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The Pitch Pikes

Posted on by dion1

 

The Pitch Pikes (Bowling Green, Ohio)

 

Personnel :

Ed Janeway

Dick Meredith

Tom Garmhausen

Ed Vogel

 

Discography :

1957 - Zing Zing / Never Never Land (Mercury 71099)
1957 - How Will I Know / Come Back To Me (Mercury 71147)

 

Biography :

Quartet Finds Key To Succes
In 1957, four college students had no more thought of singing professionally than in flying to the moon. Chance and a few lucky breaks have made all the difference in the world, according to one of the foursome, Tom Garmhausen. It all began in November when a variety show was held on the campus at Bowling Green State University. And so, for the first time, they sang for an audience under the name, The Pitch Pikes.  Getting rave notices in the show, they were encouraged and went on to prove the adage, "home town make good."

The Pitch Pikes

They won their way to final competition on a Toledo television show and then made spot appearances around the country. It was not long before they released a record, zing Zing" and never Never Land" for Mercury. "Combining studies and classes and hopskipping around the country for personal appearances has its problems,"reports Gene Davis of Amherst, quartet manager. "we've overcome it partially by scheduling tours on weekends and week nights," so the quartet has been able to appear in such towns as Lyndhurst, Ashland, Detroit Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Philadelphia.

  

   "the guys worry about their studies and are determined to finish college. But that doesn't mean they won't keep on singing," laughed Gene.Although they have reached singing fame none of the quartet is majoring in music at Ed is in accounting; Dick, physical education; Tom, mathematics, and Glenn, Management.
Marcia Karszewski


Songs :


   
Come Back To Me                          Never Never Land

    
 Zing Zing                                       How Will I Know

 

 

...

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The Royal Demons aka The Thrillers (2) aka The Madison Brothers aka The Creators (3) aka The Friends (5)

Posted on by dion1


The Royal Demons (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
aka The Thrillers (2) aka The Madison Brothers aka The Creators (3) aka The Friends (5)



Personnel :

Farris Hill (Lead)

Richard Frazier (Tenor)

Donald Burnett (Baritone)

Harry Pachall (Bass)



Discography :

1959 - What's The Matter Baby / Baby Don't (Rhythm 5004)
1961 - Kiss Kiss / Trembling Hand (Pek 8101)



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 and the Thrillers

 

The Thrillers : Farris Hill, Harry Pachall, Richard Frazier and Donald Burnett regrouped, changing their name to the Royal Demons.
the Royal Demons were performing in local Philly clubs and were very much in demand.

   

A local radio disc jockey was managing the group at that time.  They Cuts two singles, un Pek and on Philadelphia's  Rhythm label. Because they all resembled one another, they became the Madison Brothers…


Songs :

   
Baby Don't                                   Trembling Hand


What's The Matter Baby



Cds :



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The Royal Demons aka The Thrillers (2) aka The Madison Brothers aka The Creators (3) aka The Friends (5)

Posted on by dion1


The Royal Demons (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
aka The Thrillers (2) aka The Madison Brothers aka The Creators (3) aka The Friends (5)



Personnel :

Farris Hill (Lead)

Richard Frazier (Tenor)

Donald Burnett (Baritone)

Harry Pachall (Bass)



Discography :

1959 - What's The Matter Baby / Baby Don't (Rhythm 5004)
1961 - Kiss Kiss / Trembling Hand (Pek 8101)



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 and the Thrillers

 

The Thrillers : Farris Hill, Harry Pachall, Richard Frazier and Donald Burnett regrouped, changing their name to the Royal Demons.
the Royal Demons were performing in local Philly clubs and were very much in demand.

   

A local radio disc jockey was managing the group at that time.  They Cuts two singles, un Pek and on Philadelphia's  Rhythm label. Because they all resembled one another, they became the Madison Brothers…


Songs :

   
Baby Don't                                   Trembling Hand


What's The Matter Baby



Cds :



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The Fairmonts

Posted on by dion1


 

The Fairmonts (Rhode Island)

 

Personnel :

Cosmo B. Del Nigro (Lead)

Robert (Bobby) Salvatore (Lead)

Peter

 

Discography :

1964 - Lucky Guy / Times and Places  (Planet 53)

 

Biography :

The Fairmonts were from Rhode Island (some from Providence and Cranston, RI).
In 1964, they released one single for Planet record. Cosmo B. Del Nigro wrote and sang "Lucky Guy" & Robert (Bobby) Salvatore sang on "Times and Places".

 

Songs :

   
Lucky Guy                                         Times and Places

 ...

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The Gay Poppers

Posted on by dion1

The Gay Poppers (Charlotte, Nc)

 

Personnel :

Nathaniel Black

 

Discography :

1960 - You Better Believe / I Need Your Love (Savoy 1573)
1960 - I've Got It / I Want To Know (Fire 1026)
1961 - You Got Me Uptight / Please Mr. Cupid (Fire 1039)

 

 

Songs :

   
Please Mr. Cupid                                I've Got It

   
I Want To Know                           You Got Me Uptight

   
You Better Believe                                I Need Your Love

 

...

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The Royal Jesters

Posted on by dion1


The Royal Jesters (San Antonio,Texas)
(The early Years)



Personnel :

Mike Pedraza (Lead)

Oscar Lawson

Henry Hernandez

Louis Escalante



Discography :

1961 - Ask me to move a mountain / Is that good enough for you (Cobra 611025)
1962 - Love me / Let's kiss and make up (Cobra 2222)
1963 - I want to be loved / I never will forget (Cobra 7777)
1963 - My angel of love / Those dreamy eyes (Harlem 105)


Biography :

The story of this legendary group began in 1956 when Oscar Lesley Lawson and Mike Pedraza, both Sidney Lanier High School students formed The Young Ones with Enrique “Henry” Hernández Jr.

In fact, Hernández dropped out of The Five Angels, a group composed of Our Lady of Guadalupe High School buddies to join The Young Ones.
In the beginning, the Reno Bops and other bands would back up the vocal quintet made up of Hernández, Lawson, Pedraza, Bobby Cantú and Charlie Walker.

By 1959, Louie Escalante, who also played guitar; and Tony Arci had replaced Cantú and Walker. In addition, Hernández played trumpet and Lawson learned to play trombone.
From this point on, the list of vocalists with the Royal Jesters reads like the Bible’s Book of “Numbers.”

   

Dimas Garza replaced Pedraza in early 1962. When Lawson quit singing to become the group’s full-time manager, he was replaced by José “Joe Jama” Perales, who also played bass.
During the 60s, their hits included “My Angel of Love,” “Your Dreamy Eyes” “Ask Me to Move a Mountain” and “Is That Good Enough for You” on the Harlem and Cobra record labels.

After they started their own labels, Jester and Clown Records, to record their own music.

 


Songs :

   
Ask me to move a mountain               Is that good enough for you

   
Love Me                                              Let's kiss and make up

   
I want to be loved                                 I will never forget

   
My angel of love                                   Those dreamy eyes


CDs :

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The Townsmen (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Townsmen (2) (New-York)

 

Personnel :

Lewis Lymon (Lead)

Rafael Ramos (First Tenor)

Louis Vasquez (Second Tenor)

McDuffy "Mac" Swaggart (Bass)

 

Discography:

1963 - I Can't Go / That's All I'll Ever Need (PJ 1341)

 

Biography :

In 1963, Lewis Lymon (The Teenchords) joined the Townsmen, replacing original lead singer Bobby Rivera (of Hemlocks fame). The others were Rafael Ramos (first tenor), Louis Vasquez (second tenor), and McDuffy "Mac" Swaggart (bass).

   

They made a single record for the tiny PJ label, released in June of 1963: "I Can't Go" (led by Lewis)/"That's All I'll Ever Need" (fronted by Louis Vasquez).
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Teenchords/teenchords.html
 

Songs :

   
    I Can't Go                                    That's All I'll Ever Need

 ...

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The Andantes

Posted on by dion1


Jacqueline Hicks, Louvain Demps,Marlene Barrow

The Andantes (Detroit, Mi.)
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

 

Personnel :

Jackie Hicks  (First Alto)

Marlene Barrow (Second Alto)

Louvain Demps  (Soprano)

 

Discography :

The Andantes
1964 - (Like A) Nightmare / If You Were Mine (V.I.P. 25006)

LaBrenda Ben & The Andantes
1963 - Just Be Yourself / I Can't Help It, I Gotta Dance (Gordy 7021)

Billy Kent & The Andantes
1962 - Take All Of Me / Your Love (Mah's 002)

Mary Wells (Vocal Accompaniment Andantes, Love-Tones)
1963 - Laughing Boy (Motown 1039)

 

Biography :

The Andantes were a prolific female sessions group for the Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps, the group sang background vocals on numerous Motown recordings, including songs by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, LaBrenda Ben, among others, along with the occasional non-Motown recording (Jackie Wilson's hit "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" being one example). Barrow also substituted for Florence Ballard of The Supremes in concert on several occasions.


( The Andantes with Kim Weston) Jackie Hicks, Kim Weston, Louvain Demps, Marlene Barrow

The Andantes provided back-up singing on Motown singles starting in 1962. The group was most prominently used on all of the Four Tops' Holland–Dozier–Holland-produced hits, including "Baby I Need Your Loving", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "Reach Out I'll Be There", and more. They were credited alongside the male Love-Tones on “Laughing Boy” by Mary Wells. 


Marlene Barrow, Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks

The Andantes were used as vocal substitutes for Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong on many of The Supremes' recordings done in 1968 and 1969. They were also called upon to overdub and smooth out The Marvelettes' background vocals records; the producers had this done without the Marvelettes' knowledge.

    The Andantes  Labrenda Ben                                                                      Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow (Andantes)

The final Marvelettes album, The Return of The Marvelettes, was actually recorded by Marvelette Wanda Young with the Andantes, not her groupmates, on backgrounds. Outside of Motown, the trio also backed Jackie Wilson on “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher.” Pat Lewis substituted for Louvain Demps on this track.

The Andantes 

Marvin Gaye, Kim Weston  - In the background are The Andantes

The group broke up in 1973 with each of the members going on to do studio and demo work. On February 23, 2015, Marlene Barrow-Tate died, at the age of 73.

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/03/09/the-andantes-motowns-secret-weapon
http://metrotimes.com/music/music-features/girl-groups-the-grit-the-glamour-the-glory-1.1443481
http://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2013/041213/motown.htm
http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-andantes-mn0000036300
http://history-of-rock.com/andantes.htm
https://books.google.de

 Video:


The Andantes Story on the Soul Facts Show
 

Songs :

The Andantes

  
If You Were Mine                           (Like A) Nightmare


Billy Kent & The Andantes

   
Take All Of Me                                     Your Love

 

LaBrenda Ben & The Andantes

   
Just Be Yourself                      I Can't Help It, I Gotta Dance

 

Mary Wells (Vocal Accompaniment Andantes, Love-Tones)


Laughing Boy

 

 

.....

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DeRoy Green & The Cool Gents - ref :The Twilighters (1)

Posted on by dion1

The Twilighters (1)
Top : Melvin Jennings, Earl Williams - Bottom : DeRoy Green, Robert Richardson and William Pierce

The Twilighters (1) (Baltimore, Maryland)
ref : DeRoy Green & The Cool Gents

 

Personnel :

Robert "Bob" Richardson (Lead)

Melvin Jennings (Baritone)

Earl Williams (Bass)

DeRoy Green (Second Tenor)

William Pierce (First Tenor)

 

Discography :

The Twilighters (1)
Single :
1953 - Please Tell Me You Are Mine / Wondering (Marshall 702)
Unreleased :
1953 - Longing For You (Marshall)
1953 - Gee, Baby I Need You So (Marshall)
1953 - I Wonder Who's Calling Her Now (Marshall)

DeRoy Green & The Cool Gents
Single :
1961 - Beggar To A Queen / At The Teen Center (Cee Jay 584)
Unreleased :
1961 - Phoebe (Cee Jay)

 

Biography :

The Twilighters came from the "Old Town" district of Baltimore where they attented Dunbar High School. They neighborhood also produced the Cardinals & Four Buddies. The Group was composed of Robert "Bob" Richardson (Lead), William Pierce (First Tenor), DeRoy Green (Second Tenor), Melvin Jennings (Baritone) and Earl Williams (Bass).

The Twilighters (1)
1953 - The Twilighters

The Twilighters recorded five songs at a recording session in Washington, D.C., in 1953, two of which became the Marshall sides :  "Please Tell Me You Are Mine" b/w "Wondering" with Frank Motley (Dual Trumpets) and his Crew. In 1953, The Twilighters made one of their appearances on a Cesar Romero telethon. Evidently the appearance didn’t generate significant interest in the Marshall record.

The Twilighters (1)
1953 - The Twilighters

Without the appearances and record sales necessary to sustain interest in a singing career, and after a dispute with their manager because they are dissatisfied with the background music, the Twilighters broke up.

The Twilighters (1)     The Twilighters (1)
                                                                                                     DeRoy Green

Several years later, after his release from the Army in 1960, DeRoy Green formed the Cool Gents. The group recorded for Lillian Claiborne in D.C and "Beggar To A Queen" b/w "At The Teen Center" was leased to Cee Jay records in the Bronx in 1961. A previously unreleased tune from the same session , "Phoebe" will be released on Roadhouse.

 

Songs :

The Twilighters (1)

  
         Please Tell Me You Are Mine           I Wonder Who's Calling Her Now           

The Cool Gents

  
Beggar To A Queen                           At The Teen Center

...

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The Chesters aka Little Anthony & The Imperials (3)

Posted on by dion1

The Chesters  (Brooklyn, New York)
aka Little Anthony & The Imperials (3)

 

Personnel :

Jerome "Little Anthony' Gourdine  (Lead)

Clarence Collins (Baritone)

Ernest Wright, Jr. (Second Tenor)

Tracy Lord (First Tenor)

Glouster Nat Rogers (Bass)

 

Discography :

1957 - The Fires Burn No More / Lift Up Your Head (Apollo 521)

 

Biography :

Following the failure of the Duponts Winley and Royal Roost, lead singer Gourdine began looking for another group to sing with. He met the Chesters, and it was a perfect fit. At a party in Jamaica, Queens, the group was introduced to a member of the Cellos, who had "Rang Tang Ding Dong " on the charts at the time.

   

He got them an audition He got them an audition with Charles Mehrenstein at Apollo. At the audition they sang several of Anthony's original tunes, which were eventually recorded. They officially became the Chesters at this time. Before going to Apollo, the group tried to hook up with Richard Barrett at End Records (the label Anthony would eventually sing for), but Barrett was terribly busy with the Chantels, Isley Brothers, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

The Chesters recorded for Apollo, but poor promotion and financial difficulties did not allow their disc to succeed, and they called it quits. Baritone Keith Williams, Collins's predecessor, also recorded with the Highway QCs, as did Collins. Williams left as rehearsals and so on were interfering with his schoolwork. The liner notes accompanying Relic's Apollo-4 CD state that Keith Williams was the baritone for the group and omit Clarence Collins.
Mitch Rosalsky (Encyclopedia of rhythm and blues and doo wop vocal groups)

 


Songs :

   
The Fires Burn No More                          Lift Up Your Head     

 

...

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