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The Romancers (6) (Brooklyn, New-York)
Personnel :
?
Discography :
1973 - Eternal Love / You Win Again (Vintage 1013)
Biography :
From Brooklyn, The Romancers a group that recorded for Al Browne, but had only one release on Vintage in the 70's.
Al Browne
Songs :
Eternal Love You Win Again
...
The Serenaders (6) (New Jersey)
Personnel :
Howard Curry
Sidney Barnes
Tim Wilson
George Kerr
Discography :
The Serenaders (6)
Singles :
1958 - I Wrote A Letter / Never Let Me Go (MGM 12623)
1958 - Dance Darlin' Dance / Give Me A Girl (MGM 12666)
1959 - My Girl Flip-Flop / Gotta Go To School (Rae Cox)
1963 - Adios, My Love / Two Lovers Make One Fool (Riverside 4549)
1963 - If Your Heart Says Yes / I'll Cry Tomorrow (Motown 1046/V.I.P. 25002)
Unreleased :
1958 - Mom and Pop (MGM)
1958 - Wonder In My Heart (MGM)
1958 - My Love (MGM)
1958 - I Wrote A Letter (second version) (MGM)
1963 - Only Mine (Riverside)
1963 - Tears, Nobody and a Smile (Motown/V.I.P)
Sidney Barnes
1961 - Wait / I'm Satisfied (Gemini 101)
Biography :
Even the most avid Motown fanatics are unaware of the Serenaders, yet the New York-based group cut their final single on Motown's VIP label. Forming in 1956, the central figures were George Kerr, Sidney Barnes (Sidney Barnes first band included members Marvin Gaye & Van Mcoy & were named The Embracers which auditioned for George Goldner of END records), and Timothy "Andre" Wilson, and various other members serenaded in out and out over the years. They debuted on Chock Full of Hits records with "Never Let Me Go" b/w "I Wrote a Letter" in 1957. When it started to move, MGM records acquired it for mass distribution in 1958. It sold enough locally to get the guys another shot at MGM, but "Dance, Darling Dance" b/w "Give Me a Girl" (1958) never got to first base and the associated ended. 
The Embracers (Sidney Barnes, Marvin Gaye, Van McCoy)
In 1959, they dropped "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart" on the Cross Country label, but sales were disappointing. The lion's share of the Serenaders' material was written by George Kerr with some collaborations with Sidney Barnes and others. Later in 1959, they moseyed over to Rae-Cox records for one release, "My Girl Flip Flop" b/w "Gotta Go to School," two good well-sung novelty types that failed to register. Members splintered, but the core members stayed in touch, and after many false starts and unfulfilled promises got another chance in 1963 on Riverside records with "Adios My Love" b/w "Two Lovers Make One Fool."
Nelson Lamb, Bobby Jones, Victor Kerr & Howard Curry
They never sold well outside the New York/Jersey/Philly area. What should have been a big break with Motown became a major letdown. Signed by Raynoma Gordy out of Motown's New York office, the Serenaders never got a real shot. Even though they were blessed with George Kerr, a songwriting fool, and the major reason Raynoma signed them in the first place; Sidney Barnes, also a constant writer, with a vocal range from first tenor to bass, and Timothy Wilson, who sounded like Little Anthony.
Sidney Barnes Sidney Barnes
Motown finally released the Serenaders' "If Your Heart Says Yes," a Kerr/Barnes composition, on its VIP label in 1964; it possessed loads of charm, and with promotion could have went places, but neglect caused it to flop miserably. You won't find it on any of the many Motown compilations albums, cassettes, or compact disks. Temptations Eddie Kendricks and Elbridge Bryant sang with the Serenaders on the A-side and its flip "I'll Cry Tomorrow." Shortly after that, they broke up. Timothy Wilson married Raynoma's sister Alice; Wilson previously sung with Tiny Tim & the Hits on Roulette records. Sidney Barnes did some solo's and got into producing, as did George Kerr who was more successful. Kerr produced Linda Jones' "Hypnotized," and stellar sides for the Whatnauts, the O'Jays, the Moments, Lonnie Youngblood, and others, in addition to singing with Little Anthony & the Imperials on their New Time recordings.
Songs :
The Serenaders (6)
I Wrote A Letter Never Let Me Go Dance Darlin' Dance
Give Me A Girl My Girl Flip-Flop Gotta Go To School
Adios, My Love Two Lovers Make One Fool If Your Heart Says Yes
I'll Cry Tomorrow Wonder In My Heart / Mom and Pop Only Mine
Tears, Nobody and a Smile
Sidney Barnes
Wait I'm Satisfied
...
Vinny Catalano
Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Love Notes (6)
Personnel :
Charles Gaskin
Rosemary Gaskin
Carol Harnish
?
Discography :
The Love Notes (6)
1963 - Our Songs Of Love / Nancy (My Love) (Wilshire 200)
1963 - Gloria / Mathematics Of Love (Wilshire 203)
Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2)
1963 - I Won't Cry Anymore / Because Of You (Hammer 6320)
Biography :
Vince Catalano was born on a farm in New London, Connecticut. He has spent over 45 years in the music business. As a recording artist he waxed his first 45 on Gee Label in 1956, "Ding Dong" by The Echoes. He went on to have several other releases under many different names - Vinny Downes, Tom Swift under the name The Lonely Boys, Vinny & Sue, Vinny & Kenny, Bea & Dea & the Buttons. His greatest success came under the name The Acorns where he had two number one songs in Hawaii : "Angel" and "Your Name And Mine". As a songwriter Vinny has penned over 300 tunes. Eventually he would star his own short lived label C&A before becoming partners in Blast Records a subsidiary of Sinclair Records owned by the late Don Ames. Also under the Sinclair Banner, Vinny worked with groups on Mermaid and Whale. It was here Vinny penned one of his best tunes "Conney Island Baby" by the Excellents. Vinny worked with his kid brother's group, Donnie & the Dreamers, recording over 10 excellent sides, most lost and unreleased.
When Vinny left Blast he started the Wilshire label in 1963 and released two singles by the Love Notes. The Love Notes were a Vocal group from Cypress Ave. in the Bronx composed by three girls with three guys doing background for a lead singer with guitar. The only known members of the group are Charlie Gaskin, Rosie Gaskin and Carol Harnish. The Love Notes recorded four remarkable sides : "Our Songs Of Love", "Nancy (My Love)", "Gloria" and "Mathematics Of Love". Their "Gloria" in May of 1963, using lyrics that were closer to the original than to those of the Cadillacs. Vinny Catalano will use the "Love Notes" "to backed him him on "I Won't Cry Anymore" b/w "Because Of You". Perhaps because the single was released on another label, although owned by Vinny Catalano, the band will be renamed The DayDreams.
Songs :
The Love Notes (6)
Our Songs Of Love Nancy (My Love)
Gloria Mathematics Of Love
Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2)
I Won't Cry Anymore Because Of You
...
The Sultans (1) (Omaha, Neb.)
aka The Admirals
(updated by Hans-Joachim)
Personnel :
Willie Barnes (Lead)
Wesley Devereaux (First Tenor)
Gene Mc Daniels (Second Tenor)
James Farmer (Baritone)
Richerd Beasley (Bass)
Discography :
The Sultans (1)
1954 - Good Thing Baby / How Deep Is The Ocean (Duke 125)
1954 - I Cried My Heart Out / Baby Don't Put Me Down (Duke 133)
1954 - Boppin' With The Mambo / What Makes Me Feel This Way (Duke 135)
1957 - If I Could Tell / My Love Is So High (Duke 178)
The Admirals
1955 - Oh Yes / Left With A Broken Heart (King 4772)
1955 - Close Your Eyes / Give Me Your Love (King 4782)
Cathy Ryan & The Admirals
1955 - It's A Sad, Sad Feeling / [Lucky Millinder - Ow!] (King 4792)
Bubber Johnson (BB The Admirals)
1955 - Ding Dang Doo / Drop Me A Line (King 4793)
1957 - A Crazy Afternoon / [So Much Tonight (Bubber Johnson solo)] (King 5068)
Biography :
Gene McDaniels was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in February of 1935. He was interested in music from an early age then living in Omaha, Nebraska, where he studied music at the Omaha Conservatory. During the post war forties he was part of a gospel music quartet called The Heavenly Wanderers and later The Echoes Of Joy. As a teenager he formed a vocal group called The Echoes along with lead singer Will Barnes, James Farmer, Jimmy Mimms, and Richard Beasley.
This group never did record, but two years later the same personnel with the exception of Mimms (who was replaced by Wesley Devreaux ) now known as The Sultans, secured a recording contract with Duke Records which had recently relocated to Houston, Texas, from Memphis. The Sultans first recorded effort for Duke Records was the pop music standard "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "Good Thing Baby" on #125 in April of 1954.
The group was backed up on the record by the Johnny Otis orchestra. The Sultans perform at a number of venues in the Midwest including the statewide meeting of the Music Guild of Nebraska in June. In October The Sultans have their second record out for the Duke label. It is comprised of the tunes "I Cried My Heart Out" and "Baby Don't Put Me Down" on #133. At the very end of the year The Sultans give it one more chance with Duke and record the songs "Boppin With The Mambo" and "What Makes Me Feel This Way" on Duke #135. As with the previous two releases for Duke, this one does not sell or gain airplay for the group.
The Sultans in early 1955 decide on a change of name for the group. With the same personnel they are now known as The Admirals. By the end of January they have set up a recording date for one of the giant R & B independents, King Records of Cincinnati, Ohio. late in February King #4772 is released. It features The Admirals on the songs "Oh Yes" and "Left With A Broken Heart". One month later the group has a second recording for King - "Close Your Eyes" and "Give Me Your Love" on #4782. Neither record does anything on the selling front or on airplay for the group. In April the group appears on a record by Lucky Millinder and his Orchestra. The vocal is by Cathy Ryan and The Admirals do the backing vocals on one side of the record - "It's A Sad Sad Feeling".
The flip side is an instrumental called "Ow" released on King #4792. That same month the group also does backing vocals behind singer Bubber Johnson on the songs "Ding Dang Doo" and "Drop Me A Line" on #4793. By the end of 1955 The Admirals are no more and Gene McDaniels decides to try and make it as a solo act. However in July of 1957 another Bubber Johnson vocal with backing by The Admirals is released by King on #5068. The session was actually recorded in 1955 with the tunes "A Crazy Afternoon" and "So Much Tonight". That same year an old recording by The Sultans is released on the Duke label of the songs "My Love Is So High" and "If I Could Tell" on #178.
Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels after the breakup of The Admirals, worked on his songwriting skills, and soon landed a recording contract with Liberty Records. Starting with "In Times Like These" and "Once Before" on #55231 recorded late in 1959 which was not a success, he worked hard to make it as a single. Finally in April of 1961, a tune called "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" on Liberty #55308 broke out as a national hit. Gene McDaniels has become a well rounded musician in all phases of the art form, and it all started those many years ago as part of a blend of voices lifted in song as part of a R & B vocal group.
http://www.doowopy.de/index.php?id=177&L=2
http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/bbarnes.htm
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/WhatMake.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~v1tiger/genemac.html
Songs :
The Sultans (1)
Cried My Heart Out Baby Don't Put Me Down
Boppin' With The Mambo What Makes Me Feel This Way
If I Could Tell My Love Is So High
The Admirals
Oh Yes Left With A Broken Heart
Close Your Eyes Give Me Your Love
Cathy Ryan & The Admirals
It's A Sad, Sad Feeling
Bubber Johnson (bb The Admirals)
A Crazy Afternoon Drop Me A Line
Ding Dang Doo
...
The Californians (Los Angeles)
Personnel :
Jesse Belvin
Discography :
1955 - My Angel / Heavenly Baby (not on flipside?) (Federal 12231)
Biography :
It is stated in the liner notes accompanying the Jesse Belvin Specialty CD that Belvin overdubbed himself and was the only member of the "group."
This has not been confirmed or denied. However, listening to the disc demonstrates that Belvin's voice is heard briefly and the other voices are clearly not his.
Songs :
My Angel Heavenly Baby
...
The Precisions (2) (Brooklyn, New york)
Personnel :
Michael Pellegrino
Robert Brooks
David Butler
Alfred Boulding Jr
Michael Cancilla
Discography :
1962 - Cleopatra / Someone To Watch Over Me (Golden Crest 571)
Biography :
The Precisions were Brooklyn quintet whose members were Michael Pellegrino, Robert Brooks, David Butler, Alfred Boulding Jr. and Michael Cancilla. Their manager, Louis Picciano from Maspeth, Queens, got them a recording contract with Golden Crest Records in September 1962.
The result was "Cleopatra"/"Someone To Watch Over Me" issued as Golden Crest 571 that same year. The rock'n'roll tune "Cleopatra" was promoted as the A-side in Cash Box ads. leaving the excellent doo wop ballad to be discovered later by vocal group collectors. The standard tune may have been a favorite of local doo wop groups in the early 1960s" it had been released by Del and the Escorts on Rome in 1961. An excellent rendition can also be found by Zola Taylor and the Platters on their first Mercury album issued in 1956."
http://johnbroven.com/goldencrest/precisions.html
Songs :
Cleopatra Someone To Watch Over Me
...
The Baysiders (Los Angeles)
Personnel :
Jackie Walker (Tenor)
Sally Stevens (Soprano)
Jim Mitchell (Bass)
Jim Patton (Baritone)
Discography :
The Baysiders
1960 - Over The Rainbow / My Bonnie (Everest 19366)
1960 - Trees / Look for the silver lining (Everest 19386)
1961 - The Bells of St. Mary's / Comin' Thru The Rye (Everest 10393)
Jackie Walker & The Baysiders
1962 - I'm Always Chasing Rainbows / Dearly Beloved (Everest 20010)
Jackie Walker
1957 - On The Way Home / Love Sublime (Dot 15552)
1957 - Peggy Sue / Wonderful One (Imperial 5473)
1958 - Only Teenagaers Allowed / Push Pin (Imperial 5490)
1958 - Eternally,Wanting You/ Good,Good Feelin' (Imperial 5521)
1962 - Heart Breakin' News / Take A Dream (Everest 20004)
1963 - Ready Or Not / Come Along With Me (Everest 2026)
LPs :
1961 - The Baysiders "Over The Rainbow" (LP Everest 1124)
Over The Rainbow / Trees / You Were Mean't For Me / Look for the silver lining All I Do Is Dream Of You / My Blue Heaven / I'm Always Chasing Rainbows / The Bells of St. Mary's / Comin' Thru The Rye / Dearly Beloved / Love Somebody / My Bonnie
Biography :
Jackie Walker discovered his musical talent at an early age. At four he was often put on the dining room table to sing to gathered guests. At six he wrote his first song, words and music. By eight he was part of a 15-minute radio show, The Army Hour. He had his first record on Imperial when he was 14 and at 17 had a regional hit on Dot Records, Love Sublime. He entered UCLA at 17 to study music and at 20 had another regional hit with Oh, Lonesome Me, a cover of Don Gibson's recording which he performed on American Bandstand.
Jackie Walker
Jim Mitchell, Sally Stevens and Jackie Walker were students together at UCLA. With Jim patton they formed a Quartet, The Baysiders. Jackie Walker had been experimenting with arrangements using one female versatile voice and three males. Jim had recorded some sides for Everest Records and was approached about doing the quartet.
Jackie Walker Jim Patton
Sally Stevens Jim Mitchell
The Baysiders recorded some singles and an album for Everest Records entitled Over the Rainbow which included the title song that became another regional hit. After the initial success, things stale-mated and Sally took a job with Ray Coniff Singers. She went on to become one of the best studio singers in Hollywood and has a huge amount of credits.
Jackie Walker
Jackie Walker was busy with his solo career and as a songwriter/composer. Jim Patton became one of the lead disk-jockeys at KLOS in Los Angeles and died of an over-dose several years ago. We had a lot of fun but it was short lived.
Jack Walker
Songs :
Over The Rainbow Love Somebody My Bonnie
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows Trees My Blue Heaven
Look For The Silver Lining Comin' Thru The Rye All I Do Is Dream Of You
You Were Meant For Me The Bells of St. Mary's
...
The Madison Brothers (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
aka The Royal Demons aka The Thrillers (2) aka The Creators (3) aka The Friends (5)
Personnel :
Farris Hill (Lead)
Richard Frazier (Tenor)
Donald Burnett (Baritone)
Harry Pachall (Bass)
Discography :
The Madison Brothers
1959 - Give Me Your Heart / Baby Don't (Sure 1002)
1960 - Trusting In You / What's The Matter Baby (Cedargrove 314/APT 25050)
Farris Hill & The Madison Brothers
1962 - Did We Go Steady Too Soon / The Twirl (V-Tone 231)
Biography :
While "Peanuts" was climbing the charts, Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers parted company, supposedly over money issues. Joe continued as a solo, billing himself on his next record as "Little Joe, the Thriller".
Little Joe Cook
The Thrillers : Farris Hill, Harry Pachall, Richard Frazier and Donald Burnett regrouped, changing their name to the Royal Demons.
After two singles and because They all resembled one another, they became the Madison Brothers…
Songs :
Give Me Your Heart Trusting In You What's The Matter Baby
Baby Don't What's The Matter Baby
Did We Go Steady Too Soon The Twirl
The Madison Brothers (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
aka The Royal Demons aka The Thrillers (2) aka The Creators (3) aka The Friends (5)
Personnel :
Farris Hill (Lead)
Richard Frazier (Tenor)
Donald Burnett (Baritone)
Harry Pachall (Bass)
Discography :
The Madison Brothers
1959 - Give Me Your Heart / Baby Don't (Sure 1002)
1960 - Trusting In You / What's The Matter Baby (Cedargrove 314/APT 25050)
Farris Hill & The Madison Brothers
1962 - Did We Go Steady Too Soon / The Twirl (V-Tone 231)
Biography :
While "Peanuts" was climbing the charts, Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers parted company, supposedly over money issues. Joe continued as a solo, billing himself on his next record as "Little Joe, the Thriller".
Little Joe Cook
The Thrillers : Farris Hill, Harry Pachall, Richard Frazier and Donald Burnett regrouped, changing their name to the Royal Demons.
After two singles and because They all resembled one another, they became the Madison Brothers…
Songs :
Give Me Your Heart Trusting In You What's The Matter Baby
Baby Don't What's The Matter Baby
Did We Go Steady Too Soon The Twirl
The Dappers (3) (Ferndale, Mi)
Personnel :
Ken Fraser
Austin Kollman
Earl Swanson
Bill Sheerhan
Discography :
1958 - We're In Love / Spellbound (Star X 505)
Biography :
The Dappers were classmates at Lincoln H.S. in Ferndale, Michigan. Their career begin with shows at local American Legion and VFW halls; teen club dances, including those at the Ferndale Community Center; a benefit at Ferndale's Radio City Theather with WXYZ's Ed Mckenzie; even a performance on the roof of the Oak Driver-ln Theater concession stand (in Royal Oaks) .
Seventeen fan clubs emerged. And soon the Dappers were appearing at major metro area venues such as the Gav Haven. Edgewater Inn. Elmwood casino (Windsor), Club 509, and Walled Lake Casino - often on the same bill as star of the day : The Shirelles, the Chantells, the Spaniels… Career milestones included selling over 700,000 records in the Chicago area alone; appearing on Dick's Clark's ABC-TV show, American Bandstand; performing at Clark's "Dance Party" shows in major cities in eastern states; and guesting on soupy sales and Johnny Ginger television shows in detroit. Their Most successful record: "We're in love", which they wrote.
The Daydreamers with Ken Fraser aka The Dappers ????
The Group sang together for four Years, 1956-60, some 700 shows in all. Then each member, facing the draft, entered the military and the Dappers Disbanded.
Songs :
We're In Love Spellbound
...
