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

The Marcels (1) aka The Inspirations (1)

Posted on January 24 2015 by dion1

The Inspirations (1) (Pittsburg, Ca.)
aka The Marcels (1)

Personnel :

Carleton Brown (Lead)

Cedric Wilson (Baritone)

Jerry Jackson

Don Stevens

Discography :

The Marcels (1)

Singles :
1958 - Betty Lou / Take Me Back (Bob Jeffries bb the Marcels) (Jody 123)
195? - So Hard To Please / You'll Never Know (The Mondellos) (Rhythm 118)

Unreleased :
1956 - Wait For Me (Acapella) (Music City)
1956 - Indian Jane (Acapella) (Music City)
1956 - So Hard To Please (Acapella) (Music City)

The Inspirations (1)
1958 - Don't Cry / Indian Jane (Lamp 2019)

Biography :

This was not the "Blue Moon" Marcels, but a local Pittsburg group from California . This vocal group from the West Coast, recorded in the Bay Area by record man Ray Dobard, who spun the label off from his record store. One of his specialties was doo wop and he recorded way more than he released. The Marcels featured lead singer Carleton Brown, backed by Cedric Wilson, Floyd White and Georges White recorded several tracks in 1956 for Ray Dobard'Music City owner : "So Hard To Please", "Wait For Me" and "Indian Jane".

Don Barksdale Bob Jeffries

In 1958, They cut " Betty Lou" and they're behind Bob Jeffries on "Take Me Back" on Rhythm's Jody Records subsidiary (an Oakland label owned by college basketball hall of famer and legendary KDIA-AM Don Barksdale.) Bob Jeffries was also the lead singer of the Sharptones who recorded on the post label and he had the distinction of being backed bay The Marcels and The Mondellos on two separate recording sessions.

L to R, Cedric Wilson, Don Stevens, Jerry Jackson & Carleton Brown

The group's lineup has changed frequently, the Group-Singer-Songwriter Carleton Brown, Cedric Wilson later joined up with Jerry Jackson and Don Stevens (Aka Rick Stevens), they went nowhere as the Marcels but later re-recorded "Indian Jane" for Lamp records as the Inspirations. In the early 1960's Rick Stevens performed in nightclubs around Reno, where he was known as "Mr. Twister". Rick joined the group Tower of Power in 1969.

Songs :

The Marcels (1)

Betty Lou So Hard To Please Take Me Back

The Inspirations (1)

Don't Cry Indian Jane

.....

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The Suedes (2)

Posted on January 23 2015 by dion1

Top row (L to R): R. Aglialoro, B.Shupman, J Oswald. Bottom Row (L to R): J. Inzirillo, P.Leone & L.Mandracchia

The Suedes (2) (Brooklyn NY)

Personnel :

Joey Inzirillo (Lead)

Louie Mandracchia (First Tenor)

Billy Shupman (Second Tenor)

John Oswald (Baritone)

Russ Aglialoro (Bass)

Phil Leone (Drummer)

Discography :
Unreleased :
1959 - My Prayer To Heaven
1959 - Girl To Love
1959 - You Are My Only Love
1959 - Bunny
1959 - Ding-A-Long (Our Wedding Day)

Biography :

Vocal group from Canarsie in Brooklyn, formed in 1959, The Suedes is formed by some friends in the area and consists of Joey Inzirillo (Lead), Louie Mandracchia (First Tenor), Billy Shupman (Second Tenor), John Oswald (Baritone), Russ Aglialoro (Bass) and Phil Leone (Drummer). The group will be some personnel changes over time.

They have made numerous appearances at various gatherings around the area and recorded several demos : "My Prayer To Heaven" , "Girl To Love", "You Are My Only Love," "Bunny" and "Ding-A-Long (Our Wedding Day)". Unfortunately no record company will release their songs… The group disbanded in 1961.

Two of the original members of The Suedes, John Oswald and Joe Inzirillo, along with Lou Caporusso who was an original member of The Vivids from Ozone Park Queens created a group in the 80's which many say was the continuation of The Suedes work under a new name. That group was The Revivals. They re-recorded "My Prayer To Heaven" and "Oh Please" on Avenue D. Records.

Songs :

My Prayer To Heaven Ding-A-Long (Our Wedding Day) Bunny

Girl To Love

...

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The Vice-Roys (2) aka Brother Zee & The Decades (1)

Posted on January 18 2015 by dion1

The Vice-Roys : (L to R) Al Linde, Paul Robertson, Bob Zoidis, Charles "Pedro" Buford and Henry Truesdale

The Vice-Roys (2) (Phoenix, Az)
aka Brother Zee & The Decades (1)

Personnel :

Al Linde

Paul Robertson

Bob Zoidis

Charles "Pedro" Buford

Henry Truesdale

Discography :

The Vice-Roys (2)
Singles :
1962 - My Heart / I Need You Love So Bad (Ramco 3715)
Unreleased :
1962 - Sunday Kind Of Love (Ramco)
1962 - Yancy (Ramco)

Brother Zee & The Decades (1)
1963 - Sha Boom Bang / Smokey The Bear (Ramco 3725)

Biography :

Phoenix, Arizona was host to an exciting musical climate in the 1950’s and 1960’s, which included a mix of rock n’ roll, R&B, and country music, along with a small number of recording studios and record labels. Floyd Ramsey owned Ramsey’s Recording Studio at 3703 N. 7th Street, which he renamed Audio Recorders in late 1957. He also owned several record labels including Liberty Bell and Ramco, and was a co-owner of Rev. Local Arizona-area artists who recorded at Ramsey’s studio included the Vice-Roys and Brother Zee and the Decades.

Audio Recorders of Arizona.

The Vice-Roys were a racially integrated group stationed at nearby Luke Air Force Base west of Phoenix. The Aug.8,1962, session was produced by the inimitable Jim Musiln,Jr., one of the great characters in Arizona music history. The Vice-Roys were Al Linde, Paul Robertson, Bob Zoidis, Charles "Pedro" Buford and Henry Truesdale. they were backed on the record by the mike Metko Combo. Besides "My Heart" and "I Need You Love So Bad"the Vice-Roys also breathed new life into the old warhorse "Sunday Kind Of Love". A fourth songs "Yancy" also remained unreleased. Ramco Pressed 300 copies of "My Heart".

Brother Zee & The Decades (L to R) Al Linde, Bob Zoidis and Charles "Pedro" Buford

In 1963, Al Linde, Bob Zoidis and Charles "Pedro" Buford regrouped for another Ramco session as Brother Zee & The Decades. For the June 27, 1963, session, Musil was the producer and once again Metko provided themusical back-up. The A-side was an awesome re-imagination of the Rivingtons' iconic "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and " The Bird's The World" which the group transformed in "Sha Boom Bang". The Sha Boom Bang" acetate got immediate airplay on KRIZ in Phoenix, were it was declared "Champ of The Week" on June 29,1963. Bob Zoidis soon left music for hair styling and by 1967, Al Linde and Charles "Pedro" Buford had gone hippie in San Francisco and were members of the Salvation Army Bannned, which later recorded as just "Salvation" For ABC records.

Songs :

The Vice-Roys (2)


My Heart                     I Need You Love So Bad               Sunday Kind Of Love

Brother Zee & The Decades (1)


Sha Boom Bang                     Smokey The Bear

...

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The Ravons (2)

Posted on January 16 2015 by dion1

Top : B.Slough, A.Johnson & F.Martine- Center : Jenny Johnson - Bottom : J.Ragsdale, E.Joyner & W.Kinsey

The Ravons (2) (New Mexico)

Personnel :

Jenny Johnson

Bill Slough

Fred Martine

Joe Ragsdale

Eric Joyner

Willie Kinsey

Discography :

1962 – Why Did You Leave Me / Everybody’s Laughing At Me (Yucca 142)

Biography :

The Ravons were a Vocal group from Holloman Air Force Base. In 1962, Dick Liberatore, airman third class, has been writing songs for some time. he composed "Why Did You Leave Me?" and wanted to record it. He got a Holloman vocal group which he had organized, called the Ravons composed by Bill Slough, Fred Martine, Joe Ragsdale, Eric Joyner, Willie Kinsey and Jenny Johnson.


                                                                                                                Calvin Boles of Yucca Records
In The Meantime, Air man first class Alfred E. Johnson who is married to Jenny Had Written a song called "Everybody's Laughing At Me" which the group decided to record on the flip side when they found someone who would put it on Wax. The group approached Calvin Boles of Yucca Records in Alamogordo. When he heard the record, he liked it so much thet he released it on a trial basis in this area and signed « the Ravons » to one Year contract. The record has been getting extensive play by disc jockeys in El Paso and Las Cruces and was played on KRAC radio Station in Alamogordo.

Songs :


Everybody’s Laughing At Me           Why Did You Leave Me

…

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The Hi-Liters (2) aka The Hamiltones aka The Stereos (4)

Posted on January 11 2015 by dion1

The Hi-Liters

The Hi-Liters (2) (Portland, OR)
aka The Hamiltones aka The Stereos (4)

Personnel :

George Vereen (First Tenor)

Wiseman Moon (First Tenor)

Calvin Williams (Baritone)

Furman Haynes (Second Tenor)

Claude Chandler (Bass)

Discography :

The Hi-Liters (2)
Singles :
1956 - Ain't Givin' Up Nothing / Undecided Now (Celeste 3005)
1956 - Hello Dear / Bobby Sox Baby (Vee Jay 184)
1958 - Let Me Be True To You / In The Night (Hico 2432)
1958 - Over The Rainbow / Baby Please Be True (Hico 2433)
Unreleased :
1956 - Feeling Alright (Vee jay)
1956 - Duncan's Box (Vee jay)

Johnny Hamilton / Al Hickey & The Hi-Liters (2)
1958 - Sabada / Later Baby (Hico 2434)

George Vereen / Wiseman Moon & The Hamiltones (Hi-Liters)
1958 - You Are My Lovely One / Rock A Billy Hop (Hico 2435)

The Stereos (4)
Singles :
1962 - You Left Me Forsaken / My Heart (Robin Nest 101)
1962 - Don't Cry Darling / Run Sinner Run (Robin Nest 1588)

Lps :
1962 - The Stereos - Our Most Requested Songs (Robin Nest 2013)
Across The Alley From The Alamo / My Shy Violet / Cab Driver / San Antonio Rose / We Three / Dry Bones / SnapYour Fingers/ Green Green Grass Of Home / Swing Down Swing Chariot / Oh Lonesome Me / My Night To Howl / Always

Biography :

In 1948, Furman Haynes formed the Deep Tones, with George Vereen, Calvin Williams, Carroll Dean and Ivy Floyd. They sang spirituals and then added secular songs, such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Castle Rock, and The Night You Said Goodbye. Decca signed The Deep Tones to its Coral label, calling them The Four Deep Tones, even though there were five.

Deep Tones (Top row- LtoR): Calvin Williams, Carroll Dean, Furman Haynes (Bottom row- LtoR) George Vereen, Ivy Floyd

They cut four songs for Coral, and although they never had the kind of hit that would catapult them to stardom, they all built solid careers in music. In the early 1950s Haynes met Katie Williams, and when the pair married they moved to the West Coast and settled in Portland, Ore.

The Hi-Liters

The Deep Tones had changed their name to the Hi-Liters when they recorded for the Celeste label in 1956 the sides "Ain't Giving Up Nothing" / "Undecided Now". Celeste was one of the many short-lived (A little more than one year in duration) record label which specialized in R&b and headquartered in New York City during the middle fifties heyday of Rock'n Roll.

The Hi-Liters

The Hi-Liters recorded in New York City in Beltone Studios, on November 10, 1955 for Vee-Jay four sides : "Hello Dear", "Bobby Sox Baby", "Feeling Alright" and "Duncan's Box" At this time, The Hi-Liters consisted of George W. Vereen (first tenor), Wiseman Moon (first tenor), Furman Hayes (second tenor), Ivey E. Floyd (baritone), and Calvin Williams (baritone). Vereen had previously sung with the Four Knights, Moon had led the Victorians , Haynes had been with Brook Benton in the Sandmen.

The Hi-Liters

The Hi-Liters started their own record label HICO (Hi-Liters Company = HiCo) and their group now consisted of George Vereen, Wiseman Moon, Calvin Williams, Furman Haynes and Claude Chandler. Claude Chandler had been with the Cabineers. In 1958 the Hi-Liters recorded and released four singles for their HiCo label . Each side of Hico #2435 lists a Hi-Liters member and the Hamiltones. Calvin Williams confirms that the group on both sides is the Hi-Liters and not the Hamiltones. The Hamiltones must be the band.

The Stereos (L to R) : C. Williams, E. Williams, Harry Kenney, Wisemen Moon and George Vereen

In the 1960's the Hi-Liters would evolve into the Stereos (Robin Nest label) and cut two singles and one Lp : "Our Most Requested Songs" . The Stereos consisted of Hi-Liters' George W. Vereen (first tenor), Wiseman Moon (first tenor), Calvin Williams (baritone) with nem member's Eddie Williams and his big bass violin and Harry Kenney on Piano. Calvin Williams would also spend 14 years in Europe singing with the Golden Gate Quartet.
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ROWNEW/CastleRk.htm
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/hico_label.htm

Songs :

The Hi-Liters (2)


Undecided                               Hello Dear                  Bobby Sox Baby


Let Me Be True To You           In The Night                      Over The Rainbow


Baby Please Be True                   Feeling Alright                Ain't Givin' Up Nothing

George Vereen & The Hamiltones    Wiseman Moon & The Hamiltones


You Are My Lovely One                        Rock A Billy Hop

The Stereos (4)


My Heart                           Don't Cry Darling               You Left Me Forsaken

Run Sinner Run

...

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Little Worley & The Drops

Posted on January 10 2015 by dion1

(L to R) Ernest Johnson, Edgar William Campbell and Isaac Worley

Little Worley & The Drops (Phoenix, Arizona)

Personnel:

Isaac Worley (Lead)

Edgar William Campbell

Ernest Johnson

Discography :

1961 - Who Stole My Girl / You Better Watch Yourself (Ramco 3710)

Biography :

The Drops featured Edgar William Campbell & Ernest Johnson - the legendary Eddie and Ernie themselves - and "You Better Watch Yourself" was the duo's first appearance on Wax. The Group was backed by Big Boy Pete and the Crusaders. The Leader was "Little" Isaac Worley. His Third "Drop", or back-up singer, was Leonard Lowery. Their late 1961 release"You Better Watch Yourself"is a sublime example of Doo Wop evolving into Soul. "Who Stole My Girl " basically is a sequel to Lloyd Price's Hit "Stragger Lee". Little Worley and the Drops existed for about eight months, playing to black audiences at South Phoenix nightclubs such as the Sly Fox and the Zamzibar. Jim Titus, a disc Jockey at Phoenix Radio station KRIZ, gave the Ramco release plenty of spins and support.

Eddie & Ernie

Edgar William Campbell & Ernest Johnson sang background on other singles before making their first recordings as a pair (initially as Ernie & Eddie) in 1963. The soul duo issuing about 15 singles between 1963 and 1971. To make matters a little confusing, some of the singles were credited to Ernie & Eddie, the New Bloods, or Ernie & Ed. There were also 1967 solo releases by Campbell and Johnson. Running through about a dozen labels, they never got any significant chart action, though some of the singles appeared on relatively big imprints like Columbia, Chess, and Buddah.

Songs :

You Better Watch Yourself

….

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The Kings Men

Posted on January 6 2015 by dion1

The Kings Men

The Kings Men (Chicago, IL)

Personnel :

Johnson Williams

Eugene Smith

Walter Broad

Herman Nolan

Mickey Green

Discography :

1957 - Don't Say You're Sorry / Kickin' with My Stallion (Club 51 108)

Biography :

The Kings Men, formed in 1954 while they were still students at Englewood High, joined Club 51 in 1956. The original members were Johnson Williams, Eugene Smith, Walter Broad, Ron Henderson, and Billy Hebert, but by the time the group recorded the group had lost Hebert and Henderson to the draft, to be replaced by Herman Nolan and Mickey Green. In March 1957, the Kings Men appeared at the Grand Ballroom on a Herb Kent-sponsored show that included the Spaniels, Dream Kings, bluesman J.B. Lenoir, and the Willie Dixon Orchestra. The concert was a great way to kick off their recording career. In April, the group appeared at Herb Kent's spectacular concert at Hyde Park High and shared the stage with the Danderliers, Moroccos, Debonairs, Debs, Dells, Magnificents, and Dee Clark, among others. Presumably it was downhill for the group after that.
http://myweb.clemson.edu/~campber/club51.html

Songs :

Don't Say You're Sorry Kickin' with My Stallion

…

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The Hunter's IV

Posted on January 3 2015 by dion1

The Hunter's IV (Corvallis, Oregon)

Personnel :

Bill Clark

Jan Marquis

Betty Marquis

Dwight Hunter

Discography :

1959 - I Treated You Cruel / I'm Gonna Lova You (aka Who Could Ask) (Bare 1001)

Biography :

They sang in front of audiences, they cut a record, it got on the local charts, and heard it played on those hometown radio stations. The Hunter's IV are Bill Clark, sisters Jan Marquis, Betty Marquis, and Dwight Hunter. Rob O' Conner was the original Rhythm/bass guitarist and Bill Clark replaced him after Rob joined the service. The group was based in Corvallis, Oregon, and led by the group's namesake, Dwight Hunter. They were originally called the Silvertones, but that presented a conflict with the fine folks at Sears.

Bill Clark, Jan Marquis, Dwight Hunter and Betty Marquis

Since Dwight formed the group, the Hunter's IV name was applied. After Dwight, Jan and Rob graduated from Corvallis High School, they found themselves working for Buck Owens in Tacoma. Owens had a steady gig in town, and Dwight convinced him to let the Hunter's IV play during intermission.Dwight was working in the area at the time, but the other three members would drive up every weekend so they could sing. Buck Owens wanted to record them, but deferred to Jim Owens, who owned a record store called the Record Bar in Tacoma.

Bill Clark, Jan Marquis, Betty Marquis & Dwight Hunter

Surprisingly, he was no relation to Buck Owens. Jim Owens liked what he heard and signed the group to a recording contract. They went into the Joe Boles studio in Seattle, and spent all day recording their two sides. The record was intended to be issued on the bar label - for Jim Owens store called the Record Bar. The disc was sent to radio stations up and down the west coast. They received airplay and chart action in the northwest as well as some spins in Los Angeles with Art Laboe at KPOP and Bill Balance at KFWB.
http://www.colorradio.com/Hunters-IV.html

Songs :

I Treated You Cruel I'm Gonna Lova You

...

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The Dapps aka The Five Dapps

Posted on January 2 2015 by dion1

The Dapps (Detroit)
aka The Five Dapps

Personnel :

Johnnie Mae Matthews (Lead)

James Bennett (Lead)

George Wooden

Emry Franklin (Guitarist)

Albert Williams

Discography :

The Five Dapps
1958 - You're So Unfaithful / Do Wop A Do (Brax 208)

Johnnie Mae Matthews & The Dapps
1959 - Dreamer / Indian Joe (Northern 3727 )
1959 - Mr Fine / Some Day (Chet Oliver) (Northern 3729)

Biography :

Celebrated as the "Godmother of Detroit Soul," Johnnie Mae Matthews was born December 31, 1922, in Bessemer, AL. When she was 12 the family relocated to New Jersey, and in 1947 Matthews alone moved to Detroit, where she married and raised a family, largely limiting her musical aspirations to singing and playing piano at home. In 1957 she joined a local quintet called the Five Dapps and eventually recorded her first 45 in 1958. It was released on the Brax label, a short lived enterprise funded by local realtor George Braxton.

Songwriter James Bennett sang lead on Do Wop A Do - a Chuck Berry styled Rock n' Roll number complete with guitar breaks. Johnnie Mae took over on the slower flip side, a jazzy-blues song titled You're So Unfaithful. The other three Dapps were George Wooden, guitarist Emry Franklin and Albert Williams, who had the soubriquet, "Fruit". Later in 1958, Matthews formed her own record label, dubbed the Northern Recording Company, so named in honor of the popular brand of toilet tissue. Headquartered in an office at 2608 Blaine, just a few blocks from her home, she launched the imprint on just $85 borrowed from her husband's paycheck from the Ford Motor Company, in the process becoming one of the very first African-American women to own and operate her own label.

The Distants

With sessions typically recorded at either nearby Special Studio or radio station WCHB, Northern launched largely as a vehicle for Matthews' own performing career. Its premiere release, 1959's "Dreamer," was credited to Johnnie Mae Matthews & the Dapps, while the follow-up, "Mr. Fine," featured as its flip side "Someday," a solo turn by local singer Chet Oliver. She went on to manage the "The Distants" who were later renamed "The Temptations", Northern Recording Company later issued their debut single "Come On".

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Five Dapps

You're So Unfaithful Do Wop A Do

Johnnie Mae Matthews & The Dapps

Mr. Fine / Some Day

...

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The Five Stars (2)

Posted on December 31 2014 by dion1

The Five Stars (2) (Indianapolis, Ind.)
ref : The Four Stars (4)

Personnel :

Ron Russell (Lead)

Jim Bruhn (First Tenor)

Bill Campbell (Second Tenor)

Larry Hoffman (Baritone)

Bruce Miller (Bass)

Discography :

The Five Stars (2)

Singles :
1957 - Atom Bomb Baby / You Sweet Little Thing (Kernel 319574/Dot 15579)
1958 - Dreaming / Pickin'On The Wrong Chicken (Note 10011/ Hunt 318/ABC 9911)
1958 - Friction / My Paradise (Note 10016)
1959 - Am I Wasting My Time / Gambling Man (Note 10031)
Unreleased :
1958 - Sweet Names (Note)

Dottie Fergerson & The Five Stars (2)
1958 - Slow Burn / You And Me And Love (Kernel 31957/Mercury 71129)

Ronnie Haig bb The Five Stars (2)
1958 - Traveler Of Love / Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby (Note 10016/ABC 9912/10209 )

Biography :

From the Indianapolis Indiana area, this group of Five Stars had several records on different labels. The Five Stars consisted of: Lead, Ron Russel, First Tenor Jim Bruhn, 2nd Tenor Larry Huffman, Baritone Bill Campbell, and on Bass Bruce Miller (later replaced by Popcorn Johnson) . Their first record was on the Kentucky based Kernal label. Using a somewhat popular theme at the time, "Atom Bomb Baby" b/w "You Sweet Little Thing" on the flip. The record made enough noise for Dot records to pick it up and distribute for the entire USA. It didn't meet the expectations of Dot, but it certainly got the Five Stars name in circulation.

The next sequential release on the Kernal label was Dottie Fergerson backed with the Five Stars. "Slow Burn" made enough local noise that Mercury actually picked it up for their label. On the flip was "You And Me And Love." Dottie Fergerson went on to have a couple additional issues for Mercury. These sides were cut at the same session as the previous Five Stars release on Kernal.

Ronnie Haig

The Five Stars signing a recording contract on the Indianapolis label called Note a cut three singles. The First "Pickin On The Wrong Chicken" was getting the play at local radio stations. Released in March of 1958, it never made any national charts, but certainly scored high on the local and regional sheets. On The Same Session Ronnie hag cut his first record, "Traveler Of Love" b/w "Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby" and The Five Stars provided vocal group back up on both sides.

The Five Stars made several appearances on 'American Bandstand.' In early summer of 1958 Note released "My Paradise" b/w "Friction". "My Paradise" had all the elements to become a hit, except for sales. The last release for was called "Am I Wasting My Time" backed with "Gambling Man." In 1960 Jim Bruhn and Ron Russell reformed a vocal and instrumental group called The Four Stars. The group backed Lorenzo Conyers of the Ink Spots.
http://www.colorradio.com/five-stars.html
http://myweb.clemson.edu/~campber/coe.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Five Stars (2)


Atom Bomb Baby                    You Sweet Little Thing                 Dreaming


Pickin'On The Wrong Chicken            Friction                     My Paradise


Am I Wasting My Time / Gambling Man        Sweet Names

Dottie Fergerson & The Five Stars (2)

Slow Burn / You And Me And Love

Ronnie Haig bb The Five Stars (2)

Traveler Of Love Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby

...

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