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

The Rhythm Aces aka The Rockets (3) aka The Rocketeers (2) aka The Magic Notes aka The Planets (1)

Posted on December 5 2008 by dion1

Planets, Rockets, Rocketeers, Magic-Tones :( L to R) Billy Steward, Jimmy Brunsen, Vince House & Woody Johnson

The Planets (1) (Chicago)

aka The Magic Notes
aka The Rockets (3)
aka The Rocketeers (2)
aka The Rhythm Aces

Personnel :

Billy Steward (First Tenor)

Woody Johnson (Second Tenor)

Jimmy Brunsen (Tenor)

Vince House (Baritone/Bass)

Discography :

The Rhythm Aces
Singles :
1954 - I Wonder Why / Get Lost (Vee Jay 124)
1955 - Whisper To Me / Olly, Olly, Atsen Free (Vee Jay 138)
1955 - That's My Sugar / Flippety Flop (Vee Jay 160)
Unreleased :
1954- I Realize Now (Vee Jay)

The Rockets (3)
1956 - You Are The First One / Be Lovey Dovey (Modern 992)

Jimmy Beasley & The Rockets (3)
1957 - Johnny's House Party, Part 1 / Part 2 (Modern 1021)

The Rocketeers (2)
1956 - Talk It Over Baby / Hey Rube (Modern 999)
1958 - My Reckless Heart / They Turned The Party Out At Bessie's House (M-J-C 501)

Darla Hood & The Rocketeers (2)
1957 - No Secret Now / Jody (Encino 1007)

The Magic Notes
1957 - The Wrong Door / Never Again (Era 1035)

The Planets (1)
1957 - Stand There Mountain / Never Again (Era 1038)
1957 - Be Sure / Wild Leaves (Era 1049)

Biography :

R&B harmony group the Rhythm Aces formed in 1950 comprising first tenor Billy Steward, second tenor Chuck Rowan, baritone Clyde Rhymes, and bass Vince House; all were members of the U.S. Army's Special Services division stationed in Germany at the time of the quartet's formation, ultimately winning the "All-Army Soldier Singing Contest" and landing an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as a result. Following their 1954 discharge, the Rhythm Aces returned to the U.S. and mounted a tour of the Midwest -- their performance at Chicago's Crown Propeller Lounge proved such a hit that the club named the group its regular headline act, firing former marquee act the Moonglows in the process.

The Rhythm Aces : Billy Steward, Chuck Rowan, Clyde Rhymes & Vince House

Vee-Jay Records exec Ewart Abner soon caught the Rhythm Aces' act and arranged an audition with label owners Vivian and Jimmy Carter, who immediately extended a contract offer. Their debut single "I Wonder Why" followed in late 1954, but the group's sharp, sophisticated harmonies made few inroads at radio or retail. Vee-Jay issued the Rhythm Aces' luminous sophomore effort "Whisper to Me" in the spring of 1955, but it too failed to attract much attention, and when a similar fate befell their third single, "That's My Sugar," the label terminated the group's contract.

After adding guitarist Sam Alexander and installing Rowan on piano, the Rhythm Aces toured Canada in late 1955, but during a break from the road Rhymes wed while Steward and Alexander spent the holidays in their native Detroit, when only Rowan and House turned up for a scheduled gig in New York City, the group dissolved. After the Vee Jay Rhythm Aces broke up late in 1955, they all returned home. It is not known when or where, but Lloyd McCraw ( Jacks/Cadets) had previously met Vince House.

Jimmy Beasley

In 1956, he communicated with House, asking him to assemble a group and come west to record for his organization. House rounded up Steward and Rowan and picked up Jimmy Brunsen, they were now "the Rockets. McCraw got them a contract and session with Modern Records . When their Modern disc failed, Rowan left for good, rejoining the service. He was replaced in the group by Brunsen's friend Woody Johnson. Modern then changed the group's name to Rocketeers late in 1956 and released a new single.

Johnny Otis Show

Nothing happened with the name change or the Modern release, and the group moved to Era, where House's name was changed to Vince Howard. The Group cut three singles, as the Planets & The Magic Tones. One disc that the Planets released on Era, "Stand There Mountain," became their biggest hit. At this point they hooked up with Johnny Otis and became part of his touring "Johnny Otis Show" (once again as the Rockets). In early 1958, they became the "Rocketeers" again, for a single recording as backup for Willie Davis.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/RhythmAces/rhythmaces.html

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Rhythm Aces

I Wonder Why                        Get Lost                     That's My Sugar


Flippety Flop                         Whisper To Me                         I Realize Now

Olly, Olly, Atsen, Free

The Rockets (3)

You Are The First One Be Lovey Dovey

Jimmy Beasley & The Rockets (3)

Johnny's House Party, Part 1 / Part 2

The Rocketeers (2)


Talk It Over Baby                   Hey Rube

My Reckless Heart / They Turned The Party Out At Bessie's House

Darla Hood & The Rocketeers (2)


No Secret Now                                      Jody

The Magic Notes

Never Again

The Planets (1)

Stand There Mountain Never Again Be Sure

Wild Leaves

….

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The Hi-Fives (2)

Posted on December 1 2008 by dion1

The Hi-Fives (2)

The Hi-Fives (2) (Garfield, New Jersey)

Personnel :

Dave Brigati (Lead)

Howie Lanza (Baritone)

Pete Grieco (First Tenor)

Ron Menhart (Second Tenor)

Rich Jezercak (Bass)

Discography :

1958 - My Friend / How Can I Win (Decca 30576)
1958 - Dorothy / Just A Shoulder To Cry On (Decca 30657)
1958 - Lonely / What's New, What's New (Decca 30744)

Biography :

In 1957, while in Garfield High School, Rich Jezercak formed the vocal group the Bel Airs, then changed to the Shal-Vans with the original members, and named the Hi-Fives in 1958. As the Shal-Vans they sang at school affairs, dances and amateur shows some of these in the Apollo Theatre. In 1958 their manager, Junie Dee send the group to Decca Records for an audition,the label liked the group but not their name and change to The Hi-Fives.

The Hi-Fives (2)

The group recorded a number of songs on the Decca label. One of those recordings, "Dorothy", became a regional hit in the New York City/Philadelphia region. While with the Hi-Fives, Dave Brigati began collaborating with Joseph DiNicola (known professionally as Joey Dee) of nearby Passaic, New Jersey, who sang back-up on a few of the Hi-Fives recordings.

The Hi-Fives (2)

In late 1958, Dee recruited Brigati (after a gig at Garfield High School) to join his group the Starliters. Brigati became a lead singer with the group and his lead vocals can be heard on their first single release entitled "Face of An Angel".

Songs :

The Hi-Fives (2)

My Friend                          How Can I Win                          Dorothy


Just A Shoulder To Cry On             Lonely              What's New, What's New

Joey Dee with David Brigati "on lead"

Face of An Angel

…..

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The Tammys aka Ritchie & The Runarounds (3)

Posted on December 1 2008 by dion1

The Tammys (Franklin, PA)
aka Ritchie & The Runarounds (3)

Personnel :

Cathy Owens

Gretchen Owens

Linda Jones

Discography :

The Tammys
1963 - Take Back Your Ring / Part Of Growing Up (UA 632)
1963 - Egyptian Shumba / What's So Sweet About Sweet Sixteen (UA 678)
1965 - Hold Back The Light Of Dawn / Gypsy (Veep 1210)
1965 - Blue Sixteen / His Actions Speak Louder Than Words (Veep 1220)

Ritchie & The Runarounds (3)
1963 - Lost In The Crowd / Don'tcha Backtrack (Ascot 2136)

Biography :

The Tammys were an American girl group made up of sisters Gretchen and Cathy Owens and their friend Linda Jones. They are best known for their song "Egyptian Shumba" with its faux Middle-Eastern instrumentals and sweet girlish vocals backed up by wild shrieks.

In high school Cathy and Gretchen participated in a group called The Impressions. Billed as The Charnelles, Cathy, Gretchen and Linda first publicly performed on March 31, 1962 at a school talent show. Early on, they were thrown out of a local restaurant for singing along to the jukebox. "We'll be on that jukebox someday", they vowed.

The Tammys with Lou Christie

The girls first met Lou Christie in 1961 at a concert where he was performing in the band "Lugee and The Lions". He took them for a ride in his Cadillac. He sang while they did back-up harmony. He told them "If I ever get discovered, I'll call you", and they said the same to him. A year later Lou hit it big with his single "The Gypsy Cried" and he brought the girls in to sing backup for him. He also signed them to a contract with United Artists. Despite local airplay, "Take Back Your Ring", "Gypsy" and "Egyptian Shumba" all failed to chart nationally throughout 1963-1964.

Kripp Johnson The Tammys

In 1963 Ritchie & the Runarounds cut "Lost In The Crowd" / "Don'tcha Backtrack" on Ascot 2136. Ritchie & the Runarounds consisted of Kripp Johnson, Lou Christie, and the girl group the Tammys. Johnson, formerly in the Del Vikings, takes the lead on both sides, which were written by Christie and Christie's songwriting partner Twyla Herbert.

By 1965, Lou Christie was using another tough sounding girl group to back him, Jessica James and the Outlaws, which consisted of Bernadette Carroll, Denise Ferri and Peggy Santiglia. Meanwhile, The Tammys continued to play local shows and sing background tracks until later in the decade; but with three no-hit singles to their credit, their waxings became impossibly rare and the group became a footnote in music history.
http://egyptianshumba.com/

Songs :


Take Back Your Ring            Part Of Growing Up               Egyptian Shumba


Hold Back The Light Of Dawn           Gypsy                      Blue Sixteen

His Actions Speak Louder Than Words

....

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The Bell-Tones aka Belltones (2)

Posted on December 1 2008 by dion1

The Bell-Tones aka Belltones (2)
(L to R) Alvin H. Brandon, Billy Lee, Joseph Raguso, Richie Pettagano and Paul Fernandez

The Bell-Tones (Yonkers, New York)
aka Belltones (2)

Personnel :

Alvin H. Brandon (lead)

Paul Fernandez

Billy Lee

Richie Pettagano

Joseph Raguso

Discography :

The Bell-Tones
1958 - The Merrengue / I Love You (Scatt 1609/1610)

The Belltones (2)
1958 - The Merrengue / I Love You (J&S 1609/1610)

Biography :

Zelma "Zell" Sanders is a Bronx-based songwriter and producer who owned and operated J&S, Dice, Scatt, Zell's and other record labels. A powerful matriarch, she controlled her recording artists, sometimes firing them on the spot if they broke her rules. Before entering the record business she was employed as a security guard, while writing songs on the side. She was working for the Police Athletic League in Harlem's 23rd Precinct. She saw the talent; it was there on the street. They all got to know Zell as the lady who went around grabbing groups. "Do you sing?", she'd ask them. "Come on up to my house." Zelma Sanders also had a particular fondness for female singers.

The Bell-Tones aka Belltones (2)
Zelma "Zell" Sanders

In 1958, Zelma Sanders managed The Bell-Tones and wrote two songs for them, "The Merrengue" and "I Love You". The vocal group from Yonkers High School consists of Alvin H. Brandon, Paul Fernandez, Billy Lee, Richie Pettagano and Joseph Raguso. Before the release of their record, The boys have appeared at local dance spots, on television in Washington. D.C. and have made an Army show at Fort Belvoir, Va. Zell Sanders’ Scatt label released the single in April 1958, before one of her other labels, J&S, did the same shortly after, but under the name Belltones.

Songs :

I Love You The Merrengue

...

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The Tangents aka The Twilighters (4) aka The Twiliters (3)

Posted on November 27 2008 by dion1

The Tangents aka The Twilighters (4) aka The Twiliters (3)
The Tangents from 59 - 60. Bill Redd (Billy Thedford) top right

The Tangents (Pacoima, Ca)
aka The Twilighters (4)
aka The Twiliters (3)
Thanks to Liam

Personnel :

Billy Thedford (Lead)

Jodell Base

Howard Hogains

Willie Marshall

Leonard H.

Discography :

The Tangents
1960 - Send Me Something / I Can't Live Alone (Fresh 1)

Horace Wooten & The Tangents
1961 - That Lucky Old Sun / Never Leave Again (Fresh 2274)

The Twilighters (4)
1961 - Nothin’/ Do You Believe (Eldo 115)

Ron Holden & The Twiliters (3)
1962 - Things Don't Happen That Way / Ya Got That Lovin' Touch (Baronet 3)

Biography :

Vocal Group from Pacoima, Ca. in the San Fernando Valley. The group consisted of Billy Thedford (Lead), Jodell Base, Howard Hogains, Willie Marshall and Leonard H..In 1960, The Tangents recorded "Send Me Something" and "I Can't Live Alone" released in may 1960 on the Fresh Label owned by Danny Sanford Coggins. For their next record on the label, Horace Wooten joined the group .Horace "Pookie" Wooten has been part of many Los Angeles groups like The Chimes, The Shields (The Touring Group), The Lions, The Wonders, The Wanderers and probably others. With Horace Wooten on lead, they recorded "That Lucky Old Sun" and "Never Leave Again".

The Tangents aka The Twilighters (4) aka The Twiliters (3)
Horace "Pookie" Wooten Ron Holden

With almost the same team, but under a new name, The Twilighters, they recorded the fantastic doo wop "Nothin’" and "Do You Believe". The disc will be released by Eldo record founded by Johnny Otis. After the success of 'Love You So" Ron Holden, moved to Los Angeles and met the Group when he recorded "I'll Be Happy" and "I'll Always Have You" at Eldo Records. For their last single The group backed Ron Holden as the Twiliters on "Things Don't Happen That Way" and "You Got That Lovin' Touch" Released on Baronet..

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Tangents

Send Me Something I Can't Live Alone

Never Leave Again

Horace Wooten & The Tangents

That Lucky Old Sun

The Twilighters (4)

Nothin' Do You Believe

Ron Holden & The Twiliters (3)

Things Don't Happen That Way Ya Got That Lovin' Touch

...

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The Marigolds aka The Solotones

Posted on November 27 2008 by dion1

The Marigolds aka The Solotones

The Marigolds (Nashville, Tennessee)
aka The Solotones
(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel:

Johnny Bragg (Lead Tenor)

Edward Lee Thurmon (Tenor)

William Stewart (Baritone)

John Edward Drue (Tenor)

Harold Hebb (Tenor)

Willie Wilson (Bass)

Discography

The Marigolds
Singles :
1955 - Rollin' Stone / Why Don't You (Excello 2057)
1955 - Two Strangers/ Love You - Love You - Love You (Excello 2061)
Unreleased :
1955 - Don't Say Tomorrow (Excello)
1955 - Rollin’ Stone (alt. take) (Excello)

Johnny Bragg & The Marigolds
1956 - It's You Darling, It's You / Juke Box Rock And Roll (Excello 2091)

The Solotones
1955 - Pork And Beans / Front Page Blues (Excello 2060)

Johnny Bragg (solo)
1956 - Foolish Me! / Beyond The Clouds (Excello 2078)

Biography:

The Prisonaires, as the name suggests, were a group of inmates led by Johnny Bragg, at the State Penitentiary in Tennessee who were in for a variety of reasons but, through their singing, were touted as evidence of the prison’s successful rehab program. Sam Phillips took notice and brought the group to record at Sun where the group cut “Walking In The Rain” written by member Robert Riley and Johnny Bragg, which was a sizable hit even being covered by Johnny Ray.

The Marigolds aka The Solotones

The group was allowed day passes to tour, even becoming a favorite of the Governor while continuing to record during their imprisonment. After the third single, several members of the group were paroled, so Bragg formed a new Prisonaires renamed the Sunbeams that included Harold Hebb (brother of Bobby Hebb, "Sunny," #2 Pop, #3 R&B, 1966), William Stewart, Willy Wilson, and Henry "Dishrag" Jones .

Henry Dishrag Jones (piano) Harold Hebb, Johnny Bragg, John Drue, L.B. McCollough(guitar), Alfred Brooks, Willy Wilson

Meanwhile, in July 1954, Sun issued the last Prisonaires single "There Is Love In You," which Billboard described as a "pretty ballad sung skillfully, sparked by a baritone lead. This is one of the group's best to date." Al Brooks joined the group later, replacing William Stewart. In 1955 the Sunbeams became the Marigolds and recorded in Nashville for Excello Records.

The Marigolds aka The Solotones

The Excello-released "Rollin' Stone" became a number eight R&B hit while the group was still based in the Tennessee penitentiary. After the Marigolds Bragg changed names again recording the Solotones and then under his own name before spending some additional time in prison for parole violations eventually hanging up his recording career though he continued to sing, as do many, in church.
http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ROWNEW/RollinSt.htm

Songs :

The Marigolds

Rollin’ Stone                   Rollin’ Stone (alt. take)                    Why Don’t You


Two Strangers        Love You - Love You - Love You        It's You Darling, It's You


Juke Box Rock And Roll           Don’t Say Tomorrow

The Solotones

Pork And Beans Front Page Blues

Johnny Bragg (solo)

Foolish Me! Beyond The Clouds

...

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The Dealers aka The Mystics (3)

Posted on November 27 2008 by dion1

The Mystics (3) (Cincinnati)
aka The Dealers

Personnel :

Claude Johnson

Doc Morris

Melvin Thomas

Don Thomas

Discography :

The Mystics (3)
Singles :
1962 - Mash Potatoes With Me / The Hoppy Hop (King 5678)
1963 - The Jumpin' Bean / Just For Your Love (King 5735)
Unreleased :
1962 - Humpty Dumpty (Had A Great Fall) (King)
1962 - Stars In The Sky (King)

The Dealers
1965 - You Got It / (We're So) Glad That We Made It (Big Bunny 507)

Biography :

The Mystics on King Record were : Claude Johnson, Doc Morris, Melvin Thomas, and Don Thomas (he's the one who later joined the Drifters - his real name was Charles Thomas, but he changed it to Don so as not to be confused with the Charlie Thomas who'd been in the Drifters for many years).

After two singles for king they became the Dealers and have a last one with Big Bunny Records.
Thanks to Marv Goldberg

Songs :

The Mystics (3)


Just For Your Love                       The Hoppy Hop


Humpty Dumpty                           Stars In The Sky

Mash Potatoes With Me The Jumpin' Bean

The Dealers

You Got It

...

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The Starlets (1) aka The Angels (7)

Posted on November 26 2008 by dion1

The Starlets (1) (Orange, New Jersey)
aka The Angels (7)

Personnel :

Linda Malzone

Barbara "Bibs" Allbut

Phyllis '"Jiggs" Allbut

Bernadette Carroll

Discography :

The Starlets
1960 - P.S. I Love You / Where Is My Love Tonight (Astro 202/203)
1960 - Romeo and Juliet / Listen For A Lonely Tambourine (Astro 204/205)

Richie Dennis (bb The Starlets)
1960 - I'll Cry / I Am Alone (Julia 1101)

Biography:

The group originated in New Jersey as The Starlets which consisted of sisters, Barbara "Bibs" and Phyllis "Jiggs" Allbut, Bernadette Carroll, and Linda Malzone. They had some minor local hits and wound up doing back-up work in the studio.

When Linda Malzone left, Linda Jankowski (later Jansen) became the new lead singer. Their manager, Tom DeCillis, turned his focus to Bernadette Carroll and dropped the rest of the group. Carroll would find solo success in 1963 with her Laurie single "Party Girl." After a failed attempt at record deal with producer Gerry Granahan, the Allbut sisters turned their focus to education.

Phyllis Allbut was in teacher's college at the time and Barbara Allbut was accepted into the Juilliard School for her abilities as a musical arranger. Soon Granahan, who had previously rejected the group, suddenly saw hit potential in the song they had performed for him in their audition, a version of "Till," and wanted them to record it in the studio.

"Til" became their first single under their new name, The Angels, and also their first hit (#14 US) released by Granahan's Caprice label in 1961.

Songs :

The Starlets

P.S. I Love You Where Is My Love Tonight

Romeo and Juliet Listen For a Lonely Tambourine

Richie Dennis (bb The Starlets)

I'll Cry I Am Alone

..

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The Spartans (4) aka The Flairs (2) aka The Redwoods aka Jeff Barry

Posted on November 26 2008 by dion1

The Redwoods (New York)
aka The Spartans (4) aka The Flairs (2) aka Jeff Barry

Personnel :

Jeff Barry

Discography :

The Redwoods
1961 - Shake Shake Sherry / The Memory Lingers On (Epic 5-9447)
1961 - Never Take It Away / Unemployment Insurance (Epic 5-9473)
1962 - Please Mr Scientist / Where You Used To Be (Epic 5-9505)

The Flairs (2)
1961 - Shake Shake Sherry / The Memory Lingers On (Epic 5-9447)

The Spartans (4)
1962 - Can You Waddle? / Can You Waddle (instumental) (Web 1)

Biography :

In 1961, Jeff Barry continues to issue recordings: A solo single on United Artists, a Jubilee release under the pseudonym Billy Mitchell, and pseudo vocal group records (he sings all voices) but were credited to the groups the Redwoods, the Spartans, and the Flairs on Epic and Web Records.

Songwriters Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman hire him to sing demos, some of which are recorded by Elvis Presley. Barry also begins to produce records.
http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/timeline/C128

Songs :

The Redwoods

Where You Used To Be                 Unemployment Insurance


The Memory Lingers On                     Never Take It Away


Please Mr Scientist                          Shake Shake Sherry

The Flairs (2)

Shake Shake Sherry The Memory Lingers On

The Spartans (4)

Can You Waddle?

...

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The Phaetons (2) aka The Haciendas Ref The Pledges (2)

Posted on November 24 2008 by dion1

The Phaetons (2) (Hollywood, CA)
aka The Haciendas
Ref The Pledges (2)

Personnel :

Robert Mahoney (Lead)

Larry Buttes

Bob Buttes

Jack Igo

Discography :

The Phaetons (2)
1963 - Road Of Blues / I'm So Lonely (Sahara 102)
1964 - The Beatle Walk / Frantic (The Premiers) (Sahara 103)

The Haciendas
1964 - Sherry Stole My Xke / Marriane (Pacific Challenger 1001)

--------------

The Pledges (2)
1959 - I'm Sorry / Won't You Give Your Love To Me (Hamilton 50028)

Biography :

From Hollywood, Ca., in 1959 Bob Mahoney formed his first group "The Pledges" with his wife Dottie, his sister Zella Yurak and a friend of these, Sally Terese. They recorded "I'm Sorry" and " Won't You Give Your Love To Me" both written by Bob Mahoney and released by Pacific Challenger. Thei record sold over 100,000 copies.

The Phaetons (2) aka The Haciendas
Larry Buttes

In 1963, Bob Mahoney formed The Phaetons included Jack Igo and two brothers : Larry and Bob Buttes. They recorded for Sahara record, (out of Arcadia, California) "Road Of Blues" "I'm So Lonely" and "The Beatle Walk "."The Beatle Walk" was written and recorded in response to The Beatles first hitting the American music charts. In 1964, the Phaetons cut a new single on Pacific Challenger with "Sherry Stole My Xke" and "Marriane" under the name of the Haciendas.

Songs :

The Pledges (2)

I'm Sorry Won't You Give Your Love To Me

The Phaetons (2)

Road Of Blues The Beatle Walk

I'm So Lonely

The Haciendas

Sherry Stole My XKE

...

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