Eugene Church & The Fellows (4) aka The Turks (Los Angeles)
Personnel :
Eugene Church (Lead)
Cornelius "Cornell" Gunter (Tenor)
Gaynel Hodge (First Tenor)
Curtis Williams (Baritone)
Richard Berry (Bass)
Discography :
Eugene Church & The Fellows (4) 1958 - Pretty Girls Everywhere / For The Rest Of My Life (Class 235)
Eugene Church (bb The Fellows (4)) 1959 - Miami / I Ain't Goin' For That (Class 254)
Biography :
The Turks joined Eugene Church, as the "Fellows," on "Pretty Girls Everywhere," released in August 1958 on Class. Church, a Jesse Belvin sound-alike, had dueted with him in the Cliques ("The Girl In My Dreams"), back in 1956.
It's unclear whether Jesse Belvin was ever a part of the Fellows, but if there was a session, Jesse was usually there. The second record by Eugene Church and the Fellows was "Miami"/"Ain't Goin' For That," on Class from May 1959. While the group is present, they weren't credited on the label. These two were U.S. hits: "Pretty Girls Everywhere" went #6 R&B, #36 Pop, and "Miami" hit #14 R&B and #67 Pop. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Turks/turks.html
The Dials (2) 1962 - These Foolish Things / At The Start Of A New Romance (Philips 40040)
Al Reno bb The Dials (2) 1961 - Cheryl / Congratulations (Kapp 432)
LPs: 1987 - Lou Cicchetti & Cousins Records (Crystal Ball LP 124) Triyng / Hey Little Girl
Demos : Unchained Melody / Till I Dance With You / The Wanderer / Godess Of Love / Red Light / I Wonder Why / Tonight The Night / Bum Ditty Ditty / Sentimental Reasons / You Made Me Cry / Young and Lovely / Hey Brenda / What' Cha Gonna Do / Baby Rock / Hear That Sound / Hop Scotch / Solitaire
Biography :
Salvatore "Sal Anthony" Corrente was inspired by the black and white singing groups in and around his neighborhood in Yonkers, New York. He became the first tenor of his first local neighborhood group, The Pastels in 1956. This group consisted of Sal, Paul Miksad, Anthony Pascuicco and Richard Bergan. They had a sound similar to the Four Aces and the Four Freshmen, doing local partie and shows but no recordings.
The Sinceres
Then Sal would join a mixed group called the Five Flames. They appeared at the famed Amateur Night at the Apollo in harlem, New York City. It was here they came in tied for second place with the famous Channels. This group too had no recordings. In 1957, Sal would form his third group with some fellow students; Frank Camarota, Joe Petrosine, Al Myslick and Paul Fernandes who would become kwow as the Sinceres. As the Sinceres many demo were recorded including very first song Sal wrote, "Joyce". By the end of 1960, this group would breakup and Sal would form the Dials.
Sal and Frank Rangione, Dario Bianchini, Joe Raguso and Joe Rasulo were again all neighborhood (Yonkers) friends. The Five singers making up Philips' Dials met in the Park Hill Athletic Club in Yonkers, New York, in 1961. They continued to appear at club functions and at one of these functions were discovered by Louis De Lucia who immediately signed them to a contract to manage them.
(Standing ,from left) Dario Bianchini, Joe Rasulo and Sal Corrente (Seated) Joe Raguso and Frank Rangione Sal Corrente
They were introduced and signed to Lou Cicchetti and his Cousins Label from the Bronx. Lou got the group signed to Philips Records where they felt they had a winner with "These Foolish Things". Sal had written a 'B' Side "At The Start Of A New Romance" which became the 'A' side after Lou's partner Morris Diamond made the decision since he now owned the publishing. The Group would also background work on "Cheryl" by Al Reno also recorded that day.
The group would never follow up their Philips release although it did get a lot of radio Play. Lou Cicchetti was also the manager of the Regents and when they broke up a Splinter group, The Runarounds were formed. Sal now was Asked to be the Lead Singer of the group. Later Sal Corrente and Frank Rangone continued in another group : The Johnny Law Four and The Blue Coats.
Songs :
The Dials (2)
Hey Brenda At The Start Of A New Romance Till I Dance With You
Richard Gray & The Four Brothers (Sydney, Australia)
Personnel :
Richard Gray
Discography :
Singles : 1955 - Ain’t that a shame / Mabellene (Philips P37031) 1955 - Tina Marie / Gum drop (Philips P37032)
Eps: "Richard Gray Sings" 1956 - Ain’t that a shame /Mabellene / Tina Marie / Gum drop (Philips EP 421.700PE)
Biography
Richard Gray Began as a boy soprano in St. Brigid’s choir at Coogee. Later studied at Sydney Conservatorium and sang opera and musical comedy before going to England in 1952 where he appeared in “Champagne on Ice” and broadcast on the BBC. Recorded for Columbia in 1953.
Returned to Australia in 1954 and the following year made some of earliest recordings of rock material in Australia. Also recorded with Johnny O’Keefe 1957. The Four brothers are a vocal group from Sydney. Doo-wop ? rhythm' blues? Anyone have these sides?.
The Girlfriends (3) 1963 - My One And Only Jimmy Boy / For My Sake (Colpix 712) 1964 - Baby Don't Cry / I Don't Believe In You (Colpix 744)
Dorothy Berry (bb The Girlfriends) 1963 - You're So Fine / Cryin' On My Pillow (Challenge 59221)
Biography :
The Girlfriends comprised three Los Angeles session singers (former member of Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans Carolyn Willis, Nanette Williams, and Blossom Gloria Jones) who were promised a more substantial career.
They had a # 49 hit in 1964 with the very Spector-ish "My One and Only Jimmy Boy", written and produced by David Gates for Colpix Records.
1962 - Hey Man / Why (Mark-fi 1934) 1963 - Eli The Iceman / Quit Shuckin' (Melic 4140)
Biography :
When the Lions broke up, Charles Everidge and James Warren teamed up with Robert Johnson , as a trio called the Mad Lads (named after, E. Rodney Jones, "The Mad Lad," a Kansas City DJ that Charles used to listen to). They recorded "Hey Man" and "Why" for H.B. Barnum's Mark-Fi label (the audition for Barnum was arranged by Kent Harris, the former "Boogaloo"). There was also 1963's "Eli The Iceman" and "Quit Shuckin'" for Melic, owned by drummer Lee Young, brother of saxman Lester Young. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Youngsters/youngsters.html
The Falcons (4) Singles : 1956 - Baby That's It / This Day (Mercury 70940) 1957 - Sent Up / Can This Be Christmas (Silhouette 521/522) 1958 - This Heart Of Mine / Romanita (Kudo 661) 1958 - Searching For You Baby / Baby Don't You Change Your Mind (Kudo 666) 1959 - You're So Fine/ Goddess Of Angels (Flick 001) 1959 - You're So Fine / Goddess Of Angels (Unart 2013/United Artists 2013x) 1959 - You Must Know I Love You / That's What I Aim To Do (Flick 008) 1959 - You're Mine / Country Shack (Unart 2022) 1959 - Just For Your Love This Heart Of Mine (Chess 1743/Anna 1110) 1960 - The Teacher / Waiting For You (United Artists 229) 1960 - I Love You / Wonderful Love (United Artists 255) 1960 - Pow! You're In Love / Workin' Man's Song (United Artists 289) 1962 - I Found A Love / Swim (Lu-Pine 103/1003) 1962 - She's My Heart's Desire / What To Do (Lu-Pine 109) 1962 - Lah-Tee-Lah-Tah Darling (Atlantic 2153) 1963 - Take This Love I've Got / Let's Kiss And Make Up (Atlantic 2179) 1964 - You're So Fine / Goddess Of Angels (United Artists 1624)
Eps : 1960 - The Teacher / Waiting For You / You're So Fine / Goddess Of Angels (United Artists 10010)
Unreleased : 1956 - I Love You Dearly (Mercury) (Unreleased) 1956 - How Could You (Mercury) (Unreleased) 1959 - This Heart Of Mine (Chess) (Unreleased) 1959 - Romanita (Chess) (Unreleased) 1959 - You're In Love (Chess) (Unreleased) 1959 - No Time For Fun (Chess) (Unreleased) 1959 - Please Don't Leave Me Dear (Chess) (Unreleased) 1960 - Annie (United Artists) (Unreleased) 1960 - Billy The Kid (United Artists) (Unreleased) 1960 - Feels Good (United Artists) (Unreleased) 1960 - You're On My Mind (United Artists) (Unreleased) 1960 - It Was Meant To Be (United Artists) (Unreleased) N/A - I Found A Love (Atlantic) (Unreleased) N/A - Swim (Atlantic) (Unreleased) N/A - Why Didn't Nobody Dance (Atlantic) (Unreleased) N/A - No Crying Man (Atlantic) (Unreleased) N/A - Alabama Bound (Atlantic) (Unreleased)
Wilson Pickett & The Falcons (4) 1966 - You're On My Mind Anna (Lu-Pine 003)
The Falcons didn't start out as a pure rhythm and blues group, nor did they begin with only black members. The group was racially mixed and sang modern and pop R&B harmonizers with a touch of gospel. Bob Manardo and Eddie Floyd worked together in a Detroit jewelry store and decided to form a vocal group. Bob drafted his friend Tom Shetler and Eddie brought in Arnett Robinson.
A local street singer, Willie Schofield, made it a quintet that Arnett dubbed the Falcons. The group had no idea there were previous Falcons groups that recorded for Regent ("How Blind Can You Be," 1951), Savoy ("It's You I Miss," 1953), Flip ("Stay Mine," 1954), and Cash ("I Miss You Darling," 1955). The lineup read Floyd (lead), Manardo (first tenor), Robinson (second tenor), Shetler (baritone), and Schofield (bass). Manardo and Shetler were white and the others black.
This group surfaced years before the same racial combination showed up in THE DEL-VIKINGS and THE MARCELS. The group rehearsed incessantly and was very serious about their singing. Eddie introduced the Falcons to his uncle, Robert West, owner of the Lupine and Flick labels, who arranged a few bookings and signed them to Chicago's Mercury Records for one solid doo wop rocker in a CLEFTONES (Gee)/MOONLIGHTERS (Checker) style with a sax solo and a driving cha-cha beat, titled "Baby That's It."
By 1957 they'd moved over to Ewart Abner's Falcon label for "Now That It's Over" and the rhythmic, harmony-filled flip "My Only Love." Changes were now occurring: Manardo was drafted, Shetler volunteered, and Robinson left, all in the space of a month. Baritone Bonny "Mack" Rice (of the Five Scalders, Drummond) replaced Shetler, Lance Finnie took over first tenor, and Joe Stubbs joined as the new lead singer .
The group now began leaning more toward gospel and blues blended with modern. Singles with Kudo and Silhouette went nowhere so West finally decided to put them on his own Flick label. The first issue was a song written by Schofield, Finnie, and West that would initiate some changes in rhythm and blues music. Released in early 1959, "You're So Fine," with its raw, bouncy, funky, shuffle beat and Joe Stubbs's ough-edged vocal, took the public by storm. Flick made a quick deal with United Artists' Unart label for both the group and the release of the single.
Billboard's March 14th review gave it four stars, commenting, "The group comes through with the authentic church sound on this pulsating effort, sung with feeling by the strong lead with help from the group. It could grab coins."It did, charting number two R&B April 6th and number 17 Pop. Their next charter came from Chess Records, trying to capitalize on the Unart hit by repeating the title melody of "You're So Fine" in the chorus of "Just for Your Love" (#26 R&B, late 1959).
The group had a few sides on the Unart parent label, United Artists, making noise only with "The Teacher" (#18 R&B), with another strong Stubbs lead. Their last UA issue was "Working Man's Song." By now, Stubbs had left (later going on to sing on occasion with his brother Levi's group, THE FOUR TOPS, as well as the Contours and the Originals), replaced by a 19-year-old from Prattville, Alabama, named Wilson Pickett.
He did the lead vocal on their 1962 hit "I Found a Love" (#75 Pop, #6 R&B), but before the year was over the group found West farming them out to another label (Atlantic) to further capitalize on the success he'd built.
None of the three Atlantic sides drew much interest and when Schofield was drafted in 1963, the group disbanded. Robert West wasn't about to let the golden goose get cooked, however, so he took Carlis "Sonny" Monroe, Johnny Alvin, Frank Holt, and James Gibson, known collectively as the Fabulous Playboys, and made them the Falcons (5).
Jay Warner (American singing groups: a history from 1940s to today)
1964 - Vision Of Love / Oh Gee Oh Gosh (Catamount 778) 1964 - If You Were Gone From Me / Oh What A Dream (Catamount 101) 1965 - Crazy / When I Fall In Love (Catamount 104) 1965 - Gloria / The Closer You Are (Catamount 105)
Unreleased : 1965 - Kathy My Love (Catamount) (Unreleased) 1965 - It's All Over Again (Catamount) (Unreleased)
LPs : 1965 - I Dig Acappella (Catamount) Zoom Zoom Zoom / A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening / When I Fall In Love / If You Were Gone From Me
Biography :
The Savoys Abetter-than-average group, the five Italian lads known as the Savoys hailed from the Newark, New Jersey, area, on the outskirts of Branch Brook park at Steven Ceane Village. The Members were John Faliveno,Joseph Castellano, Angelo Basilone, Joseph Stefanelli, and Sam Monaco. They performed more than most mid-'60s acappella acts, doing shows at a variety of sites from Fairleigh Dickinson University to the Casino at Seaside on the Jersey Shore. Their first single was 1964's "Vision of Love," a Duprees-styled 45 with instrumental backing by the Duponts and a rocking version of the Kodaks' "Oh Gee , Oh Gosh" on the flip.
Their second single for New Jersey's Catamount label was "Gloria" (the Cadillacs ) b/w "The Closer You Are" (the Channels) done acappella. "Gloria" was arranged in a smooth yet powerful Passions style and was one of 1964's best-selling acappella singles reaching number three on Danny Style's radio show survey. Their unique up-tempo arrangement of "The Closer You Are," done in a lively "I'm So Happy" vein (the Ducanes), reached number 23 on Times Square's record sales survey in March 1965. The Savoys became a staple of the Catamount label through 1965 with singles like "If You Were Gone from Me" and "When I Fall in Love."
"Gloria" wound up on Relic Records' January 1965 first Best of acappella compilation (a series of seven Lps that would eventually become the dominant contributor to the mid-'60s vocals-only craze). Also in 1965 the Savoys added four sides to the i Dig Acappella LP for Cat-Time, including their previous two singles and "A Lovely Way To Spend an Evening" (The Angels) b/w "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom" (The Collegians). Jay Warner (American singing groups: a history from 1940s to today) http://beaudaddy.com/savoys/index.html
Otis Williams & His New Group (1) aka The Charms (1) (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Personnel :
Otis Williams (Lead)
Winfred Gerald (Tenor)
Rollie Willis (Bariton)
Lonnie Carter (Tenor/ Baritone)
Matt Williams (Bass)
Discography :
1955 - Miss the love / Tell me now (Deluxe 6088) 1955 - Gum drop / Save me, save me (Deluxe 6090) 1955 - That's your mistake / Too late I learned (Deluxe 6091)
Biography :
The Charms toured with The Clovers, Big Joe Turner and others in 1955. In late 1955 the group split and The Charms left Otis Williams to join Henry Stone‚ new Chart Records label. Otis immediately recruited his cousin, baritone Rollie Willis, and put an ad in the local papers to get some more singers.
Otis Williams & The Charms (Originals)
He ended up with tenor Winfred Gerald, tenor/ baritone Lonnie Carter, and bass Matt Williams. They, too, began appearing as the "Charms." At this point the original group sued for the use of the name. We'll see later how that worked out.
Otis Williams continued to record on DeLuxe Records, as Otis Williams and His New Group. Their first hit entered the R&B and the Top 100 chart on the same day, January 28, 1956. "That's your mistake" became a #14 R&B hit and a #48 pop hit. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Charms/charms.html http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/charms.html
The Ovations (3) (Queens, New York) aka Little Romeo & The Casanovas (3)
Personnel :
Sammy Cantos (Lead)
Gary Willet (First Tenor)
Ron Buchter (Second Tenor)
Greg Malmeth (Baritone/Bass)
Discography :
The Ovations (3) 1964 - Who Needs Love / Remembering (Josie 916)
Little Romeo & The Casanovas (3) 1965 - That's How Girls Get Boys / Remember Lori (Ascot 2192)
Biography :
The Ovations are another you white vocal group who made their way to the Josie label in the 1960's. The Group consisted of Sammy Cantos (Lead), Gary Willet (First Tenor),Ron Buchter (Second Tenor) and Greg Malmeth (Baritone/Bass). They hailed from Flushing and Bayside in the New York city borough of Queens.They were all still in high school when they recorded two sides for writers and producer Neil Levenson and Steve Duboff. Levenson had already been successful writing "Denise" for Randy & The Raimbows (Rust 5059) in 1963.
Jubilee then bought the Masters and released "Who Needs Love" / "Remembering" as Josie 916 on January10,1964. "Who Needs Love" was picked as the 'Boss Record of the Week" on the popular Murray the K radio show in New York City. However, with no promotion and changing musical tastes, record sales and applause for the Ovations was mostly confined to their local Queens neighborhood. The Group stayed together long enough to release another favorite "That's How Girls Get Boys" / "Remember Lori" as Little Romeo & The Casanovas (Ascot 2192) in 1965
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