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

The Jewels (2) aka The Marbles aka The Rollers

Posted on January 30 2011 by dion1

The Jewels (2) (Los Angeles)
aka The Marbles aka The Rollers

   Personnel :

 Johnny Torrence (Second Tenor) 

Rudy Jackson (Second Tenor) 

Dee Hawkins (Tenor) 

Vernon Knight (Baritone) 

James Brown (Bass)  
 

Discography : 

The Marbles
1954 - Golden Girl / Big Wig Walk (Lucky 002) 

The Jewels (2)
Singles:
1954 - Hearts Of Stone / Runnin' (R and B 1301)
1954 - A Fool In Paradise / Oh Yes, I Know (R and B 1303)
1954 - Rosalie / Living From Day To Day (R and B 1306)
1955 - Angel In My Life / Hearts Can Be Broken (Imperial 5351)
1955 - Natural Natural Ditty / Please Return (Imperial 5362)
1956 - How / Rickety Rock (Imperial 5377)
1956 - Goin', Goin', Gone / My Baby (Imperial 5387)
Unreleased:
N/A - Keep Your Feet On The Floor (Imperial)
N/A - One Night (Imperial)
N/A - No Shoulder To Cry On (Imperial)
N/A - Skid Row (Imperial)
N/A - Everybody Needs A Little Lovin' (Imperial)

The Jewels (2) (Second group)
1956 - She's A Flirt / B-Bomb Baby (RPM 474)

The Jewels (2) (Third group)
1959 - The Wind / Pearlie Mae (Antler 1102)

The Rollers
1961 - Got My Eye On You / Bonneville (Liberty 55303)
1961 - The Continental Walk / I Want You So (Liberty 55320)
1961 - The Bounce / A Teenagers' Waltz (Liberty 55357)
1962 - The Bug / Troubles (Bel Star 102)  

Biography :

The Jewels (Originally a gospel group from San Bernardino) were a Los Angeles, California based group that, in 1953 and early 1954, recorded under the name The Marbles on the Lucky label. The band's line-up was comprised of performers who, with the exception of baritone Vernon Knight (who was added around the time the band changed its name), had 'jubilee'-style gospel music backgrounds.

Johnny Torrence, a tenor, was the band's leader; Rudy Jackson was lead singer; Dee Hawkins (tenor); James Brown (bass). The Jewels were named after group member Rudy Jackson's sister. During their first session for the R&B label the group cut Hearts Of Stone, a song co-written by Jackson (with Eddie Ray). While The Jewels' recording of the tune sold well on the West Coast, the version released by Otis Williams And The Charms on DeLuxe outsold the Jewels' record everywhere else. In 1955 R&B sold the group's contract to Imperial where they had three releases and then disbanded in 1956.

Torrence, however, formed another incarnation that recorded one single for the RPM label (She's A Flirt/B.Bomb Baby). Not much is known about this version of The Jewels other than the fact that Torrence was in the group along with another tenor named John, a baritone named Sam and a bass named Arthur Wilson.

The Third group

In 1959, Johnny Torrence formed a third Jewels group, consisting of Don Sampson (lead), Johnny Torrence (second tenor), Willie Willingham (bass), Eddie Wilson (tenor), and his brother, Al Wilson (baritone). They recorded "The Wind" (not the Diablos' song) and "Pearlie Mae" for Buck Ram's Antler label. By 1961 Johnny Torrence had left the Jewels, leaving the remaining members of Al & Eddie Wilson, Don Sampson and Willie Willingham to re-brand themselves as "The Rollers".

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Jewels/jewels.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/jewels.html

Songs :


A Fool In Paradise                  Oh Yes I Know


Rosalie                                Please Return


No Shoulder To Cry On              Hearts Of Stone

...

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The Gadabouts (1)

Posted on January 29 2011 by dion1

The Gadabouts (1) (Chicago)

Personnel :

Larry Craig

Johnnie Barr

Eddie Hayes

Discography :

Singles :
1954 - Guiseppe Mandolino / By The Waters Of The Minnetonka (Mercury 70495)
1955 - Go Boom Boom / Oochi Pachi (Mercury 70581)
1955 - Two Things I Love / Glass Heart (Wing 90008)
1955 - Teen Age Rock / If You Only Had A Heart (Wing 90043)
1956 - Busybody Rock / All My Love Belongs To You (Wing 90062/Mercury 70823)
1956 - Stranded In The Jungle / Blues Train (Mercury 70898)

Unreleased :
1955 - Lonesome Road (Mercury)
1955 - Topsy Turvy Love (Mercury)
1955 - All The Time (Mercury)
1955 - Hurt (Mercury)
1956 - I'm So Sorry (Wing)
1956 - Hook, Line And Sinker (Wing)
1956 - To Be With You (Wing)
1956 - Little White Gardenia (Wing)

Biography :

The Gadabouts were a short-lived white doo-wop trio based in Chicago, Illinois They consisted Larry Craig, Johnnie Barr and Eddie Hayes. They were active in the 50s music era. Not much is known about the early years of their brief musical career. During the 1940s and 1950s, recording cover renditions was pretty much a standard way in the music industry. The song “Stranded in the Jungle” was recorded and re-recorded by a number of artists.

R&B and doo-wop group the Jay awks (not the rock group of the same name) were the original performers of the song. Their own version, released in 1956, peaked at #18 on the Billboard “Best Selling Popular Retail Records Chart” (which can be equivalent to the Hot 100). The Cadets’ first cover of the song was the best-performing version, peaking at #16 on the Billboard pop chart in the same year. It was released moments after the Jay Hawks one.

The Gadabouts’ version was released also in 1956, pretty much after the Cadets’ own version. It peaked at #39 on the pop chart. It was to be their one and only charting hit single. They made a handful of other oldies music pieces like “Go Boom,” “Oochi Pachi,” “By The Waters Of The Minnetonka,” “Giuseppe Mandoli” but none of them charted. They disappeared from the music scene as quickly as they came, becoming a one-hit wonder.
https://mentalitch.com/the-brief-career-of-one-hit-wonders-the-gadabouts/

Song :

Stranded In The Jungle

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The Pre-Historics

Posted on January 28 2011 by dion1

The Pre-Historics (Bronx, New York)

Personnel :

Arthur Crier

Carl Spencer

Discography :

1960 - Alley Oop Cha Cha Cha / Oh Blues (Edsel 779)

Biography :

In 1960. Arthur Crier and Carl Spencer did a version of "Alley Oop" on the Edsel label, owned by Skip and Flip [Clyde Battin and Gary Paxton, who both did background vocals on the record].

Skip and Flip

Calling themselves the Pre-Historics, they were touted by booking agent Paul Levert, as appearing in bearskins and carrying clubs.

Arthur Crier & Carl Spencer

The duo was booked into the Club Paddock in Yonkers, New York, but a hassle ensued when they found out how they were to be dressed. The Club Paddock became their only engagement.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/ArthurCrier/arthurcrier.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Alley Oop-Cha-Cha-Cha Oh Blues

...

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The Sisters

Posted on January 26 2011 by dion1

The Sisters (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Ersi Arvizu

Rosella Arvizu

Mary Arvizu

Discography :

1964 - Gee Baby Gee / All Grown Up (Del-Fi 4300)
1964 - Ooh Poo Pa Do / Happy New Year Baby (Del-Fi 4302)
1965 - Wait 'Til My Bobby Comes Home / For Sentimental Reasons (Del-Fi 4306)
N/A - His Name Was John (Del-Fi) (Unreleased)

Biography :

In the mid-1960s in East L.A., The Sisters were the Eastside's answer to Motown's Supremes. Like The Supremes, they were three well-dressed, classy, female vocalists who could sing extremely well. The Sisters were actually formed several months before The Supremes burst on the national scene.

However, according to Ersi and Rosella, although they liked and were influenced by The Supremes, they were more influenced by other female vocal groups such as Martha & the Vandelas and The Ronettes. The Sisters recorded three singles in 1965 for Bob Keane's DelFi Records and were a fixture on the East L.A. music circuit of the era.
http://www.markguerrero.com/29.php
http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/sisters.htm

Songs :

His Name Was John For Sentimental Reasons

Happy New Year Baby                     Gee Baby Gee                    Ooh Poo Pah Doo


All Grown Up                         Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home

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The Criterions (1) aka The Kents (2)

Posted on January 25 2011 by dion1

The Criterions (1) (Belmar, N.J.)
aka The Kents (2)

Personnel :

John Mangiarcine (Lead)

Tommy Picardo (Tenor)

Tim Hauser (First Tenor)

Jimmy Ruff (Second Tenor)

Steve Casagrandre (Baritone)

Joe Ernst (Bass)

Discography :

The Criterions (1)
1959 - Don't Say Goodbye / Crying The Blues Over You (Cecelia 1010)
1959 - I Remain Truly Yours / You Just You (Cecelia 1208 / Laurie 3305)

The Kents (2)
1965 - Don't Say Goodbye / My Juanita (Relic 1013)

Johnny Starr (John Mangiarcine )
1960 - The Way You Look Tonight / Love That Girl Of Mine (Cecelia 1212)

Biography

Nowadays the Criterions are chiefly remembered for being the launching pad to the 70s success of Manhattan Transfer, but they boasted a distinctive career in their own right. Essentially a doo-wop group from Belmar, New Jersey, USA, their origins can be traced to 1956 when Tim Hauser (lead) visited a Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers concert in Asbury Park which ended in a riot.

Hauser escaped the trouble by making his way into the stage wings, where Lymon himself invited him into the dressing rooms. That meeting was to prove pivotal, and encouraged Hauser to form his own neighbourhood vocal group. By 1958 he had recruited St. Rose High School classmates Tommy Picardo (top tenor), Jimmy Ruff (second tenor), Steve Casagrande (baritone) and Phil Miller (bass).

John Mangiarcineming

They began rehearsing together after taking their name from a local restaurant, quickly replacing Miller with Joe Ernst. Growing in proficiency, they approached several New York labels, eventually making the acquaintance of producer Al Browne after a failed audition for End Records. They entered the studios with Browne in September 1958, recording live staple ‘Nita Juanita’ (a cover version of the Crests’ ‘My Juanita’) and an original composition, ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’.

However, this brace were rejected by a succession of labels, resulting in the introduction of a new lead vocalist in John Mangi (ex-Point Pleasant), with Hauser switching to first tenor. After declining a contract from home town label Arc Records they eventually signed with Cecilia Records in April 1959. Their debut single was ‘I Remain Truly Yours’, which was picked up for airplay immediately by disc jockey Alan Freed (unsurprising perhaps, as Cecilia Records’ boss Marty Foglia was Freed’s sound engineer).

The Criterions performing at a college function in Pennsylvania

It became a local success, but not enough of one to dissuade the Criterions’ members to defer their impending college careers. A revision of ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ was their next release. Sessions held with the Fabulous Dominoes, which resulted in the latter band enjoying a hit under the guise of the Viscounts with ‘Harlem Nocturne’, failed to produce any results. The proposed Criterions single from this time, a sizzling arrangement of the gospel standard ‘Over The Rainbow’, instead became a Top 20 US chart success for the Dimensions in 1960. The Criterions played a few more shows and backed singer Jerry Perci’s record for Cecilia, but never recorded afterwards. Picardo went on to become a noted producer and writer (especially through his work with Jim Croce) while the other members, Hauser aside, left the music business. Hauser formed Manhattan Transfer in 1969 and enjoyed global success, though in a direction far removed from his earthy R&B roots.

Songs :

The Criterions (1)

Don't Say Goodbye              Crying The Blues Over You     I Remain Truly Yours


You Just You                    Don't Say Goodbye (take 6)

The Kents (2)

My Juanita Don't Say Goodbye

Johnny Starr (John Mangiarcine)

The Way You Look Tonight Love That Girl Of Mine

...

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The Metallics

Posted on January 21 2011 by dion1

The Metallics (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

John "J.D." Wright (Lead)

Ronnie Deco ( Bass)

Charles McGee

Ernest McGee

Discography:

The Metallics
1962 - Need Your Love / Itchy Twitchy Too (Baronet 2)
1962 - Drop By / Get Lost (Baronet 14)

J.D. Wright & The Metallics
1962 - Let Me Love You / In the Middle of the Night (Baronet 16) 
1962 - It Hurts Me / I'll Conquer the World (Baronet 18)

Biography :

The Metallics was a Los Angeles quartet that recorded for the Baronet label in 1962. The members were lead singer-songwriter John "J.D." Wright, bass singer Ronnie Deco, and brothers Charles and Ernest McGee. Their first single, the memorable "Need Your Love," was a Los Angeles hit in April 1962, but Baronet owner Bob Ross (who formerly owned Aardell/R-Dell Records) was never able to break it elsewhere. After four singles The Metallics dissolved. J.D. Wright died in 1993, not long after he appeared at DWS Show #13. But his echo-soaked, high-tenor performance in "Need Your Love" continues to thrill new fans.
http://www.electricearl.com/dws/metallics.html

Songs :


Need Your Love                      Drop By


Let Me Love You                      It Hurts Me

...

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The Tri-Lites aka The West Winds

Posted on January 20 2011 by dion1

The Tri-Lites (Sacramento, CA)
aka The West Winds
Richard (Doowoper51)

Personnel :

Mona Donato

Bonnie Donato

Ron Andre

Discography :

The Tri-Lites
1964 - Will Tomorrow Be Just Another Day / Hot Dog, Here He Comes (Enith 721)
1964 - Your Lookin' at My Guy / Owee Owee (Enith 1266)

The West Winds
1964 - You Know I'll Miss You / What A Kiss That Was (Enith 1269)
1964 - Your Lookin' at My Guy / Owee Owee (Kapp 588)

The Looking Glass
1966 - Silver And Sunshine / If I Never Love Again (Valiant 750)
1967 - Lonely Stranger / Love Is Not Everything (WB 7050)

Biography :

They're sisters Mona and Bonnie Donato, and Ron Andre, from Sacramento (Ron and Bonnie were married in 1969 and are now married 41 years!). Nancy (daughter of Ron & Bonnie) other aunt, Linda Donato, later replaced Mona when Mona started her own family.

Initially the Tri- Lites with Enith International ("Tomorrow" & "Hot Dog, Here He Comes" & "Your Lookin' at My Guy" & "Owee Owee.") Later sold to KAPP and they changed our name to The West Winds. and again released "Your Lookin' at My Guy" & "Owee Owee." Signed with Valiant Records produced by Barry Devorzon released "Silver & Sunshine" (written by the Adrissi Brothers who also wrote classic Never My Love) and "Love is not Everything."

Valiant sold out to Warner Brothers and they kept The Association and The Looking Glass (not Brandy Looking Glass) released "Lonely Stranger" & "If I never Love Again." [I think it's Linda Donato now on harmonies for these tracks] Performed with Sonny & Cher, Kinks, Jackie Wilson, Brenda Lee, The Browns, Ray Peterson, and Barbara McNair, among others.
Richard (Doowoper51)

Songs :


Will Tomorrow Be Just Another Day      Your Lookin' at My Guy


Hot Dog, Here He Comes         You Know I'll Miss You (The West Winds)


What A Kiss That Was (The West Winds)    Love Is Not Everything (The Looking Glass)

...

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The Pearlettes aka The Pearletts

Posted on January 18 2011 by dion1

The Pearlettes (Los Angeles, California)
aka The Pearletts
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Sheila Galloway (Lead)

Lynda Galloway

Priscilla Kennedy

Mary Meade

Discography:

The Pearlettes
1961 - Just In Case / He’s Gone (Craig 502 / Craig 562 / Segway 1003)
1961 - Can I Get Him / Never Be Another Boy Like You (Vee Jay 422 / Go 712)
1962 - Duchess Of Earl / Everyday (Vee Jay 435)

The Pearletts
1962 - Cheated / Can This Be Love (Vault 100)

Biography :

The Pearlettes were four church girls from Los Angeles. The group formed in the the late '50s while they were still attending John Muir Junior High in Los Angeles. By 1961 the group consisted of sisters Lynda and Shelia Galloway, Mary Meade, and Priscilla Kennedy. The Pearlettes first began singing together at record hops and benefits. In 1958 as The Fantasians they backed Big Dave Taylor on "Farther Up the Road." Shortly thereafter the group was renamed the Pearlettes. They were discovered by VJ chief Randall Woods, who co-produced the record with Sonny Bono. Bono would both produce and write songs for them. In 1961 the Pearlettes released "Never Be Another Boy Like You" on Bono's Go Records.

Next they released a gospel-like song for Vault Records. Their third and final single on the Vee-Jay label, was "The Duchess of Earl" was the answer to Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" and was their most successful reaching #92. Sheila Galloway left the group shortly there after. Priscilla Kennedy went on to sing with The Watesians -along with Brenda and Patrice Holloway (Donna, 1962) , The Four J's - along with Brenda and Patrice Holloway (4-J, 1962), The Delicates - (Challenge and Soultown, 1964/66) and The Irresistables (Imperial, 1966). Priscilla also sang under the name of Eleanor Rigby.

Songs :


Duchess Of Earl                       He’s Gone                                 Just In Case


        Everyday                Can I Get Him      Never Be Another Boy Like You

Cheated / Can This Be Love

...

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The Roses

Posted on January 16 2011 by dion1

The Roses (Odessa, Texas)

Personnel :

Robert Linville (Tenor)

Ray Rush (Baritone)

David Bigham (Bass)

Discography :

The Roses
1958 - Almost Paradise / I Kissed an angel (Dot 15816)
1958 - Rock Me My Baby (Dot) (Unreleased)

Don (Lanier) & The Roses
1958 - Right Now / Since You Went Away To School (Dot 15755)
1958 - Leave Those Cats Alone / Don't Try To Change Me (Dot 15874)
1958 - Tease (Dot) (Unreleased)

Biography :

The group hailed from the towns of Andrews & Odessa, TX & had originally backed up Roy Orbison on his Sun recordings. Being that Roy used the Clovis studios, it was through him that they were introduced to Norman Petty & became session vocalists there for many years.

Replacing The Picks, they were used as the backing group for Buddy & The Crickets' recordings for most of 1958. They appeared on: Think It Over, Fool's Paradise, Lonesome Tears, & It's So Easy. They also did backups on JI's recordings as "Ivan" of "Real Wild Child", "Frankie Frankenstein" & "That'll Be Alright".They sang "Real Wild Child" with JI (Ivan) at the recording in 1958, and not again until the Surf Tribute in February 1999. "I forgot how that one went!" said David.

The Roses Don & The Roses

They also did late'58 recordings with The Crickets after Buddy left for New York as well as appearing on recordings with Buddy Knox, Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Bowen, Bobby Vee & many more Petty Studio recordings during 1958-1959. So many in fact that Robert & David assume they recorded approx. 150 tracks (they were recording multiple sessions per day!) and they have not been able to keep track of all of their recordings.

As "The Roses" they recorded 3 singles on the Dot label, two as Don (Lanier) & The Roses, and one as simply "The Roses", being Norman Petty's "Almost Paradise" composition.
The Roses were the only group to actually tour with Buddy & The Crickets as backup vocalists for 16 days of the fall edition of Alan Freed's Show Of Stars 1958. Near the end of that tour was the last time Robert & David saw Ray Rush. "Ray was late for EVERYTHING. The shows, when we had to leave, recording sessions...everything. We warned him that the next time we were ready to leave town, we were leaving at 9:00 sharp. A minute later & we would be gone without him. Well, 9:00 hit & no Ray around. So we left, and we never saw Ray again!" Robert muses.

http://www.buddyhollyandthecrickets.com/related/roses.html
http://www.rockabillyhall.com/TheRoses1.html

Songs :

I Kissed an angel Almost Paradise

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The Splendors (1)

Posted on January 15 2011 by dion1

The Splendors (1) (Clairton, PA)

Personnel :

Lloyd Roberts (Lead)

Arnold Everson (Tenor)

Allen Jarrett (First Tenor)

Cartrell Metz (Baritone)

James Hall (Bass)

Discography :

1960 - The Golden Years / The Echo Tells Me (Taurus 101/Astra 1037)
1961 - Deputy Dog / Who Can It Be (Taurus 102)

Biography :

The Splendors surfaced in Pennsylvania in 1956. Their school friends advised them and assisted them with their rehearsals and practices. By 1959, they were a self-contained unit, both vocalizing and playing instruments. The Splendors' manager, Ken Julian, began his own label. Taurus in 1960.

The Splendors

Lead Singer Lloyd Roberts left the group in 1961 and was replaced by Vince Henderson. Everson soon began studies at California state college in Pennsylvania. He left soon after this. Numerous personnel change Followed. Willie Anderson replaced Cartel Metz on his departure. Ethel Barber became the group's first Female lead. When she departed in 1963, They found Shirley Holmes to perform at lead.
Mitch Rosalsky "Encyclopedia of Rhythm and Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups"

Songs:

The Golden Years The Echo Tells Me Who Can It Be

...

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