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

The Four Embers aka The Twilights (2) aka The Embers (9)

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

The Four Embers aka The Twilights (2) aka The Embers (9)

The Embers (9) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
ref : The Juveniles

Personnel :

Robert "Bobby" Perryman (Lead)

Claude "Indio" Chenet (Second Tenor)

Joseph Durant (Baritone)

Cal Washington (First Tenor)

Peter Reyes (Bass)

Discography :

The Twilights (2)
Single :
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You / Oh Baby Love (Finesse 1717)
Demo :
1958 - Soda Pop (acapella)
1958 - My Heart Belongs To Only You (acapella)

Maria Elena & The Twilights (2)
1962 - I Was Too Careful / Temptation (Countess 113)

The Embers (9)
Singles :
1961 - Solitaire / I’m Feeling All Right Again (Empress 101)
1961 - I Won’t Cry Anymore / I Was Too Careful (Empress 104)
1962 - Abigail / I Was Too Careful (Empress 107)
Unreleased :
1961 - What A Surprise (Empress)
1961 - I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (Empress)

The Four Embers
1963 - But Beautiful / You’ve Been Away Too Long (Smash 1846)

Biography :

In 1957, Marilyn Bishop Marilyn gave birth to a baby girl, Michelle, and left The Juveniles. Larry Peters will make even some time after. At this time, the group has only three members. Robert Perryman stepped up to become the new lead singer and Cal Washington was recruited by Claude Chenet to become the new first tenor. Cal had sung with a local street group, had a background in gospel and blues and also hung out with the Chords. Pete Reyes was recruited by Bobby to replace Larry Peters as the bass singer. The Twilights now consisted of Robert Perryman (lead) Cal Washington (first tenor) Claude “Indio” Chenet (second tenor) Joseph Durant (baritone) and Peter Reyes (bass).

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Juveniles "Bobby" Perryman , Claude "Indio" Chenet, Marilyn Durant, Larry Peters and Joe Durant

The Twilights recorded “My Heart Belongs To Only You” and “Oh Baby Love,” with Bobby Perryman singing both leads, which came out on Finesse Records in November of 1959. The Twilights also backed up Maria Elena on “I Was Too Careful” and “Temptation,” both of which weren’t released until 1962 on Countess Records. They appeared at one of Clay Cole’s shows in Palisades Park, New Jersey also starring the Drifters, Moonglows, Skyliners, Belmonts, Bobby Rydell and Neil Sedaka.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers
The Embers : Pete Reyes, Joe Durant, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Robert Perryman and Cal Washington

The Twilights sang “My Heart Belongs To Only You” as well as “Oh Baby Love” and this performance was broadcast live on television. The Twilights also appeared at the RKO Franklin Theatre on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx where they also backed up Maria Elena. The Twilights changed their name to the Embers and signed with Empress Records, owned by Gene and Jody Malis, which was a subsidiary label (as was Valmor) under Countess International.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers

The Twilights Pete Reyes, Joe Durant, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Cal Washington and Robert Perryman

The Embers had been rehearsing an old standard ballad that Tony Bennett recorded named “Solitaire,” a song that Jody wanted them to record because she felt it had hit potential. The Embers recorded “Solitaire” with Bobby Perryman singing lead. On the week of August 22, 1961, “Solitaire” reached number 9 on WABC’s radio survey. It was also doing extremely well on Billboard’s charts. By mid 1963, the Embers were down to four members as Pete Reyes had left the group. The Embers were still under contract with Empress, which wasn’t doing well at the time so Gene and Jody Malis sent them to writer and record producer Wally Zober in order to see what he could do for them.

The Embers (9) aka The Twilights (2) aka The Four Embers

Wally took them down to Odo Recording Studios on West 54th Street in Manhattan on August 1, 1963 where they recorded “But Beautiful” and “You’ve Been Away Too Long.” A bass player, George Butcher, arranged the orchestra and the group arranged the vocals. “But Beautiful” was recorded first, with Robert Perryman singing lead. “You’ve Been Away Too Long” was a fast number that Jody had given to them but they did not care for. They recorded it with Cal singing lead. The session lasted for most of the day and the songs were released on Smash Records, a subsidiary of Mercury Records, in December of 1963 as by the “Four Embers.” By 1964, with the British Invasion underway, the Embers (without a hit record since 1961) broke up and decided to get on with their personal lives.

Songs :

The Twilights (2)


My Heart Belongs To Only You                     Oh Baby Love

Maria Elena & The Twilights (2)


Temptation                  I Was Too Careful

The Embers (9)


Solitaire              I’m Feeling All Right Again           I Won’t Cry Anymore


I Was Too Careful                    Abigail                 What A Surprise

I Wish I Didn't Love You So

The Four Embers

But Beautiful / You’ve Been Away Too Long

...

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The Wonders (4) aka The Wanderers (3)

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

The Champs (1) aka The Chimes (3)

The Chimes (3) (Los Angeles)
aka The Champs (1)
ref: The Wonders (4) aka The Wanderers (3)

Personnel :

Horace "Pookie" Wooten (Tenor)

David Cobb (Second Tenor)

Charles Jackson (Tenor)

Booker Jones (Baritone)

Talbert Walton (Bass)

Discography :

The Chimes (3)
Singles :
1955 - Zindy Lou / Tears On My Pillow (Specialty 555)
1956 - Chop Chop / Pretty Little Girl (Specialty 574)
Unreleased :
1956 - The Chimes Ring Out (Specialty)

Tony Allen & The Chimes (3)
1956 - Especially / Check Yourself, Baby (Specialty 570)

Tony Allen & The Champs (1)
1955 - Nite Owl / I (Specialty 560)

The Wonders (4)
1958 - Be My Love Be My Love / Tell Me (Forward 601)

Tony Allen & The Wonders (4)
1958 - Be My Love, Be My Love / Tell Me (Tampa 157)
1959 - Loving You / Lookin' For My Baby (Jamie 1119)

Bobby Starr (Tony Allen & The Wonders (4))
1959 - Sweet Man / Please Give Me A Chance (Radio 120)

Tony Allen & The Wanderers (3)
1961 - Everybody's Somebody's Fool / If Love Was Money (Kent 356)

Biography :

In August 1955, The Chimes from South Central, Los Angeles, under band leader Horace "Pookie" Whooten signed a contract with Specialty Records. The group consists of Horace "Pookie" Wooten (Tenor), David Cobb (Second Tenor), Charles Jackson (Tenor), Booker Jones (Baritone) and Talbert Walton (Bass) . In September, they released "Zindy Lou" and "Tears on My Pillow" their first single, the A-side with influences of African rhythm and a hypnotic singing in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, the local charts reached, but without nationwide reactions.

The Chimes (3) aka The Champs (1)
Tony Allen

Robert Alexander "Bumps" Blackwell songwriter and arranger at Specialty Records make session With Tony Allen, held at Master recorders in Hollywood on 12 August 1955 with The Chimes singing behind him even though they were billed on the Record as The Champs. The Chimes backed everybody on Specialty. They were properly named on Allen's sequel Single Especially. The back of Especially was improvised in the studio based on an idea by Charles Jackson "Check Yourself, Baby". The collaboration as a session musician with Allen was abruptly terminated by its breach with Specialty. Then the band released again in April 1956 under their own name "Pretty Little Girl" and "Chop Chop".

The Chimes (3) aka The Champs (1) The Champs (1) aka The Chimes (3)
David Cobb & Horace "Pookie" Wooten

The record career of the Chimes was already finished in 1956, but the connection to Tony Allen was maintained: So supported him Horace "Pookie" Wooten, Charles Jackson & David Cobb as "The Wonders" and "The Wanderers" repeatedly in various publications. Horace "Pookie" Wooten, Charles Jackson & David Cobb would go on to form The Lions in 1960, and later reformed as The Resonics.

Songs :

The Chimes (3)


Zindy Lou                Tears On My Pillow                        Chop Chop


Pretty Little Girl                   The Chimes Ring Out

Tony Allen & The Chimes (3)


       Especially                  Check Yourself, Baby

Tony Allen & The Champs (1)


Nite Owl                                             I

The Wonders (4)


Be My Love Be My Love                   Tell Me

Tony Allen & The Wonders (4)


       Loving You                      Lookin' For My Baby

Bobby Starr (Tony Allen & The Wonders (4))


      Sweet Man                     Please Give Me A Chance

Tony Allen & The Wanderers (3)

Everybody's Somebody's Fool / If Love Was Money

…

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Kenny, Frank & Ray

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

Kenny, Frank & Ray
Kenny Chandler

Kenny, Frank & Ray (Harrisburg, Pa)
ref: Kenny & The Beaus

Personnel :

Kenneth Bolognese "Kenny C

handler" (Lead)

Dick Donmoyer

Bob. Napotonia

Frank Desendi

Ralph Stevens

Discography :

Kenny, Frank & Ray
1958 - Everybody Loves Saturday Night / I'm Going Away (Cameo 144)
1959 - If You Love Me / Why Was I Born (PL 13)

Kenny & The Beaus
(Credited to Kenny Beau & The Whirlwinds)
Single:
1959 - You're The Right One / Gift Of Love (PL 1015)
Unreleased :
1959 - What Is Love
1959 - Cindy Lou

Biography :

Kenny Chandler, born Kenneth Bolognese, was originally from. “The Hill” section of Harrisburg,Pa. and was a member of John Harris High School Class of 1959. Interested in music at an early age, Kenny got together with four classmates 1n senior high school to form a group called the Montclaires (later changed to the Clairmonts). This first group consisted of Micky Liddick. (drums), Junie Brown ( congas),Nathanial Edmonds (piano), with. Lee Bradshaw, Ray Carlisle, George Campbell, and Kenny doing vocals. They split up after only a short time but Ken stayed together with Ray Carlisle, in hopes of forming another group. it was after football practice, while singing in the showers, that. Ray got word that teammate Frankie Cacapardo was interested in joining the group. Thus, the trio was formed, calling them- selves Kenny, Frank, and Ray.

Kenny, Frank & Ray

Kenny remembers that, at the time they were singing a lot of street-corner harmony, and became practiced enough to win second place in a talent show at the Senate Theater, Harrisburg. This little bit of notoriety brought the trio to the attention of WHGB disc-jockey Paul Landersman,who was, at the time, doing a live radio show from the Colonial. The boys came down to the theater during one of these live broadcasts and actually auditioned for him on the fire escape during a break. Paul had already established good connections in the music business as manager of the Quintones. (York, Pa), and was impressed enough with the trio's talents that he asked to manage them on the spot. The first big local show that Kenny, Frank, and Ray performed at was at the Zembo Mosque, Harrisburg, featuring Danny and the Juniors and Connie Francis .

Kenny, Frank & Ray

During rehearsals, one of the members of Danny & The Juniors became very impressed with the trio's vocal stylings, and inquired whether they had a record out. This connection soon got them to an office in Philadelphia where they auditioned for Bernie Lowe. They presented 4 orignal songs at the audition, but Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe were more impressed with the talent than the songs and arranged a recording session at Reco-Arts Studios which produced 2 sides: “Everybody Loves Saturday" and "I'm Going Away." Bernie Lowe was the piano player on the session, and Paul played the folding slat chairs (a low-budget version of the drums). Lowe issued it on his own label as Cameo #144. ”Everybody” was written by Cameo staffer Tony Mamerella under the pseudonym. Anthony September. Cameo was one of the new ”hot” labels when the song was released in the summer of 1958. Unfortunately, although “Everybody Loves Saturday" received good local play, it never went national.

Kenny, Frank & Ray

Reco-Arts was again used to record “If You Love Me” and “Why Was I Born” (a Ray Carlisle original). Issued as PL #13 in late 1958, the record received only limited regional exposure. By 1959,. Ray had become disillusioned and dropped out of the group, ending their string of near-hits at two. Kenny, however, had been writing some original material, and formed a new group in 1959 called The Beaus. This group consisted of Dick Donmoyer, Bob Napotonia, Frank Desendi, and Ralph Stevens. Kenny took on the stage name “ Kenny Beau,” and returned to Reco-Arts to cut “You're the Right One” and “Gift of Love". The Session produced a solid 2-sides doo-wop records, released as PL 1015. The Whirlwinds, which is the group credited on the label, were really the studio musicians used on the session, as the name of the group was officially “Kenny and The Beaus".

Kenny, Frank & Ray

The good looking Harrisburg resident hijacked the surname of movie star Jeff Chandler, finally attracting some notice in 1961 with 'Drums', written and produced by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, then creative geniuses in residence at United Artists. Chandler subsequently signed with Laurie about the time Dion was leaving the label for Columbia.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Kenny, Frank & Ray

If You Love Me Why Was I Born

Everybody Loves Saturday Night / I'm Going Away

Kenny & The Beaus

You're The Right One Gift Of Love

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The Don-Tels aka The Dontells

Posted on February 5 2009 by dion1

The Dontells aka The Don-Tels

The Dontells (Chicago)
aka The Don-Tels

Personnel :

Nathaniel Pendleton (First Tenor)

Leroy Dandridge

Larry Nestor

Willie Weems (Guitarist)

Discography :

The Don-Tels
1963 - People Gonna Talk / I Found A Love (Witch 119)
1963 - Lonely Boy / The Old Man (Witch 121)

The Dontells
1963 - Lover's Reunion / Make A Chance (Beltone 2040)
1965 - In Your Heart / Nothing But Nothing (Vee Jay 666)
1965 - Ain't Cha My Baby / I'm Gonna Tell The World (Vee Jay 967)
1965 - I Can't Wait / Gimmie Some (Ambassador 3346)

Biography :

The Dontells come from Chicago, and cut their first single on the legendary Beltone label (distributed by King Records, Cincinnati).

The same year the group release two singles on the Witch / Cortland label changing the name to the Don-Tels. With only 1 original member , the group have three nice Soul singles in 1965 for the Vee Jay & Ambassador label.

Make A Change                     Lover's Reunion                People Gonna Talk


    I Found A Love    In Your Heart                        I Can't Wait

Nothing But Nothing I`m Gonna Tell The World

...

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The Teen Dreams aka Debbie & The Darnels (2)

Posted on February 2 2009 by dion1

The Teen Dreams aka Debbie & the Darnels (2)
Joan Yutenkas, Dorothy Yutenkas and Marie Brancotti

The Teen Dreams (New Haven, CT)
aka Debbie & The Darnels (2)

Personnel:

Joan Yutenkas

Dorothy Yutenkas

Marie Brancotti 

Discography :

Debbie & The Teen Dreams
1962 - The Time / Santa, Teach Me To Dance (Vernon 101)

The Teen Dreams
1962 - The Time / Why, Why? (Vernon 101)

Debbie & the Darnels (2)
1962 - The Time / Why Why (Vernon 101) 
1962 - The Time / Teach Me To Dance (Vernon 101)
1962 - Daddy / Mr Johnny Jones (Columbia 42530)

Biography :

Debbie and the Darnels hailed from New Haven, Connecticut. Dorothy Yutenkas, her sister Joan and a friend, Maria Brancati, made up the singing trio. In 1962, the group was known as the Teen Dreams. Later that year, the trio's name was changed to Debbie and the Darnels. Their upbeat tune “Mr. Johnny Jones” was a Top 40 hit on local Connecticut radio stations.

The trio's Christmastime offering was a lively and catchy tune called “Santa Teach Me to Dance.” Dorothy was the lead singer and wrote the group's first recording: “Why Why.” The trio was discovered by New Haven's Jerry Greenberg, who also wrote “The Time” for the group. Backing up the trio was Greenberg's instrumental band the Passengers. The group was managed by Sam Goldman (manager of the Five Satins). Debbie and the Darnels toured up and down the East Coast and were a very popular girl group in the early '60s. In Connecticut, Debbie and the Darnels shared the stage with other well-known state artists.

The Teen Dreams aka Debbie & the Darnels (2)

For example, Debbie and the Darnels performed on the same bill as the Connecticut groups the Five Satins and the Passengers at Seymour's Actors Colony as part of a TwistA-Rama show. The trio was also on the same bill as New Haven's Ginny Arnell.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Mr Johnny Jones                           Why, Why?


Santa, Teach Me To Dance                           The Time

Daddy Mr. Johnny Jones

...

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Kenny & the Whalers (2) aka Donnie & the Dreamers (12)

Posted on February 1 2009 by dion1

Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) aka Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Donnie & The Dreamers (12) (Bronx, NY.)
aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Personnel :

Louis "Donnie" Burgio (Lead)

Peter "Pete Alonzo" Vecchiarelli

Andy Catalano (Tenor)

Frank Furstaci (Baritone)

Discography :

Donnie & The Dreamers (12)
Singles:
1961 - Count Every Star / Dorothy (Whale 500)
1961 - My Memories Of You / Teenage Love (Whale 505)
1961 - Carole / Ruby My Love (Decca 31312)
unreleased
1961 - Heaven Only Knows (Whale)

Kenny & The Whalers (2)
1961 - Life Is But a Dream / Life Is But a Dream (Whale 504)

Biography :

Lead Singer Louis "Donnie" Burgio, Peter "Pete Alonzo" Vecchiarelli, Andy Catalano, and Frank Furstaci came from the Bronx, that fertile field for Street Corner doo whoppers. Donnie & The Dreamers had a talent for adding that doo wop touch to pop standards and they proved it in early 1961 with their hit version of the 1950 oldie "Count Every Star".

Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) aka Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)

While this was hot (it spent 10 weeks on the chart) the Whale label followed it up by sending out deejay samples of "Life Is But A Dream", calling the Group Kenny & The Whalers. It went nowhere. The Dreamers then turned the Harptones' 1954 ballad favourite "My Memories Of You" into a sparkling jump tune and scored their second national hit. Two weeks after "Count Every Star" left the chart, "My Memories Of You" took its Place.

Vinny Catalano & The Daydreams (2) aka Donnie & The Dreamers (12) aka Kenny & The Whalers (2)
                                                                                                                                    Vinny Catalano

Encouraged by this, Decca leased all the Whale tracks by the group and issued "Carole" in October,1961. No Further hits came along and the group disappeared. Vinny Catalano worked with his kid brother's group, recording over 10 excellent sides, most lost and unreleased.

Songs :

Donnie & The Dreamers (12)


Count Every Star                                        Dorothy


My Memories Of You                                 Teenage Love


   Carole                                             Ruby My Love

Heaven Only Knows

Kenny & The Whalers (2)

Life Is But a Dream

...

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The Torches aka The Diadems aka The Rhythm Rascals

Posted on January 31 2009 by dion1

The Diadems aka The Torches aka The Rhythm Rascals

The Diadems (Pittsburgh, Pa)
aka The Torches aka The Rhythm Rascals

Personnel :

Cleveland "Butch" Martin (Lead)

Earl Thompson (First Tenor)

Robert Thompson (Second Tenor)

Jerry Hill (Baritone)

Jimmy Mitchell (Bass)

Discography :

The Diadems
1961 - What More Is There To Say / Ala Vevo (LaVere 187)
1963 - Why Don't You Believe Me? / Yes I Love You Baby (Star 514)
1964 - I'll Do Anything / Goodnight Irene (Goldie 715)

Jerry Hilton & The Diadems
1964 - Dancing On Moonbeams / My Little Darling (Goodie 207)

The Torches
1965 - Darn Your Love / No I Won't (Ring-O 302)

The Rhythm Rascals
1965 - Why Do You Have To Go / Girl By My Side (Sonic 117)

Biography :

The Diadems got together as a gang of ten Homewood pre-teens in 1953, organized by Cleveland "Butch" Martin (who was blind, though it never hindered his ability to sing or write a song) and Earl Thompson. They called themselves the E l Moroccos.In 1956, the core of the act formed up. Martin was the lead, and was backed by Earl Thompson (first tenor), Jerry Hill (baritone), Alvin Allsberry, Gerald Johnson and Arlene Gore. Allsberry and Johnson left in 1958, and Gore in 1959. They were replaced in the lineup by bass Jimmy Mitchell and Earl's brother Robert, a second tenor that was singing with the LaRells. The revamped group renamed themselves the Countdowns.

They didn't find any angel to back them in Pittsburgh as far as a recording deal went, so they motored to the Big Apple in 1960 and met up with Teacho Wiltshire, of the Tin Pan Alley label. They did a demo of a Top Notes song called "Shake It Up Baby," and Wiltshire wanted them to stay in NYC to record it. But the boys were grown up now, and headed back to Pittsburgh, where their girls were.

Can't beat that home cookin'! They became the Diadems, and recorded "What More Is There To Say" b/w "Ala Vevo" in 1961 on LaVerve #187. Wiltshire didn't forget about them. He called and asked them to come back to New York to cover "Shake It Up Baby," but they were under contract to LaVerve and passed. The Isley Brothers didn't; they recorded the tune as "Twist And Shout." They were that close.

The Diadems aka The Torches aka The Rhythm Rascals

The following year, they signed on with Joe Averbach's Fee Bee label, and released some wax for his affiliates. "Why Don't You Believe Me?" b/w "Yes I Love You Baby," (Star #514), written by the group, was released in 1963, and "Dancing On Moonbeams" b/w "My Little Darling," was issued on Goodie #207 in 1964, with Jerry Hilton on lead.The Diadems quickly followed with the doo-wop Martin-Thompson song "I'll Do Anything" b/w "Goodnight Irene" (Goldie #715) the same year. Buddy Sharpe and the Shakers, local rockabilly legends, provided the musical track behind them. That was the last hurrah for the Diadems. Jimmy Mitchell took ill, and the group disbanded for a bit. They came back as the Torches in 1965, and became the Rhythm Rascals in 1966,
http://oldmonmusic.blogspot.fr/search/label/diadems

Songs :

The Diadems

What More Is There To Say               Why Don't You Believe Me


I'll Do Anything                      Yes I Love You Baby

Goodnight Irene Ala Vevo

Jerry Hilton & The Diadems

My Little Darling Dancing On Moonbeams

The Torches

Darn Your Love No I Won't

The Rhythm Rascals

Why Do You Have To GoGirl By My Side

...

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The Quentins aka The Dee-Vines (1)

Posted on January 31 2009 by dion1

The Quentins aka The Dee-Vines (1)
Chuck Smith (seated) - top : Gary Stem, Richard Elter and Don Nicita

The Quentins (Westchester County, N.Y)
aka The Dee-Vines (1)

Personnel :

Don Nicita (Lead)

Chuck Smith

Richard Elter

Gary Stem

Discography :

Neil Stevens & The Dee-Vines (1)
1958 - More And More / What Could Be Better (Brunswick 55095)

The Quentins
1959 - You'll Never Know / Mi Amore (Andie 5014)

The Dee-Vines (1)
1960 - I Believe / Worlds Greatest Lover (Lano 2001/relic 514))

Biography :

in 1959, Laurie Records has launched a new subsidiary label, Andie Records. It will release the same kind of records that Laurie has issued in the pop and jazz fields. But the new label will be serviced by other distributors, according to a.&r. chief Gene Schwartz. First recordings are by the Chippendales, whose disking is "What a Night," and the other is by the Quentins. The group recorded in 1959 the single "You'll Never Know" b/w "Mi Amore". The Quentins come from Westchester County, N.Y. and consisted of Don Nicita (Lead), Richard Elter, Chuck Smith and Gary Stem .

The Quentins aka The Dee-Vines (1)
Neil Stevens & The Dee-Vines (1)

However before being called the "Quentins" the group had already recorded a first record where they accompanied the singer Neil Stevens in October 1958 on "More And More" and "What Could Be Better". The single will be released by Brunswick Records as Neil Stevens & The Dee-Vines. In 1960, Neil Stevens joined the Temptations as Lead singer with Larry Curtis, Artie Sands, and Artie Marin, not to be confused with the famous Motown group by the same name. This lesser-known group from New York released one Top 40 hit, "Barbara," in 1960, about one year before the more famous Temptations were founded. Neil Stevens went solo shortly after the release of "Barbara."

The Quentins aka The Dee-Vines (1)

In October,1960 Don Nicita & his fellows recorded "I Believe" and "Worlds Greatest Lover" released by the Rocco Catalano's Lano label from Port Chester,N.Y.. This time they take back their original name The Dee-Vines . The group appeared on Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour on May 23, 1960 and perform "Lonesome Road" .

Videos :

Lonesome Road

Songs :
(Update By Hans-Joachim)

Neil Stevens & The Dee-Vines (1)

More And More What Could Be Better

The Dee-Vines (1)

I Believe World's Greatest Lover

The Quentins

Mi Amore You'll Never Know

...

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The Itels

Posted on January 31 2009 by dion1

The Itels : (L to R) Tony Giorgi, Nick Genovese, Mike Lanza and Frank Medicino

The Itels (Port Chester, New York)

Personnel :

Augie DeCrecenzo (Lead)

Mike Lanza

Nick Genovese

Tony Giorgi

Discography :

1961 - Star Of Paradise / Chubby Isn't Chubby Anymore (Magnifico 101)

Biography :

Tony Giorgi came from Port Chester, NY along with his friends Mike Lanza, Nick Genovese and Frank Medicino and formed a group in 1957 called the Itels. In 1961, another friend Augie DeCrecenzo replaced Frank as the Groups lead singer. The Itels recorded a song about Chubby Checker penned by Bernice Ross for the Magnifico label called "Chubby Isn't Chubby Anymore" b/w "Star of Paradise" a group original.

Songs :

Star Of Paradise Chubby Isn't Chubby Anymore

...

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The Rag Dolls aka The Beach Girls (2)

Posted on January 28 2009 by dion1

The Rag Dolls (New York)
aka The Beach Girls (2)

Personnel :

Jean Thomas (Lead)

Mikie Harris

Susan Lewis

Discography :

The Rag Dolls
1964 - Society Girl / Ragen (Society Girl Bossa Nova) (Parkway 921)
1964 - Dusty / Hey, Hoagy (Mala 493)
1964 - Baby's Gone / We Almost Made It (Mala 499)
1965 - Put A Ring On My Finger / Little Girl Tears (Mala 506)

The Beach Girls (2)
1965 - Goin' Places / Skiing In The Snow (Dynovoice 202)

Biography :

Originally from Sarasota, Florida (Though born in Weymouth, Massachusetts) Jean Thomas had moved to New York in the early 60s and recorded as a solo artist for Cadence and M-G-M. Pitch perfect, she began picking up extra work as a demo singer and from there graduated to full session work, sometimes accompanied by an old friend from Sarasota, Mikie Harris who sang with the Ardons. The recording community liked Thomas for her ability to emote with all the chutzpah of an eager novice getting his first break in a recording studio, even though she was a pro in her mid-twenties.

Jean Thomas

Crewe had used Thomas on "Society Girl" by the Rag Dolls (a fabricated 'answer' record to the 4 seasons' "Rag Doll") which had dented the Hot 100 in late 1964. Consolidating with a second release, "Dusty", Crewe had Thomas and Harris lay down their vocals over a storming track by 4 Seasons arranger Charlie Calello. The winning four seasons groove bagged a lot of airplay, pushing "Dusty" to # 55 in February 1965, and led to a demend for a group that did not exist outside the confines of a recording studio.

Thomas preferred the quiet backwaters of studio work to the limelight and toured only briefly as a member of the Rag Dolls. The sessions for ‘Dusty’ were on 24th and 27th October and again on 12th November 1964 to perfect the mix, with ‘Skiing In The Snow’ and ‘Hey Hoagy’ also being recorded. The latter would become the cute ‘B’ side to ‘Dusty’ whilst Bob would release ‘Skiing In The Snow’ as the Beach Girls on Dynavoice 202 to provide another classic harmony laced girl group sound

Songs :

The Rag Dolls

Society Girl                                 Put A Ring On My Finger


Dusty                                         Little Girl Tears


Hey Hoagy                                    Baby's Gone

The Beach Girls (2)

Skiing In The Snow

...

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