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

The Metrotones (2) aka The Five Jades (1)

Posted on February 15 2016 by dion1

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

1956 - Leonard Veal, Sonny Turner, James Frierson & Melvin Smith - (Bottom) Leuvenia Eaton

The Metrotones (2) (Cleveland, Ohio)
aka The Five Jades (1)

Personnel :

Charles "Sonny" Turner (Lead)

Leonard Veal (Second Tenor)

Fred Camp (First Tenor)

James Frierson (Baritone)

Melvin Smth (Bass)

Leuvenia Eaton

Discography :

The Metrotones (2)
1957 - Please Come Back / Skitter Skatter (Reserve 116)

The Five Jades (1)
Without Your Love / Rock And Roll Molly (Duke 118)

Biography :

The Metrotones were among the myriad doo wop acts to emerge from postwar-era Cleveland. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the November 1997 issue of Discoveries, baritone/tenor Guy Spears, baritone James Frierson, and bass Andrew Fortson co-founded the group in 1953 while students at John Adams High School, cycling through several tenors before adding first tenor Fred Camp and second tenor Leonard Veal the following year.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

1955 - Fred Camp, Leonard Veal, Russel Cole (Manager) James Frierson & Andrew Fortson - (Bottom) Leuvenia Eaton

In late 1954, Spears was drafted into military duty, and after a brief collaboration with alto Kim Tolliver, the Metrotones recruited alto Leuvenia Eaton. In March 1955, this new lineup claimed top honors in the inaugural Fame and Fortune amateur showcase at Gleason's Musical Bar, earning a weeklong headlining engagement at the club that resulted in performances at Cleveland's Quincy Theater and Circle Theater. The Metrotones also opened for the Ravens and the Drifters at Cleveland Arena before adding tenor Sonny Turner in the spring of 1955.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

Camp exited the lineup soon after, and that summer Fortson received his draft papers as well, prompting the addition of bass Melvin Smith. Despite their local popularity, the Metrotones did not sign a record deal until early 1957, inking with the Reserve label to cut their debut single, "Please Come Back," which featured Turner on lead. Local station WJMO nevertheless found its nonsensical flip side, "Skitter Skatter," too suggestive and banned the record from the air, effectively crippling its commercial momentum.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

1958 - Bill Brent, Sonny Turner, Angelo Jones, Leuvenia Eaton & Leonard Veal

The single proved their lone Reserve release, and in 1958 the Metrotones renamed themselves the Five Jades and signed to Don Robey's Duke Records to issue "Without Your Love," with Eaton on lead. It too failed to catch on at radio, and when Frierson was the next co-founder summoned to serve military duty, the group's days were numbered. After much additional personnel turnover, Turner exited in late 1958 to pursue a solo career, followed a few months later by Eaton.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

While the remaining roster continued as the Five Gents, Turner successfully auditioned to join the Platters, replacing the great Tony Williams in 1959 and remaining with the R&B legends for over a decade.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Metrotones/metrotones.html

Songs :

The Metrotones (2)


Please Come Back                            Skitter Skatter

The Five Jades (1)


Without Your Love                     Rock And Roll Molly

...

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The Amitones

Posted on February 14 2016 by dion1

The Amitones

The Amitones (Massillon, Ohio)

This 1959 vocal group from Vocal group from Massillon, Ohio, Composed of, front row, left to right, Owen Humphries, Bob Herring and Jerome Myricks; rear row, Jimmy Longshore and Bob Herndon

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The Runarounds (2) aka The Run-A-Rounds (2)

Posted on February 13 2016 by dion1

The Run-A-Rounds aka The Runarounds (2)

The Runarounds (2) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Run-A-Rounds (2)
ref: The Regents (3)
ref : The Desires (3)   

 Personnel :

Guy Villari (Lead)

Chuck Fassert

Ronnie Lapinsky

Sal Corrente

Discography : 

The Run-A-Rounds
1963 - Unbelievable / Hooray For Love (KC 116)
1963 - Let Them Talk / Are You Looking For A Sweetheart (Tarheel 065)

The Runarounds (2)
1964 - Carrie (You're An Angel) / Send Her Back (Felsted 8704)
1966 - Perfect Woman / You're a Drag (Capitol 5644)
1967 - You Lied / My Little Girl (MGM 13763)

Unreleased :
1963- A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
1963- Crazy Love
1963 - Tonight Could Be The Night
1963 - Let Them Talk (alt. version)
1963 - Unbelievable (alt. demo version)
1964 - Carrie (You're An Angel) (alt. version)

Biography :

When Their Last single "Oh Baby" b/w "Lonesome Boy" received no radio response, the Regents decided to separate but reemerged in 1964 as the Runarounds, named after their second release. This contingent contained Guy Villari and Chuck Fassert from the original Regents along with Ronnie Lapinsky of the Tremonts and Sal Corrente.

The Run-A-Rounds aka The Runarounds (2)

Much of their fine material was to be written by another Bronxite, Tom Bogdany, who collaborated with Ernie Maresca on a number of local hits. Their single, the Ernie Maresca-Pete Baron song "Unbelievable" (in an EARLS style), saw lots of New York airplay but limited sales on Nat Cole's K.C. label.

The Run-A-Rounds aka The Runarounds (2)

The Runarounds moved next to the Tarheel label, a subsidiary of London records, where they recorded "Let Them Talk" b/w "Are You Looking For A Sweetheart". Sal Corrente left at this point.

The Run-A-Rounds aka The Runarounds (2)

The Remaining Runarounds did "Carrie (You're An Angel)" on Felsted, a Four Seasons imitation that reached the low 30s on local charts. Although "Carrie" was the closest the Runarouds ever came to a real hit, the group had plenty of public exposure, for they appeared at numerous record hops and related events sponsored by New York's WMCA.

The Run-A-Rounds aka The Runarounds (2)

This activity translated into releases on Capitol and MGM, but none with the magic of "Barbara-Ann." Once again they separated, regrouping in 1970 with Warren with Warren Gradus for one ill-conceived release as Cardboard Zeppelin on Laurie (" Ten Story Building").

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Unbelievable                   Hooray For Love


       Let Them Talk                 Are You Looking For A Sweetheart


Carrie (You're An Angel)               Send Her Back


Perfect Woman                   You're a Drag


You Lied                                Crazy Love

My Little Girll Let Them Talk (unrel. alt. version)

Carrie (You're An Angel) (alt. version) Unbelievable (alt. version)

A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening / Tonight Could Be The Night (unreleased)

...

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The Quintones

Posted on February 13 2016 by dion1

The Quintones

The Quintones (Imperial, PA)

This 1957 vocal group from West Allegheny High School consisted of Ken Dodds, Jim Marstellar, Al Puhlman, Bob Provost & Ray DeFade.

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The Supremes (5) aka Ruby & The Romantics - Ref The Skarlettones

Posted on February 6 2016 by dion1

The Supremes (5) aka Ruby & The Romantics - Ref: The Skarlettones

Top : Leroy Fann, Ronald Mosely - Bottom : Ed Roberts

The Supremes (5) (Akron, Ohio)
aka Ruby & The Romantics
Ref The Skarlettones

Personnel :

James Porter (First Tenor)

Ed Roberts (Second Tenor)

Ronald Mosely (Baritone)

Arthur Atkinson (Baritone/Bass)

Leroy Fann (Bass)

Discography :  

The Supremes (5)

1960 - Another Chance To Love / Fidgety (APT 25055)

The Skarlettones

 Single :
1959 - Do You Remember / Will You Dream (Ember 1053)

Unreleased:
1959 - How Sentimental Can I Be

Biography :

The Skarlettones formed in 1958 and hailed from Akron, Ohio. Members were Ronald Mosely (whose career eventually took off), James Porter, Columbus Mitchell, Robert Carter, and Willie Tucker. When their Ember recording went nowhere, members Ronald Mosely (baritone) and James Porter (first tenor) joined with Ed Roberts (second tenor), Arthur Atkinson (baritone/bass), and Leroy Fann (bass) eventually calling themselves The Supremes (male Group.) They recorded "Another Chance To Love" b/w "Fidgety" on Apt #25055 which was released in December 1960.

The Supremes (5) aka Ruby & The Romantics - Ref: The Skarlettones

From Top to Bottom : Leroy Fann, Ronald Mosely & Ed Roberts

Still having no success with their recordings 2 members left The Supremes. Ronald Mosely, Leroy Fann and Ed Roberts recruited George Lee (1st tenor), changed their name to The Feilows, and in 1961 auditioned an impressive but inexperienced female vocalist, Ruby Nash who had never been out of Akron. After a year of rehearsing with all 5 singing lead, The Feilows travelled to NYC to record for Kapp Records but their name was changed to Ruby & The Romantics and the rest is history! Having 8 songs charted nationally on Billboard, their signature song (their biggest) was OUR DAY WILL COME - Kapp #501 which charted for 13 weeks and reached #1 in March 1963. Ruby has affirmed in interviews that all 5 members recorded and performed as Ruby & The Romantics until they broke up in 1971.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Romantics/romantics.html

Songs :

The Supremes (5)

Another Chance To Love Fidgety

The Skarlettones 

Do You Remember Will You Dream How Sentimental Can I Be

...

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The Matadors (1)

Posted on January 29 2016 by dion1

The Matadors (1)

The Matadors (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Johnny Garfield (Lead)

Juan Terry (Lead)

Discography :

1957 - Vengeance (Will Be Mine) / Pennies From Heaven (Sue 700)
1957 - Be Good To Me / Have Mercy Baby (Sue 701)

Biography :

Sue Records was formed by Henry "Juggy" Murray, Jr. (born November 24, 1922) in New York City in January, 1957. Juggy Murray, along with Bobby Robinson, were the two most successful black record label proprietors in New York City. Although Sue became nationally known for its rock and roll and rhythm and blues hits by acts such as Ike and Tina Turner, most of the albums on the Sue label were jazz.

The Matadors (1)
Henry "Juggy" Murray, Jr

The Matadors fronted by Johnny Garfield gave Sue Records its first regional hit in 1957 with "Vengeance". "Vengeance (Will Be Mine)" is a delightfully cold-blooded doo-wop song : quite a change from the romantic platitudes of many songs in this genre. It became a regional hit on the East Coast, particularly in New York, but it did not chart nationally. The Group cut another single then disbanded…

Songs :


Vengeance (Will Be Mine)           Pennies From Heaven


Be Good To Me                       Have Mercy Baby

…

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The Castaleers

Posted on January 27 2016 by dion1

(left to right): Ron Henries, George Smith, Richard Jones, Dell Padgett & Benny Barros

The Castaleers (Providence, Ri.)

Personnel :

Richard Jones (Baritone / Tenor Lead)

Ron Henries (Tenor)

Boaventura "Benny" Barros (Baritone)

George T. Smith, Jr. (Baritone)

Dell Padgett (Bass)

Discography :

1957 - Come Back / Hi Fi Baby (Felsted 8504)
1958 - Lonely Boy / My Bull Fightin' Baby (Felsted 8512)
1959 - You're My Dream / I'll Be Around (Felsted 8585)
1960 - That's Why I Cry / My Baby's All Right (Planet 44 / Donna 1349)

Biography :

The Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues scene began in the mid-1950s when aspiring teen vocal groups moved off the street corners of Providence and into the rec center at the Doyle Avenue Grammar School on the East Side. The Castaleers evolved when members of various groups including The Parakeets and The Five Tones settled into a permanent lineup : Richard Jones (lead, baritone/tenor), George Smith (baritone), Dell Padgett (bass), Ron Henries (tenor) and Benny Barros (tenor). George had become friendly with songwriters Myron and Ray Muffs, the owners of Muffet’s Music Store in downtown Providence, one of the few shops in town where he could find R&B records.

The Castaleers

After hearing the group, the Muffs were knocked out and produced four sides which they placed with Felsted Records, a U.S. division of the mighty British Decca company. Released in 1957, “Come Back” charted in Providence, Philadelphia, Detroit and Montreal, but the group, all of whom had good jobs or were still in school, declined to tour outside of the Northeast until something bigger was on the horizon. Two more releases also fared well, but the group’s unwillingness to tour nationally led to them being dropped. Henries left and was replaced by singer/songwriter Joe Hill of The 5 Dukes and The Dials.

The Castaleers

Joe Hill

The Muffs produced another session on two of Joe’s songs and placed the master with L.A. label Donna/Del-Fi, home to Ron Holden and Ritchie Valens. Once again, there was action, especially in Los Angeles, but it never reached the top and in 1961, the group called it a day. Still, the Castaleers are recognized as trailblazers for Rhode Island artists who paved the way for national releases by Freddie Scott, The Del Rios (Tavares) and Dipsy & The Doodles. Their 45s are considered some of the greatest – and most collectible – group records of the pre-Soul R&B era.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Castaleers/castaleers.html

Songs :


Hi Fi Baby / Come Back      My Baby's All Right / That's Why I Cry


Lonely Boy               You're My Dream                    I'll Be Around

…

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The Three Honeydrops aka The Naturals (1) aka Jerry & Mel

Posted on January 24 2016 by dion1

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

Jerry Marcellino Lani Woodd Mel Larson

The Three Honeydrops (Berkeley, Calif)
aka The Naturals (1) aka Jerry & Mel

Personnel :

Jerry Marcellino

Mel Larson

Lani Woodd replaced Jack Greenbach (The Naturals)

Discography :

The Three Honeydrops

Singles :
1957 - Honey Drop / In The Summer (Music City 813)
1957 - You're The One For Me / Rockin Satellite (Music City 814)
Unreleased:
1957 - Chickaboom (Music City)

The Naturals (1)
1959 - Don't Send Me Away / The Mummy (Era 1089)

Jerry & Mel
1961 - Once Upon A Time / Cannibal Stew (Boss-Sound 301)
1961 - Confessions Of A North Beach Poet / Double Whammy (WB 5195)

Biography :

Jerry Marcellino born in Bekerley, California, and graduated from San Lorenzo Hi-School in 1955 as a music major. Lani Woodd, born in the Hawaiian Island and graduated from San Lorenzo Hi-School in 1955 being a soloist in the Hi-School choir. Mel Larson, born in San Francisco and graduated from Hayward Hi-School in 1955 as a music major.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

Jerry Marcellino Mel Larson Lani Woodd

The Three versatile young men, Jerry, Mal and Lani organized their group "The Three Honeydrops " while still in High School and have been together since singing and playing everything from rock'n roll to Jazz. They write and play their songs and made appearances at Record Hops and Dances around the area.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

They will present their compositions at Music City Records. Music City Records, of Berkeley, California is most closely associated with vocal groups. Ray Dobard’s venerable imprint, in operation for a quarter century from the early 50s on, had its greatest success with records such as ‘WPLJ’ and ‘Ichi Bon Tami Dachi’. Music city release two singles by the group.

1959 - The Naturals (1) : Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson & Jack Greenbach

After the departure of Lani Woodd, musician and composer Jack Greenbach was hired to replace him in the group. Changing people causes a change in name, it is now The Naturals. As the Naturals, they recorded one single on Era Records. Era was an independent American record label located in Hollywood, California. It was founded by Herb Newman and Lou Bedell in 1955 as a pop, country and western and jazz label. Despite the failure of the single, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson continue to write and compose songs and in 1961, they cut two singles as Jerry & Mel.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson

For the next twelve years, Jerry played in clubs in North Beach, San Francisco, and San Mateo. All the while, he and his partner, Mel Larson, were writing songs. It was then Jerry experienced his first songwriting successes. First, a hit record for Trini Lopez called Sad Tomorrows on Reprise Records. Then another for Martin Denny on Liberty Records called Strawberry Tree, and another on the hit album Figurines by The Fleetwoods. But Jerry wasn’t satisfied.

The Naturals (1) aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel

1965 - Jack Greenbach , Jerry Marcellino & Mel Larson

Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson went on to become one of the most successful creative forces in the music industry: producing for The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Al Jarreau, Lionel Richie, and countless others. His music has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, including 25 Gold and Platinum records.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Three Honeydrops


You're The One For Me                       Rockin Satellite


Honey Drop                       In The Summer

Chickaboom

The Naturals (1)


Don't Send Me Away                        The Mummy

Jerry & Mel


Once Upon A Time                            Cannibal Stew

...

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The Five Stars

Posted on January 24 2016 by dion1

The Five Stars

(from Linden, New Jersey - 1960)

If anyone have informations .... doowop@club-internet.fr

...

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Little Freddie & The Gents (6)

Posted on January 22 2016 by dion1

Little Freddie & The Gents (6)

Little Freddie & The Gents (6) (Ft.Lee, New Jersey)

Personnel :

?

Discography:

1965 – Betty / Push, Kick & Shout (Showcase S-402)

Biography :

Little Freddie & The Gents were a three man white group out of Fort Lee, New Jersey whose first and last released called Betty / Push, Kick & Shout came out on Showcase Records in the late summer of 1965. The Showcase label was part of Pickwick International based out of Long Island City in Queens owned by businessman Carl Edelson (formerly a bookkeeper at APOLLO Records) in the late 50's and early 60's like the Michele, Ultra D'Or and Club labels.

Little Freddie & The Gents (6)

Betty isn't a bad side,but it was much too dated for the market and could hardly compete with The Beatles and Stones,let alone the Jive Five,Temptations or Ronettes in the 1965 pop market.
(Notes from The Lp : The Best Of Club records)

Songs :

Betty Push, Kick & Shout

…

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