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

The Dukes (4)

Posted on December 18 2015 by dion1

The Dukes (4)

Leon Hughes & Bobby Nunn

The Dukes (4) (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Bobby Nunn

Leon Hughes

Billy Brown

Andre Goodwin

Burrell Carpenter

Discography :

1959 - Looking For You / Groceries, Sir (Flip 343)
1959 - Leap Year Cha Cha / I Love You (Flip 345)

Biography :

Bobby Nunn was a welterweight boxing champion in the U.S. Air Force. After his discharge in 1947 he moved to Watts, California. He became a member of the A-Sharp Trio with Billy Richards, Roy Richards, and Ty Terrell, and they eventually became The Robins. In 1955, Bobby Nunn and Carl Gardner split from The Robins to become The Coasters with Leon Hughes and Billy Guy.

The Dukes (4)

Bobby Nunn & Leon Hughes

Bobby Nunn and Leon Hughes stayed in California when the Coasters moved to New York, and recorded with Billy Brown, Andre Goodwin and Burrell Carpenter as The Dukes on Flip in 1959. Goodwin and Carpenter had been members of the West Coast Turbans/Sharptones. Two singles were released "Looking For You" b/w "Groceries, Sir" (Flip #343), and "I Love You" b/w "Leap Year Cha Cha" (Flip #344).

Songs :


Looking For You                  Groceries, Sir


I Love You                               Leap Year Cha Cha

…

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Morry Williams & The Kids (2)

Posted on December 16 2015 by dion1

Morry Williams

Morry Williams & The Kids (2) (Oakland, CA)

Personnel :

Morry Williams (Lead)

Mal Scott (Lead)

Leonard Charles "L.C." Jones (First Tenor)

Walter Kidd (Baritone)

Woodrow Moseley (Bass)

Discography :

1958 – Are You My Girl Friend / Louise (Tee Vee 301/(Carlton 477))
1962 – Long Foot Jene / Time Runs Out (1st version) (Luck 102)
1962 – Long Foot Jene / Time Runs Out (2nd version) (Luck 102)
1962 – Time Runs Out (1st version) / Part One-Grasshopper (Bobby Ford & The Blazers) (Luck 102)

Biography :

Mal Scott had developed a musical interest before he was out of knee pants, playing both trumpet and comet in his grade school marching band. Then, taking up with fellow student and project dweller Morry Williams, he started singing two-part harmony around the corridors of the school. They were both natural tenor singers. One thing led to another and the duet grew into a quintet. Bass singer "Woody" Woodrow Moseley came aboard first. He was followed by Leonard Charles or "L.C." Jones, first tenor, and baritone Walter Kidd. They called themselves the Kids.

Morry & the Kids however rehearsed at school, in hallways, at street corners and in the project buildings on Moseley Avenue where wally Cox, who became a close friend and fan of the group. The Kids’ first gigs were at Friday night talent shows at the projects run by the Recreation Centre. The Kid’s first out of town trip was the string of dance engagements up in Marysville, North of Sacramento and they performed throughout the greater Bay Area throughout 1956 and 1957. Wally Cox, acting as unofficial agent for the group, introduced the guys to Ted Randall, who hosted a local American Bandstand type of Programme on KPIX Channel Five.

The Intrigues - Mal Scott (Center)

Walter Kidd wrote "Louise" (or "Oh Louise") in one night. Over at Ted Randall’s House, Cox and the group wrote "Are You My GirlFriend " in ninety minutes. In the spring of 1958, at a studio in an old brick building at Thirtieth and San Pablo Avenue, The Kids held their first recording session. When the record emerged on Tee-Vee in 1958, The Kids’ carrer took off. They played The Showcase and Sportsman in Oakland legendary Slim Jenkins’ place and entertained at clubs, dances and reviews with other groups in San Francisco. A year later, Woodrow Moseley was replaced by James Carter. The Kids were also dogged by ‘Fat Daddy’ Lyons owner of the tiny Lyons and Luck labels. The Kids recorded "Long Foot Jene" b/w "Time Runs Out". The record issued almost three years after it was recorded. The Kids broke up shortly after the ‘Fat Daddy’ session. Mal Scott signed up for duty in the air force. while in the service he formed a vocal group called the Intrigues which hung together for two years.

Songs :


Are You My Girl Friend                      Louise


Time Runs Out                          Long Foot Jene

…

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The Treys

Posted on December 16 2015 by dion1

The Treys

The Treys (Marshall, TX.)

Personnel :

Billie York

Audrey George

Irby Whitehurst

Biography :

This vocal trio consist of Audrey George, Billie York and Irby Whitehurst, all are freshmen from Marshall High School. The Group has been singing together as a duet, the Rhythmettes. One day Irby Whitehurst chimed in her voice was added to the group. Thus They became the Treys. The Girls went on to win first place in the "New Search For Talent".

The Treys

As a result of this, they made numerous appearances on "Search For Talent" and "Refreshment Time" on KTBS TV in 1958. The trio went on road tour under the direction of Hub Brandao. The Treys have been singing in 1959 with Tommy Bale's Band of Dallas and have traveled during the school year to various military bases in Texas and Oklahoma to give programs.

...

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The Ly-Dells aka The Len-Dells

Posted on December 14 2015 by dion1

(L to R) Gary Young, Chuck Hatfield & Paul O'Lone.

The Ly-Dells (Philadelphia)
aka The Len-Dells - Ref : The Four Casts

 Personnel :

Gary "Skin" Young (Lead,Falsetto, Baritone & Bass)

  Chuck "Casino" Hatfield (First & Second Tenor)  

Paul "Two Ply" O'Lone (Baritone & Bass)

Discography :

The Ly-Dells
1961 - Wizard Of Love / Let This Night Last (Master 251/Apex 76760)
1961 - Genie Of The Lamp / Teenage Tears (Master 111)
1962 - Book Of Songs / Hear That Train (SCA 18001)
1963 - Karen / Doin’ The Wiggle Wobble (Roulette 4493)
1964 - Three little Monkeys / Playing Hide & Seek (Southern Sound 122)
1978 - Sherry / Little Lover (King Tut 177)
1989 - Get Off Your High Horse / Oh What A Beautiful Thing (Wonder World 351)

Freddy Cannon bb The Ly-Dells
1962 - Broadway / What's Gonna…(Not Them) (Swan 4117/Quality 1436)

Wee Willie Weaver (Boss-Tones) bb The Ly-Dells
1963 - You're Gonna Be So Glad / Automatic Reaction (Tandy 101)

The Len-Dells
Single :
1964 - Don't Be A Litter Bug / Maryann (Reach 2)
Unreleased :
1964 - The Monkey’s Dead (Reach)

The Four Casts
1964 - Stormy Weather / Working at the Factory (Atlantic 2228)

Biography :

Hailing from the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia Pa., The Ly-Dells emerged in 1959, during the tail end of the doo-wop era. like many of their contempories from philly, Dovells, Danny & the Juniors, Billy & the Essentials, the Ly-Dells brought a different approach harking back to the harmony structures of the mid 1950’s. The group’s members, Chuck (Casino) Hatfield, Gary (Skin) Young, Paul (Two Ply) O’lone, Bob Oslar (…and various singers featured on their recordings : Billy Daniels, Jackie Butler, Frank Malett , Rich Wetzel) Came from the 46th and Samson, and 64th and Vine St. Section of West Philadelphia. Around 1961, the act caught the eye of music impresario Inez Ryan of Ridley Park. Ryan would soon manage and handle direction of the group. The Ly-Dells intial waxing of “Wizard Of Love” and “Let This Night Last” came in the summer of 61’. Released on Master records (Master 101). Both sides were recorded at Philly’s sound plus studios, which were owned by Don & Tony Luis, who in return, received production credits on the 45 label. The record was distributed nationally by Morris Levy’s Roulette records.

The Len-Dells aka The Ly-Dells aka Four Casts

“Wizard Of Love”, was an immediate hit locally, with the help of airplay on WIBG and WFIL. Cash Box magazine listed the record on august 5th as their 14 pick out of 50, that could soon enter their top 100, and later that month it was a huge success in New York, reaching 8 two weeks in a row on WABC’S music survey. By september 25th, it peaked nationally at 54 on Billboard’s hot 100. Toward the end of 1961, the writing team of Hatfield & O’lone came up with a song much in the formula of “Wizard”, entitled “Genie Of The Lamp” backed with the great up-tempo “Teenage Tears”. Once again, the 45 was released on the Master label (Master 111 ) with distribution by SCA and Swan records.

The Len-Dells aka The Ly-Dells aka Four Casts

During 1962, The Ly-Dells would begin a strong relationship with legendary producer Frank Slay. Known for his extraordinary work in the 50’s/60’s’s with Cameo records, Swan records, and association with Bob Crewe, Slay would lend his production talents and regular studio players to the group’s next side ,“Book Of Songs" b/w “Hear That Train”. Recorded at Bell Sound in NYC. & released on Slay’s SCA Label. It was Frank Slay, who at a recording session of Freddy Cannon recruited “the Ly-Dells” to provide the yells during the roller coaster sequence of "Broadway".

The Len-Dells aka The Ly-Dells aka Four Casts

Freddy Cannon

The Ly-Dells provided vocal backing for two of Jim Drucker’s compositions on a session held oct.16 1962 at sound plus studios. the songs were “The Day Rock & Roll Dies” and “Now That You’ve Gone”. a later session was conducted march 14, 1963, at Philly’s Reco-Art (later known as Sigma Sound), these sides were cut again, plus two of “the Ly-Dells” songs “Karen" and "Doin The Wiggle Wobble ” (written by Hatfield , O’lone & Drucker) the latter sides were released after resolving some legal issues, by roulette records (roulette 4493) in may 1963.

The Len-Dells aka The Ly-Dells aka Four Casts

Jim Drucker worked as a teenager for Jolly Joyce Theatrical Booking Agency (JJA), Philadelphia and ran weekend WIBG Record Hops with Harold B. Childs, for Buzzy Curtis (Promotions) and was in high school at Philly's Edison HS with members of the Boss-Tones. In 1964 he combined Chuck Hatfield, Paul O' Lone from The Lydells and Babbo and Willie Weaver from the Boss-Tones, and in the dark of night (at Chancellor Records Studios, 9th and Vine Streets), He produced: "Stormy Weather" b/w "Working at the Factory" . Jerry Blavat, Russ Faith (Chancellor Records) and Buzz Curtis sold the master (RCA Tape Recorder deck) tapes to Atlantic Records. The record was released in the spring of 1964, under the name of “the Four Casts” (Atlantic 2228)

The Ly-Dells aka The Len-Dells

1964 - Ly-Dells/Len-Dells - (Top) Gary Young (Bottom) Chuck Hatfield, Billy Shield & Jackie Butler

Later in 64’, The Ly-Dells would record under the name of “The Len- Dells” with a single on the Reach label entitled “Don't Be A Litter Bug" backed with "Maryann”. The act also recorded the song “The Monkey’s Dead”, written by Drucker, Hatfield, O’Lone and was cut at a sound plus session, but unreleased in 64’.The year 1965, amidst the height of Beatlemania, and demise of the golden age of doo wop, The group would emerge for what would be their final 45 release. The a side “Three Little Monkeys”, was written by Inez Ryan & Tony Luis, and backed with “Playing Hide & Seek” composed by Bob Boulanger under the production of Frank Slay and placed on his Southern Sound label.

Songs :(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Ly-Dells


Wizard of Love / Let This Night Last     Genie Of The Lamp / Teenage Tears


Book Of Songs                    Hear That Train                      Karen


Three Little Monkeys              Sherry                            Little Lover

Oh What A Beautiful Thing

Freddy Cannon bb The Ly-Dells  

Broadway

Wee Willie Weaver (Bosstones) bb The Ly-Dells

Automatic Reaction (Tandy 101)

The Len-Dells 

Don't Be A Litter Bug Maryann

The Four Casts

Stormy Weather Workin' At The Factory

…

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The Shy-Tones aka The Hi-Tones (2) aka The Trentons aka The Shytones 

Posted on December 12 2015 by dion1

(top L to R) Frank Barrata, Bill Sangiovanni & Fred Alvarez. (bottom L to R) Al Scavuzzo, Ben Passantino & Rich Peluso

The Hi-Tones (2) (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
aka The Trentons aka The Shytones aka The Shy-Tones 

 Personnel : 

Graham Lee True (Lead)

Sal Covais (First tenor)

Albert Scavuzzo (Second tenor)

William Scarpa (Baritone)

Fred Alvarez (Bass)

Frank Barrata

Discography : 

The Shytones
1957 - Annette / White Bucks (Spot 14/15)
1957 - White Bucks / Bandstand Rock (Spot 14/15)
1957 - Annette / Bandstand Rock (Spot 15)

The Shy-Tones
1958 - A Lover's Quarrel / Just For You (Goodspin 401)

The Hi-Tones (2)
1958 - A Lovers Quarrel / Just For You (Fonsca 201)
1961 - No More Pain / I Don't Know Why (Fonsco 202)

The Trentons
1959 - All Alone / Star Bright (Inst.) (Shepherd 2204)

Biography :

The Shytones were one of many groups that grew up loving vocal harmony and singing on the street corners. They had a great sound, but too short of a career. The Shytones never made it big selling records, but they were celebrities in their own neighborhood, and at the local hops and shows . They cut just a few records, but with a group name change and a few different labels with the same songs. They were given the name Shy-Tones/Shytones because their lead singer suffered from "stage fright" and had great difficulty performing in from of an audience. This lead a promoter to comment (something like) "Are you guys the Hi-Tones or the Shy-Tones?" The name stuck and the name "Hi-Tones" was not used after that.

The Shy-Tones "A Lover's Quarrel" B/w "Just For You was Reissued" as "Lovers Quarrel" in April 1961 on Fonsca (# 201) with label credit to the Hi-Tones. A slight variation of the group had a release on the Spot label as the Shytones. The group was basically a Brooklyn (NY) group, with one member from Staten Island (NY). On this recording they were: Fred Alvarez, Frank Barrata, Ben Passanante, Rich Peluso, Bill Sangiovanni, Albert Scavuzzo , & Graham Lee True .

The Shytones aka The Hi-Tones (2) aka The Trentons aka The Shy-Tones 

Al Scavuzzo

The Shytones performed at many local hops and dances, and even got the chance to perform at one of Murray The K's big rock and roll show. They had some airplay on a couple of local stations, and were even a pick hit of the week on WINS. The group broke up when Al Scavuzzo tragically passed away on his 21st birthday.
http://www.colorradio.com/shytones.html

Songs :

The Shytones


Annette / Bandstand Rock                White Bucks

The Shy-Tones


A Lover's Quarrel                           Just For You

The Hi-Tones (2)


I Don't Know Why No More Pain

The Trentons

All Alone / Star Bright (Inst.)

...

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Johnny Daril & The Med-Tones

Posted on December 10 2015 by dion1

Johnny Daril & The Med-Tones
John Dvareckas "Johnny Daril"

Johnny Daril & The Med-Tones (San Diego Naval Hospital, CA.)
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

John E. Dvareckas "Johnny Daril"

Harry Robinson

William Bowie

Discography :

1959 - Come Back / Weak In My Knees (Vita 188)

Biography :

Johnny Daril & The Med Tones consisted of John Dvareckas (1/2/39; Worcester, MA), Harry Robinson (5/39; Trenton, NJ) and William Bowie (b: LA), who were hospital corpsmen at San Diego Naval Hospital (hence the “med” name). They worked on Dvareckas’ song “Come Back” and began calling record companies in L.A. The Pasadena-based Vita label showed an interest and the trio connected with Ruth Stratchborneo (Ruth Christie Member of the Candletts who later formed the Tide label) and rehearsed at her house.

Johnny Daril & The Med-Tones

She and Sapp/DePores wrote the B-side. The Med Tones first show was at San Diego country club. They did many USO shows and one for Navy Relief that included Glenn Ford and Connie Stevens. The record charted in the top 30 on WORC in Worcester, MA in November 1959. Upon his Naval discharge, Dvareckas returned to the East Coast and sang locally for a few years before opening an occupational training center for the unemployed and disadvantaged, which he ran for 23 years. Robinson became a registered nurse and credential teacher in vocational medicine; Bowie worked for the IRS.

Songs :

Come Back / Weak In My Knees

…

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Ginny & The Saints (2) aka The Coachmen Five

Posted on December 6 2015 by dion1

The Coachmen Five aka Ginny & The Saints (2)

The Coachmen Five (River Edge N.J.)
aka Ginny & The Saints (2)

Personnel:

Ray Davis (Lead Singer)

Frank Zillitto (Lead Guitar & Vocal)

Rich Gangi (Rhythm Guitar & Vocal)

Ricky Keith (Bass & Vocal)

Steve Bogue (Drums)

Discography :

The Coachmen Five Featuring Ray Davis
1962 - This I Know / Oh Joan (Janson 100)

Ginny Zee bb The Coachmen Five
1962 - Bobby Baby / You Can't Imagine (Atco 6218)

Ginny (Zee) & The Saints (2)
1962 - Wait, Wait, Wait / Please Be My Boy Friend (Alpene 100)

Biography :

Vocal & Instrumental group composed by Ray Davis, Frank Zillitto, Rich Gangi, Ricky Keith and Steve Bogue. They live in River Edge N.J., except Frank Zillitto, Oradell N.J.. Ginny Zee was actually Ginny Zillitto, who was the sister of Frankie Zillitto, a member of Ray Davis and the Coachmen Five .

The Coachmen Five aka Ginny & The Saints (2)

Ray Davis wrote both songs for Ginny Zee, "Bobby Baby" and "You Can't Imagine". Ginny also has another record on ALPAN records, "Wait,Wait,Wait" & "Please Be My Boyfriend", with the Coachmen backing her up under a new name : The Saints (Ray Davis wrote again both songs for Ginny). Ray Davis recorded two of his own , "Oh Joan" & "This I Know", before he passed away in 1962.

Songs:
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Ginny (Zee) & The Saints (2)


***Wait, Wait, Wait***                     Please Be My Boy Friend

Ginny Zee bb The Coachmen Five


Bobby Baby                            You Can't Imagine

The Coachmen Five Featuring Ray Davis


Oh Joan                             This I Know

...

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The Dreamliners

Posted on December 5 2015 by dion1

The Dreamliners

The Dreamliners (San Antonio, Texas)

Personnel :

Sylvia Wilburn (Lead)

Claire Peralta

Cecilia Silva

Discography :

The Dreamliners
1963 - Just Me & You / Daiquiri (The Velvederes) (Cobra 013)
1965 - A Shoulder to Cry On / The Lonely Fool (Jox 042)
1965 - From One Fool To Another / Best Things In Life (Jox 037)

Rene & Rene bb The Dreamliners
1965 - Chantilly Lace / I'm Not The Only One (HMV 1468/ABC 10699/Ampar 1072/CBS 1942)

Biography

Claire Peralta, Sylvia Wilburn, Cecilia Silva came together in 1961 as the Royaltones in the choir room of South San Antonio High, harmonizing the latest hits while waiting for their parents to collect them. After changing their name to the Dreamliners—inspired by the San Antonio transit system—they began performing at VFW Halls and military bases in greater Bexar County, singing a set of McGuire Sisters-esque ditties for the ranking folks, and the Sound of Young America for the NFG privates. Epstein caught wind of the group in 1963 and signed them without hesitation. A split single with the Velvedeers appeared on Cobra later that year, featuring Wilburn’s original “Just You and Me” as the A-side. The 45 failed to find a footing locally, a by-product of his bloated release schedule and overshadowing by the duo that put Epstein and his ragtag group of labels on the map and in the black.

The Dreamliners

René Ornealas and René Herrera stormed out of Laredo and onto the national scene with their Spanish-English hybrid smash “Angelito,” issued on Jox in mid-1964. Flush with cash from his first, and arguably only hit artist, Epstein kept the studio open around the clock, recording artists from all over Texas at all hours of the night. The Dreamliners were called back for a series of follow ups, including a turn adding “yeah yeahs” and “ahhhhs” to Rene y Rene’s 1965 take on the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.” Two other Jox-labeled Dreamliners 45s emerged that year, “From One Fool To Another” b/w “Best Things In Life” and “A Shoulder To Cry On” b/w “The Lonely Fool.” The trio spent the next three years on and off the road, culminating in a residency at The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas backing brown-eyed soul masters Sunny & the Sunliners. The Dreamliners splintered in 1968, with Peralta and Silva choosing motherhood and Wilburn plying her craft in the jingle trade.

Songs :

***A Shoulder to Cry On***

Just Me & You The Lonely Fool

From One Fool To Another Best Things In Life

...

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Little Jimmy & The Sparrows (2)

Posted on December 4 2015 by dion1

Little Jimmy & The Sparrows (2)

(L to R) Oliver Spence, Joe Scott, Richard Anderson and James Wilson.

Little Jimmy & The Sparrows (2) (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

James "Little Jimmy" Wilson (Lead)

Oliver "Ollie" Spence (First Tenor / Lead)

Joe Scott (Second Tenor)

Richard Anderson (Baritone / Second Tenor)

Discography :

1958 - Snorin' / Two Hearts Together (Val-Ue 101)

Biography :

Vocal group from Philadelphia, The Sparrows prowled the precinct of 20th & Brown known in these parts as Fairmount. The year was 1956 or 1957, and most of the Sparrows, a handle concocted by Ollie Spence, attended Vaux Junior High School or Ben Franklin High School. The Original roster shook out as follows, James "Little Jimmy" Wilson, Richard Anderson, Joe Scott and Oliver "Ollie" Spence , there was a bass named Sinclair. but it remains questionable if he ever made it as far the recording studio. He was a troublesome dude sticking up people and stores. He was stabbed to death in prison some years later.

Little Jimmy & The Sparrows (2)

(L to R) Richard Anderson, Joe Scott, James Wilson and Oliver Spence

At their regular rehearsals, the Sparrows gathered confidence and momentum by chirping the most popular fugues of the day, number like "Little Darlin", "Teardrops", "Long Lonely Nights", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight", "Only You", "Earth Angel" …. The Sparrows felt well-armed enough to sign up for one of those highly contested local talent trysts. Coincidentally, it was held at Francisville Playground, their local haunt where the sparrows scored first place. Francisville officials sent the group out as emissaries for their region to compete at other contest , at other Playground. Then they started appearing at local theaters and movie houses.

Little Jimmy & The Sparrows (2)

Little Joe Cook, rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of Little Joe & The Thrillers, whose song "Peanuts" reached no. 22 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1957 became their manager. In 1958, The group recorded "Snorin" and "Two Hearts Together" arranged by Joe Cook. The Philadelphia based label VAL-UE released the single, but with little promotion the single quickly fall into oblivion. The boys wrote more song, worked hard on them, developed a more professional stage routine. Unfortunately, the group split before having the opportunity to return to the studio.

Songs :

Two Hearts Together Snorin'

...

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The Altairs

Posted on December 2 2015 by dion1

1959 - The Altairs - George Benson(guitar), Marvin Benson, William Herndon, Ralph Turry, Dan Ponder & Richard Harris

The Altairs (Pittsburgh)

Personnel :

George Benson (Lead)

William Herndon (First Tenor)

Nathaniel Nelson (Second Tenor)

Richard Harris (Baritone)

Ralph Turry (Bass)

Marvin Benson

Discography :

Anne Keith (Anna Mae Jackson) & The Altairs

1958 - Lover's Prayer / Lonely Girl (Anne Keith & The El Venos) (Memo M3)

The Altairs

Single :
1959 - If You Love Me / Groovy Time (Amy 803)
Demos :
1959 - Return to Sender
1959 - Great Balls of Fire

Biography :

The Altairs were a group of Pittsburgh high school students that put together a vocal group in 1957. The original members were Tim Johnson, William Herndon, Nathaniel Nelson, Ralph Terry, and Richard Harris. They were heard by Porky Chedwick and another area dee-jay named Sir Walter and were on their way to performing and recording. The father of Richard Harris became the manager of the group and soon there was a replacement of Tim Johnson by guitarist and vocalist George Benson. One of the radio personalities that worked with Porky at WAMO was named Bill Powell, and it was he who persuaded the group to come into the studio and try some backup work for other performers. One of these was Anna Mae Jackson and the song was called "Lover's Prayer".

1953 - Young George Benson holding guitar, seated next to his manager Harry Tepper.

This song was coupled with an earlier tune by Jackson called "Just A Lonely Girl" and released on the local Memo label. This first release by the group went nowhere as far as sales and airplay were concerned, but the group did gain valuable experience in the performing arts. The Altairs made a good impression on the local music scene however, and they were rewarded with many gigs in the area in support of many of the headliners of the day. Billy Ford, a long time R & B performer who had gotten national recognition as part of the "Billy & Lillie" duo (thanks to Dick Clark) put the group in touch with Amy Records located in New York.

The Altairs

By this time in 1959 Benson was the lead singer for the group and they recorded the songs "If You Love Me" and "Groovy Time" on Amy # 803. By the following year Benson had left the group and soon the group was put in touch with song writer Otis Blackwell. Blackwell had also been a recording artist in earlier years with R & B tunes such as "Daddy Rolling Stone" and "Let The Daddy Hold You". He was soon to gain world wide fame as a chief writer for Elvis Presley, and one of the tunes he had The Altairs sing as a song demo was "Return To Sender" and that arrangement was later used on the Presley single of the song.

Anna Mae Jackson The Altairs

The group next moved to a professional partnership with Dinah Washington. Dinah had observed the group performing in a night spot that she was a managing partner in, and was impressed. She soon had them on tour as accompanying performers and formed a vocal ensemble with some former members of The Dells and were known as The D-Gents. With the untimely death of Dinah Washington in 1963, the members of the Altairs went their seperate ways. Two of the members joined a revamped version of The Marcels and played the "oldies circuit" while George Benson became a major performer in the early seventies winning Grammy awards for "This Masquerade" for Record Of The Year, and a tremendous reworking of The Drifters hit "On Broadway" among many others.

http://home.earthlink.net/~v1tiger/altairs.html
https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/george-benson

Songs :

The Altairs

If You Love Me Groovy Time

Anne Keith (Anna Mae Jackson) & The Altairs

Lover's Prayer (Anne Keith)

...

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