The Veltones (2) (Ossining, New York) aka The Vel-Tones (3)
Personnel :
Joyce Edmundson
Kathy Miller
Martha Smith
Melvin Smith
Florence Artis
Jimmy Paesin
Discography :
The Veltones (2) 1961 - Now / I Need You So (Lost Nite 103)
The Vel-Tones (3) 1961 - Now / I Need You So (Zara 901)
Biography :
This Veltones have no connection to other Veltones group. This is a mixed male/female group of young kids, from Ossining, New York. The sextet include Joyce Edmundson, Kathy Miller, Martha Smith, Melvin Smith, Florence Artis and Jimmy Paesin.
There is very little information about the band except their names and where they are from. But one source claims that this is the band that recorded "Now" and "I Need You So" composed by Al Brown and accompanied by Al Brown And His Band. The record was released by Lost Nite Records in 1961 and by Zara Records some time later.
The Big Five (Cleveland, Ohio) aka The Fabulous Five Flames aka The Fabulous Five aka The Fabulous Flames (1)
Personnel :
Otis Carter
Harvey Hall
David McPhatter
Richard Fisher
Ernest Smith
Discography:
The Big Five 1958 - Wob-Ding-A-Ling / Baby, I Need You So (Junior 5000) 1960 - Blue Eyes / Stardust In Her Eyes (Shad 5019)
The Fabulous Flames (1) 1958 - Josephine / My Joan (Rex 3000)
The Fabulous Five 1960 - Janie Made A Monster / Gettin' Old (King 45-5220)
The Fabulous Five Flames 1960 - Lonely Lover / No More Tears (Time 1023)
Biography :
This Vocal group from Cleveland was known locally as The Fabulous Flames. The group included J. C. Tatum, Otis Carter, David McFadden, Ernest Smith, and Harvey Hall. The group started while some of the members were students at East Technical High School. The group performed at local clubs, and in Detroit. Their first single "Wop Ding A Ling" (also Known as "Wab Ding A Ling") plus the flip "Baby, I Need You So" was issued on the Shad predecessor Junior label (Junior 5000) on 29 October 1958. Bobby Shad renamed The Fabulous Flames by The Big Five. Their second single "Josephine" b/w "My Joan " released as their original name (The Fabulous Flames) was a local production, done for the short lived Rex label. Bill Jacocks, a local entrepreneur, wrote the songs and helped get the record released. Jacocks later became known as Cleveland's first African-American TV news anchor, along with producting some records in the mid 1970s.
Bobby Shad
The group was known as the Fabulous Flames, but changed for The Fabulous Five for their third record for the King label to prevent confusion with other groups with that name. The song "Janie Made A Monster" is a classic R&B Halloween record. Richard Fisher replaced J. C. Tatum. Four sides were recorded at Capitol Studios in New York on 4 December 1959, "Lonely Lover", "No More Tears", "Blue Eyes" and "Stardust In Her Eyes". The first two will be released on the Time (/Shad) Label on April 1960 as The Fabulous Five Flames, and the next two were released on 10 June 1960 on Shad 5019 as The Big Five. Richard Fisher was the brother of Jesse Fisher. He wasn't with the group for long as he left for New York where he ended up joining the Jive Five. Art Blakey replaced him, not long before the group disbanded. Harvey Hall - later known as Harvey Nickerson-Hall - went on to lead Harvey and the Phenomenals. https://www.buckeyebeat.com/
The Griffins (1) (Washington, D.C) aka The Warblers (By Hans-Joachim)
Personnel :
William Ross (Lead)
Bill Alford (First Tenor)
Lewis "Flip" Thompson (Second Tenor)
Lawrence Tate (Bariton)
Joshua Bright (Bass)
Discography :
The Griffins (1)
1955 - Sing To Me / I Swear By All The Stars Above (Mercury 70558) 1955 - Bad Little Girl / Scheming (Mercury 70650) 1956 - Forever More / Leave It To Me (Wing 90067) 1956 - Why Must You Go / My Baby's Gone (Mercury 70913) The Warblers
1973 - Is This The Real Thing / It’s Wrong (The Ontarios) (Baron 101) 1973 - Love Me Baby (The Ontarios) / Scheming (Baron 106) 1974 - She's Too Tall For Love / Lonesome Again (The Serenaders) (Outhouse 102)
Marie Knight (bb The Griffins (1)) (not credited) 1956 - As Long As I Love / Tell Me Why (Wing 90069)
Biography :
Lawrence Tate and William Ross joined the Griffins in 1953 from the RCA Heartbreakers, who had disbanded in 1953.The Griffins were previously known as the Warblers. The tunes shown below as by the Griffins on Mercury, Entitled "Scheming", was earlier cut by the Warblers.In February of 1955 Mercury Records signs The Griffins to their label.
Marie Knight The Griffins (1)
In less than a month Mercury # 70558 is released featuring the group's versions of the songs "I Swear By All The Stars Above" and "Swing To Me".In July "Bad Little Girl" and "Scheming" on # 70650. In March of 1956 The Griffins are moved to the Wing label from Mercury . In April "Forevermore" and "Leave It To Me" are released on Wing # 90067. In August The Griffins are back on Mercury with "Why Must You Go" and "My baby's Gone" on # 70913.
Billy Ford & The Thunderbirds (4) 1957 - La Dee Dah (Billy & Lillie) / The Monster (Swan 4002) 1957 - How Can I Be Sure / Billy Boy Blow (Vik 0263)
Billy & Lillie & The Thunderbirds (4) 1963 - Whip It To Me Baby / Love Me Sincerely (ABC-Paramount 10421)
Billy & Lilly & The Thunderbirds (4) 1965 - Baby You Don't Know / I'm In Love (Crossroad 101)
EPs: 1962 - Toddle Town Twist And Swing / My Little Girl (Ebony EP 105) (yellow label) 1962 - Twist And Swing / The Monkey & The Baboon / Shake And Swing (Ebony EP 105) (blue label)
Biography :
A single recording, the now Famous "La Dee Dah" has placed Billy Ford's Thunderbirds featuring Billy and Lillie among America's most popular music stars. It's release set off a chain reaction among music fans which was relayed through the nation's disc jockeys in a demand for more of the Ford magic, and considering Billy Ford's reputation for giving his audiences what they ask for, a future parade of hits is no idle speculation.
Billy Ford & The Thunderbirds (without Lillie Bryant) Alma L. Johnson (aka Alma Fortez) and Lillie Bryant
An indefinable quality of showmanship coupled with an uncanny eye for spotting talent have enabled Billy Ford to create the seemingly impossible, the presentation of seven versatile performers in a show with a scope ordinarily required the talents of twenty.
Though Billy is undeniably gifted with wealth of innate talent, he credits much of his present success to two valuable years spent with Cootie Williams singing in vocal groups, collaborating with other writers, and most important of all, learning deft staging and the maximum use of talent.Ambition making him restless and confidence urging him on, Billy left Williams to form the Thunderbirds, and from the beginning the combination has clicked. The show's flexible format features comedy, choreography, instrumentals and vocals skillfully handled by the happy seven in the Ford fold.
With a show that is particularly suited to the intimate night club stage and is yet adaptable to a large theatre audience, success has followed success for billy and the group in such renowned spots as Hollywood's Brown Derby and New York's Paramount Theatre. (Alan Freed's Publicity)
The Castawaws (2) (Queens, New York) aka The Iridescents (1)
Personnel :
Frankie Sisco (Lead)
Vinnie Pizzo (First Tenor)
Bobby Sanders (Second Tenor)
Johnny Obidienzo (Baritone)
Kathy Ferrara
Discography :
The Castaways (2) 1962 - Hey There / I Found You (Assault 1869/70/Astra 1002)
The Iridescents (1) Singles : 1963 - Three Coins In The Fountain / Strong Love (Hudson 8102) 1964 - Hey There / I Found You (Hudson 8107) Unreleased : 1963 - In The Still Of The Night (demo) 1963 - Warm (acapella)
Biography :
It Started around 1962 in Corona, Queens New York. These fellas would sing for hours at their hangout, a place called Spaghetti Park. Because they sang in the park, they decided to call themselves the Parkays. The youngsters would sing on Weekends at a place called Club 21 in Corona. They were approached by Joe Partenza. Joe & his friend, Al Cattabiani, put up the money for their first record. By this time the group took on a new member, Kathy Ferrara. "Hey There" and "I Found You" was released in late 1962 under the name of the Castaways and sold fairly well.
They had to change the name because another group was already using that name. A few month later,they used the Iridescents when they recorded the classic "Three Coins In The Fountain" b/w "Strong Love". The Iridescents worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, they performed with Dion & the Belmonts, the Del satins… 1964 came in and so did the Bristish Invasion. two other sides were recorded but are unreleased : "Dreamland" and "Now Is The Hour". "Hey There" and "I Found You " was released with two "R's" and a different record number.
Songs :
The Castaways (2)
I Found You Hey There
The Iridescents (1)
Three Coins In The Fountain / Strong Love Warm (acapella)
Karen Topinka (Low Harmony)* *replaced with Patti McCabe before the group switched to ABC-Paramount
Discography :
The Poni Tails 1957 - Your Wild Heart / Que La Bozena (Point 8) 1957 - Can I Be Sure / Still In Your Teens (Marc 1001)
The Poni-Tails 1957 - It's Just My Luck To Be Fifteen / Wild Eyes And Tender Lips (ABC-Paramount 9846) 1958 - Born Too Late / Come On Joey Dance With Me (ABC-Paramount 9934) 1958 - Seven Minutes In Heaven / Close Friends (ABC-Paramount 9969) 1959 - Early To Bed / Father Time (ABC-Paramount 9995) 1959 - Moody / Oom Pah Polka (ABC-Paramount 10027) 1959 - I'll Be Seeing You / I'll Keep Tryin'(ABC-Paramount 10047) 1960 - Before We Say Goodnight / Come Be My Love (ABC-Paramount 10077) 1960 - Who, When, And Why / Oh, My, You (ABC-Paramount 10114)
Biography :
Toni Cistone (lead), LaVerne Novak, and Karen Topinka were the original Poni-Tails. Unlike some other acts who scored big in rock, the trio of ladies didn't come from meager beginnings; they all were from Lyndhurst, OH (an upper-middle-class suburb of Cleveland where they expected children to graduate from high school, go to college, earn a degree, and become a professional; involvement in popular music was considered frivolous).
The trio began singing at Brush High School; attorney John Jewitt introduced them to music publisher Tom Illius who got the ball rolling. Illius liked a self-penned song the high schoolers wrote, "Que la Bozena," and offered to shop it around town. A deal was secured with a local label, Point Records, with Illius acting as their manager. Point released "Your Wild Heart" with the Poni-Tails tune as the B-side.
They almost charted with their first release, but Joy Layne, a Chicago singer, covered the song on Mercury Records. Layne's version zoomed to number 20 on Billboard's pop charts; her version deserved to hit, she had range and vocal dynamics that the Poni-Tails didn't possess, and she was only 15 years old. Layne was a Sandy Duncan look- and soundalike.
Tom Illius secured a deal for the Poni-Tails with Marc Records; one release resulted, "Can I Be Sure," which didn't do as well as their debut recording. Around this time, Karen Topinka's father had enough of the music business, its promises, the broken dreams, and elusive royalties, and persuaded Topinka to quit.
The Poni-Tails held auditions and chose Patti McCabe, a Regina High School student, as Karen Topinka's replacement. Through Illius, a deal got consummated with ABC-Paramount and the revamped Poni-Tails waxed "Just My Luck to Be Fifteen," which vanished from sight upon release.
Then came their claim to fame, a record that many radio stations still play today -- "Born Too Late." It was the flip side of "Come on Joey, Dance With Me," but some Cleveland DJs (Bill Randall being the most prominent) thought otherwise and played "Born Too Late," and the gamble paid off.
Subsequent ABC-Paramount recordings, "Seven Minutes to Heaven" and "I'll Be Seeing You," stiffed at numbers 85 and 89, respectively. The Poni-Tails' final recording, "Who, When, and Why," came out in 1960 and failed to chart. ABC-Paramount was not dismayed, they wanted to sign the group for five years more, but their interest in the music business waned.
The business is not for everybody, and certainly not for suburbanites with other options at their disposal. For their recording efforts, all the Poni-Tails ever received was fan mail and spending money. The lack of royalties, which undoubtablely was devored by the cost of the recording sessions, outfits, traveling expenses, and promotional costs, probably related to their decision to exit. Patti (McCabe) Barnes died of cancer in January 1989.
Toni (Cistone) Costabile worked at a high school in Shaker Heights, OH, and Laverne (Novak) Glivic works as a real estate agent in Mentor, OH, and lives by Cleveland Hopkins Airport. "The three years were fun, but I just wanted to get out of the record business and get back to normal living," stated Toni Cistone.
The girls did, however, regroup to sing their hit at the Moon Dog Coronation Ball held in Cleveland, OH, in 1997, with Herb Reed & the Platters, the Skyliners, the Drifters, and others. Andrew Hamilton
1961 - You Make Me Feel So Good / As You Can See (Satellite 105)
Biography :
The Astors, Curtis Johnson, Eliehue Stanback, Sam (Byrnes) Jones, Richard Harris, grew up in The Orange Mound community in Memphis, Tennessee, while attending Melrose High School, along with Richard Griffin, a member of the original group called The Duntinos The group was organized in 1958 by a neighborhood pianist, Herman "Red" Arnett who held auditions for a singing group at his home in the "Mound". "Red" brought Curtis, Eliehue, Richard, Sam, and Richard Griffin, together for months of work before calling them a "group"
The group, The Duntinos, quickly made a name for themselves performing regularly at local Beale Street and area venues. "Red" taught the guys to perform, and they learned to entertain under the tutelage of Rufus "Walking The Dog" Thomas, while working the "Chittlin Circuit" with him and his band, The Bearcats.After Curtis and Eliehue graduated, the Duntinos moved to Buffalo, New York with Curtis' ralatives, looking, for the "Bright Lights" of New York, but found that Buffalo was very cold, and a long way from "The Big Apple". After working a few jobs in Buffalo, the group return to Memphis to do some backup vocals for Carla and Rufus Thomas and other artist recording at a new studio, then called Satellite Records.In 1961 the group recorded their first release "You Make Me Feel So Good"(Curtis -lead), a song that Curtis wrote b/w "As You Can See"(Eliehue-lead), written by Eliehue Stanback. The group's name was changed to The Chips for this release, named after producer, Chips Moman. In 1961, Curtis joined the Air Force, but continued to record when on leave from the Military. In 1963 the group's name was changed again to The Astors for the next release.
The Chiffons (2) (Bronx, New York) aka The Four Pennies (1)
Personnel :
Judy Craig
Sylvia Peterson
Barbara Lee
Patricia Bennett
Discography :
Singles : The Chiffons (2) 1962 - He's So Fine / Oh My Lover (Laurie 3152) 1962 - He's So Fine / Oh My Love (Laurie 3152) 1963 - Lucky Me / Why Am I So Shy (Laurie 3166) 1963 - One Fine Day / Why Am I So Shy (Laurie 3179) 1963 - A Love So Fine / Only My Friend (Laurie 3195) 1963 - I Have A Boyfriend / I'm Gonna Dry My Eyes ((Laurie 3212) 1963 - Easy To Love / Tonight I Met An Angel (Laurie 3224) 1964 - Sailor Boy / When Summer's Through (Laurie 3262) 1964 - What Am I Gonna Do With You / Strange, Strange Feeling (Laurie 3275) 1965 - Nobody Knows What's Going On / The Real Thing (Laurie 3301) 1965 - Nobody Knows What's Going On / Did You Ever Go Steady (Laurie 3301) 1965 - Tonight I'm Gonna Dream / The Heavenly Place (Laurie 3318) 1966 - Sweet Talkin' Guy / Did You Ever Go Steady (Laurie 3340) 1966 - Out Of This World / Just A Boy (Laurie 3350) 1966 - Stop, Look And Listen / March (Laurie 3357) 1966 - My Boyfriend's Back / I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (Laurie 3364) 1967 - Keep The Boy Happy / If I Knew Then (Laurie 3377) 1967 - Just For Tonight / Teach Me How (Laurie 3423) 1968 - Up On The Bridge / March (Laurie 3460) 1969 - Love Me Like You're Gonna Lose Me / Three Dips Of Ice Cream (Laurie 3497) 1969 - My Secret Love / Strange, Strange Feeling (B. T. Puppy 558/(Buddah 171)) 1975 - My Sweet Lord / Main Nerve (Laurie 3630) 1976 - Dream, Dream, Dream / Oh My Lover (Laurie 3648)
The Four Pennies (1) 1963 - When The Boy's Happy / Hockaday (Part 1) (Rust 5070) 1963 - My Block / Dry Your Eyes (Rust 5071)
Hoagy Lands (bb The Chiffons) 1967 - The Next In Line / Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone (Laurie 3381)
Album :
1963: He's So Fine (Laurie LP 2018) He's So Fine / Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow / Oh My Lover / Why Do Fools Fall in Love / My Block / ABC / Lucky Me / Why Am I So Shy / See You in September / Wishing / Mystic Voice / When I Go to Sleep at Night
1963: One Fine Day (Laurie LP 2020) One Fine Day / It's My Party / The Loco-Motion / Tonight I Met an Angel / Only My Friend / Da Doo Ron Ron / I Wonder Why / Foolish Little Girl / I'm Going to Dry My Eyes / Did You Ever Go Steady / When Summer's Through / Love Is Like a Merry Go Round / My Boyfriend's Back
1966: Sweet Talkin' Guy (Laurie LP 2036) Sweet Talkin' Guy / Up On The Bridge / Nobody Knows What's Goin' On / Thumbs Down / Just A Boy / Down. Down, Down / Out Of This World / My Boyfriend's Back / Open Your Eyes (I Will Be There) / March / Keep The Boy Happy / See You In September
1970: My Secret Love (BT Puppy 1011) Secret Love / You're The Love Of A Lifetime / Soul / I Don't Deserve A Boy Like You / Strange Strange Feeling / Now That You're My Baby / The First And Last / Remember Me Baby / It Hurts To Be Sixteen / Every Boy And Every Girl
Biography :
The Chiffons were formed in 1960 at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, New York. The lead singer was 14 year old Judy Craig, supported by Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee, both 13. It was at the after school center that they met writer/manager Ronnie Mack. Mack's claim to fame at that time was as the promoter of a local Philadelphia hit by Little Jimmy and the Tops called "Puppy Love." He was impressed with the girl's voices .
The Tokens said "Great. Bring them in tomorrow." Mack knew he had no such group, but he also knew that the Chiffons had heard and even sung the song around school. To bolster the harmonies Mack brought in a new girl, Sylvia Peterson, who had sung with Little Jimmie and the Tops. The Chiffons were called into the studio to record the song and in December 1962, it was released on (Laurie Records. By March 20th, 1963, "He's So Fine" was the #1 record on both the Pop and R&B charts and it seemed the whole country was singing the catchy hook line, "doo-lang, doo-lang".
(with arthur Brooks)
Their next effort, called "Lucky Me" was a total flop. Acting quickly, so as to not lose momentum, the Tokens rushed a third single by having The Chiffons sing to a track that was meant for "Little Eva". That song was a Carole King - Gerry Goffin composition called "One Fine Day", which featured Carole King herself on piano. The record raced up the charts to number 5, and The Chiffons had their second smash, in June of '63. Always thinking of ways to make the most of a good thing, The Tokens then decided to create a dual personality for the group, so at the same time that "One Fine Day" was on the charts, they recorded the Chiffons on (Laurie's 'Rust' subsidiary as 'the Four Pennies'.
The Pennies' first single was "My Block" and it reached the charts three weeks after "One Fine Day. It was a cha-cha rhythmed song with a sound reminiscent of Phil Spector's productions. It turned out to be a weak effort, that only went to #67. In September, the Chiffons had their third Top 40 hit in four tries with "A Love So Fine." Back as the Four Pennies, their September release of "When the Boy's Happy" could only make it to #95 in November. The Chiffons were now in great demand and began appearing on TV's American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, Shindig, as well as Murray the K's Brooklyn Fox live show, and singing commercials.
In late fall of 1963, the Chiffons released "I Have a Boyfriend", a ballad that was a Ronettes styled mix of the early '60s rhythm and blues and doo wop. It reached #36 on the Billboard's Best Seller list in November, but was gone ten weeks later. Several strong Chiffons recordings followed ("Tonight I Met an Angel," "Sailor Boy," and "What Am I Gonna Do With You"), but record buyers were caught up in the "British Invasion" craze and girl groups were "out". All of that changed in the spring of 1966, when The Chiffons scored another Top Ten Hit with "Sweet Talkin' Guy."
(with John Mounteer, Bobby Vinton, Freddy Cannon, Kenny Chandler)
After another dry spell, the Tokens moved the group from (Laurie to its own label, 'B.T Puppy' for one single called "My Secret Love" in 1968. That effort also failed to make the charts. By 1970, the Chiffons signed with the Buddah label, singing the Tymes tune "So Much in Love", just as George Harrison was having his first solo hit with, "My Sweet Lord". Taken to court by the original publishers, the ex- Beatle was found guilty of plagiarism and obliged to pay substantial damages, although he always claimed the resemblance was unintentional.
In March 1972, six years after their last chart record, British London Records issued the original recording of "Sweet Talkin Guy" on the U.K. label, 'Stateside'. The record went to #4 in the U.K. while the Chiffons were stuck working in small clubs and didn't even have a U.S. record deal. In 1975, after the "He's So Fine" - "My Sweet Lord" lawsuit was settled, The Chiffons, in a fascinating twist, recorded their version of "My Sweet Lord." In 1976, (Laurie issued the last Chiffon single. "Dream, Dream, Dream", which, to no one's surprise, failed to chart. Judy Craig left the act, while Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee each married.
Various editions of The Chiffons played the oldies circuits for many years. Sadly, Barbara Lee Jones passed away May 15, 1992, one day shy of her 45th birthday.
1962 - Seated : DJ's Lonnie Rochon, Tommy Smalls, Willie Bryant, & KDAY's Operations & Program Director Kelley Daniels. Standing in the back row : The Valaquons : Rufus Moorehead, Andrew Winsletta, Jesse Kirkland & Bobby Johnson (Joe Thomas & Eyzell Taylor are not on the photo)
The Vala-Quons (Los Angeles, Ca.) aka The Valaquans aka The Hep Cats
Personnel :
Joe Thomas (Lead Tenor)
Willie Gant (Bass)
John Wesley "Wes" Hayes (Second Tenor / Baritone / Guitarist)
Bobby Johnson (First Tenor)
Jesse Kirkland (Second Tenor / Baritone)
Discography :
The Hep Cats 1961 - The Dilly Up / What In The World Can I Do (Del-Fi 4159)
The Vala-Quons 1962- Madelaine / Teardrops (Laguna 102) 1965 - Window Shopping On Girl's Avenue / I Wanna Woman (Tangerine 951)
The Valaquans 1965 - Diddybop / Jolly Green Giant (Rayco 516)
Biography :
The Vala-Quons hailed from Los Angeles, California and were composed by Joe Thomas (Lead Tenor), Willie Gant (Bass), John Wesley "Wes" Hayes (2nd Tenor; Baritone; Guitarist), Bobby Johnson (1st Tenor) and Jesse Kirkland (2nd Tenor; Baritone). Before being known as the "Vala-Quons", the group had released a single one year earlier, in 1961 under the name "Hep-Cats", possibly with a few different group members. They recorded "The Dilly Up" b/w "What In The World Can I Do" released by Del-Fi Records, based in Hollywood, California and owned by Bob Keane. The label was most famous for signing Ritchie Valens. It was therefore one year later, in 1962, that the group recorded their second single "Madelaine" b/w "Teardrops". Laguna Records released the single under their new name, The Vala Quons. Laguna records was owned by Delmar White, Joe Thomas' stepfather. The Vala Quons signs for Tangerine Records, label founded by musician Ray Charles in 1962. They cut "Window Shopping On Girl's Avenue" b/w "I Wanna Woman". The group had one other release as the Valaquans (in 1964 on Rayco.)
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