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

The Mandells (1)

Posted on November 5 2012 by dion1

The Mandells (1) (Albuquerque, NM.)

Personnel :

Charles “Chuck” Young (First Tenor, Lead)

Eranious McNeil Murray (Bass, Baritone, Lead, Piano)

Jimmy Smith (First Tenor, Second Tenor, Lead)

Russell"Peesburgh" (Second Tenor, Lead)

Charles Clemons (Baritone, Bass, Lead)

Discography:

1961 - Darling (I'm Home) / Who, Me? (Smart 323/Chess 1794)
1961 - Because I Love You / I Don't Have You (Smart 325)

Biography :

The Mandells were military men stationed at 2 airforce bases (Kirtland and Manzano) in Albuquerque, NM. The year was 1956, and Neil "Eranious" Murray and his vocal group The Supremes were starting to do well. In fact, they actually won the European championships! The following year, Neil and another member of his group (The Supremes) ended up going over to Libya (the Libyan Sahara Desert) and became the nucleus of another vocal group, which they called The Desertiers.

In 1957, Neil, still in the Air Force, arrived at Kirtland Air Force base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, he met a group of folks who were in a vocal group that needed a bass singer, so he decided to join this group. Around January of 1958, this group became known as The Vocaltones with Jimmy Smith & Eranious Murray. The Vocaltones had a lot of performing talent, and began to grow in popularity. They entertained people around Albuquerque and won various competitions.

The Desertiers The Vocaltones

In the spring of 1959, The Vocaltones won the talent championships held at Kirtland Air Force Base. The Vocaltones is the group that later evolved into The Mandells. The Vocaltones as a group existed from

January 1958 until mid-1959

During the early afternoon of April 8th, 1961 The Mandells went into the studio in Phoenix for the recording session. The session itself was relatively quick, and lasted for only about two or three hours . The songs were recorded completely live and all in one take (the songs were “Darling, I’m Home”, “Who, Me?”, “I Don’t Have You”, and Because I Love You”).

Darling I’m Home was originally released in 1960 on the Smart record label, and because it did get some notice in some East Coast cities, it was picked up by Chess Records and released on that label in June of 1961. Jimmy Smith was discharged in February of 1962, and The Mandells thereafter broke up.
http://www.beaudaddy.com/mandells/index.html

Songs :


Darling (I'm Home)                                Who, Me?


Because I Love You                              I Don't Have You

...

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Billy Vera & the Contrasts aka The Kinght Riders (1) aka Blue-Eyed Soul

Posted on November 3 2012 by dion1

Billy Vera & the Contrasts (Wetchester, New York)
aka The Kinght Riders (1) aka Blue-Eyed Soul

Personnel :

Billy Vera (Lead Tenor)

Ronnie Hinds

Bob Powers

Al Esposito

Discography :

Billy Vera & The Contrasts
1962 - My Heart cries / All My love (Rust 5051)

The Knight Riders (1)
1961 – My Heart cries / All My love (Club 1220/Souvenir)

Blue-Eyed Soul
1966 – Shadow Of Your Love / Look Gently At The Rain (Cameo 401)
1966 – Somethin’ New / Tonight I Am A King (Cameo 423)

Biography :

Billy Vera was born in Riverside, California. He began his singing career in 1962 as a member of the Resolutions. He went on to write several songs throughout the early 1960s, writing for the likes of Barbara Lewis, Fats Domino, The Shirelles and Ricky Nelson. He also wrote the garage band classic, "Don't Look Back", performed by the Remains.

The Kinght Riders got their musical education backing hit record acts of the day: the Drifters, the Coasters, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, Little Anthony & the Imperials and many more. "My Heart cries / All My love" was released on the Rust label, a subsidiary of Laurie Records, in 1962.

It was made by the band using the name Contrasts because they were under contract elsewhere. The group later changed its name to Blue-Eyed Soul.

Songs :

Billy Vera & the Contrasts

My Heart cries All My love

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The Individuals (5)

Posted on November 2 2012 by dion1

The Individuals (5) (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Pookie Hudson (Lead)

Carl Gardner (Tenor)

Billy Guy (Baritone)

Earl Carroll (Tenor)

Dub Jones (Bass)

Discography :

1964 - Pillow Wet With Tears / Wedding Bells (Chase 1300)

Biography :

In 1964, Pookie Hudson (Spaniels' lead singer) teamed up with the Coasters (Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Earl Carroll, and Dub Jones) to record a couple of tunes for the Chase Label as the "Individuals.

Paste-up picture : Gardner, Jones, Carroll, Guy & Pookie Hudson

"Pillow Wet With Tears" has Pookie in the lead; the flip, "Wedding Bells" has all the voices in unison.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Spaniels/spaniels.html

Songs :

Pillow Wet With Tears Wedding Bells

Cds :

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The Adelphies

Posted on October 31 2012 by dion1

The Adelphies (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Dennis Armstead

Carl Baldwin

Chris Baskerville

Tyrone Benjamin

Jimmy Price

Discography :

1958 - Darling, It's You / Kathleen (RIM 2020/2021) 
1958 - Kiss-A-Kiss / The Sun Will Shine Again (RIM 2022)

Biography :

The Adelphies are from Brooklyn, New York. In 1958 they cut two singles in 1958 for Rim Record. "Darling, It's You / Kathleen" is the first single for this Brooklyn label. The Edge label was owned by Rim records.

Rim is a very small indie label operating from the same address for decades. Label owner Bob McGhee was initially based at 226 West 53rd Street, NYC in 1958 but in that same year Rim Records and Rim Music Corp. were listed at 1293 Dean Street, Brooklyn and were still at that address as late as 1976.

Songs :


           Kathleen                          The Sun Will Shine Again


Kiss-A-Kiss                              Darling, It's You

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The Nuggets (2) aka The Calvanes

Posted on October 30 2012 by dion1

The Nuggets (2) (Los Angeles)
aka The Calvanes

Personnel :

Herman Pruitt (Tenor)

Bobby Adams (First Tenor)

Stewart Crunk (Baritone)

Sidney Dunbar (Lead/Bass)

Discography :

Singles :
1961 - Angel On The Dance Floor / Before We Say Goodnight (RCA 7930)
1962 - Just A Friend / Cap Snapper (RCA 8031)

Unreleased :
1961 - One Magic Night (RCA)
1961 - Your Special One (RCA)
1961 - Roly Poly (RCA)

Discography :

Top: Past-up picture - Dunbar, Pruitt, Crunk, Adams
This Nuggets group was an offshoot of the Calvanes who recorded earlier for Dootone. In 1961, Freddy Willis was drafted and replaced by bass Sidney Dunbar.

Pruitt, Crunk, Adams (Calvanes)

The Calvanes then changed their name to the Nuggets and got a contract with RCA. They Cut two singles for the label and broke up in 1962.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Calvanes/calvanes.html

Songs :

Angel On The Dance Floor Before We Say Goodnight Just A Friend

Cap Snapper

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George Torrence & The Dippers

Posted on October 27 2012 by dion1

George Torrence & The Dippers (Washington, DC)

Personnel :

George Torrence (Lead)

Discography

Georgie Torrence & The Dippers
1960 - Go away / (You've been) So good to me (King 5376)

George Torrence & The Dippers

1961 - Such a fool was I / Way over yonder (Epic 9453)
1965 - Together at last / Fine foxey frame (Duo Disc 117)
1978 - Juanita / for sentimental reasons (Clovers) (King Tut 170)
Unreleased :
1978 - Someone Really Loves You (King Tut)

George Torrence & The Naturals
1967 - Lickin’ stick / So long goodbye (Shout 224)

Biography :

Washington, DC singer George Torrence started singing doo-wop with local groups, first release was as lead of the Five Pearls on Aladdin on their release 'Real Humdinger' from 1954, making a second recording with the Caribbeans, who came from New York, for the Galliant label in 1958.

Georgie Torrance & The Caribbeans

He fronted the Dippers who recorded the lovely ballads “Go Away” for King in 1960 and “Such A Fool Was I” for Epic in 1961. His aching tenor was beautifully suited to this style of singing. As the group harmony era gave way to soul Torrence continued in his musical career with the Dippers cutting a very fine 45 which was leased out to Duo Disc on the West Coast. The Latin Boogaloo of “Fine Foxy Frame” was the flip to the excellent deep soul cut Together At Last.
http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/T/george_torrence/index.php

Songs :


So good to me                       Such a fool was I                 Together at last


Fine foxey frame               Someone really loves you

Way Over Yonder Juanita

...

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Little Jimmy & The Tops

Posted on October 24 2012 by dion1

Little Jimmy & The Tops (Harlem, New York)

Personnel :

Little Jimmy Rivers (Lead)

Sylvia Peterson

Eddie Bonelli

Vernon Rivers

Moses Groves (Bass)

Discography :

Little Jimmy & The Tops
1959 - Puppy Love / Say You Love Me (V-Tone 102/Len 1011/Swan 4091)

The Extroads
1966 - The Verge / Can’t Get Over You Out Of My Mind (Unreleased )

Biography :

Four childhood friends began singing street corner harmony in the mid-1950’s as the Young Lads. The original group, consisted of Vernon Rivers, his younger brother Jimmy Rivers, Eddie Bonelli and Louis Brown. Looking for a bass singer Moses Groves replace Louis Brown in the group.

Joyce Patterson Richard Barrett

Singer & songwriter Ronald “Rocco” Mack began working with the Young Lads, teaching them harmony and giving them some of the songs he’d written, he suggested they add a girl to the group. He introduced them to Sylvia Patterson, younger sister of Joyce Patterson of the Highlights. The new name of the group became Four Bees and a Gee (for 4 boys and a girl).

L to R : Sylvia Peterson, Moses Groves Eddie Bonelli, Vernon Rivers. Bottom: Little Jimmy Rivers.

Somehow, the group got to George Goldner’s offices of Gone and End Records where they ran into Richard Barrett, mentor to the Teenagers, Chantels, Imperials and dozens of other artists. Richard Barrett renamed the group the Tops and eventually made arrangements for them to record. “Puppy Love” b/w “Say You Love Me” first came out in late 1958 or early 1959 on the V-Tone label with the artist listed as “The Tops”.

V-Tone was a Philadelphia-based record label owned and operated by Venton L. (for Len) “Buddy” Caldwell. The song actually garnered a lot of airplay on the east coast, and was soon issued on Caldwell's Len label, likely early 1961. Swan issued the record to distribute it outside the east coast. In 1962 Sylvia Peterson sang with the Chiffons.

L to R: Eleanor Carter, Jimmy Rivers (at piano), Vernon River, Moses Groves

After getting out of the service, Moses Groves, Vernon Rivers got back together with Jimmy Rivers and Eleanor Carter as a group in 1966. They began calling the group the Extroads and recorded a couple of demos on a song they’d written called “The Verge”. The song has a strong Northern Soul sound and may soon be released in the UK.
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/

Songs :

Puppy Love Say You Love Me

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The Alley Cats (2)

Posted on October 23 2012 by dion1

The Alley Cats (2) (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Sheridan "Rip" Spencer (Second Tenor)

Gary Pipkin (Second Tenor)

Brice Coefield (Baritone)

James Barker (Bass)

Discography :

1962 - Puddin N' Tain / Feel So Good (Philles 108)

Biography :

Famed for their lone hit, "Puddin' n' Tain," the Alley Cats were one of the many studio groups employed by the legendary pop producer and Svengali Phil Spector. The roots of the Alley Cats lie in the Untouchables, a Los Angeles doo wop combo previously known as The Valiants, which scored the 1957 crossover hit "This Is the Night."

The Valiants

Comprising tenors Sheridan "Rip" Spencer and Don Trotter, baritone Brice Coefield, bass Ed Wallace, and guitarist Chester Pipkin, the Untouchables signed with producers Herb Alpert and Lou Adler to release 1960's "New Fad" on the Madison imprint, the first in a series of little-noticed efforts for the fledgling label, including a cover of the Spaniels' classic "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight" and "Sixty Minute Man."

A move to Liberty preceded the release 1961's "You're on Top." Its follow-up, "Papa," deserves footnote status as featuring producer Alpert's first recorded trumpet performance, an instrument he would further pursue to enormous commercial success. By 1962 the Untouchables were no more, but at year's end, Adler formed the Alley Cats, a session unit he planned to lease to producer Spector, the hitmaker behind such classics as the Crystals' "He's a Rebel."

Bobby Sheen

In addition to Spencer and Coefield, the lineup also included Pipkin's cousin Gary, bass James Barker, and tenor Bobby Sheen, who as Bob B. Soxx previously recorded the Spector-helmed smash "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." Based on a venerable playground chant, the Alley Cats' debut effort, "Puddin' n' Tain," ascended to number 21 on the R&B chart in early 1963.

The mercurial Spector chose not to work with the group again, however, although in 1968 Adler recruited Spencer, Coefield, and Chester Pipkin to join a new studio group dubbed Africa, cutting the Ode label psychedelic soul cult classic Music from "Lil Brown".

Songs :

Puddin N' Tain Feel So Good

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The Compliments (1)

Posted on October 21 2012 by dion1

The Compliments (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Vic Donna

Johnny Lagana

Dennis Ferrigno

Leopold Gonzales

Bernie Lee Goode (Piano)

Jack Dina (Guitar)

Jon Prano (Drums)

Discography :

Michael Zara & The Compliments (1)
1963 - Angels Of Mercy / Nobody Knows (Shell 313)

The Compliments (1)
1965 - Shake It Up Shake It Down / You Are My Sunshine (Congress 243)
1965 - The Time Of Her Life / Everybody Loves A Lover (Congress 252)

Biography :

The Compliments had previously recorded “Angels Of Mercy” b/w “Nobody Knows” for the Shell label with Michael Zara doing the lead. But Zara was in the hospital and the Compliments were looking for a new lead singer.

Vic Donna recorded in 1957 with The Parakeets for Atlas Records and In 1964 he replaced Michael Zara and the Group added Bernie Lee Goode (Piano), Jack Dina (Guitar) & Jon Prano (Drums) .The Compliments now consisted of seven guys and They cut two records on Congress record.

Vic Donna

The two records were fine examples of soul group harmony. Bernie Lee Goode led “You Are My Sunshine” and “Everybody Loves a Lover” (the Shirelles tune). Vic Donna led on a couple of his own compositions; “Shake It Up Shake It Down” and “The Time Of Her Life,” the latter song attracting interest among Northern Soul enthusiasts.
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/index.htm

Songs :

Michael Zara & The Compliments (1)

Angels Of Mercy Nobody Knows

The Compliments (1)

The Time Of Her Life

...

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Charlie & Ray

Posted on October 18 2012 by dion1

Charlie & Ray (New York)

Personnel :

Charlie Jones

Ray Willams

Discography :

Singles :
1954 - You're To Blame / I Love You Madly (Herald 438)
1955 - Take A Look At Me / My Lovin' Baby (Herald 447)
1955 - Certainly Baby / Dearest One (Herald 454)
1955 - Oh-Gee-Oh-Wee / Guess I'm Thru With Love (Herald 461)
1956 - I Gotta Have You / Little Fool (Herald 472)
1956 - Mad With You Baby / Closest Thing To An Angel (Herald 487)
1957 - Sweet Thing / I Love You Madly (Herald 503)
1958 - Sweet Thing / Dearest One (Herald 515)
1959 - This is Love / Don't Show your Face Here Anymore (Tel 1005)
1968 - Alright, Okay, You Win / I'm So Happy I Could Shout (Josie 989)

Unreleased :
1954 - I Love You Madly (slow version) (Herald)
1957 - Oh Yes (Herald)
1957 - Tag Along (Herald)

Biography :

Charlie & Ray are best known for one thing -- they were unabashedly gay at a time when it wasn't widely publicized what one's sexual orientation was.

Charlie & Ray

In 1955, Charlie & Ray's first hit, "I Love You Madly" for Herald Records, caused something of a minor sensation, but it wasn't until they recorded this solid up-tempo clarinet-driven rocker, "Dearest One," that they hit pay dirt again.

Charlie & Ray

Further releases failed to connect with fans and by 1957 they called it quits.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/Great_Duos.html
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ROWNEW/GuessIm.htm

Songs :
updated by Hans-Joachim

I Love You Madly                   Dearest One                      You're To Blame


Certainly Baby       Take A Look At Me / My Lovin' Baby            Oh Gee-Oo-Wee

Guess I'm Thru With Love I Gotta Have You / Little Fool Mad With You Baby

Closest Thing To An Angel Sweet Thing Oh Yes / Tag Along

I Love You Madly (unrel. slow vers.) I'm So Happy I Could Shout / Alright, Okay, You Win

...

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