1958 - Forever My Love / Jeannie (Mason's0-1/0-2/Candlelite 421)
Biography :
Ray Corbin was part of group that sang gospel. This was a "family affair," consisting of Wilbert "Pop" Corbin (bass), his son Ray Corbin (tenor), another son Edward "Rip" Corbin (first tenor), his brother Leroy Corbin (baritone), and cousin Gilbert Fauntleroy (baritone). Since Bernie Fulton and Ray Corbin had become such good friends, in 1957 17-year old Bernie was assimilated into the group. However, at that point, they turned to Rock 'N' Roll (although, without Bernie, they continued to sing gospel). For their secular adventures, someone chose the name "Thrashers."
Early James Rock 'N' Roll Band
They met a comedian/singer named "Mistreated Eaddy" , who introduced them to a record company owner, an older black man named either Mason . Mason listened to the Thrashers sing two songs that Bernie had written ("Jeannie" and "Forever My Love") and decided to record them. The recordings may have been made in 1957. Shortly after the group disbanded. In 1961, Bernie became the vocalist for the Early James Rock 'N' Roll Band, a position he held for most of the rest of the decade. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Thrashers/thrashers.html
1966 - Hush, Little Girl / I Do Love You (Swan 4258)
Biography :
Philly's own Billy & The Essentials under a pseudonym. During the 60's they used names like the Heatwaves and The Panics (also on Swan) for their releases.
"I Do Love You" is a typical Four Seasons' sound that the group could emulate to a T.Both writers were members of the group (W Carlucci = Billy Carlucci). Billy Carlucci written and produced over 500 songs under a gaggle of names.
Singles: 1956 - Ka-Ding Dong / Darla, My Darlin' (Pilgrim 715) 
 1956 - Cause You're Mine / Please Write While I'm Away (Pilgrim 720) 
 1956 - Symbol Of Love / Love Her In The Mornin' (Paris 502) 1957 - Zing Zang Zoo / Is This The Way (Paris 506) 
 1961 - I Understand (Just How You Feel) / Little Girl I Love You (Terrace 7500) 1962 - (There Never Was A Dog Like) Lad / A Girl Has To Know (Terrace 7503) 
 1962 - They'll Call Me Away / Make Up Your Mind (Terrace 7507) 
 1962 - Sitting In The Moonlight / A Lover's Prayer (Terrace 7510)
 1963 - All My Trials / The Big Rain (Terrace 7514) 1964 - To The Winner Goes The Prize / I Believe In All I Feel (Regina 1314) 
 1964 - Nobody But Betty / Angel Listen To Me (Regina 1319) 
 1965 - I Have / On The Other Side Of Town (Veep 1218) 
 1966 - This Time (I Know We're Gonna...) / On The Other Side Of Town(Veep 1226) 
 1966 - Party '66 / Little Lonely Boy (Loma 2034) 1966 - I Can't Stand It / The Whirlwind (Loma 2048) 
 1970 - I'll Remember All Your Kisses/ Ka-Ding-Dong (Ditto 503)
Lps : 1967 - The G-Clefs On Stage (Spotlite) Hold On / Sweet Soul Music / My Girl / Ain't To Proud To Beg / Beep-Beep / Ka-Ding Dong /
Biography :
The G-Clefs were formed in 1952, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, as the Bob-O-Links. Four of the five members were brothers : Teddy, Chris, Timmy and Arnold Scott, born between 1937 and 1940. The fifth member was a friend and neighbour, Ray Gibson.
Influenced by the Drifters, the Five Keys and the Dominoes, the group had its first gig at a roller skating rink in 1953. Always musically active, in the years between 1953 and 1956, they ran their own dances, renting a hall for $ 50 a night, selling and collecting tickets, and performing.
In 1956 they were discovered by Boston producer Jack Gold, who was A&R man for the local Pilgrim label. Their first release was "Ka Ding Dong", a song they had already been performing since 1953. Allegedly, the guitar solo was played by 16-year old Freddy Picariello, the later Freddy Cannon. "Ka Ding Dong" was covered by the Diamonds and the Hilltoppers, whose versions also made the Top 40, but the G-Clefs had the best-selling version, peaking at # 24 pop in September 1956 (# 9 R&B).
In late 1956, Jack Gold decided to start his own label, Paris Records, located in New York. As the G-Clefs were under a personal contract with Gold, he took the group along with him to his new label. They had two unsuccessful releases on Paris in 1957. There were several appearance at the Apollo in New York and in April 1957, they became part of Alan Freed's Easter Show at the Brooklyn Paramount.
In April 1958, George Goldner announced that he had signed the G-Clefs to his Gone label, but nothing more was heard of that supposed partnership and the group did not record again until 1961.This was mainly due to their propensity for street crime, each of the group taking turns in prison for assaults on policemen. Older and wiser, they were the very picture of innocent virtue on their 1961 comeback hit "I Understand". Jack Gold was still at it, with a new label called Terrace Records.
He managed to get the group back together again. "I Understand" had been a # 6 pop hit for the Four Tunes in 1954, but the G-Clefs gave it their own stamp by singing a second melody in the background, "Auld Lang Syne". The record went to # 9 in the US and # 17 in the UK, where it was released on London HLU 9433. Though this was their biggest hit, it almost ruined them. The group sounded white and had trouble getting work because of that.
The G-Clefs had one more chart entry on Terrace, with "A Girl Has To Know" (# 81, 1962). After five Terrace singles they had releases on small labels like Regina (1964), Veep (1965) and Loma (1966), but musical tastes had changed enormously by then and sales were negligible. In 1967 they recorded a live album, "The G-Clefs On Stage", which they released on their own Spotlite label. The spring of 1968 found them on their first European tour ; the second was in 1970. In the 1970s they were still very active, but for most of the 1980s the group was dormant. They picked up again in earnest in the 1990s and have been out there ever since.
The Cognacs 1960 - Charlena / Heaven Only Knows (Roulette 4340)
The Twisters (1) 1960 - Turn The Page / Dancing Little Clown (Capitol 4451)
Little Guy & the Giants (1) 1960 - So Young / It's You (Lawn 103)
Biography :
In 1960, Arthur Crier and Harold Johnson formerly of the Mellows added Buddy McRae (of the Chords) and Bobby Spencer (of the Crickets) and surfaced under the Cognacs. With Carl Spencer instead of Bobby, they are the Twisters on Capitol. Arthur Crier, Harold Johnson, Carl Spencer, and Al Cleveland are Little Guy & the Giants (1). Shortly after, Arthur Crier and Harold Johnson formed another group with J. R. Bailey (1st tenor) and Al Cleveland (baritone) called the Halos. http://www.uncamarvy.com/ArthurCrier/arthurcrier.html
Ray Allen Trio (Westchester, New York) aka The Gum Drops aka The Upbeats (2)aka The Classmates (1) aka The Four Classmates
Personnel :
Ray "Allen" Albanese (Vocal/Guitar)
Frank Rey (Vocal/Bass)
Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Vocal/Piano)
Discography :
Ray Allen Trio
1954 - Why Should I Love You / Love My Love (King 1383)
 1954 - Amapola / Love In Rhyme (King 1399) 
 1955 - I Miss You So / Money, Money, Money (King 1438)
 1961 - See Africa First / Two Angels (Joy 247)
The Classmates (1) 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Four Classmates 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Gum Drops
1955 - Gum Drop / Don't Take It so Hard 1955 (King 1496) 1955 - I'll Wait For One More Train / Don't Take It So Hard (King 1499) 1955 - I Wonder and Wonder / I'll Follow You (King 4913) 
 1956 - Natural born Lover / Chapel Of Hearts (King 4963) 1957 - Ba-Bee-Da Boat Is Leaving / Pigeon (King 5051)
 1958 - You're The One / Gum Drop Shoes and Bells In Her Hair (Decca 30584) 
 1958 - My Own True Love / On The Wings Of The Wind 1958 (Coral 62003) 1959 - I Spoke Too Soon / Sie-Tu (It's You, It's You) (Coral 62102) 1959 - It Happens Every Day / They Wake Me 1959 (Coral 62138)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats (2)
Singles: 1961 - Let Them Talk / Sweet Lorraine (Sinclair 1004) 1962 - Peggy Sue / La Bamba (Blast 204)
Lps : 1962 - "Tribute To 6" (Blast BLP-6804) C'mon Everyboby / Peggy Sue / Sittin' In The Balcony / Earth Angel / Chantilly Lace / Battle Of New Orleans / La Bamba / Every Day / Running Bear / Donna / North To Alaska / Goodnight My Love
Biography :
The Ray Allen Trio started recording for King Records in 1954, and "Why Should I Love You / Love Me Love" King 1383 was there first release.
Ray Allen Trio (about 1952) -The Arthur Godfrey Show
The personal were "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese) (Guitar), Frank Rey (Bass) and Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Piano). They had very good success with there first two records, and released a total of three on King. The group added Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar) and recorded " What Am I Gonna Do" b/w "A Kiss Is Not A Kiss" released as The Four Classmates and The Classmates
In 1955, DeLuxe released "Gum Drop" and "Save Me, Save Me" by Otis Williams and his New Group's ."Gum Drop" getting a lot of play from Alan Freed. "Gum Drop" was almost immediately covered by the Crew Cuts on Mercury Records, and that made Syd Nathan mad .
With George Montgomery
Syd Nathan refused to grant a license for "Gum Drop." As a final insult, Syd Nathan re-named the Ray Allen Trio to "The Gum Drops" and released their version of the song on King 1496 to cut into the Crew Cuts' sales.
The group consisted of "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese), Frank Rey, Harold "Feirstein" Stone and new member Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar), all were from New York. The Gum drops cut 9 singles for King, Decca & Coral. Their last release was as the Ray Allen Trio on the Joy record label.
In 1961 the Ray Allen Trio signing for Sinclair record as Ray Allen & The Upbeats , and released "Let Them Talk" /" Sweet Lorraine" (Sinclair 1004). The next year they released the LP "Tribute to 6" for Blast Records (a division of Sinclair Record Corp.)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats do two songs each by Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper, Johnny Horton and Jesse Belvin . "Tribute to 6" Conducted and Arranged by Vinny Catalano. A single from the LP was also released on Blast 204 with "Peggy Sue" and "La Bamba". Thanks To Alicia Albanese
Ray Allen Trio (Westchester, New York) aka The Gum Drops aka The Upbeats (2)aka The Classmates (1) aka The Four Classmates
Personnel :
Ray "Allen" Albanese (Vocal/Guitar)
Frank Rey (Vocal/Bass)
Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Vocal/Piano)
Discography :
Ray Allen Trio
1954 - Why Should I Love You / Love My Love (King 1383)
 1954 - Amapola / Love In Rhyme (King 1399) 
 1955 - I Miss You So / Money, Money, Money (King 1438)
 1961 - See Africa First / Two Angels (Joy 247)
The Classmates (1) 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Four Classmates 1955 - What Am I Gonna Do / A Kiss Is Not A Kiss (King 1487)
The Gum Drops
1955 - Gum Drop / Don't Take It so Hard 1955 (King 1496) 1955 - I'll Wait For One More Train / Don't Take It So Hard (King 1499) 1955 - I Wonder and Wonder / I'll Follow You (King 4913) 
 1956 - Natural born Lover / Chapel Of Hearts (King 4963) 1957 - Ba-Bee-Da Boat Is Leaving / Pigeon (King 5051)
 1958 - You're The One / Gum Drop Shoes and Bells In Her Hair (Decca 30584) 
 1958 - My Own True Love / On The Wings Of The Wind 1958 (Coral 62003) 1959 - I Spoke Too Soon / Sie-Tu (It's You, It's You) (Coral 62102) 1959 - It Happens Every Day / They Wake Me 1959 (Coral 62138)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats (2)
Singles: 1961 - Let Them Talk / Sweet Lorraine (Sinclair 1004) 1962 - Peggy Sue / La Bamba (Blast 204)
Lps : 1962 - "Tribute To 6" (Blast BLP-6804) C'mon Everyboby / Peggy Sue / Sittin' In The Balcony / Earth Angel / Chantilly Lace / Battle Of New Orleans / La Bamba / Every Day / Running Bear / Donna / North To Alaska / Goodnight My Love
Biography :
The Ray Allen Trio started recording for King Records in 1954, and "Why Should I Love You / Love Me Love" King 1383 was there first release.
Ray Allen Trio (about 1952) -The Arthur Godfrey Show
The personal were "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese) (Guitar), Frank Rey (Bass) and Harold "Feirstein" Stone (Piano). They had very good success with there first two records, and released a total of three on King. The group added Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar) and recorded " What Am I Gonna Do" b/w "A Kiss Is Not A Kiss" released as The Four Classmates and The Classmates
In 1955, DeLuxe released "Gum Drop" and "Save Me, Save Me" by Otis Williams and his New Group's ."Gum Drop" getting a lot of play from Alan Freed. "Gum Drop" was almost immediately covered by the Crew Cuts on Mercury Records, and that made Syd Nathan mad .
With George Montgomery
Syd Nathan refused to grant a license for "Gum Drop." As a final insult, Syd Nathan re-named the Ray Allen Trio to "The Gum Drops" and released their version of the song on King 1496 to cut into the Crew Cuts' sales.
The group consisted of "Ray Allen (Ray Albanese), Frank Rey, Harold "Feirstein" Stone and new member Vinnie Bell (Vinnie Gambella) (Guitar), all were from New York. The Gum drops cut 9 singles for King, Decca & Coral. Their last release was as the Ray Allen Trio on the Joy record label.
In 1961 the Ray Allen Trio signing for Sinclair record as Ray Allen & The Upbeats , and released "Let Them Talk" /" Sweet Lorraine" (Sinclair 1004). The next year they released the LP "Tribute to 6" for Blast Records (a division of Sinclair Record Corp.)
Ray Allen & The Upbeats do two songs each by Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper, Johnny Horton and Jesse Belvin . "Tribute to 6" Conducted and Arranged by Vinny Catalano. A single from the LP was also released on Blast 204 with "Peggy Sue" and "La Bamba". Thanks To Alicia Albanese
The Five Bell Aires (Hartford, CT.) aka Larry Lee & The Four Bel-aires (2)
Personnel :
Henry "Hawk" Hall (Lead)
John Hall (First Tenor)
Elijah "Prez" McKinney (Baritone)
James "Rock" Jenkins (Second Tenor)
Lewis Clayton (Bass )
Discography :
Larry Lee & The Four Bel-aires (2) 1959 - Can I Be In Love / Stolen Love (M-Z 006)
Henry Hall & The Five Bell Aires 1959 - House Of Love (Unreleased) 1959 - My Friends (Unreleased) 1959 - I'm So Happy (Unreleased) 1959 - Come On to My Love House (Unreleased)
John Hall & The Five Bell Aires 1959 - Wedding Bells (Unreleased) 1959 - Come On Home (Unreleased)
Biography :
Henry "Hawk" Hall, usual lead singer, his cousin John (First Tenor), Elijah "Prez" McKinney (Baritone), James "Rock" Jenkins (Second Tenor), and Lewis Clayton (Bass ) called their group The Five Marvel Tones when they started in 1954. They Changed their name to the 5 Bell Aires (Inspired by the plethora of Car-named groups) . They even won amateur night at the Apollo in Harlem two weeks in a row. Their loyal fans and members of other vocal groups who caught their act wondered why they didn't have a record out.
The 5 Bell Aires recorded 6 songs, they were first sung as rough demos in 1957, then recorded as finished masters probably in 1960 in Soyka's Somers, Ct studio. Their Manager, John Rys almost consummated a deal with Hy Weiss at Old Town Records, but nothing finally happened… The Bell Aires did back Larry Lee (Larry Harper) Lead singer of The Embers, on "Can I Be In Love"/ "Stolen Love" on the Local MZ label in the Fall of '59 (Henry Hall had been drafted, so they became the Four Bel-aires for MZ)
The Bell Aire's Elijah "Prez" McKinney with George Cruz (from the Fluorescents), Richard Reedy and Billy Surmolian Backed Larry Lee as The Serenaders, they cut demos in Hartford and in N.Y.C
Johnny & The Tokens (3) (Brooklyn, New York) aka Johnny & The Kings (4) aka A Pair Of Kings aka The Grace Notes
Personnel :
John Guiffre (Lead)
Jimmy "Sims" Smith
Jerry Vance
John Truscelli
Discography :
The Grace Notes Unreleased : 1957 - Send Me An Angel / First Love
A Pair Of Kings 1959 - Once / The Monster (RCA 7659) 1960 - Just Two Guys / I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight (Warwick 608) 1961 - Ev'rytime / Just Two Guys (Warwick 647)
Johnny & The Tokens (3) 1961 - The Taste Of A Tear / Never Till Now (Warwick 658)
Johnny & The Kings (4) 1961 - The Taste Of A Tear / Never Till Now (Warwick 658)
Biography :
Jerry Vance attended James Madison H.S. with Barry Mann. Jerry played alto sax in the H.S. dance band. In 1956 his senior year, Jerry joined a group called the Grace Notes. Jimmy "Sims" Smith sang lead and two other members were John Guiffre and a girl. The group wrote, produced and arranged their session at Nola Studios. The demo was unmarketable and the group soon broke up. Jimmy and Jerry stayed together and met an independent producer who recorded them at Long Island studio, doing two songs which were unreleased; On both sides, singing background was a young girl named Ellie Greenwich.
A Pair Of Kings
The fellows were becoming disenchanted when they met Howie Epstein, John McCarthy and Terry Phillips. Howie got the group an audition with RCA. As "A Pair Of Kings", Jerry and Jimmy recorded "The Monster". A pair Of Kings moved to Morty Craft's Warwick label, keeping their RCA Name. After two releases, John Guiffre rejoined the group after getting out of the service. With a four member named John Truscelli, they released "The Taste Of A Tear" b/w "Never Till Now" as Johnny & The Kings.
1960 - Johnny & The Kings
In 1961, The Tokens were one of the hottest and most talented groups in early 60s. kicking things off with "Tonight i Fell In Love" on the Warwick Label. Big boy RCA-Victor came up with a big money offer, and the Tokens jumped over There, immediately hitting #1 with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". their phenomenal career took all from there.
1961 - Johnny & The Tokens At the Palisades Park
Morty Craft of Warwick was not happy about losing these moneymakers and reacted by changing the Name of Johnny & The Kings into Johnny & The Tokens (his label had done extremely well with Johnny & The Hurricanes) . They were good enough to make a brief appearance on the national chart. This name was never used again.
The Fabulous Dials (Philadelphia) aka The Dials (1)
Personnel :
Ray Eskridge
Michael Franklin
Eddie Smith
James Tindal
Discography :
The Fabulous Dials 1963 - Forget Me Not / Bossa Nova Stomp (Joy 276/D'nB' 1000)
The Dials (1) (Franklin & Tindal) 1961 - No Hard Feelings / Win Yourself A Lover (Hilltop 219) 1961 - Wondering About Your Love / Sorrento (Hilltop 2009) 1961 - School Bells Are Ringing / Ring Ting-A-Ling (Hilltop 2010)
Lee Johnson bb The Dials (1) 1961 - You love Billy / Get Goin (Arnold 105)
Biography :
The Fabulous Dials who had their shot of Glory with "Bossa Nova Stomp" in early 63.
Ray Eskridge, Michael Franklin, Eddie Smith and James Tindal came from Paoli on the Outskirts of Philly and can perhaps count themselves lucky to even have got a Uk release in view of sales being restricted to the immediate Philadelphia Aera.
Both sides of this 45 were written by Dollee Escourt, who also wrote The Conservative by the Orlons. This was a 2nd issue on Joy, first issued on D 'n' B #1000. Franklin and Tindal were in The Dials on Hilltop, who did "No Hard Feelings," among others, most notably "School Bells Are Ringing."
Songs :
The Fabulous Dials
Forget Me Not Bossa Nova Stomp
The Dials (1)
No Hard Feelings School Bells Are Ringing Wondering About Your Love
The Vibra-Tones (2) (Brooklyn & Queens, New york) aka The Allures aka The Alumes
Personnel :
John Sescila
Sandy Anzalone
John Anzalone
Vinny Lombardy
Discography :
Evelyn Dell & The Vibra-Tones (2) 1961 - Sincerely / Please Tell Me Why (ABC 10218) Art Wayne (bb The Allures) 1961 -Try And Try Again / Let Me Make My Own Mistakes (Xavier 8890)
The Allures Demo : 1961/63 - Try And Try Again 1961/63 - Dorothy 1961/63 - Plea For Love 1961/63 - At The End Of A Love 1961/63 - You Are On My Mind
The Allumes 1979 - Winner Take All / Tell Me Why (Crystal Ball 118)
Biography :
After a first group called the Embers, John & Sandy Anzalone form a group, The Galaxies In 1960. The group consisted of John & Sandy, Arlene Pisciotta, John Gilleeny and John Sescila. The group was working the Platter's "Winner Take All" and another version of "You Belong To me"…
The Embers The Galaxies
Some personal changes again were made with Arlene & John Gilleeny departing and Ralph Rega joining the group. This group would record "Winner Take All", "A Thousand Miles Away" and a few other demo's before Ralph would exit to join "The Invitations".
The Galaxies The Invitations
Ralph was replaced by Vinny Lombardi and a name change to the Allures took place. It was this group between 1961-1963 that would do many recordings, mostly because of their new Manager, Sal Campo. "Winner Take All" b/w "Tell Me Why", a cover of the Norman Fox hit was released in late '79 on the Crystal Ball label as the Allumes (This was because the Writing on the Demo was so faded it was illegible).
The Vibra-Tones/Allures
The Group would wax two 45's backup singers. the first on ABC For Evelyn Del as The Vibra-Tones and the second on Xavier records for Piano player, Art Wayne. "Try & Try Again" was originally called "We don't Need A Chaperone" but after a revamping of the Lyrics by the producer on the lead vocals, the background vocals were lowered since the words no longer reflected the background singers response. After the lack of success by the Allures, the Group disbanded.
Songs :
Evelyn Dell & The Vibra-Tones (2)
Sincerely Please Tell Me Why
The Allures
Try And Try Again Dorothy Plea For Love
At The End Of A Love You Are On My Mind Winner Take All
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