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

The Slades aka The Spades (1)

Posted on June 23 2013 by dion1

The Slades (Austin, Texas)
aka The Spades (1)

Personnel :

Don Burch

John Goeke

Tommy Kasper

B.Doyle (Bass)

Discography :

The Spades (1)
1957 - Baby / You Mean Everything To Me (Domino 200/100/ Liberty 55118)

The Slades
Singles:
1958 - You Cheated / The Waddle (Domino 500)
1958 - No Time / You Gambled (Domino 800)
1959 - Summertime / You Must Try (Domino 1000)
1961 - Just You / It's Better To Love (Domino 901)
1961 - Take My Heart / It's Your Turn (Domino 906)
Unreleased :
N/A - I've Had It (Domino)
N/A - Ling Ting Tong (Domino)
N/A - Little Star (Domino)
N/A - So Tough (Domino)
N/A - Gee Whiz (Domino)
N/A - In The Still Of The Night (Domino)

Joyce Webb & The Slades
1958 - After You've Gone / Right Here (Domino 300)

Joyce Harris & The Slades
1961 - I Cheated / Do You Know What It's Like To Be Lonesome (Joce Harris)(Domino 905)

Biography :

Don Burch, Bobby Doyle, John Goeke, and Tommy Kasper -- formed at Lamar High School in Austin TX, later adding Jimmy Davis. Signing with the fledging Domino Records after graduation, they put college on hold, much to their parents' chagrin. In 1957, Burch's composition "You Mean Everything to Me" started making noise. Unable to distribute nationally, Domino leased it to Dot Records for $600. On both Domino and Liberty Records they were the Spades, but the name offended people, so Liberty pressed more copies and renamed them the Slades without informing anybody.

Joyce Webb & The Slades

The fellows originally picked Spades after the playing card suit; it had nothing to do with race or trying to be black. The Spades, a white group, had a Black/Chicano sound. "You Cheated" became their biggest hit. Its flip "The Waddle, " a dance song, was the original plug side. Joyce Webb was also on the Slades "You Cheated"- she was singing the Doo Wop in the background! She continued singing backups on many Domino sessions and had her own group the "Debs". The Slades recorded at the University of Texas' Radio House, and later at Austin Recording. Bobby Doyle, a blind child prodigy, played standup bass on the sessions. Domino started with 11 people who pooled resources for financing.

Jocks thought little of Domino's pick, but loved "You Cheated" and played the aching ballad. Once again, bigger companies clamored for a lease deal, but Domino refused, upset at the small amount received before, and furious that the sales plummeted under Liberty's imprint. Domino's refusal prompted a distributor to provide funds for George Motola, head of Tender Records, to cut a cover version. Motola assembled a group of Los Angeles R&B singers and cloned the recording. Now you had two choices: the Slades, and the Shields.

Tender leased the Shields' cover to Dot Records and it smoked the original -- zooming to number twelve, while the Slades' stalled at number 42 in 1958. The cover benefitted Domino, who also published the song. But the competition destroyed the Texas natives' shot at fame. "You Gambled" followed, it made Billboard's Hot Pics then died. In 1959, they released "Summertime" to deaf ears. They had no releases in 1960. "Just You" dropped in 1961, and later that year "Take My Heart" came and went unnoticed. A final release, "I Cheated" answered "You Cheated." Joyce Harris changed the lyrics and sang lead. Caucasian also, Harris developed her soulful singing style by hanging around blues musicians in her hometown, New Orleans. When the answer song failed, the guys called it a date. Only Davis had his heart in music, and their parents wanted them to quit.

Besides, they hated touring: in Arkansas, they practically got booed off the stage, and were only appreciated in West Texas. Kasper operates a business and has a computer degree. Burch is a family man and a grandfather; his son is a doctor. Goeke teaches at a Lutheran college. Davis drifts but stays around music. Harris lives in Bogalusa, LA. The company and Burch profited from "Mr. Blue, " a number one hit, because Dolton Records made the Fleetwoods' remake of "You Mean Everything to Me" the B-side.

The Domino Records Story, available on Ace Records, includes almost every Slades' recording, and some by other Domino artists. According to Lora Jane Richardson, an original owner "Ace didn't want the country songs the group cut." Domino forged on releasing records on Joyce Harris, the Daylighters, and others. You won't find "You Cheated" on many compilation albums. According to Richardson "the little checks (one arrived for $12.64) aren't worth all the paperwork you have to do."
http://www.colorradio.com/Slades.htm
http://www.colorradio.com/joyce_harris.htm

Songs :
(Update By Hans-Joachim)

The Spades (1)

Baby You Mean Everything To Me

The Slades

You Cheated                 The Waddle                        No Time


You Gambled                       You Must Try                        Just You

It's Better To Love                    Take My Heart                     It's Your Turn


Ling Ting Tong                       Little Star                          So Tough


Gee Whiz                        In The Still Of The Night

Joyce Harris & The Slades

I Cheated

Joyce Webb & The Slades

After you've gone

...

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The Masters (4) aka The Symbols (2) aka The Beltones (1)

Posted on June 21 2013 by dion1

(Beltones/Symbols) B. Brown, R. Brown, B.Cottman, A.Pope, C.Williams

The Symbols (2) (Jamaica, Queens, New York)
aka The Beltones (1) aka The Masters (4)

Personnel :

Andrew Pope (Lead)

Clayton "Dickie" Williams（First Tenor）

Buster Cottman （Baritone）

Robert Brown（Bass）

Wilbur "Buzzy" Brown (Second Tenor)

Discography :

The Beltones (1)
1957 - I Talk To My Echo / Oof Goof (Hull 721)

The Symbols (2)
Unreleased:
1958 - Crying My Heart Out (Old Town)
1958 - Lover, Lover, Lover (Old Town)
1958 - Last Rose Of Summer (Old Town)
1958 - Country Boy (Old Town)

The Masters (4)
1961 - A Man Is Not Supposed To Cry / Look Out (End 1100)
1962 - Crying My Heart Out / I'm Searching（Le Sage 713/714)

Discography :

The Beltones were a product of the thriving Jamaica, Queens, doo wop community that also launched the Rivileers, the Deltairs, and the Five Sharps. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the December 2000 issue of Discoveries, the quartet was founded in 1954 by lead Andrew Pope, first tenor Clayton "Dickie" Williams, baritone Herb Rooney, and bass Robert Brown -- the latter also moonlighted in rival vocal group the Love Larks, and when their career began taking off, Brown exited to join their ranks full-time.

The Love Larks

With new bass Alva Martin, the Beltones eventually signed to Hull Records, recording their debut single, "I Talk to My Echo," in the summer of 1956. For reasons unknown Hull did not issue the disc until the following spring, and when it predictably failed to generate much excitement, the label parted ways with the group. By that time, the Love Larks were no more, so Brown returned to the Beltones, prompting Martin's exit. Brown brought with him fellow Love Larks alum/second tenor Wilbur "Buzzy" Brown (no relation). Soon after, Rooney resigned, and with new baritone George "Buster" Cottman, the Beltones signed to the legendary Old Town label to cut a four-song session in the spring of 1958.

The Masters (4) :B.Cotteman, H.Rooney, C.Williams, D.Banks, F.Turner)

While the group mulled a name change to the Symbols, Hull got wind of the session and threatened a breach of contract suit, effectively rendering any moves moot. Old Town shelved the tapes, and although the Beltones continued touring the Queens live circuit for more than a year, in 1960 Pope was called to military duty, and "Buzzy" Brown quit soon after. The remaining trio convinced Rooney to return, adding lead David Banks and changing their name to the Masters. This lineup recorded the 1961 End Records effort "A Man Is Not Supposed to Cry," followed a year later by "Crying My Heart Out," originally written by Pope for the Old Town session. In 1962 the Masters dissolved and Rooney joined their sister group, the Masterettes, which as the Exciters later recorded the classic smash "Tell Him."
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Beltones/beltones.html

Songs :

The Masters (4)


A Man Is Not Supposed To Cry                 Look Out


Crying My Heart Out                         I'm Searching

The Beltones (1)


I Talk To My Echo                                 Oof Goof

The Symbols (2)


Crying My Heart Out                   Lover, Lover, Lover


Last Rose Of Summer                         Country Boy

.....

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The Everglades (1) aka The Go-Togethers ref The Ebbtides (5)

Posted on June 19 2013 by dion1

Charles Henderson, Johnny Johnson & Dave Bell - Top : Johnny Banks

The Everglades (1) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
aka The Go-Togethers ref The Ebbtides (5)

Personnel :

Johnny Banks

Charles Henderson

Dave Bell

Johnny Johnson

Discography :

The Ebbtides (5)
1956 - Only Be Mine / What's Your Name Dear (Teen 121)

Johnny Banks & The Everglades (1)
1961 - While Sitting In The Chapel / Do You Miss Me (BPV 112277)

The Everglades (1)
1962 - I Went To The S&S / Tell Me Pretty Baby (Brenne 502)

The Go-Togethers
1963 - Train / Time After Time (Coast 100)

Biography :

Charles Henderson began singing with fellow Ben Framklin High Scool. In 1955, Charles Henderson with Johnny Banks, Horace Adams, Robert Lee and Betty McCann formed a group, Following a year of tedious practice, Johnny Banks made the connection with Teen/Sound Records in 1956. At The Reco-Arts Studio , they cut " What's Your Name Dear" with "Only Be Mine". Appearances ensued, most arranged by manage rRobinson. The Baby Grang in Harlem, another in Reading, Pensylvania, the O.V Catto hall at 16th & Fitzwater near Center City, the Ice House in South Jersey, a sleek show at the uptown theater accompanying the Blue Notes the Channels & The Continentals..…

WDAS concert - Uptown Thheater (ca 1960)

Some years later, Dave Bell and Johnny Johnson replaced Horace Adams and and McCann. This reformed aggregation was christened the Everglades by Johnny Banks. Six years or so following their dustup with teen records, they found themselves on the doorstep of BVP Records. The Everglades cut "While Sitting In The Chapel" /" Do You Miss Me". But the BVP platter wended its way to nowhere and the group cut another record for Brenne "I Went To The S&S" and "Tell Me Pretty Baby". The group have two other songs: "Train" and "Time After Time" released one year later on the Coast Label under the strange name "The Go-Togethers".

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Ebbtides (5)


Only Be Mine                              What's Your Name Dear

Johnny Banks & The Everglades (1)


While Sitting In The Chapel                      Do You Miss Me

The Everglades (1)

I Went To The S & S / Tell Me Pretty Baby

The Go-Togethers

Train / Time After Time

...

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The Coquettes (2)

Posted on June 18 2013 by dion1

The Coquettes (2) (New York)

Personnel :

Joann Bongiorno (Vocal/Accordion/Sax)

Ruth Russo (Vocal/Guitar/Trumpet/Banjo)

Carole Schneider (Vocal/Guitar/Trombone)

Karen Chanda (Vocal/Bass)

Discography :

1957 - Sidewalk Sweethearts / Ask Anyone Who Knows (Columbia 41059)
1958 - When We're All Through School / The Music Goes Round And Round (Columbia 41117)
1959 - I'm Making Believe / Won't Somebody Hear My Prayer (M-G-M 12820)
1960 - Somebody's Watching All The Time / Wedding Bells (M-G-M 12909)

Biography :

Vocal & Instrumental group from New York , variously a quartet or quintet. They were a popular lounge band throughout the '50s/'60s and appeared in venues throughout the United States. The Group cut two singles for Columbia and two others for MGM between 1957 and 1960. Joann Bongiorno, Ruth Russo and Carole Schneider wrote "Won't Somebody Hear My Prayer" for MGM.

This is the same group (with several members change) who had a minor hit in 1967, "I'll Release You," an answer to Engelbert Humperdinck's hit "Please Release Me.

Joann Bon & The Coquettes

Joan Bon (often credited as Joann Bon) and The Coquettes were a popular girl group in the late 1960s, who cut five singles and two album for MTA between 1967 and 1969.

Songs :

I'm Making Believe Won't Somebody Hear My Prayer

Sidewalk / Sweethearts

......

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The Three Kays aka The Arnold Sisters aka The Three K's

Posted on June 16 2013 by dion1

The Three Kays aka The Arnold Sisters aka The Three K's
Kathy, Kay & Karen

The Three Kays (Cincinatti, Ohio)
aka The Arnold Sisters aka The Three K's

Personnel:

Kathy Arnold

Kay Arnold

Karen Arnold

Discography :

Vicki Spencer bb The Three Kays
1961 - I Wait / Hello Mr. Dream (Fraternity 883)

The Three Kays aka The Arnold Sisters aka The Three K's

The Arnold Sisters
1964 - Jelly Bean / Angel Laughter (Sound Stage 7)

The Three K's
1964 - Jelly Bean / Angel Laughter [Carousel 1001]

Biography :

The Three Kays were a vocal trio composed by Kathy, Kay and Karen Arnold. In MarCh/April 1961, Vickie Spencer was living in Florence Kentucky when she met the Arnolds while attending Boone County High School. A day, she hear girls sing their harmony, Their voice quality is the same so upper and lower notes blend perfectly in a natural harmony. Vickie called their dad Verne Arnold and asked permission to coach them. Vickie Spencer brought them along to sing background music for tunes she was recording for Fraternity Records in Cincenatti. Some months later, at the age of 16 Vicki Spencer leaves for Hollywood and appeared as a featured performer in not one but two motion pictures with Dion and Chubby Checker. Those were Teenage Millionaire (with Jimmy Clanton) and Twist Around The Clock (with Clay Cole). The teen-age Arnolds (they range from 14 to 17) will continue to perform locally as The Three Kays, but it will be necessary to wait until 1964 for the girls to record two songs, "Jelly Bean" and Angel Laughter" released under two different labels... as well as under two different names: The Arnold Sisters and The Three K's.

Songs :

Vicki Spencer bb The Three Kays


Hello Mr. Dream                              I Wait

The Arnold Sisters


Jelly Bean                                         Angel Laughter

...

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The Enchantones

Posted on June 13 2013 by dion1

Composite pictures From left to right, Joe Bello, Joe Rivera and Danny Laboy

The Enchantones (Brownsville, Brooklyn)

Personnel :

Joe Bello (Lead )

Danny Laboy (First Tenor)

Joe Rivera (Second Tenor)

Roger (Baritone)

Woody (Bass)

Discography :

1962 - We Fell in Love / My Picture Of You (Poplar 116)

Biography :

Poplar, founded in New York City in 1962 by Stan Seifer, generally featured doo wop-styled groups, but backed them with often surprisingly sharp early rock arrangements that avoided being derivative by adding in little percussion touches, unusual basslines, and touches of horns. Poplar Recorded the Enchantones in 1962. The group was made up of five members: Joe Bello, as lead singer, Danny Laboy, first tenor, Joe Rivera, second tenor, Roger, baritone and Woody, bass. They lived in what was then a rough neighborhood called Brownsville, Brooklyn. They started singing on street corners, hallways (for echo effect) and school yards, before recording and playing venues visited by the likes of Johnny Mathis and Lou Christie.
By Joe Bello.


Songs :


We Fell in Love                             My Picture Of You

....

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The Corsairs (2)

Posted on June 11 2013 by dion1

The Corsairs (2) (La Grange, North Carolina)
(Ref The Kool Toppers)
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel:

Moses “King Moe” Uzzell

Jay “Bird” Uzzell

James “Little Skeet” Uzzell

George Wooten

Discography:

The Corsairs
1961 - Time Waits / It Won't Be A Sin (Smash 1715)
1961 - Smoky Places / Thinkin’ (Maybe She’s Changed Her Ways) (Tuff/Chess 1808)
1962 - I'll Take You Home / Sittin’ On Your Doorstep (Tuff/Chess 1818)
1962 - Dancing Shadows / While (Tuff/Chess 1830)
1962 - At The Stroke Of Midnight / Listen To My Little Heart (Tuff/Chess 1840)
1963 - Stormy / It's Almost Sunday Morning (Tuff 1847/Chess 1847)
1963 - Save A Little Monkey / "Instrumental Background" (Tuff 375)

Landy Mc Neil & The Corsairs
1964 - The Change In You / On The Spanish Side (Tuff 402)

Biography:

The Corsairs originated from La Grange, NC, releasing seven records as The Corsairs, and one as Landy McNeil & the Corsairs, the first on Smash, and the rest on Tuff Records. Their lineup consisted of three brothers, Jay, James, and Moses Uzell, and cousin George Wooten.

As the Gleems they sang at all the local functions and made their way north to the New Jersey/New York area, and were discovered harmonizing in a Newark, NJ, night spot by Abner Spector. Spector later hit with “Sally Go Round the Roses” by the Jaynettes. The family affair debuted on Smash as The Corsairs with “Time Waits” b/w “It Won't Be A Sin” in 1961, but it went unnoticed.

For their second release Spector switch them to Tuff Records where they scored with “Smoky Places,” which nearly cracked the pop Top Ten, settling at number 12 in 1961. Chess Records distributed this and their subsequent Tuff recordings. They followed with “I'll Take You Home” b/w “Sittin' on Your Doorstep” in 1962, a fine recording that stalled at number 62.

They kept releasing singles until 1964, but “Dancing Shadows,” “At the Stroke of Midnight,” “Stormy” and “Save a Little Monkey” did next to nothing. A versatile group, all three brothers sang lead, their recordings bridged the gap between ‘50s doo wop and ‘60s R&B.

They released their final recording in 1964, “The Change in You,” b/w “On the Spanish Side,” as Landy McNeil & the Corsairs, but the sound had stagnated and didn't stand a chance against current favs’ like “My Girl,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” and other mid-'60s sounds.
Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
http://wwww.oldies.com/artist-biography/The-Corsairs.html
http://wwww.soulfulkindamusic.net/corsairs.htm

Songs:


Time Waits                       It Won't Be A Sin                    Smoky Places


Thinkin’    I’ll Take You Home Sittin’ On Your Doorstep


Dancing Shadows                   While                      At The Stroke Of Midnight


Listen To My Little Heart                Stormy            It's Almost Sunday Morning


Save A Little Monkey             The Change In You          On The Spanish Side

......

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The Keynoters (2) aka The Pharoes aka The Fantastics (1)

Posted on June 8 2013 by dion1

William "Sonny" Forrest, Billy Sutton, Freddy Warner & Larry Lawrence

The Keynoters (2) (Brooklyn, New York)
The Pharoes aka The Fantastics (1)

Personnel :

William "Sonny" Forrest（Lead）

Nick Nicholson（First Tenor）

Billy Sutton（Second Tenor）

Freddy Warner（Baritone）

Larry Lawrence（Bass）

Discography :

1962 - Come Back Home / I Wanna Know Who (Keynote 504)

Biography :

The Fantastics continued singing after Sammy Strain left the group. They acquired a new first tenor named Nick Nicholson. They continued singing as the Fantastics for the next couple years. Eric Bernay the owner of A-1 Records decided to rename the group the Keynoters and record them on his Keynote label. The Keynoters recorded “I Wanna Know Who” backed with “Come Back Home” for Keynote Records. “I Wanna Know Who” . . The group soon went back to being the Fantastics. Billy Sutton left the group and was replaced for a short time by Danny Hicks of the Continentals. 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. 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.

Songs :

Come Back Home I Wanna Know Who

....

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The Kays

Posted on June 8 2013 by dion1

The Kays (Rochester, N.Y)

Personnel :

Shirlee "Kim" Laporte

Marianne "Karl" Pocratsky

Elta "Kris" Kernohan

Discography :

1958 - Who's Gonna Take You Home / Baby (MGM K12630)

Biography :

The girls are members of a professional dance troupe, the "Lucky Girls." They became recording artists in a sort of impromptu way, while appearing at the Triton Hotel in Rochester, N.Y.. While resting between shows, they playfully began harmonizing and were overheard by Vince (Jan) Giancursio, owner of the Fine Recording Studio of Rochester and member of the band playing at the Triton.

He was impressed, and arranged for a recording session. The trio successfully recorded "Baby," and then in another session waxed a catchy tune they composed themselves, "Who's Gonna Take You Home" with musical arrangement by the Rhythm Rogues. Vince Giancursio took the tape recording to New York and sold it to M.G.M Recording. The "Kays" then were offered a six month contract with a year's option. Disc jockeys and jukeboxes over the nation are playing the tune, "Who's Gonna Take You Home,"and it's already reached "hit" status in Buffalo, Syracuse, New York City, Detroit and Boston.

Songs :

Who's Gonna Take You Home / Baby (only a part of the two songs)

….

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Sugar & Spice (1)

Posted on June 6 2013 by dion1

Sugar & Spice (1) (Portland, Oregon / Los Angeles, California)
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel:

Sugar (Junior Ryder, born Morris Riden)

Spice (Blondine Taylor)

Discography:

1956 - Hey Joe (Let Me Know) / Indeed I Love You (Mercury 70788)
1956 - Don't Be A Bunny / There Were No Angels (Wing 90081 / Mercury 70960)
1957 - Strawberry Shortcake / First Last And Always (Mercury 71034)

Biography:

They were Junior Ryder who was part of the Johnny Otis aggregation, and Blondine Taylor one of the Queens who backed up Shirley Gunter on “You're Mine” and “Oop Shoop”.

Blondine Taylor with The Queens

They were paired by Buck Ram and signed to Mercury. They recorded “Hey Joe” and “Indeed I Love You” on Mercury # 70788, “There Were No Angels” and “Don't Be A Bunny” (a plea for good conduct at rock 'n roll shows) on Mercury's subsidiary label Wing (# 90081) and finally “Strawberry Shortcake” and “First Last And Always” for Mercury on #71034.

The pair had the look, the sound, and the talent to be huge but it just didn't happen for them and that remains one of the big mysteries of the nineteen fifties.
J.C. Marion
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/Great_Duos_part_Two.html
http://www.electricearl.com/dws/ryder.html

Songs:


Hey Joe (Let Me Know)           Indeed I Love You        There Were No Angels


Strawberry Shortcake           First Last And Always                Don't Be A Bunny

……

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