Doo woo To Soul : When Sammy Strain left The Fantastics in 1960, Larry Lawrence, Fred Warner, William Forrest and Billy Sutton acquired a new first tenor named Nick Nicholson. They continued singing as the Fantastics for the next couple years and finally as the Keynoters they recorded “I Wanna Know Who” B/w “Come Back Home” for Keynote Records.

The V.I.P.'s

In 1964, Larry Lawrence, Fred Warner and Nick Nicholson formed the V.I.P.’s, along with Horace Brooks from the Impacts and Blue Chips and a female singer, Jackie Carter. Paul Fulton of the Chips and Blue Chips also reported being in the group. They used to rehearse at the Brill Building on Broadway and the producer’s name was Bill Giant who lived in Matawan, New Jersey. The V.I.P.’s recorded three records for Bigtop Records, the best selling one being “You Pulled A Fast One”.

The V.I.P.'s

The V.I.P.'s had a good lead with Jackie Carter, But they never charted. They always had regional hits. In Baltimore they did a show at the Royal Theater with Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions. After being together for about a year, the V.I.P.’s broke up and some time shortly after that, Jackie Carter was found dead.
http://classicurbanharmony.net/

Songs :


You Pulled A Fast One                      Flashback


I'm On To You Baby                            If He Wants Me

…

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The CeBeAires

Posted on March 28 2016 by dion1

The CeBeAires

The CeBeAires (San Francisco, CA)

Personnel :

Claudette Reed

Verlin Westbrook

Velma Crayton

Biography :

Talented singing group from Galileo High School in 1957, the CeBeAires are predicted to become a famous singing trio in the future. The singers are Claudette Reed, Verlin Westbrook, and Velma Crayton . Have they recorded ???

….

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Kenny & The Beaus (1)

Posted on March 25 2016 by dion1

Kenny, Frank & Ray
Kenny Chandler

Kenny & The Beaus (1) (Harrisburg, Pa)
ref: Kenny, Frank & Ray

Personnel :

Kenneth Bolognese "Kenny Chandler" (Lead)

Dick Donmoyer

Bob. Napotonia

Frank Desendi

Ralph Stevens

Discography :

Kenny, Frank & Ray
1958 - Everybody Loves Saturday Night / I'm Going Away (Cameo 144)
1959 - If You Love Me / Why Was I Born (PL 13)

Kenny & The Beaus (1)
(Credited to Kenny Beau & The Whirlwinds)
Single:
1959 - You're The Right One / Gift Of Love (PL 1015)
Unreleased :
1959 - What Is Love
1959 - Cindy Lou

Biography :

Kenny Chandler, born Kenneth Bolognese, was originally from. “The Hill” section of Harrisburg,Pa. and was a member of John Harris High School Class of 1959. Interested in music at an early age, Kenny got together with four classmates 1n senior high school to form a group called the Montclaires (later changed to the Clairmonts). This first group consisted of Micky Liddick. (drums), Junie Brown ( congas),Nathanial Edmonds (piano), with. Lee Bradshaw, Ray Carlisle, George Campbell, and Kenny doing vocals. They split up after only a short time but Ken stayed together with Ray Carlisle, in hopes of forming another group. it was after football practice, while singing in the showers, that. Ray got word that teammate Frankie Cacapardo was interested in joining the group. Thus, the trio was formed, calling them- selves Kenny, Frank, and Ray.

Kenny, Frank & Ray

Kenny remembers that, at the time they were singing a lot of street-corner harmony, and became practiced enough to win second place in a talent show at the Senate Theater, Harrisburg. This little bit of notoriety brought the trio to the attention of WHGB disc-jockey Paul Landersman,who was, at the time, doing a live radio show from the Colonial. The boys came down to the theater during one of these live broadcasts and actually auditioned for him on the fire escape during a break. Paul had already established good connections in the music business as manager of the Quintones. (York, Pa), and was impressed enough with the trio's talents that he asked to manage them on the spot. The first big local show that Kenny, Frank, and Ray performed at was at the Zembo Mosque, Harrisburg, featuring Danny and the Juniors and Connie Francis .

Kenny, Frank & Ray

During rehearsals, one of the members of Danny & The Juniors became very impressed with the trio's vocal stylings, and inquired whether they had a record out. This connection soon got them to an office in Philadelphia where they auditioned for Bernie Lowe. They presented 4 orignal songs at the audition, but Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe were more impressed with the talent than the songs and arranged a recording session at Reco-Arts Studios which produced 2 sides: “Everybody Loves Saturday" and "I'm Going Away." Bernie Lowe was the piano player on the session, and Paul played the folding slat chairs (a low-budget version of the drums). Lowe issued it on his own label as Cameo #144. ”Everybody” was written by Cameo staffer Tony Mamerella under the pseudonym. Anthony September. Cameo was one of the new ”hot” labels when the song was released in the summer of 1958. Unfortunately, although “Everybody Loves Saturday" received good local play, it never went national.

Kenny, Frank & Ray

Reco-Arts was again used to record “If You Love Me” and “Why Was I Born” (a Ray Carlisle original). Issued as PL #13 in late 1958, the record received only limited regional exposure. By 1959,. Ray had become disillusioned and dropped out of the group, ending their string of near-hits at two. Kenny, however, had been writing some original material, and formed a new group in 1959 called The Beaus. This group consisted of Dick Donmoyer, Bob Napotonia, Frank Desendi, and Ralph Stevens. Kenny took on the stage name “ Kenny Beau,” and returned to Reco-Arts to cut “You're the Right One” and “Gift of Love". The Session produced a solid 2-sides doo-wop records, released as PL 1015. The Whirlwinds, which is the group credited on the label, were really the studio musicians used on the session, as the name of the group was officially “Kenny and The Beaus".

Kenny, Frank & Ray

The good looking Harrisburg resident hijacked the surname of movie star Jeff Chandler, finally attracting some notice in 1961 with 'Drums', written and produced by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, then creative geniuses in residence at United Artists. Chandler subsequently signed with Laurie about the time Dion was leaving the label for Columbia.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Kenny, Frank & Ray

If You Love Me Why Was I Born

Everybody Loves Saturday Night / I'm Going Away

Kenny & The Beaus (1)

You're The Right One Gift Of Love

...

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The Twilights (2) aka The Embers (9) aka The Four Embers

Posted on March 20 2016 by dion1

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Twilights Pete Reyes, Joe Durant, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Cal Washington and Robert Perryman

The Embers (9) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
ref : The Juveniles

Personnel :

Robert "Bobby" Perryman (Lead)

Claude "Indio" Chenet (Second Tenor)

Joseph Durant (Baritone)

Cal Washington (First Tenor)

Peter Reyes (Bass)

Discography :

The Twilights (2)
Single :
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You / Oh Baby Love (Finesse 1717)
Demo :
1958 - Soda Pop (acapella)
1958 - My Heart Belongs To Only You (acapella)

Maria Elena & The Twilights (2)
1962 - I Was Too Careful / Temptation (Countess 113)

The Embers (9)
Singles :
1961 - Solitaire / I’m Feeling All Right Again (Empress 101)
1961 - I Won’t Cry Anymore / I Was Too Careful (Empress 104)
1962 - Abigail / I Was Too Careful (Empress 107)
Unreleased :
1961 - What A Surprise (Empress)
1961 - I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (Empress)

The Four Embers
1963 - But Beautiful / You’ve Been Away Too Long (Smash 1846)

Biography :

In 1957, Marilyn Bishop Marilyn gave birth to a baby girl, Michelle, and left The Juveniles. Larry Peters will make even some time after. At this time, the group has only three members. Robert Perryman stepped up to become the new lead singer and Cal Washington was recruited by Claude Chenet to become the new first tenor. Cal had sung with a local street group, had a background in gospel and blues and also hung out with the Chords. Pete Reyes was recruited by Bobby to replace Larry Peters as the bass singer. The Twilights now consisted of Robert Perryman (lead) Cal Washington (first tenor) Claude “Indio” Chenet (second tenor) Joseph Durant (baritone) and Peter Reyes (bass).

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Juveniles "Bobby" Perryman , Claude "Indio" Chenet, Marilyn Durant, Larry Peters and Joe Durant

The Twilights recorded “My Heart Belongs To Only You” and “Oh Baby Love,” with Bobby Perryman singing both leads, which came out on Finesse Records in November of 1959. The Twilights also backed up Maria Elena on “I Was Too Careful” and “Temptation,” both of which weren’t released until 1962 on Countess Records. They appeared at one of Clay Cole’s shows in Palisades Park, New Jersey also starring the Drifters, Moonglows, Skyliners, Belmonts, Bobby Rydell and Neil Sedaka.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers The Twilights (2) aka The Embers (9) aka The Four Embers

The Twilights sang “My Heart Belongs To Only You” as well as “Oh Baby Love” and this performance was broadcast live on television. The Twilights also appeared at the RKO Franklin Theatre on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx where they also backed up Maria Elena. The Twilights changed their name to the Embers and signed with Empress Records, owned by Gene and Jody Malis, which was a subsidiary label (as was Valmor) under Countess International.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Embers : Pete Reyes, Joe Durant, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Robert Perryman and Cal Washington

The Embers had been rehearsing an old standard ballad that Tony Bennett recorded named “Solitaire,” a song that Jody wanted them to record because she felt it had hit potential. The Embers recorded “Solitaire” with Bobby Perryman singing lead. On the week of August 22, 1961, “Solitaire” reached number 9 on WABC’s radio survey. It was also doing extremely well on Billboard’s charts. By mid 1963, the Embers were down to four members as Pete Reyes had left the group. The Embers were still under contract with Empress, which wasn’t doing well at the time so Gene and Jody Malis sent them to writer and record producer Wally Zober in order to see what he could do for them.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers

Wally took them down to Odo Recording Studios on West 54th Street in Manhattan on August 1, 1963 where they recorded “But Beautiful” and “You’ve Been Away Too Long.” A bass player, George Butcher, arranged the orchestra and the group arranged the vocals. “But Beautiful” was recorded first, with Robert Perryman singing lead. “You’ve Been Away Too Long” was a fast number that Jody had given to them but they did not care for. They recorded it with Cal singing lead. The session lasted for most of the day and the songs were released on Smash Records, a subsidiary of Mercury Records, in December of 1963 as by the “Four Embers.” By 1964, with the British Invasion underway, the Embers (without a hit record since 1961) broke up and decided to get on with their personal lives.

Songs :

The Twilights (2)


My Heart Belongs To Only You                     Oh Baby Love

Maria Elena & The Twilights (2)


Temptation                  I Was Too Careful

The Embers (9)


Solitaire              I’m Feeling All Right Again           I Won’t Cry Anymore


I Was Too Careful                    Abigail                 What A Surprise

I Wish I Didn't Love You So

The Four Embers

But Beautiful / You’ve Been Away Too Long

...

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