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

The Drapers (2) aka The Duvals (2)

Posted on January 16 2009 by dion1

The Drapers (2) (New York)
aka The Duvals (2)

Personnel :

Ike Mason

Charlie

James

Arnold

Discography :

The Duvals (2)
1956 - Ooh Wee Baby / You Came To Me (Rainbow 335)
1956 - Guide Me / Happiness (Gee 1003)

The Drapers (2)
1960 - Best Love / One more time (Vest 831)

Biography :

Ben E. King was made a soloist (releasing "Show Me The Way"/"Brace Yourself" on Atlantic's Atco subsidiary in April 1960) and Lover Patterson remained his manager. On many of his early sides, Ben E. King was backed up by another of Lover Patterson's groups, the Duvals (also known as the Drapers [an attempt to find a name that sounded like "Drifters"]). (Lover Patterson, aside from being the Drifters' road manager, remained the Duvals' manager. Since there was no longer a Crowns group, he initially re-named the Duvals "The Crowns." [The Duvals on Kelit, LaSalle and Boss are different groups.] In 1960, he changed their name again, this time from the Crowns to the Drapers, a name that was supposed to sound a bit like the "Drifters." As the Drapers, they recorded "Best Love"/"One More Time" for Vest. Note that the Drapers on Gee ["(I Know) Your Love Has Gone Away"/"You Got To Look Up"] from 1963 was a different group, containing Dock Green, Tommy Evans, Johnny Moore, and "Carnation" Charlie Hughes - all former members of the Drifters! Presumably Lover Patterson was their manager.)
http://www.uncamarvy.com/5Crowns/5crowns.html

Songs :

The Duvals (2)

Ooh Wee Baby You Came To Me Guide Me

The Drapers (2)

One more time

...

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Farrell & the Flames (5)

Posted on January 15 2009 by dion1

Farrell & the Flames (5)
Clockwise from Top : Bill Newmiller, Bob Hummel, Edward "Farrell" Finn and Fred Baker.

Farrel & The Flames (5) (Upper Darby, PA)

Personnel :

Edward "Farrell" Finn Jr (Lead)

Bill Newmiller (Soprano)

Bob Hummell (Bass/Baritone)

Fred Baker (Tenor)

Discography :

Single :
1961 - Dreams And Memories / You'll Be Sorry (Fransil 14)

Unreleased :
1961 - Vita (Fransil)
1961 - When I'm Near You (Fransil)

Biography :

White group from Upper Darby, PA consisted of Bill Newmiller (Soprano), Bob Hummell (Bass / Baritone), Edward "Farrell" Finn Jr. (Lead) and Fred Baker (Tenor). They practicing on Farrell's house on their high school and by the local streets. In early 1960 signed Steve Kurtz and Steve Todarello of The Vocal-Lords as their managers who send the guys with Dj Ron Joseph to participe in his show, the group have great perfomances in the Philadelphia, Delaware and Upper Darby area.

Farrell & the Flames (5)
From Left : Fred Baker, Bill Newmiller, Bob Hummel and Farrel.

The group moved to Reco Arts where recorded four sides : Dreams and Memories / You'll Be Sorry / Vita / When I'm Near You. presented the masters to Silvio Scerbo and Bob Scale of Fransil Records this label released the two first sides in the spring of 1960.

Farrell & the Flames (5)

The A side was very popular locally and play in many radio stations but the rockin B side on the order of The Rockin Chairs died soon. The group managers want the boys moved to New York but by their ages (13-14) and the school, they refused, never recorded again and finally with their graduation disbanded in late 1961.

Songs :

You'll Be Sorry Dreams And Memories

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The Cordials (3) aka The Stompers (2)

Posted on January 15 2009 by dion1

The Cordials (3) aka The Stompers (2)

Bobby (Boris) Pickett

The Stompers (2) (Los Angeles)
aka The Cordials (3)

Personnel :

Bobby (Boris) Pickett

Leonard "Lenny" Capizzi

Bill Capizzi

Ron Deltorto

Lou Toscano

Discography :

The Stompers (2)
1962 - Quarter To Four Stomp / Foolish One (Landa 684)

The Cordials (3)
1962 - Eternal Love / The International Twist (Reveille 106)

Biography :

Bobby (Boris) Pickett was born in Somerville, Massachusetts. After high school, he spent three years in Korea in the US army signal corps. Upon demobilisation, Pickett headed for Hollywood, where he wanted to break into movies and stand-up comedy - his first nightclub act included a horror film routine. His initial success was modest, and in 1961 he joined a vocal group called the Cordials. The Cordials were Leonard "Lenny" Capizzi, Bill Capizzi, Ron Deltorto, Lou Toscano and Bobby Boris Pickett. It specialised in the doo-wop close-harmony style and occasionally Pickett would enliven shows by intoning the spoken section of Little Darlin', a hit by the Diamonds, in his Karloff voice.

The Cordials (3) aka The Stompers (2)

The Cordials soon came to the attention of the record producer and songwriter Gary Paxton. Under his guidance, the Cordials, a white group in a mainly black genre, recorded "Eternal Love" and "The International Twist" both written By the Capizzi brothers . Gary Paxton produced the Next single "Quarter To Four Stomp", a surf-orientated adaptation of Garу US Bonds’ “Quarter To Three” . The single was released under the name of the Stompers.

The Stompers (2) aka The Cordials (3)

Shortly after this release Bobby Boris Pickett left for a solo career and co-wrote "Monster Mash" with Cordials/Stompers member Leonard Capizzi to take advantage of the Mashed Potato dance craze. Pickett's half-spoken, half-sung narration includes a brief snatch of a heavily accented Bela Lugosi impersonation as well as the Karloff voice. The refrain ran, "He did the mash/ He did the monster mash/ The monster mash/ It was a graveyard smash".

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Cordials (3)


Eternal Love                      The International Twist

The Stompers (2)


Quarter To Four Stomp                            Foolish One

Bobby Pickett

Monster Mash

...

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The Swans (4) aka The Idols (1)

Posted on January 15 2009 by dion1

The Swans (4) aka The Idols (1)
Dorothy Berry

The Idols (1) (Los Angeles, CA)
aka The Swans (4)

Personnel :

Dorothy Berry (Lead)

Charlotte Holmes

Barbara Holmes

Discography :

The Idols (1)
1961 - Just A Little Bit More / Why Must I Cry (Reveille 1002/Dot 16210)

Dorothy Berry & The Swans (4)
1961 - You Know You Lied / Hold Me (Vanco 101)

Biography :

Richard and Dorothy Berry married in 1957, raising two children. Their marriage lasted over ten years, ending in 1968. Inspired by her husband’s musical talents, Dorothy pursued her own path in the music business, beginning as a singer for the girl group, The Idols in the early 1960s. the group consisted of Dorothy Berry, Charlotte Holmes and Barbara Holmes. They recorded two songs composed by Richard Berry "Just A Little Bit More" and "Why Must I Cry" released in April 1961 on Reveille Records and also released on Dot 16210. Promo copies have "Why Must I Cry" credited to The Swans instead of the Idols. The Same years, The group recorded "You Know You Lied" and "Hold Me" released On Vanco as Dorothy Berry And The Swans.

The Swans (4) aka The Idols (1)
Richard & Dorothy Berry

As she gained more expertise as a lead singer, Dorothy Berry was soon groomed as a solo artist, recording for such labels as Garpax, Challenge, Little Star, and Tangerine. After working with a variety of different projects with such artists as Solomon Burke, the Righteous Brothers, and David Gates, Dorothy Berry was offered an opportunity to join Ray Charles as a Raelette. With a chance o see the world with one of the most successful recording artists of all time, Dorothy joined up with Ray Charles to sing on-stage and in the studio.

Songs :

The Idols (1)


   Why Must I Cry                                   Just A Little Bit More

Dorothy Berry & The Swans (4)


        Hold Me                                    You Know You Lied

...

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The Starlings (1) aka The Twilighters (2)

Posted on January 14 2009 by dion1

The Starlings (1) aka The Twilighters (2)
Larry Gales

The Starlings (1) (Bronx, New York)
aka The Twilighters (2)

Personnel :

Larry Gales (Lead)

Stan Gilbert (First Tenor)

Jackie Marshall (Second Tenor)

John E. Johnson (Baritone)

Clyde Franklin (Bass)

Discography :

The Starlings (1)
Singles:
1954 - Music Maestro Please / My Plea For Love (Josie 760)
1955 - I’m Just A Crying Fool / Hokey-Smokey Mama (Dawn 212)
1955 - A-Loo, A-Loo / I Gotta Go Now (Dawn 213)
Unreleased :
1954 - Fine Brown Frame (Josie)
1954 - Ebb Tide (Josie)
1954 - The Girl That I Marry (Josie)

The Twilighters (2)
Singles:
1955 - Little Did I Dream / Gotta Get On The Train (MGM 55011)
1956 - Half Angel / Lovely Lady (MGM 55014)

Biography :

The Starlings who hail from the Bronx, NYC., had a fairly ordinary beginning in 1951: five friends who sang on the street. All Morris High School students, they were: Larry Gales (tenor lead), Stan Gilbert (1st tenor), Jackie Marshall (2nd tenor), Johnny Johnson (baritone), and Clyde Franklin (bass). The group called themselves the "Starlings" from the beginning, as a conscious tribute to the other "bird groups" of the time, their repertoire consisted mostly of songs that they had written themselves.

The Starlings (1) aka The Twilighters (2)

They appeared in talent shows, at the Renaissance Casino and in the Apollo amateur show. Their Music teacher, Herb Miller got them a contract with Jubilee's Jerry Blaine, and he had them record for his new label Josie. In April of 1954, "Music Maestro Please" b/w "My Plea For Love" was Josie's first release. The record failed to get any airplay or a push from Blaine. Johnson and Gales reorganized the group in late 1954 or early 1955 with former Crickets' Bill Lindsay & Donald Redd, the brother of the Fi-Tones’.

The Starlings (1) aka The Twilighters (2)
Bill Lindsay

Gene Redd. Miller brought he revamped Starlings to Dawn Records where they recorded two singles, "I'm Just A Crying Fool"/"Hokey-Smokey Mama" and "A-Loo, A-Loo"/"I Gotta Go Now" in the winter of 1955. After rechristening themselves the Twilighters, the group waxed four tunes for M-G-M Records in June of 1955, "Little Did I Dream"/"Gotta Get On The Train" (released that July), and "Lovely Lady"/"Half Angel", which came out in early 1956.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Starlings/starlings.html

Songs :

The Starlings (1)


   My Plea For Love / Music Maestro Please    I’m Just A Crying Fool / Hokey-Smokey Mama


A-Loo, A-Loo / I Gotta Go Now              Fine Brown Frame

The Twilighters (2)


Little Did I Dream / Gotta Get On The Train       Half Angel / Lovely Lady

…

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The Twilighters (5) aka The Twiliters (2)

Posted on January 13 2009 by dion1

The Twiliters (2) (McKesport, Pa.)
aka The Twilighters (5)

Personnel :

Glenn Dorsey (Lead)

Delores Johnson (First Tenor)

Bob manual (Second Tenor)

Richard Covington (Baritone)

Ernie Holt (Bass)

Discography :

The Twiliters (2)

Singles:
1961 - Hey There / Caused By You (Nix 102)
1961 - Back To School / Love Bandit (Nix 103)
1964 - Sweet Lips / You Better Make It (Paloma 100)
1964 - My Beatle Haircut / Sweet Lips (Roulette 4546)
Unreleased :
N/A - One More Love
N/A - Honest I Do
N/A - Please Let The Romance Grow
N/A - Playing With Fire
N/A - Kissing Date
N/A - Unchained Melody

The Twilighters (5)
1961 - Scratchin' / She Needs A Guy (Chess 1803)

Biography :

This group first assembled as a trio in September 1954. Bob Manual soon brought two junior high schoolmates of his into the group. They initially named themselves the Fascinators and began serious practice each day. They hooked up with Talent scout Bill Ramsey, who coached them on vocals as well as stage presence. Many Personnel changes occurred during the next several years. By 1959, they began calling themselves the Twiliters and were composed of the group reflected above. They Met record producer Bob Vogelsberger whose ambition it was to manage a vocal group. Vogelsberger arranged to have them record four sides, but none were ever released. They soon hooked up with record producer Nick Censi, who was the owner of Nix records. Nix 102 & 103 were recorded in 1961.

The Joneses

Jules Krusoir who initially guided the marvels, also a Pittsburgh vocal group, took an interest in the Twiliters and had them record for his Paloma label. The Paloma Discs failed and bass Ernie Holt left to be replaced by Sylvester Brooks, who in 1956 became the lead of the Smoothtones, following Alfred Gaitwood's departure. When Delores Johnson Left, Ernie Holt rejoined the Twiliters. Hoping to capitalize on the British invasion and the Beatles phenomenon, the group recorded "My Beatle Haircut", which was released on Roulette in 1963. This fared well locally and got the Twiliters many Bookings in their area. In 1964, Dorsey developed a Thyroid condition that necessitated surgery. The operation affected his vocal chords and left Dorsey unable to sing. This ended the singing career of the Twiliters. In two years Dorsey recovered and in 1966 Dorsey and Manual formed another vocal group they called the Persians. After many personnel changes, they eventually became the Joneses.

Songs :
(Updated By Hans-Joachim

The Twiliters (2)

Hey There Caused By You Love Bandit

You Better Make It               My Beatle Haircut               Back To School

The Twilighters (5)


She Needs A Guy                        Scratchin'

...

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The Jades (1)

Posted on January 13 2009 by dion1

The Jades (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Phil Harris (Lead Vocal, Guitar)

Lou Reed (Guitar, Vocals)

Alan Walters (Vocals)

Discography :

1958 - Leave Her For Me / So Blue ( Time 1002)

Biography :

Lou Reed's first group was known as The Shades, later renamed as The Jades - whose members included Reed's fellow high school classmates Alan Walters and Phil Harris. The group was formed when Reed was just 14 - performing at shopping malls and other small public venues. Producer Bob Shad signed the group to his newly established label Time Records in the late 50s, where the group released one single, Leave Her for Me / So Blue (1958).

Lou Reed with an early high school group

There is some discrepancy as to whom wrote each track; "Leave Her for Me" was credited only to Reed - though on the two editions of the release, "So Blue" is either credited to both Reed and Harris, or solely to Harris. Reed notes that he only received seventy-eight cents in royalties for his work with the Jades.
http://olivier.landemaine.free.fr/loureed/thejades/jades.html

Songs :

So Blue Leave Her For Me

…..

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Jay Ramsey & The Contempos aka The Expressions (2)

Posted on January 13 2009 by dion1

Jerry brown, Frank Cole, Jay Ramsey and Bob Kelly

The Expressions (2) (Dallas,Texas)
aka Jay Ramsey & The Contempos

Personnel :

Jay Ramsey (Lead)

Jerry Brown

Frank Cole

Bob Kelly

Discography :

Jay Ramsey & The Contempos
1962 - Look Away Love / Smooth Talkin Woman (Libra 1001)

The Expressions (2)
1963 - Come Back Karen / Thrill (Smash 1848)
1965 - One Plus One / Playboy (Reprise 0360)

Jay Ramsey bb The Expressions (2)
Unreleased :
1965 - Lonely Girl
1965 - Gotta Keep Movin

Biography :

Bob Kelly already had his own recording studio and In 1962, three guys came into the studio , Jerry Brown, piano player and singer, Jay Ramsey, guitar player, singer, and songwriter and Frank Cole, sax, guitar, bass and singer. Bob Kelly decided to record them and put out a record locally to see if it would do anything. "Smooth Talkin' Woman" b/w "Look Away Love" on Libra Records as Jay Ramsey & The Contempos.

1962, Jay Ramsey, Jerry brown, Frank Cole and Bob Kelly

Success locally was mediocre he couldn't get a national record release. Then, Bob asked them if they would like to form a group with him. So they recorded some songs Jay singing lead, and Jerry, Frank, and Bob singing background. With slightly more success, Bob got a record leasing deal with Smash Records, a subsidiary of Mercury Records. "Thrill" b/w "Come Back Karen," published by Little Star.

They got a Best Bets in Cashbox as good as you could get at the time for a rating. Lots of airplay and sales locally, but still only moderate success nationally. It was a one-record-lease deal, so back to the drawing board.The Expressions started touring all over the country in Sept 1964 and kept going for the next sixteen years! In 1965, they were signed by Sinatra's Reprise Records and cut "One Plus One" b/w "Playboy".

Songs :

The Expressions (2)


Come Back Karen                    One Plus One                       Thrill

Jay Ramsey The Expressions (2)


Lonely Girl                                      Gotta Keep Movin

...

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The Five Trojans aka The Trojans (5)

Posted on January 13 2009 by dion1

The Trojans (5) aka The Five Trojans

The Five Trojans (Hollywood, CA)
aka The Trojans (5)

Personnel :

Henry Dunson

Ron Ellington

Freddie Flamer

Mitchell Perker

James Thompson

Discography :

The Trojans (5)
1958 - Alone In This World / Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely (Tender 516)

Nicky St. Clair & The Five Trojans
1959 - I Hear Those Bells / Creator Of Love (Edison International 410)

The Five Trojans
1958 - Alone In This World / Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely (Tender 516)
1959 - Little Doll / Lola Lee (Edison International 412)

Biography :

Vocal group from Hollywood, CA composed by Henry Dunson, Ron Ellington, Freddie Flamer, Mitchell Perker and James Thompson. The group the group signs a recording contract with Imogene Fadely owner of Tender Records. "Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely" b/w "Alone In This World " was released in September 1958 on Tender 516 as the five Trojans and a second pressing the same month with label credit to the Trojans.

The Trojans (5) aka The Five Trojans

The Five Trojans had two other releases in 1959, on Edison International owned by Jack Ames. On the first they backed Nicky St. Clair on "I Hear Those Bells" and "Creator Of Love", and a second from the same session with "Little Doll" and "Lola Lee".

Songs :

Nicky St. Clair & The Five Trojans


Creator Of Love                                    Hear Those Bells

The Five Trojans


Lola Lee                                          Little Doll

The Trojans (5)


   Alone In This World                      Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely

...

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The Caribbeans (1)

Posted on January 13 2009 by dion1

Joe Amador, Tony H. San Antonio & Valentine Lopez

The Caribbeans (1) (Bronx, New York)

Personnel:

Tony H. San Antonio (Lead)

Joe Amador

Valentine Lopez

Tito Ortiz

Discography :

1958 - Keep Her By My Side / IKknew (20th Fox 112)
1963 - Wonderland / Baby (Brooks 1A)

Biography :

The Caribbeans grew up on Claremont Parkway in the North Bronx. The group consisted of their lead vocalist Tony H. San Antonio with Joe Amador, Tito Ortiz and Valentine Lopez. They spent their time harmonizing in hallways and street corners. It wasn't until 1958 when they released their first record, "I Knew", which had a Latin beat and "Keep Her by My Side" which had a Doo wop sound.

The Caribbeans (1)

The Groups' manager Dorian Burton released the record with 20th Century Fox. Another record, "Wonderland / Baby" was released in 1963 by Brooks record. The Caribbeans performed in numerous small clubs and church dances which were popular during the 50s.

Songs :

Wonderland / Keep Her By My Side / I Knew / Baby (With photos)

Keep Her By My Side I knew Wonderland

...

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