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

Terry & The Belles (2) aka The Belle-Aires

Posted on March 14 2009 by dion1

From Left to Right : Anita Pitre, Elisa Pitre & Signa Acevedo

The Belle-Aires (Bayshore, Long Island)
aka Terry & The Belles (2)

Personnel :

Elisa Pitre

Anita Pitre

Signa Acevedo

Discography :

The Belle-Aires
Ep :
1957 - Teenagers Dance (RCA 421)
Sugar Candy / I Wanna Be Loved / My Only Love / You Stole My Heart

Terry & The Belles (2)
Singles :
1958 - I'm Alone Because I Love You / Keep That Beat (Hanover 4505)
1959 - I'll Always Be Nearby / I'd Want You (Ducky 111)
Unreleased :
1958 - Whoa-O (Hanover)
1958 - A Ring For My Finger (Hanover)

Biography :

Three Singing & rocking' teenager from Bay Shore, Long Island. Two sisters, Elisa and Anita Pitre and cousin Signa Acevedo form the trio; The girls all attenuated Bayshore High School. In 1957, they cut one ep for RCA under the name the Belle-aires.

William Miller of Amityville, Long Island is know as The Talent School of the Island-Always on the Look-Out for new singing groups. He Coached and Helped the Belle-Aires immensely and wrote all the songs for the Belle Aires.

The Belle-Aires aka Terry & The Belles (2)

In 1959 the girls signed with Hanover Records owened by Len Levy and Bob Thiele. Anita Pitre, Elisa Pitre and Signa Acevedo were now the Belles to Terry and recorded "I'm Alone Because I Love You" b/w "Keep That Beat".

Terry & The Belles

From the same session with Hanover, the group have two unreleased sides "I'm Alone Because I Love You / Keep That Beat" and "A Ring For My Finger". In 1959, Terry & The Belles recorded their last single "I'll Always Be Nearby" b/w "I'd Want You" for Ducky records.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Belle-Aires

I Wanna Be Loved Sugar Candy

You Stole My Heart My Only Love

Terry & The Belles (2)

Keep That Beat I'd Want You

I'm Alone Because I Love You I'll Always Be Nearby

....

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The Imperials (1) aka The Four Arcs

Posted on March 12 2009 by dion1

The Four Arcs (Detroit)
aka The Imperials (1)

Personnel :

Milton Harris (Lead Tenor)

Robert Adams (Baritone / Tenor)

Lee Goodwin (Second Tenor / Baritone)

Ben Knight (Bass)

Discography :

The Imperials (1)
1953 - Life Of Ease / It Won't Be Very Long (Great Lake 1201) 
1953 - Starlite / Do I Love Her (Great Lake 1210) 
1953 - You'll Never Walk Alone / Ain't Gonna Tell It Right (Gem 212/Great Lake 1212)

The Four Arcs
1954 - Life Of Ease / It Won't Be Very Long (Boulevard 102)

Biography :

The Imperials started singing together in the choir at Sherod Middle School, with Milton Harris and William "Mickey" Stevenson sharing lead tenor duties. As the Teen Toppers, they had performed one night out infront of the popular Flame Show Bar on John R Road, where they were seen by Phil Waddell, an entertainer who also worked as a booking agent. He placed them at the Graystone Ballroom at 4237 Woodward Avenue, and it was here that they met record shop owner Tony Vance, who offered to manage the group. Vance, along with recording engineer Kenneth Campbell, had formed the new Great Lakes record label and built a studio in the former ballroom of the Fairbain Hotel on Columbia Street, in the heart of Paradise Valley. Not wanting the group to be stuck with a "teen" name as they grew older, Vance renamed them the "Imperials," after his new Chrysler. When the Imperials entered the studio to record in November 1953, they were backed up by orchestra leader Sax Kari and his Ballin' the Blues Band. Of the six sides they recorded, "Life of Ease," written by Milton Harris, became a local hit in January 1954. The group performed the song at places such as the Chesterfield Lounge, the Sugar Hill Lounge, and the Garfield Lounge. Onstage at the Graystone Ballroom they would perform a wild version of the popular dance the Chicken. Unfortunately, before the group could follow up with another hit, Great Lakes was closed down by two of its principals, who together formed the Boulevard and Avenue labels. In November, for some reason, "Life Of Ease"/"It Won't Be Very Long" were re-issued as Boulevard's third release, but with the group renamed the "4 Arcs" (the guys were completely unaware of this).
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Imperials/imperials.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Life Of Ease / It Won't Be Very Long You'll Never Walk Alone / Ain't Gonna Tell It Right

Starlite / Do I Love Her

...

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Jan Strickland & The Shadows (2) aka The Love Notes (2)

Posted on March 12 2009 by dion1

Top : Ed Anderson, Wallace Rose & Bob White - Bottom :John Davis, Larry Hinkson & Teddy Santos

The Love Notes (2) (Roxbury, Boston, Ma.)
aka Jan Strickland & The Shadows (2)

Personnel :

Bob White (Tenor Lead)

Teddy Santos (Tenor)

John Davis (Second Tenor/Bass)

Ed Anderson (Bass)

Wallace Rose (Baritone)

Larry Hinkson (Piano)

Discography :

The Love Notes (2)

Eps :
1953 - Crawlin / You're Mine (Family Library 1040/ Tivoli 1040)
4 Other songs by Ronald Gill, Nats Walker Ork. & Margie Anderson
1953 - Let Me Go Home Whiskey / I Cross My Heart (Wallace Rose)/
My Kind Of Woman (Clarence Johnson & Ed Anderson) (Tivoli 1041)
3 Other songs by Naomi Lewis & Paul Robinson

Singles :
1953 - Surrender Your Heart / Get On My Train (Imperial 5254)
1954 - Sweet Lulu / I'm Sorry (Riviera 970/Rainbow 266)
1954 - Since I Fell For You / Don't Be No Fool (Riviera 975)

Unreleased :
1954 - Star Of Love
1954 - It's So Good  
1954 - Baby Stop Your Crying
1954 - The Nearness Of You
1954 - Ting-A-Ling

Jan Strickland & The Shadows (2)
1955 - When Peter Walked On Water / Love Me Baby (Hub 556)

Biography :

This Love Notes are not the same group as the Love Notes who charted the doo wop classic "United" in 1957. Originating from Roxbury, MA, The Love Notes comprising Bob White (tenor lead), Walter Taylor (tenor), John Davis (second tenor and bass), Buddy Holt (baritone and second lead), and Wallace Rose (baritone). Late in 1952, Buddy Holt was replaced by bass Ed Anderson, and Walter Taylor was replaced by tenor Teddy Santos.

The Love Notes in Studio (1953/54)

The Love Notes began as cover artists who remade popular songs for budget labels such as Tivoli and Family Library of Recorded Music. These budget LPs and EPs, most famously (and prodigiously) produced by the Tops label, are a largely unappreciated repository of interesting music. The Love Notes cut some covers of such songs as the Clovers' "Ting a Ling" and Amos Milburn's "Let Me Go Home Whiskey ».

Pianist Larry Hinkson
The Love Notes' closest brush with success came when the Imperial label leased two songs, "Surrender Your Heart" (a slow piano ballad) and "Get Off My Train," for a single that reportedly was a good regional seller, but nonetheless failed to secure a contract with Imperial. In 1954, they cut two records on Rainbow's Riviera subsidiary owned by Eddie Heller who did well locally. Finally, the group backed bass singer Jan Strickland on on "Love Me Baby" and "Peter"as the Shadows. The Love Notes were smoother than many of the vocal groups that attained greater heights.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/LoveNotes/lovenotes.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Love Notes (2)

‪Baby Stop Your Crying / The Nearness Of You‬ It's So Good / Star Of Love / Ting-A-Ling

Surrender Your Heart             Get On My Train                Sweet Lulu


I'm Sorry                     Since I Fell For You Don't Be No Fool


Let Me Go Have Whiskey        Crawling / You're Mine

Jan Strickland & The Shadows (2)


When Peter Walked On Water / Love Me Baby        Love Me Baby (Alt.)

…

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The Memories (1) aka The Bob-o-links

Posted on March 12 2009 by dion1

The Bob-o-links (Washington DC)
aka The Memories (1)

Personnel :

Jim Durtz

Lou "DeMartino" Martin

Ron Lutz

Robert "Boot"s Dove

Gene Fitzgeearld

Discography :

The Bob-o-links
1962 - I Promise / Mr Frog ( Hi-Ho 101)

The Memories (1)
1962 - Love Bell / I Promise (Way-Lin 101)

Biography :

In 1957 a group of guys got together in southeast Washington DC at an eatery called the Hi Ho (a happy days teen hang out before there ever was a TV Happy Days show). These guys began to sing acapella on the street corners and in teen clubs around the D.C. area. They were noticed by a local radio personality who befriended them and entered them in numerous talent contests around the metro area. Over a period of time, the guys, who named themselves The Bobolinks, won twenty three talent shows in a row. The group was then noticed and signed by the record label "Colt 45 Records." They have never looked back. The Bobolinks, who changed their name to The Memories in 1960, have appeared on numerous TV and radio shows over the years, including the Milt Grant, Buddy Dean, and Bandstand shows.
http://www.thememories.org/fr_photoalbum.cfm

Songs :

I Promise Love Bell

...

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The Indigos (2) aka The Epics (3)

Posted on March 11 2009 by dion1

Milton "Buddy" Williams

The Epics (3) (Baytown, Texas)
aka The Indigos (2)

Personnel :

Milton "Buddy" Williams (Lead)

Jeannie Capers (Lead)

Jessy Tober

Johnny Barnes

Discography :

The Epics (3)
1960 - Girl By The Wayside / Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum (Lynn 510)
1961 - The Magic Kiss / (I’m Gonna Pay You Back With) The Very Same Coin (Lynn 513)
1961 - Last Night I Dreamed / Most Of All (Lynn 516)
1961 - Last Night I Dreamed / The Magic Kiss (Sabra 516)
1961 - Grounded / Wishing You Were Mine (Eric 7001)

The Epics (3) Featuring Jeannie
1962 - I Want To Be Your Girl / So Many Times (Dante 3004)

Jeannie & The Epics (3)
1962 - Mama Dear / Glad To Be Free (Dante 3006)

The Indigos (2)
1961 - Girl By The Wayside / Ho-Hum Deedle-Dum (A Girl Named Sue) (Image 5001)
1962 - My Dream Girl / Beyond Your Wildest Dreams (Cadette 8003)

Biography :

The Epics are from Deer Park and Baytown (Texas) and all were Deer Park High School graduates when the group organised in November, 1957. The Epics consisted of Milton "Buddy" Williams (Lead vocalist), Jeannie Capers (Lead vocalist), Jessy Tober (vocalist) and Johnny Barnes (vocalist).In November 1960, The Epics had their first record released on the Lynn Label, "Girl By The Wayside" b/w "Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum".

The Indigos (2) aka The Epics (3)

Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum" became Week's Pick Hit on Houston's KILT. The wax disc has also been selected as tops by a radio station in Detroit, Mich. On sale in area record shop ,the record will have good sales. In the process Lynn releases two more singles. They did have a few other records, One on Sabra (A Lynn subsidiary) with Two with songs already released by Lynn Records. Milton "Buddy" Williams quit the Epics, replaced by Cecil Holliman . In May 1961, "Girl By The Wayside" b/w Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum was released on Image Records as The Indigos.

The Indigos (2) aka The Epics (3)

For their Three Las Singles, Jeannie Capers became the Lead singer. The Epics cut one single on Eric Records and Two for Dante Records. Most of the Epics songs written, arranged, and released by singer, guitarist (songwriter and producer) Ray Doggett. The story does not end there, Jeannie Capers, Johnnie Barnes, Cecil Holliman joined Jack Cockran (From Bellaire). The quartet recorded "My Dream Girl" b/w "Beyond Your Wildest Dreams". The single was released by Cadette Records as The Indigos.

Songs :

The Epics (3)


Ho-Hum-Deedle-Dum                       Girl By The Wayside


The Magic Kiss                            The Very Same Coin


Last Night I Dreamed                      Wishing You Were Mine

The Epics (3) Featuring Jeannie


I Want To Be Your Girl                        So Many Times

...

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The Rosettes aka The Darlettes (1)

Posted on March 10 2009 by dion1

Clockwise from top : Dianne Christian, Shirley Crier, Gale Noble

The Rosettes (Bronx, New York)
aka The Darlettes (1)

Personnel :

Diane Christian (Lead)

Gale Noble (Soprano

Shirley Crier (Alto)

Discography :

The Rosettes
1961 - You Broke My Heart / It Must Be Love (Herald 562)

Diane Christian & The Darlettes (1)
1962 - Just You / The Wobble (Dunes 2016)

The Darlettes (1)
1963 - Here She Comes / Just You (Dunes 2026)

Biography :

The Darlettes consisted of Diane Christian, Gale Noble and Shirley Crier. They all were from the the Morrisan section of the Bronx borough of New York City and grew up within a block of each other. Shirley Crier attended Morris High School in the Bronx while Diane Christian and Gale Noble attended Central Commercial In Manhattan. Like the other groups of that time they attended local talent contests. Shirley's older brother Arthur Crier was already a successful singer songwriter member of the Chimes and the Mallows. Arthur later achieved the most success as the bass in the Halos.

The Halos (Arthur Crier (Front right)

So it was only natural that he managed and wrote for the girls. Originally called the Rosettes their first single "You Broke My Heart" was released on the Herald label. Their second "Just You" was credited to Diane and the Darlettes as Diane was the primary lead singer. Arthur's group the Halo's recorded for Dunes so the girls' second single "Just You" released on that label. "Just You" featured dual leads by Dianne and Shirley.

Diane Christian 1967 - Dianne (Center) with the Liberty Belle

The third release "Here She Comes" was credited to the Darlettes and was written by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, When it was available the Darlettes did some demo work. Most of their promotion was at local clubs and on radio stations. After "Here She Comes" Shirley got married and moved to Texas.Diane continued to record demos and went on to have a solo career. Gale too had a solo career.
From John Clemente's Girl Groups

Songs :
(Update By Hans-Joachim)

The Rosettes


You Broke My Heart                     It Must Be Love

The Darlettes (1)


Here She Comes                       Just You                          The Wobble

....

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The Wonders (6) aka The Fantasys

Posted on March 9 2009 by dion1

The Wonders (6) (Philadelphia)
aka The Fantasys

Personnel :

John D'Amico (Lead)

Arum Oornazian (Tenor)

Charles Berberian (Bass)

Discography :

The Fantasys
Single:
1960 - No One But You / Why, Oh Why (Guyden 2029)
Unreleased:
1960 - I Wonder (Guyden)  

The Wonders (6)
Single:
1961 - I Wonder / Summer Love (Chesapeake 604)

Biography :

The Fantasys were organized by four neighbors who lived a block from West Philly High School and less than a mile from the American Bandstand studio. They got started in 1957, the same year that Bandstand beggan being broadcast nationally from its famous studio at 46th and Market Streets in West Philadelphia. The foursome pestered Jamie Records into putting out “No One But You,” which the group had recorded itself at Reco Art Studio . The group consisted of tenor Arum Oornazian, who later went on to a career as a producer for Jamie/Guyden , lead Richard Schmidt, bass Charles Berberian and tenor Ben Asero. When Jamie Records asked Boornazian to “sweeten” the record with strings, the enterprising young producer recruited two Lebanese immigrants, one of whom was living with his family while attending the Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia. Both violinists went on to distinguished careers at nationally known orchestras in the United States.

The Fantasys continued to evolve out of the rehearsal studio that Jamie Records kept above its distributorship at 1330 West Girard Avenue. Johnny Madara and Dave White were in-house producers along with Joe Wissert, later to be joined by Bob Finiz. Aram Boornazian, one of the Fantasys, got involved with Jamie as a producer because he took over Johnny Madara's Gold Records record shop not far from American Bandstand's studios in West Philadelphia. That gave Boornazian entree to Madara and White's enduring production team, which rehearsed and improvised music on the third floor with the many singers and groups that worked together there. Madara and White produced the Fantasys' second release, "No One But You." as long with their second, "I Wonder" in the same session at Bell Sound in New York. The Next Years, John D'Amico, Aram Boornazian and Charles Berberian cut the song "I wonder" with "Summer Love" on Chesapeake 604 under the name of The Wonders"

Songs :

The Fantasys

No One But You Why, Oh Why

The Wonders (6)

Summer Love I Wonder

….

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The Duvals (5) aka The Naturals (6)

Posted on March 5 2009 by dion1

(L to R) Charles Woodridge, Charles Perry, Andrew Thomas, Carlton Black & Arthur Cox

The Duvals (5) (Evanston, IL.)
aka The Naturals (6)

Personnel :

Charles Perry (Lead)

Carlton Black (First Tenor)

Charles Woodridge (Second Tenor)

Arthur Cox (Baritone)

Andrew Thomas (Bass)

Discography :

The Duvals (5)
1963 - What Am I? / Cotton (Boss 217/Red Rocket 471)

The Naturals (6)
1964 - Let Love Be True / Three Banditos (Smash 1875)

Biography :

The group was formed by tenor and lead Charles Perry from among his friends in Evanston when he got out of the air force in the summer of 1961. Originally the other members consisted of second tenor Charles Woodridge, baritone Arthur Cox, and bass Andrew Thomas. In early 1962 Perry felt the group needed another member and added Carlton Black, who soon proved himself as the group's lead and principal songwriter. The Duvals recorded "What Am I?" b/w "Cotton" in 1963. During 1964 the Duvals, under the name Naturals and with Black as Lead, got on the local charts with an Impressions' soundalike, "Let Love Be True." They disbanded in 1965 when follow-ups failed.

Songs :

The Duvals (5)

Cotton What Am I?

The Naturals (6)

Let Love Be True Three Banditos

...

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The Teenos aka The Five Tinos aka The Esquires (3)

Posted on March 5 2009 by dion1

Melvin and Marvin Walker (3rd and 4th from left)

The Teenos (Memphis, Tenn.)
aka The Five Tinos aka The Esquires (3)

Personnel :

Luchrie Jordan

Haywood Hebron

Marvin Walker

Melvin Walker

Melvin Jones

Discography :

The Five Tinos
Single:
1955 - Don't Do That / Sitting By The Window (Sun 222)
Unreleased:
1955 - Gonna Have Let You Be
1955 - Mambo Baby
1955 - Memories
1955 - My Only Angel
1955 - Go Ahead
1955 - Rockin' Chair

The Teenos
1958 - Love Only One / Alrightee (Dub 2839)

The Esquires (3)
1956 - Only The Angels Know / One Word For This (Hi-Po 1003)

Biography :

A Memphis group, the Five Tinos comprised local college students. There were Luchrie Jordan, Haywood Hebron, Marvin Walker, Melvin Walker, and Melvin Jones. They probably went to Booker T. Washington High School in south Memphis. The Five Tinos have a session at Sun Studio 706 Union Ave Memphis Tennessee the May 26, 1955. The Tinos recorded a total of eight tracks . "Don't Do That" and "Sitting By My Window" which are coupled for release as Sun 222 released June 21. The two Walker brothers had a younger brother, William, who later joined another Memphis group, The Four kings aka the Four canes . Some reckon that they're the same group as The Teenos & The Esquires on Hi-Po. The composers credit on the Teenos single "Love Only One" is Tinos for like "Sitting By The Window" & "Don't Do That" of the Five Tinos. The Other song is credited to M.Walker (Melvin or Marvin Walker?)… Ok For the Teenos?

Songs :

The Five Tinos

Don't Do That / Sitting By The Window Gonna Have Let You Be

Mambo Baby

The Teenos

Love Only One Alrightee

The Esquires (3)

Only The Angels Know One Word For This

...

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The Sha-Weez

Posted on March 5 2009 by dion1

(Back L-R) A. Woodard, E.Warner, E. Myles, N. Blackwell, I. Bannister (Front) J. Crawford and W. Myles.

The Sha-Weez (New Orleans)  

 Personnel :  

James Sugar Boy Crawford (Piano & Vocals)  

Edgar Big Boy Myles (Trombone & Vocals)

  Irving Cat Bannister (Guitar & Vocals) 

Warren Jake Myles (Piano & Vocals)

Nolan Sha-Wee Blackwell (Alto Sax) 

Alfred Hot Lips Woodard (Trumpet) 

Eric Skee-za Warner (Drums) 

Alfred Bernard (Tenor Sax) 

David Lastie (Tenor Sax)  

Discography :

 Single : 
1952 - No One To Love Me / Early Sunday Morning (Aladdin 3170)

Unreleased:
1952 - You Made Me Love You (Aladdin)  
1952 - Feeling Sad (Aladdin)

Biography :

New Orleans R&B outfit the Sha-Weez formed on the campus of Booker T. Washington High School in 1950. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the September 1977 issue of Yesterday's Memories, the founding lineup featured Edgar "Big Boy" Myles, James "Sugarboy" Crawford , Irving "Cat" Bannister, Alfred "Hot Lips" Woodard , Eric "Skee-za" Warner, Nolan "Sha-Wee" Blackwell , Warren "Jake" Myles , and the nickname-free Alfred Bernard and David Lastie . The group's odd name derived from their theme song, Blackwell's instrumental "Cha-Paka-Sha-Wees," which roughly translates from the Creole "We are not raccoons." During an appearance on local radio, they were introduced as the "'Cha-Paka-Sha-Wees' musicians," and the moniker stuck.

Cosimo Matassa

Producer Dave Bartholomew signed the Sha-Weez to New Orleans imprint Aladdin Records in late 1952, helming their debut session at Cosimo Matassa's legendary J&M Studios. Crawford was slated to sing lead vocal, but a previous live performance left his voice so strained that "Big Boy" Myles stepped to the fore instead; "No One to Love Me" appeared at year's end, becoming a local hit and earning the group live appearances throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Still, Aladdin resisted releasing the remaining material from the Sha-Weez's J&M session, nor did the label book another studio date. The group nevertheless remained under contract to the label, but in late 1953 Crawford and Myles began recording for Chess, recruiting guitarist Billy Tate, bassist Frank Fields, tenor saxophonist Leroy "Batman" Rankins, and drummer Chester Jones to form Sugar Boy & His Cane Cutters.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Shaweez/shaweez.html

Songs :

No One To Love Me / Early Sunday Morning

You Made Me Love You Feeling Sad

...

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