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

The Chips (1)

Posted on December 23 2012 by dion1

The Chips (1) ( Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Kinrod Johnson (Lead, baritone)

Nathaniel “Lil John” Epps (Falsetto)

Paul Fulton (Bass)

Sammy Strain (First Tenor)

Shedrick “Bubbie” Lincoln (Second Tenor)

Discography :

1956 - Rubber Biscuit / Oh, My Darlin' (Josie 803)

Biography :

The Chips had one record released from August 1956 to April 1980, "Rubber Biscuit," an outrageous novelty song that failed to crack the pop Top 40 but did well along the East Coast. Raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, The Chips formed in 1956.

The members were Charles Johnson (lead), Sammy Strain (first tenor), Shedwick Lincoln (second tenor), Nathaniel Epps (baritone), and Paul Fulton (bass). They created the novelty and its flip "Oh My Darling" while attending a school for delinquent teens. Josie Records thought it had something and released the nutty ditty. After a few appearances at some major R&B venues, the group disbanded; Josie never released another recording by them, though some members enjoyed more success with other groups: Fulton sung with the Velours and the Poets, Lincoln with the Invitations, and Johnson with the Platters.

And Sammy Strain had enjoyed an illustrious career with the Fantastics, Little Anthony & the Imperials, and the O'Jays. In 1979, "Rubber Biscuit" enjoyed another stint of success when the Blues Brothers remade it for a Top 40 hit.The Chips promptly regrouped in 1980 -- minus Sammy Strain, who had connected with the O'Jays -- and recorded "Everyone's Laughing," their first single in 24 years.
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/

Songs :

Rubber Biscuit Oh, My Darlin'

Rubber Biscuit (alt. take)

...

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The Sentimentals (2)

Posted on December 21 2012 by dion1

Vince, Tom, Tom, Bob & Norm

The Sentimentals (2) (Aliquippa, Pa.)

Personnel :

Tom Prigorac (Lead)

Robert Silvestri

Vince Trombetta

Tom Llewellyn

Norman DelTurco (Piano)

Discography :

Singles :
1959 - We Three / Understanding Love (Coral 62100)
1960 - Deep Down In My Heart / Two Different Worlds (Coral 62172)

Unreleased ? :
1957 - You are the One (General Artists Corp.)

Biography :

From 1957, This Vocal Quartet has made many professional appearances throughout the valley and the Pittsburgh vicinity. They played at the Beverly Hills hotel and the Bon Ange, both of Pittsburgh, and Villa's Lounge, Aquilippa. Tom Prigorac of Iron Street Aliquipa, is lead Singers. The other three members are Vince Trombetta, 20th street, and Robert Silvestri, McMinn Street, both of Aliquippa, and Tommy Llewellyn of Ambridge. Norman DelTurco of Spruce Street, Aliquippa is pianist and make their arrangements.

Two of the young men are in school, Robert Silvestriat Penn Tech Institute and Vince Trombetta at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. Tom Prigorac is employed at the Aliquippa Works, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp., and Tom Llewellyn at Spang-Chalfant Division of national Supply, Inc., plant at Ambridge. in 1958, The Sentimentals contracted a song writer and agent, Kay Towmey of New York City, as their personnal manager and agent. A five-year contract with 10 year option was signed.

Miss Towmey has written many hit tunes among then is the 1951 Oscar winner, "Serenade of the Bells" "Jealous Lover" and "Let me Go lover". George Goering has agreed write songs for the group. Mr Goering's most recent hit is "The Mystery of You" a big record presently selling by the Platters.

The Sentimentals have placed demonstration records with Columbia, 20th Century Fox and Decca Label recording companies. Finally they sign a contract with Coral Records, Decca Records subsidiary, and release two records….
BobinAliquippa

Songs :


We Three                                 Deep Down in My Heart


Two Different Worlds                         Understanding Love

...

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The Montells

Posted on December 19 2012 by dion1

The Montells (Long Island, N.Y)

Personnel :

Mary Parsons

Sheron Regular

Edythe Flemings

Charlotte Parsons

Discography :

1963 - A Rang A Lang Lang / Soldier Boy, I’m Sorry (Golden Crest 582)
1964 - My Prince Will Come / Gee Baby, What About You? (Golden Crest 585)

Biography :

In 1962-63 the Montells, students at Roosevelt Junior-High School in Long Island, N.Y., were founded. The group consisted of Mary Parsons, Sheron Regular and Antoinette Robinson, and sang in church and school choirs, also at glee clubs. Soon Antoinette left to be replaced by Edythe Flemings and Mary’s sister Charlotte.

The Montells performed at dances and sock hops as well as other school functions and events around Long Island. Their main influences were the Shirelles and the Chantels.

One day Sheron was scanning the newspapers and came across an advertisement for “black female singers.” After calling the number, they were soon in touch with Charles Podell and Golden Crest Records of Huntington Station, N.Y. Thus the Montells were on the map for two singles.
http://www.johnbroven.com/goldencrest/montells/index.html

Songs :
(Update By Hans-Joachim)

Soldier Boy, I’m Sorry A Rang A Lang Lang

My Prince Will Come Gee Baby, What About You?

Cds :

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The Pyramids (2)

Posted on December 18 2012 by dion1

The Pyramids (2) (New Haven, Connecticut)

Personnel :

Joe Stallings (Tenor Lead)

Hubert Saulsbury (First Tenor)

Roland Douglas, Jr. (Baritone)

Richard Foster (Bass)

Discography :

The Four Leads
1955 - So True (demo)
1955 - Why Did You Go (demo)

The Pyramids (2)
1956 - At Any Cost / Okay Baby! (Davis 453)
1956 - Why Did You Go? / Before It's Too Late (Davis 457)

Ruby Whitaker & The Pyramids (2)
1957 - I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire / I Get The Feeling (Mark-x 7007)

Biography :

This particular combo formed in New Haven, CT, in 1955. According to Marv Goldberg, founding members Joe Stallings, Hubert Saulsbury, Roland Douglas, Jr., and Richard Foster met in the choir of the Mount Zion Seventh Day Adventist Church, initially singing only gospel but soon adding secular material to their repertoire. At first calling themselves the Four Leads, the quartet began performing at house parties and amateur showcases across New Haven, delivering pop hits of the day with harmonies in the mold of the Four Freshmen.

The Four Leads

Shortly after renaming themselves the Pyramids (in honor of the opening lyric to crowd-pleaser "You Belong to Me"), the group traveled to New York City to audition for Jay-Dee Records owner Joe Davis, who signed them on the spot. "At Any Cost," featuring Stallings on lead, followed in the summer of 1956, but while the Pyramids supported the disc with an East Coast tour headlined by an appearance at the famed Apollo Theater, it nevertheless failed to chart, and the same fate befell the follow-up, "Why Did You Go?" Foster left the group in 1957, and was replaced by bass Danny Jackson.

Ruby Whitaker Joe Davis

Saulsbury was the next to go, with high tenor Douglas McClure stepping in. In late 1957 the Pyramids backed singer Ruby Whitaker on her Mark-X label single "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire"; the group split the following year.

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Pyramids/pyramids.html

Songs :

The Pyramids (2)


At Any Cost                                     Okay Baby!


Why Did You Go?                            Before It's Too Late

Ruby Whitaker & The Pyramids (2)


I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire           I Get The Feeling

...

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The Twinkles (1) aka The Storey Sisters

Posted on December 17 2012 by dion1

The Storey Sisters (Philadelphia, Pa)
aka The Twinkles (1)

Personnel :

Ann Storey

Lillian Storey

Discography :

The Twinkles (1)
1957 - Bad Motorcycle / Sweet Daddy (Peak 5001)

The Storey Sisters
1958 - Cha Cha Boum / Wich Way Did My Heart Go(Baton 25)
1958 - Bad Motorcycle / Sweet Daddy (Cameo 126)
1959 - Lost Love / Lover How I Miss You (Mercury 71457)

Biography :

"Bad Motorcycle" From out of Philadelphia, Ann & Lillian Storey recorded this ode to one cool cat, using one of Jocko Henderson's famous catch phrases - That's one bad motorcycle! That meant something (that guy or this record, for that matter) was good.

They recorded it for Al Browne's Peak label under the name The Twinkles. It was picked up by Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann's Cameo powerhouse for national distribution after they had changed their name to the Storey Sisters. The 1958 re-release hit #45 on Billboard’s pop charts.

Songs :

Bad Motorcycle Cha Cha Boum Wich Way Did My Heart Go

Lover How I Miss You Sweet Daddy Lost Love

...

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The Belle-Aires aka Terry & The Belles (2)

Posted on December 16 2012 by dion1

From Left to Right : Anita Pitre, Elisa Pitre & Signa Acevedo

The Belle-Aires (Bayshore, Long Island)
aka Terry & The Belles (2)

Personnel :

Elisa Pitre

Anita Pitre

Signa Acevedo

Discography :

The Belle-Aires
Ep :
1957 - Teenagers Dance (RCA 421)
Sugar Candy / I Wanna Be Loved / My Only Love / You Stole My Heart

Terry & The Belles (2)
Singles :
1958 - I'm Alone Because I Love You / Keep That Beat (Hanover 4505)
1959 - I'll Always Be Nearby / I'd Want You (Ducky 111)
Unreleased :
1958 - Whoa-O (Hanover)
1958 - A Ring For My Finger (Hanover)

Biography :

Three Singing & rocking' teenager from Bay Shore, Long Island. Two sisters, Elisa and Anita Pitre and cousin Signa Acevedo form the trio; The girls all attenuated Bayshore High School. In 1957, they cut one ep for RCA under the name the Belle-aires.

William Miller of Amityville, Long Island is know as The Talent School of the Island-Always on the Look-Out for new singing groups. He Coached and Helped the Belle-Aires immensely and wrote all the songs for the Belle Aires.

The Belle-Aires aka Terry & The Belles (2)

In 1959 the girls signed with Hanover Records owened by Len Levy and Bob Thiele. Anita Pitre, Elisa Pitre and Signa Acevedo were now the Belles to Terry and recorded "I'm Alone Because I Love You" b/w "Keep That Beat".

Terry & The Belles

From the same session with Hanover, the group have two unreleased sides "I'm Alone Because I Love You / Keep That Beat" and "A Ring For My Finger". In 1959, Terry & The Belles recorded their last single "I'll Always Be Nearby" b/w "I'd Want You" for Ducky records.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Belle-Aires

I Wanna Be Loved Sugar Candy

You Stole My Heart My Only Love

Terry & The Belles (2)

Keep That Beat I'd Want You

I'm Alone Because I Love You I'll Always Be Nearby

....

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Bobby Darin & The Jaybirds

Posted on December 14 2012 by dion1

Bobby Darin & The Jaybirds (New York)

Personnel :

Bobby Darin

Discography :

Connie Francis & The Jaybirds
1956 - My First Real Love / Believe In Me (MGM 902)

Bobby Darin & The Jaybirds
1956 - Rock Island Line / Timber (Decca 29883)
1956 - Blue Eyed Mermaid / Silly Willie (Decca 29922)

Biography :

In January 1956, Don Krischner and Bobby Darin approached George Sheck, Connie Francis' then Manager, with a song for the young singer.

Bobby Darin & Connie Francis

Bobby Darin wrote "My First Real Love", which led to their first encounter. Darin was "The Jaybirds", who were credited as background vocals. The choir effect was reached by Darin recording his part several times in different keys. However, the single failed to chart.

The Same Week Bobby had signed with Decca Records who thought he had real star potential. Again, on his first singles, Bobby sang all the Vocals as the Jaybirds.

Songs :

Connie Francis & The Jaybirds

My First Real Love Believe In Me

Bobby Darin & The Jaybirds

Rock Island Line / Timber Silly Willie Blue Eyed Mermaid

CDs :

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Arthur & The Corvets (4) aka The Corvetts (2)

Posted on December 13 2012 by dion1

Arthur & The Corvets (4) aka The Corvetts (2)
Arthur Conley

Arthur & The Corvets (4) (Atlanta, Georgia)
aka The Corvetts (2)

Personnel :

Arthur Conley (lead)

Eddie Davis

Hubert Kimbrough

Mark Chapman

Discography :

Arthur & The Corvets (4)
1964 - Poor Girl / Darling I Love You (Na-R-Co 203)
1964 - Miracles / I Believe (Na-R-Co 232 / NRC 2781)
1964 - Aritha / Flossie Mae (Na-R-Co 2871)

The Corvetts (2)
1965 - I'm Going To Cry / You're Blue (Moon 100)

Biography :

Born January 4, 1946, in McIntosh, GA, and raised in Atlanta, Conley was just 12 years old when he joined the Evening Smiles, a gospel group that appeared regularly on local radio station WAOK. Arthur joined a secular band named the Corvets and composed by Eddie Davis, Hubert Kimbrough & Mark Chapman. Arthur became their lead singer. Named Arthur & The Corvets, the group recorded "Poor Girl" and "Darling I Love You" both written by Arthur. The single was released by the Atlanta label National Recording Company in April 1964. The label will release a second single a few months later with "Miracles" b/w "I Believe". But, the NRC singles attracted little attention and Arthur left the group to mount a solo career. The group without its leader continues to record and the label released "Aritha" and "Flossie Mae" will be released shortly after retaining the name of "Arthur & The Corvets". Under the name of Corvetts a last single will be released in 1965 by Moon Records with "I'm Going To Cry" b/w "You're Blue".

Songs :

Arthur & The Corvets (4)


    Poor Girl                                     Darling I Love You


Miracles                                   I Believe

The Corvetts (2)


I'm Going To Cry                                       You're Blue

...

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The Avons (3) aka Jenny & The Jewels (6) ???

Posted on December 11 2012 by dion1

The Avons (3) (Nashville, Tennessee)
aka Jenny & The Jewels (6) ???
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Paula Hester

Beverly Bard

Fran Bard 

Discography:

The Avons (3)
Singles:
1963 - Push A Little Harder / Oh, Gee Baby (Groove 58-022)
1963 - Rolling Stone / Words Written On Water (Groove 58-033)
1964 - Whatever Happened To Our Love / Tonight Kiss Your Baby Goodbye (Groove 58-0039)
1966 - Be Good To Your Baby / Just As Long As I Live (Sound Stage 7 2561)
1967 - Talk To Me / Got To Get Used To You (A-Bet 9419)
1968 - Since I Met You Baby / He's My Hero (Excello 2296)
1968 - Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be) / A Sample Of My Love (Ref-O-Ree 700)

Unreleased:
1963 - A Fool / I’ve Got More Love / The Pig (Groove)
1964 - How Many Tears Til Tomorrow / Don’t Stop / Come Out Dancin’ / Every Little Beat (Groove)
1968 - I Would If I Could (Excello)
1968 - Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be) (Alternate Take) (Ref-O-Ree)

Jenny & The Jewels (6) (rumoured to be The Avons)
1964 - Baby Love / Baby Don't You Do It (Leroy Jones) (Hit 153)
1966 - Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart / It's A Man's, Man's World (Leroy Jones) (Hit 257)
1967 - In And Out Of Love / Everlasting Love (Steve Miller) (Hit 313 )

Biography:

The Avons were formed by Paula Hester, Beverly Bard and her sister Fran Bard while at Pearl High School, Nashville. They started out on RCA's Groove label in 1963, moved to Sound Stage 7 in 1966, then to Excello in 1967 releasing their last single on Ref-O-Ree. The first single released in 1963 was "Push A Little Harder". Single number two "Rolling Stone" was published in 1964 by Excellorec, the publishing arm of Nashville's Excello label. The group were dropped by RCA apparently because their 2nd and third singles were not as successful as their 1st.

The group were still working with John "Bucky" Wilkin, leader of Ronny and the Daytonas. His co-writer Bobby Russell (also of the Daytonas) had contacts with Monument Records and got them a deal with their subsidiary Sound Stage 7......resulting with the single "Be Good To Your Baby" in 1966. The Sound Stage 7 single didn't work as well as expected so Bob Holmes got the group a contract with Excello Records where he worked as a staff producer. Excello put the group on their subsidiary A-Bet and produced the single "Talk To Me" in 1967. For the next single the group was promoted to the main Excello Label and had their next single issued in 1968. "He's My Hero" was co-written by Bob Holmes and former Ikette Joshie Armstead. This was the last work they did with Excello.

"Night Train To Nashville"

In 1968 The Avons and veteran producer Ted Jarrett were picked to launch the newly formed Ref-O-Ree label. "Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be) their 1st and last single with the label and was the group's last known work. In the UK, the single was released as by The Novas, so as not to confuse with the British group. The Avons each recorded for the Ref-O-Ree label of Nashville. Both acts also recorded cover versions of charted records for the local budget Hit label. Rumored The Avons used the monicker Jenny & The Jewels...

http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/avons.htm

Songs :

Push A Little Harder                Oh, Gee baby                   Rolling Stone


Words Written On Water    Whatever Happened To Our Love   Be Good To Your Baby


Tonight Kiss Your Baby Goodbye     Just As Long As I Live          Talk To Me


Since I Met You Baby         Tell Me Baby (Who Would I Be)     I Would If I Could

Got To Get Used To You

...

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The Boulevards

Posted on December 10 2012 by dion1

The Boulevards

The Boulevards (Queens, new-York)

Personnel :

Frankie Zazo

Lou Adessa

Jim Alessandria

Bobby Thomas

Ralph Lasher

Discography :

Singles :
1959 - Delores / Chop Chop In The Wall (Everest 19316)

Unreleased:
1959 - A Place In Your Heart
1959 - Angel
1959 - Don't Cry
1959 - You Better Admit It
1959 - Jezebel
1959 - Heavenly Father
1959 - Glory Of Love

Biography :

The Boulevards were produced by Bayside, Queens, New York record entrepreneur Jerry Love. Jerry owned a record store in Bayside, and produced/managed a number of vocal groups. The Boulevards, were local boys, Frankie Zazzo, Lou Adessa, Jim Alessandria, Bobby Thomas and Ralph Lasher.

Jerry Love placed their only released effort with the Everest label in 1958. The Fascinations, from Akron, Ohio, came to Jerry Love in 1960 with their tape of Midnight and Doom Bada Doom, which Jerry "polished" with some strings and gave to Eddie Rasbaum for release on his Sure label.

The Boulevards

Jordan and The Fascinations

Lack of success caused the group to return to Ohio, but Jerry matched up their lead singer, Jordan Christopher, with the Boulevards to form a new group - Jordan and The Fascinations.
http://www.geocities.ws/doo_wop_gino/jordan.htm

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Delores Chop Chop In The Wall Jezebel

A Place In Your Heart                Angel                    Better Admit It


Don't Cry                       Glory Of Love                Heavenly Father

...

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