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

The Dappers (1)

Posted on October 3 2013 by dion1

The Dappers (1) (Cambridge, Massachusetts)

Personnel :

Al Chambers (Lead Tenor)

Roddy Waddie

George Cromwell

Edward Bishop Sr.

Discography :

Singles:
1954 - Mambo Oongh / Come Back To Me (Peacock 1651)
1960 - My Love Is Real / Baby You Know You're Wrong (Epic 9423)
1961 - Lonely Street / Chicken Twist (Foxie 7005)

Unreleased:
1959 - Baby You Know You're Wrong
1959 - Wonderful Mother
1959 - Love Was Made For Everyone
1959 - Say I Do
1959 - Good Lovin' (acappella)
1959 - The Bell Of St. Mary's (acappella)
1959 - Baby Stop Your Crying (acappella)
1959 - I Can't Forget (acappella)
1959 - I Bring Home The Bacon (acappella)
1959 - My Sweet Baby (acappella)

Biography :

The Dappers formed as the Rivieras in 1949 in Cambridge, Massachussets, and featured Al Chambers (Lead Tenor), Eddy Poindexter (Bass), Jimmy Williams (Guitar / Second Baritone), Abie Clemens (Lead Tenor), Rolly Clemens (Second Tenor), Donald Clemens (Baritone). George and Leo Cromwell came into the fold when Al Chambers left for the service in 1951. Abie and Donald Clemens would also depart, leaving the rivieras as a quartet. Irvin Marcus, A&R scout for Houston-based Duke Records discovered the group in 1954 at aBoston Club and soon had the group cut "Mambo Oongh" / "Come Back To Me" for Peacock, Duke's sisters label. The Company rechristened their new Boston acquisitions the Dappers.

When Chambers returned from the Service, he rejoined the Dappers. Leo Cromwell was to be replaced by Roddy Waddie. Jimmy Williams took up an offer to join McPhatter & the Drifters, leaving Chambers, Waddie and Cromwell to work as a trio for the next two years. Edward Bishop Sr came into the group.

On May, 10, 1959, a total of ten songs had been recorded, four with a band , earmarked for future event singles and six acappella numbers cut as demos for future sessions. Nothing from this fruitful sessions was issued. The Dappers continued playing constantly, working New England night spots such as Shanty's Lounge, Wally's Paradise, Basin Street East, the Palace, as well as the Barn in Sunappe, NH.

They also toured north to Canadian venues like the Ball Tavern and the Coronet in Quebec City, Larry Moquin's and the Casa Loma in Montreal and the Brown Derby and Brass Rail in Toronto. Stateside Road trips took the Dappers to Albany, New York city and Philly and on to the star-studded copa City in Miami Beach.

They recorded "My Love Is Real" / "Baby You Know You're Wrong" for Epic in 1960. the following year they offered "Lonely Street" / "Chicken Twist" on Foxie. The Dappers expanded into a self-contained seven piece vocal/instrumental group. Their last trip was a canadian jaunt to montreal, Quebec city, Toronto and Hamilton where Chambers Left the group. The Remaining Dappers returned to
Boston, worked for one week and then broke up for Good.

Songs :


Come Back To Me           Mambo Oongh                   My Love Is Real


Baby You Know You're Wrong           Lonely Street              Chicken Twist


Wonderful Mother    Love Was Made For Everyone             Say I Do


Good Lovin' (acappella)      The Bells Of St. Mary's (acapella) My Sweet Baby (acapella)


I Can't Forget (acapella)    I Bring Home The Bacon (acapella)    Baby Stop Your Crying

...

See comments

The Romeos (2)

Posted on October 2 2013 by dion1

The Romeos (2) (Detroit, MI)

Personnel :

Eugene Dyer (Second Tenor)

Lamont Dozier (Baritone/Tenor)

Ty Hunter (Baritone/Tenor)

Kenny Johnson (Baritone)

Don Davenport (Bass)

Discography :

1957 - Gone, Gone, Get Away / Let's Be Partners (Fox 749)
1957 - Moments To Remember You By / Fine, Fine Baby (Fox 846/Atco 6107)

Biography :

These Romeos formed in Detroit while in high school. Prior to being the Romeo's, the group went under the name of The Counts (picture above) with Eugene Dyer, Kenny Johnson, Don Davenport and Bobby Alexander. The group didn't become well known or even one-hit wonders, but some of the members went on to bigger and better things. The Group met Lamont Dozier and Ty Hunter and when Bobby Alexander was out They dropped the name "Counts," and began calling themselves the "Romeos". The local Fox Records issued two singles by them in 1957, the first "Gone, Gone Get Away" b/w "Let's Be Partners" made little impact outside of Detroit and wasn't a major player there either.

The Larados

A second release, both sides written by George Braxton: "Moments to Remember You By" b/w "Fine, Fine Baby" got enough run for Atco Records to pick it up the following year. When the Romeos had done a show at the Lincoln Park Roller Rink, they'd met the Larados, an all-white local group. Davenport joined the Larados, spelling the end of the Romeos
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Romeos/romeos.html

Songs :


         Let's Be Partners                  Moments To Remember You By


Fine, Fine Baby                             Gone Gone Get Away

...

See comments

The Normanaires

Posted on September 29 2013 by dion1

The Normanaires (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel:

Doris Browne

Malcolm Dodds

Bill Glover (Baritone)

Sam Dillworth

Discography :

The Normanaires
1952 - Hambone / Be My Life Companion / Anytime (Air Check 1000)
1952 - Tell Me Why / Cry (Air Check 1001)
1952 - Is It A Sin / Slow Poke (Air Check 1002)
1952 - Undecided / Slow Poke (Top Ten 121)
1953 - Wrap It Up / My Greatest Sin (MGM 11622)
1954 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / My Love For Dorothy (MGM 11886)

Herb George & The Normanaires
1952 - (It's No ) Sin / Wonder Why (Top Ten 118)
1952 - Any Time / Tell Me Why (Top Ten 127)

Gwyn Davies & The Normanaires
1952 - Sensational / Little White Cloud That Cried (Joe Mara) (Top Ten 123)
1952 - Cry / Please Mr. Sun (Top Ten 126)

Terry Merrittee & The Normanaires ‎
1952 - Shrimp Boats / Unforgettable (Top Ten 125)

Biography :

Malcolm Doods (The Tunedrops) was born in Brooklyn, and studied classical music at NYU. He was still living in Brooklyn in the early 50s and was busy working as a musical/vocal instructor and as always was involved with choral groups in Schools, YMCAs and churches, using his real name, Malcolm Williams. It was during this period that he was approached by arranger Fred Norman, to sing in a group. Thus the Normanaires were formed, comprised of Malcolm, Dorice Brown, Bill glover and Sam Dillworth. (Malcolm now began using the name "Dodds", taken from his mother's maiden name, in order to keep his two careers separate.)

Doris Browne The Normanaires : Dodds, Doris, Glover & Dillworth

Though the group has been through several personnel changes, the Normanaires recorded "Your Voice" for MGM in 1953 and appeared on Godfrey's Talent Scouts. The Normanaires provided backup for Herb George and Gwen Davies for some releases each on NYC's Top Ten Label. They also had three 78-rpm on Air Check with other artists. The Normanaires, although not credited on the labels, may be the group backing Doris Browne on some of her Gotham releases (1953-54).

Malcolm Dodds & the Tunedrops

The group stayed together for two years, working locally, before breaking up. After one single with the Four Clicks, "You Lied"/"Higher Than High" in 1954, Malcolm , with Prentiss Polk, Bill Glover and Danny Simmons are featured on this first side for George Goldner's End label as Malcolm Dodds & the Tunedrops In 1957.
http://paisleyhaze.com/topten.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/MyGreat.htm

Songs :

My Greatest Sin / Wrap It Up Anytime

….

See comments

The Shadows (1)

Posted on September 27 2013 by dion1

The Shadows (1) (New Haven, Connecticut)
(By Hans-Joachim) (Photos courtesy of Marv Goldberg)

Personnel:

Scott King (Lead)

Raymond Reid (Tenor)

Sam McClure (Baritone)

Jasper Edwards (Bass)

Bobby Buster (Arranger & Pianist)

Discography:

1949 - I’ve Been A Fool / Nobody Knows (Lee 200)
1950 - I’d Rather Be Wrong Than Blue / You Are Closer To My Heart (Lee 202)
1950 - Don’t Blame My Dreams / I’m Crying Cause You’re Laughing At Me (Lee 207)
1950 - Jitterbug Special / I’ll Never, Never Let You Go (Sittin’ In With 583)
1951 - Don’t Be Late / Beans (Sittin’ In With 590)
1952 - Coon Can Annie / It's Too Bad (Sittin’ In With 627)
1953 - No Use / Stay (Decca 28765)
1953 - Don’t Be Bashful / Tell Her (Decca 48307)
1954 - Better Than Gold / Big Mouth Mama (Decca 48322)

Biography:

Scott King, Jasper Edwards, Sam McClure, and Raymond Reid had been performing in the New York City and Philadelphia club circuit without much success when, in late 1949, a former officer in the U.S. Army named Ed Levy was impressed with their sound and offered to become their manager. Levy shortly secured a recording contract for the group with Lee Records, one of the many small New York independents that were starting up in the late ‘40s.

The Shadows’ first single, “I've Been a Fool,” failed to break out, however, and the follow-up, “You Are Closer to My Heart Than My Shadow,” failed to ignite any interest in the group, though it was later covered by the Delta Rhythm Boys. After Levy was called back to military service with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, the Shadows moved over to the Sittin’ in With label, who were based in Los Angeles.

In October 1950, the SIW label issued a new single, but after fulfilling their contractual commitments, the group decided to call it quits. Two-and-a-half-years later - in June of 1953 - Decca Records signed Scott King & the Shadows, who had not recorded in three years. The label had seen the growing interest in R&B music and watched New York-based Atlantic (and others) move into R&B successfully, so it followed suit. Unfortunately, both singles failed to sell and by the end of the year, the Shadows decided to call it a day.
Bryan Thomas, All Music Guide

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Shadows/shadows.html
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/no_knows.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/You_Are.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ImCrying.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ill_nevr.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/WhyOhWhy.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/shadows.html

Songs:


I've Been A Fool                Nobody Knows         I'd Rather Be Wrong Than Blue


You Are Closer To My Heart   Don't Blame My Dreams I'm Crying Cause...


Jitterbug Special       I'll Never, Never Let You Go             Don’t Be Late


Beans                           Coon Can Annie                        It's Too Bad


No Use                                   Stay                      Don’t Be Bashful


Tell Her                            Better Than Gold                     Big Mouth Mama

...

See comments

The Holidays (3)

Posted on September 26 2013 by dion1

The Holidays (3) (Pittsburg, Pa.)
(With Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Ray Lancianese (Lead)

Barbara Jo Lippzer (Tenor)

Charles Corky (Tenor)

Frank Gori (Baritone)

Frank Grisnick (Bass)

Discography :

Singles:
1961 - Pretend / Miss You (Robee 103)
1961 - Then I'll Be Tired of You / Lonely Summer (Robee 107)
1961 - One Little Kiss / My Girl (Nix 537)

Unreleased :
1961 - A Love I Never Had (Robee)
1961 - It's The Same Old Dream Robee)

Biography :

The Holidays were five teens who began singing together at Clairton High School in 1958. Like the Skyliners they were produced by Lennie Martin and launched by Lou Guarino on Robbee Records. Recording in a New York studio Lennie gave their records the distinctive wall of sound string arrangements that he originated with the Skyliners. They scored a regional hist with their first release on Robbee "Miss You" in 1960.

They group returned to New York to record "Lonely Summer" in 1961. Signing with Pittsburgh promoter Nick Cenci they released the singles "My Girl" and "Carol" on Nix Records. With strong airplay in Pittsburgh they were a popular draw at Pittsburgh area record hops.

The original members were Charlie "Corky" Hatfield (tenor), Frank Gori (bass/baritone), Barbara Jo Lippzer (alto), Francis "Franny" Grisnik (baritone/bass) and Ramon "Ray" Lancianese (tenor), the lead singer. They broke up in 1962.

Songs :


One Little Kiss                      My Girl                         Pretend


        Miss You                         Lonely Summer            Then I'll Be Tired of You


   A Love I Never Had       It's The Same Old Dream

….

See comments

The Pageants (4)

Posted on September 25 2013 by dion1

The Pageants (4) (New York)

Personnel :

?

Discography :

Unreleased:
1963 - Tender love (Club)
1963 - Burying Ground (Club)

Biography :

In Late September 1956, Carl Edelson teamed with Lloyd Pemberton and Dan Terry to form Club records, a short-lived label which produced only a few sides during the fall of 1956. Probably the best known tracks are the two by Pat Cordell and the Crescents, My Tears and Darling Come Back, cuts whose reputation relies in large measure on the fact that two members of the Crescents went on to form the vastly more popular Elegants.

Cherokee & Carl Edelson

Like many others who get involved in the record business, Carl Edelson wasn't discouraged by his initial failures with club. He found the Pageants (Formely the Ultra d'Ors), had them perform at Madison Square Boys' Club, and recorded them on "Tender Love" and "Burying Ground" on february 4, 1963. These sides were never issued.

Songs :

Tender love Burying Ground

...

See comments

The Martinels

Posted on September 25 2013 by dion1

The Martinels

The Martinels (Des Moines, Iowa)

Personnel :

Ella Ruth Piggee

Gayle Watkins

Discography :

Singles :
1963 - Baby, Think It Over / I Don't Care (Success 110)

Lps :
1963 - Only For Teenagers And Swinging Adults (Success LP 1011MX)
Baby, Think It Over / I Don't Care

Biography :

The Martinels were signed with a newly founded record company Success Records. Success Records was formed by Victor Laslow and their office was on 6th ave., in Des Moines, Iowa. In the summer of '63, the Blendtones, The Martinels, The Extensions went on a very successful tour on the West Coast.

Upon completion of the tour, it was suggested that an album be produced featuring all of the artists that were currently signed with the company. Hence, the album Only For Teenagers And Swinging Adults was born. "Baby, Think It Over" and "I Don't Care" were written by George Davis from the Blendtones.

Songs :

Baby, Think It Over I Don't Care

...

See comments

The Bachelors (3) aka The Music Men (1)

Posted on September 23 2013 by dion1

The Bachelors (3) Top : Fred Merola & Santo "Sandy" Ratineri- Center : Kenny "Vance" Vogt - Bottom : Charlie Guanierie & Chico Gambardella

The Bachelors (3) (New Heaven, CT)
aka The Music Men (1)

Personnel :

Kenny "Vance" Vogt (Lead)

Santo "Sandy" Ratineri

Chico Gambardella

Fred Merola

Discography :

Kenny Vance & The Bachelors (3)
1957 - Flaming Red Hair / Did Your Pen In Sunshine (Winston 8001)

The Bachelors (3)
Singles :
1957 - From Your Heart / A Million Teardrops (National 104)
1958 - Today, Tomorrow, Forever / I Want A Girl (National 115)
1958 - Teenage Memory / Sometimes (MGM 12668)
Unreleased :
1958 - I'm Sincere (MGM)
1958 - Moon (MGM)

The Music Men (1)
1959 - Blue Bird / Santa Cruz (Bigtop 3006)
1959 - An Open Fire / Via De Paradisio (Bigtop 3014)

Biography :

Vocal group from New Heaven composed by Santo ”Sandy” Ratineri, Chico Gambardella , Fred Merola and Ralph Donnarummo. The Bachelors, all New Haven, Connecticut residents, first organised in 1956 under the name of the Teardrops. They worked the Connecticut and New York areas and built up quit a following for themselves under that name. Kenny Vance who is now a New Haven resident hails from Chicago, Illinois.

He came to Connecticut to live near his manager and also "to be near New York where everything is going on". He worked as a single in most of the top Connecticut nite-spots before teaming up with the the Teardrops to Replace Ralph Donnarummo. That happened one night after both acts worked a dance-job at the town House in New Haven. At the age of 23, Kenny is the oldest member of the group. When a new group called the Teardrops came out on the King label, the boys had to change their name to the Bachelors.

The Bachelors (3)

Bandleader Bobby Madera (Bobby Woodlen), ABC Paramount recording star was the co-composer of two tunes which he offered the boys after he heard them sing at a dance in New Haven. The tunes were suited to the style of the Bachelors and The Bachelors were suited tot he style of the tunes. A recording session was scheduled and "Flaming Red Hair" and "Did Your Pen In Sunshine" were released on the Winston Record Label. The release of the record brought a "double-first", as this is the first offering by Kenny Vance & the Bachelors and the first released by Winston.

The Bachelors (3) aka The Music Men (1)
Kenny Vance

In 1957, Charlie Guanieri join the Bachelors and the group sign a recording contract for National records. National label operated by industry veteran Joe Leahy for a short period in New York in 1957. It seems there may have been at least five totally different National labels over the years. The Group cut two singles for Joe Leahy, and "From Your Heart" became a Northeast regional hit song. Chico Gambardella abandons the group to execute his military obligationsand the quartet with Kenny Vance, Sandy Ratinieri, Fred Merola and Charlie Guanierie recorded a single for MGM in 1958 "Teenage Memory" b/w "Sometimes" . Two other titles were recorded but MGM will never release them.

The Bachelors (3) aka The Music Men (1)

But the story does not end there, at the end of 1958, the Bachelors signed a recording contract with Johnny Bienstock from BigTop records and in January 1959, Bigtop released the first of their two singles under their new name The Music Men, "Blue Bird" b/w "Santa Cruz" and four months later, a second single will be released by Bigtop : "An Open Fire" b/w "Via De Paradisio".

Songs :
(Updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Bachelors (3)

From Your Heart A Million Teardrops Sometimes

I Want A Girl (Shame Shame On You) Teenage Memory Today, Tomorrow, Forever

..

See comments

The Tangiers (1)

Posted on September 21 2013 by dion1

The Tangiers (1) (Watts, Los Angeles)

Personnel :

David Ford (Tenor)

Gaynel Hodge (Second Tenor)

Jesse Belvin (First Tenor)

Alex Hodge (Baritone)

Discography :

1955 - Tabarin / I Won't Be Around (Decca 29603)
1956 - Remember Me / Oh Baby (Decca 29973)

Biography :

David Ford (of the Hollywood Flames), along with Gaynel Hodge (a sometime member), his brother, Alex Hodge, and Jesse Belvin, recorded as the Tangiers, releasing two singles on Decca, "Tabarin" and "Remember Me", in 1955 and 1956, respectively.

Paste Up Picture : Jesse Belvin, Alex Hodge, Gaynel Hodge, David Ford

A 1958 single on Class, '"Don't Try", also credited to the Tangiers, actually features Joe Jefferson (formerly of the Platters) backed by the Flames with the same David Ford.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/HollywoodFlames/hollywoodflames.html

Songs :

Remember Me / Oh Baby Tabarin / I Won't Be Around

Cds :

...

See comments

Lee & The Sounds (4)

Posted on September 19 2013 by dion1

Lee & The Sounds (4) (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Lee Reynolds

Gerry Granahan

Vinnie Rodgers

Discography :

1958 - What Is This Thing Called Love / Beautiful Romance (Lido 600)

Biography :

Formed in 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, the Fireflies placed two singles on the charts in 1959-60, and then disappeared from view. The group was started by Gerry Granahan and Lee Reynolds and Vinnie Rodgers, who were each on their way to separate auditions for a singing job at a resort in upstate New York.

Gerry Granahan, Vinnie Rodgers, Lee Reynolds

While recording with the Fireflies, Lee Reynolds did some "Moonlighting", utilizing his musical talents to form another group called "Lee & The Sounds" which consisted of Lee, Gerry Granahan & Vinnie Rodgers. They performed at many local clubs, but made only one record " What Is This Thing Called Love" / "Beautiful Romance" on the Lido label.

Songs :
(Updated by Hans-Joachim)

Beautiful Romance What Is This Thing Called Love

...

See comments