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The Pyramids (5) aka The Acorns aka Vinny Catalano aka aka The Original Pyramids

Posted on by dion1

 

The Pyramids (5) (Bronx, New York)
aka
The Acorns aka Vinny Catalano aka  aka The Original Pyramids

 

Personnel :

Vinny Catalano (Solo)

 

Discography :

The Pyramids (5)
1958 - Ankle Bracelet / Hot Dog Dooly Wah (Shell 711)

The Original Pyramids
1961 - Ankle Bracelet / Hot Dog Dooly Wah (Shell 304 / Shell 100)

The Acorns
1958 - Angel / I'm Gonna Stick To You (Unart 2006)
1959 - Please Come Back / Your Name And Mine  (Unart 2015)

Vinny Catalano
1963 - Please Mr Juke Box Man / Rags To Riches (Hammer 6312)

 

Biography :

In November of 1958, The Pyramids recorded "Ankle Bracelet" and "Hot Dog Dooly Wah" .It has quite a pedigree, what with Billy Mure arranging and conducting, on a song co-written by Vincent (Vinny) Catalano. It is very unusual that we can't find any information on This group. Quite who these Pyramids were remains a mystery, but there's every chance that 'they' were really just co-writer Vince Catalano. Around the same time he also disguised himself as The Acorns on singles released on the Spring and Unart label, under which moniker he had two number one songs in Hawaii (on the Unart label): "Angel" and "Your Name And Mine," in 1958 and 1959 respectively. He recorded under many other aliases and group names.

  
Vince Catalano                                                                                                Donnie & the Dreamers

 

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 .

  The Acorns aka Vinny Catalano
The Excellents                                                         

 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 his own label again, Wilshire, and released several great sides by the Dubs and Love Notes.  He Release a great album, The Dubs meet the Shells, rerecording both groups with the end result sounding just like the earlier original recording.



Songs :

The Pyramids (5)

  
Ankle Bracelet                                 Hot Dog Dooly Wah

The Acorns

    
               Angel                                     Please Come Back


      
Your Name And Mine                    I'm Gonna Stick To You

Vinny Catalano

      
Please Mr Jukebox Man                         Rags to riches         
 

...

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The Tensionnettes

Posted on by dion1


Anette & Linda

The Tensionnettes (Rockville, CT)

 

Personnel :

Linda Draus

Anette Lettendre

 

Discography :

Tommy Dae / Tommy Dae's Tensionettes
1963 - It Was A Lie /You Made Me Cry (Hitt 101/102)

Tommy Dae & The Tensionettes / Tommy Dae's Tensionettes
1964 - Watch Out / When Teddy Finds Out (Hitt 6401/6402)

Tommy Dae & The Tensionettes   
1964 - I'll Be Coming Home / It's Gonna Be All Right (Hitt 6403/6404)

Tommy Dae bb Tensionnettes
1963 - Janie / It Was A Lie (Goldisc 12)

 

Biography :

Real Name, Frank Draus Jr. aka Tommy Dae from Rockville / Vernon area in connecticut, had a sister Linda Draus and a brother Ernie Draus. "You Made Me Cry", Tommy's first release , came for his own Hits Records from Connecticut. The flip side has "It Was A Lie ".  The ballad “It Was a Lie” received airplay on local radio stations. The flip side, "You Made Me Cry" was a top 40 song by the Tensionettes on several radio stations in Connecticut. Sometimes Sherry from Ellington joined the Tensionnettes as a third Members,

  
Sherry, Linda & Anette                                                                            Tommy Dae         

The Musicians on this release are Tommy Dae (Vocal on "It Was A Lie") the Tensionettes (Linda Draus and Anette Lettendre)  and  The High Tensions : Bernie Costello (Lead Guitar/bass Guitar & Backup vocal, Ernie Drauss (Bass Guitar & Backup vocal), Tommy Dionne (Drums & Backup vocal), Mike Garrison (Rhythm guitar / Backup Vocal) and Arno Groot (Saxophone). Tommy wrote both tracks and produced under his given name Frank Draus. It seems that Tommy had at least seven more releases for Hitt, Gold Disc, Glo, Diamond Jody & MZ.

 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 
 

Tommy Dae's Tensionnettes

  
You Made Me Cry                                   It Was A Lie    

  
When Teddy Finds Out / Watch Out                  He's The Boy I Love           



Tommy Dae bb Tensionnettes


Janie


...

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The Fairlanes (3) aka Cleo & Ramona King

Posted on by dion1

Ramona King

The Fairlanes (3) (San Francisco, CA.)
aka Cleo & Ramona King

 

Personnel :

Ramona King

Cleo King

Lawrence Thibeaux

Elzie Walker

 

Discography :

The Fairlanes (3)
1961 - Playboy / Writing This Letter  (Continental 26)

Cleo & Ramona King
1961 - Dream On / Soulmate (Arvee 5041)

 

Biography :

Although she recorded for several other outlets, San Francisco-based Ramona King is best known for the singles she released on Lee Hazlewood's Eden label in 1962-63 and on Warner Bros in 1964-65. "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" , the first of her four Warners 45s, had all the makings of a hit record, but unfortunately went on sale the same month as the version by the better known Betty Everett, which made the Top 10.  Before leaving for a solo career in 1962, Ramona King was a member of The Fairlanes of San Francisco, Ca. They recorded the Hit song "Writing This Letter" b/w "Playboy" both written by Ramona.  The group consisted of, Ramona King, brother's Cleo King, Lawrence Thibeaux and Elzie Walker. Ramona & Cleo recorded "Dream On" b/w "Soulmate" released  by Arvee Records.

 

Songs :

The Fairlanes (3)

  
        Playboy                                        Writing This Letter

Cleo & Ramona King

  
Dream On                                        Soulmate

...

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The Tramps (1) aka Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)

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The Tramps (1) aka Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)

The Tramps (1) (Los Angeles, CA)
aka Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)

 

Personnel :

Beamon Young (Lead)

Willie King

Norma King

Bill Harris (Baritone)

 

Discography :

The Tramps (1)
1959 - You're A Square / Ride On (Arvee 548)
1959 - Midnight Flyer / Your Love (Arvee 570)
1959 - I'm So Glad / I Love You So (Arvee 1)

Beamon Young
1959 - The Love I Just Lost / Some Day (Arvee 573)

Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)
1960 - Danny Boy/ I’m So Glad (Eagle 1002)

 

Biography :

Born in Los Angeles, Fred Sledge Smith often credited as Fred Smith, was an American R&B songwriter and record producer, who worked in particular with The Olympics, Bob & Earl, Bill Cosby, and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. He started his career as a songwriter in the 1950s with his friend Cliff Goldsmith. They wrote the novelty song "Western Movies", which was recorded by vocal group The Olympics.  

The Tramps (1) aka Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)    The Tramps (1) aka Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)

In 1959, Fred Smith and Cliff Goldsmith Produced The Tramps. The Tramps were Los Angeles based and were Beamon Young (Lead), Willie King, his sister Norma and Bill Harris (Baritone). Members of The Tramps were in the Air Force when they recorded for Arvee. They changed their name to Bill Harris & The Continentals when they finished their tour of duty in the Air Force. Smith and Goldsmith continued to co-write novelty and dance songs together until the early 1960s.

 

Songs :

The Tramps (1)

  
You're A Square                                       Ride On   

  
Midnight Flyer                                     Your Love


I'm So Glad


Beamon Young

  
The Love I Just Lost                                 Some Day            


Bill Harris & The Continentals (3)


I’m So Glad / Danny Boy

...

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Phil & Harv

Posted on by dion1

Phil & Harv
Phil & Harv & The Mixtures

Phil & Harv (Los Angeles California)

 

Personnel :

Willis Junior Harvey

Phillip Tucker

 

Discography :

Phil & Harv
1961 - Darling (Please Bring Your Love) / Friendship  (Rampart 611)
1961 - The Facts Of Love / Sweeter Than Candy (Rampart 612)

Phil & Del
1962 - Don't Play With Love / My Girl (Linda 105)
1967 - These Feelings / It Hurts Me (Rampart 656)

 

Biography :

The Mixtures began as a group called the Playboys at Oxnard High School in 1957 with members Steve Mendoza, Del Franklin & Jess Poras. Later Dan Pollock, Leroy Soto and Eddie DeRobles joined the group. In 1960, they changed their name to the Mixtures because they were a mix of races, Chicano, African-American and white. They became very popular playing at local gigs, dances and weddings.   In 1960, They backed singer Cookie Comp . The Mixtures felt they needed more vocal help so Del Franklin brought in a black singer from the projects named Phillip Tucker. Phil brought in another singer, who was also African-American, by the name of Willis Junior Harvey.  Phil and Harv would be featured singers with the Mixtures for a couple of years.

Phil & Harv    Phil & Harv
                Phil & Harv & The Mixtures                                                                        Delbert Franklin

The Mixtures would next back vocal  Harvey & Phillip  on "Darling)Please Bring Your Love)" and "Friendship" released in March 1961 on the Rampart label (Rampart 611). The backing vocals were done by the female group, The Blossoms though uncredited. This was follwed by by the release of Phil & Harv's "The Facts Of Love" and "Sweeter Than Candy" released on the Rampart label (Rampart 612). Following this release, Harvey Willis had some legal issues and he was replaced by The Mixtures' Delbert Franklin. In 1962 Phil & Del recorded "Don't Play With Love" and "My Girl" released on the Linda label (Linda 105). In 1967, "These Feelings" b/w "It Hurts Me" by Phil & Del was released on Rampart 656.
http://wwwyoufoundthateastsidesoundcom.blogspot.com/2012/04/eastside-bands-mixtures.html
https://markguerrero.net/31.php

 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 
 

Phil & Harv


Darling


The Facts Of Love / Sweeter Than Candy

Phil & Del

  
     My Girl                                      Don't Play With Love

  
These Feelings                                    It Hurt Me


...

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The Banners aka The Four Coachmen (1)

Posted on by dion1

The Four Coachmen (1) aka The Banners  

The Banners  (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
aka The Four Coachmen (1)

 

Personnel :

William Bates

 

Discography :

The Four Coachmen (1)
1959 - My Own True Love / These Golden Years (MGM 12810)

The Banners
1960 - Fortune Teller / Sales Talk (MGM 12862)

 

Biography :

Little information on this group from Allentown in Pennsylvania. According to youtube,  William Bates would be one of the members of the group. They are not related with the four Coachmen on Castle & Adonis records.

The Four Coachmen (1) aka The Banners    The Four Coachmen (1) aka The Banners

During the summer of 1959, the Four Coachmen recorded "My Own True Love" and "These Golden Years" which would be released by MGM. Some six months later, the group recorded two good new titles, "Fortune Telle" and "Sales Talk". Mgm released the single changing the name of the group by The Banners.

 

Songs :

The Banners

  
Fortune Teller                                  Sales Talk

...

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The Tumemasters aka The Chantels

Posted on by dion1

 The Tumemasters aka The Chantels

The Tumemasters (Bronx, New York)
aka The Chantels

 

Personnel :

Arlene Smith (Lead)

Lois Harris (First Tenor)

Sonia Goring (Second Tenor)

Jackie Landry (Second Alto)

Rene Minus (Alto / Bass)

 

Discography :

The Tumemasters
1957 - It's All Over / Sending This Letter (Mark-X 7002)

Willie Wilson & The Tumemasters
1958 - I've Lied / Sending You This Letter (End 1011)

Willie And Arlene And The Tunemasters
1958 - I've Lied / Sending You This Letter (End 1011)

 

Biography :

It was almost a precursor to 'Sister Act” when The Chantels first sang together, as the five female members of the group were studying at the Saint Anthony of Padua Convent in Morrisania, New York. Their leader Arlene Smith was not yet sixteen when End Records came calling in July 1957, yet she'd already gained a wealth of experience by giving recitals in Carnegie Hall. Midway through the girls’ first recording session, producer Richard Barrett used them to back up another of his signings, Willie Wilson & The Tunemasters. Arlene was awarded a portion of the writing credits on the ballad "I've Lied" , which was first released as being by Willie and Arlene & The Tunemasters. The girls were later purloined to provide back ups behind Ronnie Baxter, Jimmy Pemberton and for Barrett himself on a cover of 'Come Softly to Me’ and Summer's Love' which briefly made the Hot TOO.

 

Songs :

  
Sending This Letter                           It's All Over         


I've Lied

...

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he Carousels (4)

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The Carousels (4) (Cleveland)

 

Personnel :

Joyce Jenkins

Carl Turner

Ronald Johnson

John Hill

 

Discography :

1960 - Fading Away / Solitude (G.C. 601)

 

Biography :

The Carousels were formed by teenagers from Cleveland's Cedar YMCA. The original lineup included 4 teenagers, Don Baker, Carl Turner, Ronald Johnson, and John Hill. Hill attended Glenville HS and the other three were from East Tech. The group performed at many local functions and teen dances. In 1957 they finished second in a WHK sponsored 'city-wide' talent contest in which 44 groups participated (the Mello-Dee's were the winners). In late 1958 Don Baker left to try his luck in Los Angeles. He got a deal with the small Jay-Tone label and released one 45. His place in the group was taken by a young woman, whose name is not known, possibly Joyce Jenkins. The group recorded one 45 in 1959 for the G.C. label. It has a nice uptempo side "Fading Away", with the flip side a recording of the Duke Ellington song "Solitude". "Fading Away" seems to be an original, based on the the use of the label's Jamigo publishing and credited to Joyce Jenkins, who is possibly the young woman singing.
https://buckeyebeat.com/

Songs :

  
Fading Away                                         Solitude  


...

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The Ambassadors (2)

Posted on by dion1

The Ambassadors (2)
The Ambassadors : Herb Johnson, Lonnie, Charlie, Stan and Weldon

The Ambassadors (2) (Philadelphia, PA.)

 

Personnel

Herb Johnson (Lead)

Lonnie ...

Charlie ...

Stan ...

Weldon ...

 

Discography :

Unreleased :
1957 - Help (Demo)
1957 - Janice (Demo)
1957 - Shang A Lang (Demo)
1957 - Bacon Time (Demo)
1957 - 8My Story Of Love (Acetate)

 

Biography :

              Herb Johnson was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on December 26, 1935 and moved to Philly with his family when he was nine in 1945. That same year he recorded his first record for a quarter on one ofthose recording machines they had downtown. The song was "I Want To Be Loved By You" — a birthday present for his mom.    As a teenager attending Overbrook HighSchool in 1953, Herb auditioned at the Royal Theater at 15th & South for a radiospot on WPEN| singing The Orioles "You Belong To Me". Later that same year, Herb enlisted in the U.S. Air Force - joining a vocal group that evolved into The Lyrics. The Lyrics performed on USO tours, singing hits of the day like "Stormy Weather", “Sunday Kind Of Love” and The Moonglows "Sincerely". Herb wrote "Guilty" around this time while stationed in Puerto Rico.

The Ambassadors (2)
The Lyrics

Herb explains: “I was homesick for my girl back home — I hadn't written to anyone in a while and felt guilty about it — that’s how the song came about". Herb was discharged a few years later, joining a West Philly group The Ambassadors who participated in a talent contest at the Leader Theater at 41st & Lancaster Ave. Luckily, someone recorded their material at Herb’s house on 55th & Vine Streets that includes an early version of "Help". The Ambassadors also recorded some demos for Irv Balin’s Gotham label, which have yet to see the light of day. In late 1959 or early 1960, Herb was singing at a local hangout called The Media AA Club at 60th & Media Street in West Philly when he was approached by Larry Kerrin, an a&r/ promo man for V-Tone Records.

 

Songs :

  
    Help                                        My Story Of Love

  
Janice                                          Shang A Lang


Bacon Time

...

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The Gee-Tones aka The Cadillacs

Posted on by dion1

The Gee-Tones aka Gregory Howard bb the CadillacsRay & The Cadillacs

The Gee-Tones
aka Gregory Howard bb The Cadillacs

 

Personnel :

Gregory Howard (Lead Tenor)

Ray Brewster (Baritone)

Bobby Spencer (Baritone)

J.R. Bailey (Tenor)

Roland Martinez (Baritone)

Ronnie Bright (Bass)

 

Discography:

Gregory Howard bb The Cadillacs
1963 - When In Love (Do As Lovers Do) / Sweet Pea (Kapp 536)

The Cadillacs
1962 - White Gardenia / Groovy Groovy Love (Capitol 4825)

Bobby Ray & The Cadillacs
1963 -  I Saw You / La Bomba (Capitol 4935)

The Gee-Tones
1975 - When In Love (Do As Lovers Do) / Sweet Pea (Gee 1013)

 

Biography :

Gregory Howard… The Gee-Tones…??? "When In Love (Do As Lovers Do)" b/w "Sweet Pea" was released on Kapp in '63. It was under the name Gregory Howard, 12 years old , a Friend of Irwin Levine (writer & producer).  There were no Gee-Tones credited. In fact, thats pretty much the Cadillacs singing backup with Ronnie Bright former Bass of the Valentines singing the bass (same guy who sang the bass part on Mr. Bass Man).  Originally released on Kapp 536 but only as a demo/DJ/promo, no regular issue. When the record was heard and its scarcity realised by the doo-wop fraternity the record was soon, in the 70s, bootlegged.

     
Ronnie Bright  

This release credits the artist as "The Gee-Tones featuring 15-year-old Gregory Howard", and with tongue firmly in cheek was issued on the label most famous for Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Gee 1013. This has caused some confusion -- due to the age of the bootleg many authoritive guides list this record as a legitimate release with a price to match - The Cadillacs. In 1963 Ray Brewster joined the Cadillacs after Earl Carroll left to sing with the Coasters.  Ray Brewster and Roland Martinez brought in former members Bobby Spencer and J.R. Bailey and recorded on Capitol Records through 1964. about the same time they were supplying backing vocals for Gregory Howard, they were doing the same for Bobby Ray on Capitol, "La Bomba" / "I Saw You".

 

Songs :  
Updated by Hans-Joachim

Gregory Howard bb the Cadillacs

   
When In Love (Do As Lovers Do)                  Sweet Pea                 

 Bobby Ray & The Cadillacs 

     
I Saw You                                    La Bomba

The Cadillacs

   
White Gardenia                               Groovy Groovy Love


...

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