The Rovers (Sacramento, Calif.) aka The Five Rovers
Personnel :
Oliver "Sunny" Stevenson (Lead)
Jay Payton (Tenor)
Hank Swarn (Baritone)
Billy Ray Williams (Bass)
Ralph Helms (High Tenor)
Discography :
The Rovers 1954 - Ichi-Bon Tami Dachi / Why-Ohh (Music City 750/Capitol 3078) 1955 - Salute To Johnny Ace /Jadda (Music City All Stars) (Music City 780) 1955 - Whole Lot Of Love / Tell Me Darling (The Gaylarks) (Music City 792)
The Five Rovers 1956 - Down To The Sea / Change Your Mind (Music City 798)
Biography :
The Rovers formed in 1954, and They recorded for Music City as both the rovers and The Five Rovers. Payton was about ten years older than the others.
By the middle of 1954, they'd added high tenor Ralph Helms to the group. Another student at Grant Union, he was one of those guys who just hung around until one day you noticed he was part of the group. Most of the songs that the Rovers practiced were either by the Clovers or tunes that they'd written themselves. All the tunes that they ended up recording were original songs.
"Ichi-Bon Tami Dachi" means number one girlfriends. Payton wrote the song based on his time in the service in Japan. Just after recording their one disc as the Rovers for Music city, it was leased out to Capitol records for greater distribution as sales began to increase.
The Blue Notes (2) (Asheboro in North Carolina ) aka The Bluenotes (4) aka The Epidemics
Personnel :
Joe Tanner (gtr)
Pat Patterson
Tom Underwood
Ralph Harrington
Discography :
The Blue Notes (2) 1955 - Christmas Chimes / There'll Always Be a Christmas (Colonial 408) 1956 - On A Sleepy Sunday Afternoon / Who's Gonna Sing Your Love Songs (Colonial 409)
The Bluenotes (4) 1958 - You're A Tiger / Let Her Know (Colonial 7779) 1958 - I Waited / Never Never Land (Colonial 9999) 1959 - I Don't Know What It Is / Summer Love (Brooke 111) 1959 - You Can't Get Away From Love / I Don't Know What It Is (Brooke 111) 1960 - I'm Gonna Find Out / Forever On My Mind (Brooke 116)
The Bluenotes (4) (Featuring Doug Franklin) 1957 - Page One / Mighty Low (Colonial 434) The Bluenotes (4) (Featuring Ralph Harington) 1960 - Summer Love / It Had To Be You (Brooke 119)
Doug Franklin & The Bluenotes (4) 1958 - My Lucky Love / Drizzlin' Rain (Colonial 7777) 1958 - I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now / I Used To Wonder (Colonial 8888)
Johnny Dee & Bluenotes (4) 1957 - Teenage Queen / It's Gotta Be You (Colonial 433) 1957 - 1000 Concrete Blocks / In My Simple Way (Colonial 435)
Ebe Sneezer (Johnny Dee) & The Epidemics 1957 - Asiatic Flu / That's All I've Got (Colonial 436)
Biography :
The Bluenotes were a vocal group featuring Tom Underwood, Joe Tanner, Pat Patterson, and Ralph Harrington. They recorded at Colonial and Brooke Records, two labels of North Carolina. Their first single, Page One/Mighty Low, was released in 1957 on the Colonial label and the last single, It Had To Be You/Summer Love, was released in 1960 on the Brooke label.
With Ebe Sneezer (Johnny Dee ) & Cecelia Batten
They also sang on several other records on Colonial with other artists. They had a pop singles chart entry in 1959 with "I Don't Know What It Is." So, masquerading as Ebe Sneezer with the Epidemics, Johnny Dee recorded the "Asiatic Flu" and "That's All I've Got" with the Bluenotes. Joe Tanner had success after the breakup of The Bluenote.
He worked with Roy Orbison. He also arranged and produced many songs, including In Dreams (Roy Orbison), A Rose and a Baby Ruth (George Hamilton IV), and Sittin' In the Balcony (John D. Loudermilk. He also played guitar on Orbison's hit, Oh, Pretty Woman.
The Tri-Lites 1964 - Will Tomorrow Be Just Another Day / Hot Dog, Here He Comes (Enith 721) 1964 - Your Lookin' at My Guy / Owee Owee (Enith 1266)
The West Winds 1964 - You Know I'll Miss You / What A Kiss That Was (Enith 1269) 1964 - Your Lookin' at My Guy / Owee Owee (Kapp 588)
The Looking Glass 1966 - Silver And Sunshine / If I Never Love Again (Valiant 750) 1967 - Lonely Stranger / Love Is Not Everything (WB 7050)
Biography :
They're sisters Mona and Bonnie Donato, and Ron Andre, from Sacramento (Ron and Bonnie were married in 1969 and are now married 41 years!). Nancy (daughter of Ron & Bonnie) other aunt, Linda Donato, later replaced Mona when Mona started her own family.
Initially the Tri- Lites with Enith International ("Tomorrow" & "Hot Dog, Here He Comes" & "Your Lookin' at My Guy" & "Owee Owee.") Later sold to KAPP and they changed our name to The West Winds. and again released "Your Lookin' at My Guy" & "Owee Owee." Signed with Valiant Records produced by Barry Devorzon released "Silver & Sunshine" (written by the Adrissi Brothers who also wrote classic Never My Love) and "Love is not Everything."
Valiant sold out to Warner Brothers and they kept The Association and The Looking Glass (not Brandy Looking Glass) released "Lonely Stranger" & "If I never Love Again." [I think it's Linda Donato now on harmonies for these tracks] Performed with Sonny & Cher, Kinks, Jackie Wilson, Brenda Lee, The Browns, Ray Peterson, and Barbara McNair, among others. Richard (Doowoper51)
Songs :
Will Tomorrow Be Just Another Day Your Lookin' at My Guy
Hot Dog, Here He Comes You Know I'll Miss You (The West Winds)
What A Kiss That Was (The West Winds) Love Is Not Everything (The Looking Glass)
The Preludes Five (Brooklyn, New York) aka The Preludes (4) aka The Chessman aka The Chessmen (1)
Personnel :
Floyd Lark (lead)
Discography :
The Chessman (ft Bobby) 1958 – The Keeper Of My Love / Why (Safari 1011)
The Chessmen (1) 1958 - Du-Whop / I Live For You (MiraSonic 1002 & MiraSonic 1868)
The Preludes (4) 1961 - Don’t You Know Love / Starlight (Pik 230/231)
The Preludes Five 1961 - Don’t You Know Love / Starlight (Pik 230/231)
Biography :
Whoever Leroy R. Bates was he was on a roll in 1961, for not only was he writer of the Preludes Five's hit "Starlight", he was also the writer of the Crystals "There's No Other (like My Baby)" with hit the charts soon after. In those days the only people making money were the writers and publishers : those who 'merely' recorded their work rarely, if ever, saw anything from a record's sale.The Preludes Fives, if they were still together, would ge nothing which is probably what they got in 1961. Surprisingly for a hit record, both the group and their record label are clouded in obscurity.
Pik Records may have been based on the east coast, an assumption based on the record (Pik 230 "Don’t You Know Love" was the flip) breaking out in New York area June 1961. August 20 it had entered the Billboard hot 100 at 96, subsequently rising to 89 and 86. September 10th and 17th it was No80 and then it disappeared. The first pressing of the record was billed as by the Preludes, subsequent pressings adding the Five, presumably out of the group's concern that at least one other group with the same name could steal their bookings.Remarkably there was no follow-up and it seems the group immediatly disbanded. The quintet were lead by Floyd Lark and were the same group as the Chessman who recorded for Safari in 1958 and the Chessmen on Mirasonic the same year.
(L to R) Clarence Thomas, Drew "Skippy" Thompson, Shelton Laster, George Val Poitier and Major Branch
The Dreamtones (1) (Springfield, Massachusetts) aka The Centuries (2) ref The Mint Juleps
Personnel :
Major Branch (Lead)
George Val Poitier (Bass)
Shelton Laster (Baritone)
Clarence Thomas (Second Tenor)
Drew "Skippy" Thompson (First Tenor)
Milton White (Piano)
Discography :
The Dreamtones (1) 1958 - Stand Behind Me / Love In The Afternoon (Klik 8505) 1959 - Praying For A Miracle / Jelly Bean (Express 501) 1959 - A Lover's Answer / Mean Man (Astra 551)
The Mitlo Sisters bb The Dreamtones (1) 1958 - Lonely Sea / Let Me Tell You (Klik 8405)
The Centuries (2) 1963 - Crying For You / Oh Darling (The Jaytones) (Times Square 5) 1963 - Betty / Ride Away (The Revlons) (Times Square 15)
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The Mint Juleps Singles : 1956 - Bells Of Love / Vip-A-Dip (Herald 481) Unreleased : 1956 - Ginny Doll 1959 - Queen Of Love
Biography :
The Dreamtones Hailed from Springfield, Massachusetts culling members from the Mint Juleps as well as several Gospel Groups . They Featured the Lead of Major Branch with George Val Poitier (Actor Sidney's cousin), Shelton Laster, Clarence Thomas, Skippy Thompson and Milton White on Piano. Before joining the Dreamtones, George Val Poitier & Clarence Thomas had been with The Mint Juleps on Herald. The other members were Alvin Clark on lead, William Terrell and Emra Clemmons . The mint Juleps recorded "Bells Of Love" and "Vip-A-Dip" released on Herald 481 and did two unreleased songs "Ginny Doll" and "Queen Of Love". There were so many different groups vying for airplay in 1956, and if your first single didn’t sell, your other tunes may well be scrapped.
The individual members of the Dreamtones met at a local club and began to harmonize. Milton's mother had a rooming house where many of the touring R&B groups of the day would stay while passing through Springfield. In 1957, the group went to New Haven and signed and recorded with Marty Kugell's Klik label. The Dreamtones backed up the Mitlo Sisters on their Klik recording of "Oh Lonely Sea" before Klik released their first single with "Stand Behind Me" and "Love In The Afternoon".
The group also had releases on Express in 1959: "Praying For A Miracle" b/w "Jelly Bean". NY's Express label, which was a sister label of Fargo Records. The Final Dreamtones release was "A Lover's Answer" b/w "Mean Man" for Astra in 1959 though they can also be heard providing jungle hoots behind Joe Therrien on his very rare Sentinel release, "Siam". In the early 1960s, previously unreleased Klik master were sold to Slim Rose; Slim released them on his Times Square label and renamed the group the Centuries.
Songs
The Dreamtones (1)
Stand Behind Me Love In The Afternoon Praying For A Miracle
The Antennas 1962 - Fuji-Yama Mama / Be Yourself (Clay 201)
The Squires (7)(With Pirkle Lee Moses) 1964 - Peanut Butter Sandwich / The Docks (Boss 2125)
Shirley & The Squires (7) 1963 - Drip Drop / I'm In Need (Constellation 107)
Biography :
The Antennas formed in the Stateway Gardens homes at 35th and State Street; the group initially formed as the Antennas in 1960 when Billy McGregor, his two brothers, and Robert Bailey decided to form a secular, pop group to try to perform professionally. By 1962, the lineup had finalized to Robert Bailey, Jerry Royal, Billy McGregor, and George McGregor (Billy's brother, who was not related to the Detroit George McGregor, who is Billy's Cousin). In 1962, Billy Williams came to Stateway Gardens to audition artists to take with him to perform in a revue in Las Vegas. Billy took the Squires as well as Shirley Shelton (as an Etta James-styled solo artist) with him for a 3-month nightclub booking. In Las Vegas, Shirley ended up making friends with and joining the group.
When they returned to Chicago, the Antennas went to different recording companies and endeded up signing with Don Clay's "Clay" record label. They released "Fuji-yama Mama" / "Be yourself" in late 1962. The A-side was a novelty record actually inspired by Robert Bailey's experience with a girlfriend he had while stationed in Japan during the Korean war. The record got some play in Chicago. The flip side was an excellent early soul track, led by Shirley, probably ahead of its time in sound. The Antennas then signed to Don Clay and Ric Williams' Boss record label. The label had previously recorded a group called the Squires and, owning the name, had the Antennas change their name to the Squires, with the idea that they would have a more fashionable stage look, with canes, top hats, etc. The group backed Perk Lee Moses (previously of the El Doradoes) on his solo record "The Docks" / "Peanut Butter", which was released on Boss and also picked up by USA records. At Boss records, Billy McGregor also wrote the track "One Dance" for Ric Lee, which was later recorded by the Creations and by the Classics. The group then moved to Constellation records and released the excellent double-sider "Drip drop" / "I'm in a need" in 1963. "Drip drop" had an excellent soul sound while "I'm in a need" had more of a throwback, Etta James-inspired doowop sound. Although both tracks received much radio play, the record was not distributed to stores and fans were unable to purchase it. Due to frustration over the record, their management, and their lack of the success, the group broke up.
The Biscaynes (Vallejo, CA) aka The Viscaynes aka The V-Tones (1)
Personnel :
Sylvester Stewart "Sly Stone"
Frank Arellano
Charlie Gebhardt
Vern Gebhardt
Charlene Imhoff
Maria Boldway
Discography :
The Viscaynes Singles: 1960 - Stop What You are Doing / I Guess I'll Be (Tropo 101) 1961 - Yellow Moon / Heavenly Angel (VPM 1006) Unreleased: 1961 - Just a Fool For Your Love 1961 - You're My Only Love 1961 - Maybe I'm Wrong
The Vi-Tones (1) 1961 - Stop What You Are Doing / I Guess I'll Be (Arleen 1007)
The Biscaynes 1961 - Yellow Moon / Uncle Sam Needs You (My Friend) (VPM 1006)
Jasper Woods (BB Viscaynes) 1962 - I’m Coming Home / Hully Gully Papa (VMP 1009)
Sly Stone & The Biscaynes 1976 - Oh What A Nite / You've Forgotten Me (Subarro 489)
Danny (Sly) Stewart 1961 - A Long Time Alone / I'm Just A Fool (Luke 1008)
Sylvester Stewart 1961 - A Long Time Alone / Help Me With My Broken Heart ( G&P 901)
Biography :
Sylvester Stewart was the second of five children. After the family moved from Dallas, Texas to Vallejo, California (near San Francisco), he and his brother Freddie and their sisters Rose and Vaetta formed "The Stewart Four" as children, performing gospel music in the Church of God in Christ and even recording a single in 1952.
All of the Stewart children except oldest sister Loretta would later adopt the surname "Stone" and become members of Sly & the Family Stone. Jon Turk a Childhood friend, had watched Sly Perform in Church and in 1958 noticed him playing guitar and keyboards in San Francisco club with local acts like the Webs and Jimmy Terrel. He Got him to join his own band, the Royal Aces.
L-R: Frank Arellano, Charlie Gebhardt, Charlene Imhoff, Ria Boldway, Vern Gebhardt and Sylvester Stewart.
During the same period Sly managed to talk his way into holding down a weekly job as regular fixture on a San Francisco-based television pop show, the Dick Stewart Show.Slay Briefly changed his name to Danny Stewart and tried his luck as a gospel- pop crooner; releasing a song entitled " A long Time Alone" that enjoyed mild popularity within the Bay Area but not enough to convince him to keep the new name.
Sylvester Stewart "Sly Stone" ca.1959 Sylvester Stewart "Sly Stone" ca.1961
The same year he reverted to his given name, Sylvester Stewart, and released another single, "Help Me With My Broken Heart", that also vanished quickly. Then he joined high school bands The Vicounts. The Vicounts were a Vallejo singing group that was very unique because it was an integrated band. they had a Filipino. Sly was the Afro. There were girls and boys and all different colors. Sly had a hell of a time back because he was having an affair with one of the white girl in the band - the most beautiful girl - and they had to keep it secret. When they started recording, the group had to change the name to Viscaynes, because the Vicount name was registered to another group.
Left to right: Charlie Gebhardt, Jim Kozier, Sly, Frank Arellano, Mike Stevens, Art Bigornia and Tom Recknagel The two Gal's are Charlene Imhoff, and Maria Boldway.
They recorded "Stop What You are Doing" for the Trop label in 1960. it xas fooled by "Yellow Moon" and "Heavenly Angel" for VPM in 1961. There was a typographical error on their third record and The Viscaynes was misspelled the Byscanes for "Uncle Sam Needs You". "Yellow moon wasn't a big hit but it got him the attention of Bob Mitchell and Tom Donahue (San Francisco's two most important disc jockeys of the sixties), who hired him to work at Autumn records. In 1961, Arteen Records released "Stop What You are Doing" b/w "I Guess I'll Be " under the name of The Vi-Tones. Then in 1963 he wrote "The Swim" for the black R'n'B singer Bobby Freeman and had his first gold record.
L to R : Donny Humble, Bill Brumbaugh, Ron Brennan, Jimmy Noonin, John Stehman, Jim Hurst and Emmett Smith
The Exciting Invictas (Middletown, PA)
Personnel :
Jimmy Noonin (Lead)
Donny Humble
Bill Brumbaugh
Ron Brennan
John Stehman (Tenor Sax)
Jim Hurst (Drums)
Emmett Smith (Organ)
Discography :
1962 - I Don't Care / Not Again (Kingston 427)
Biography :
The Exciting Invicta's group was formed in 1960 and based out of Middletown, PA. They played throughout PA and NJ at many places including: White Oaks Park in York, PA - a really great place for dancing to rock'n'roll, VFW's, American Legion Posts, colleges, the Hershey Ballroom, etc....They had a strong following of fans and especially enjoyed being in 'battle of the bands' events with other contemporary groups like the Endells and Thundering Century.
In 1962, they were discovered by Jamie Rowley, representing the Kingston record label out of Reading, PA and were asked to consider cutting a record. Emmett Smith wrote the music and lyrics to 'I Don't Care'. The flip side of the record was a cha-cha titled 'Not Again' and it was very popular because of the compelling dance beat. The Exciting Invictas also served as backup for several well-known groups including the Drifters and another popular local group from Hanover, PA - named the Pixies Three (hit song was 'Birthday Party').
The Viceroys (2) (Los Angeles) aka The Penguins ref : The Minor-Tonesaka The Classics (1)
Personnel :
James/Jimmy Conwell (Lead)
Oliver Williams
Jack
Steve
Discography :
The Minor-Tones 1956 - Burning Desire / Gonna Tell The World (Cholly 7094)
The Classics (1) 1959 - Je Vous Aime / Burning Desire (Ro-Ann 1002)
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The Viceroys (2) 1961 - Uncle Sam Needs You / I'm So Sorry (It's Ending With You) (Little Star 107/ Smash 1716) 1961 - Dreamy Eyes / Ball N' Chain (Original Sound 15)
The Penguins 1963 - Memories Of El Monte / Be Mine (Original Sound 27)
Biography :
James/Jimmy Conwell had been doo-wopping since 1953, when with Oliver Williams, Jack and Steve, he formed the Minor Tones at Carver Junior High School in L.A. (Jesse Belvin was an early mentor). The group debuted on the Cholly label with the street corner ballad “Burning Desire,” then recut it in 1959 as the Classics for producer H.B. Barnum and Ro-Ann Records.
The Group broke up some time later, but Jimmy Conwell and Oliver Williams along with three friends, Andrew Jack White, Charles Jones and Herbert White formed a new group, The Viceroys. They cut a Coasters-influenced “Uncle Sam Needs You” for Barnum in ‘61. First out on the Little Star logo, it was picked up by Mercury’s Smash imprint for national consumption.
Cleve Duncan The Exits with James Conwell
The group also waxed “Dreamy Eyes” for local deejay Art Laboe’s Original Sound logo the same year and subbed as the Penguins just long enough to back Cleve Duncan on “Memories Of El Monte” in ’63 for Laboe’s logo. Later, Jimmy Conwell went onto to record throughout the late 1960's as a solo artist and with The Exits, The New Group, The Trips and The Light Drivers.
1959 - Be My Girl / A place In My Heart (Rhody 2000/Medieval 203) 1960 - Mr Lonely / I'll Forget You (JDS 504) 1960 - Now That Summer Is Here / She's Not Coming Home (Tic Tac Toe/JDS 5005) 1960 - I'll Keep On Waiting / Street OfLove (Kapp 361) 1961 - A Letter From Anne / This Year's Mister New (Kapp 405) 1963 - We Belong Together / It's All Over (Musicnote 117)
Biography :
In 1956, While a student at Mount Pleasant High School, Peter Anders replaces Donald Baker as the lead singer in the original Videls, joining Norman Marzano, Bobby Calitri, Maurice “Jimmy Boo” Bouchard, Dino Amaral and guitarist John Corsi in the group. Their sound is based on the classic five-part harmonies of the popular doo-wop groups.
The original Videls 1957 : John Corsi, Bobby Calitri, Dino Amaral, Frank Bianchini, Norman Marzano, Peter Andreoli
Jimmy Bouchard soon steps aside assuming a managerial role and relinquishing his place to Frank Bianchini. The group makes quick headway into the local music scene and within the year, Peter convinces his friend and on-the-side collaborator, Vini Poncia, to join The Videls as vocalist, musical director and guitarist replacing Corsi. Bianchini departs shortly after that leaving the group in its classic five-piece lineup.
The Videls 1960: Norman Marzano, Peter Anders, Vini Poncia, Bobby Calitri, Herbert Rickey
The Videls steadily increase their fan base and make fast progress musically. They become one of the top acts on the Rhode Island teen scene performing at school dances and proms, CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) gatherings, private functions and occasionally (though underaged) in nightclubs.
It was around this time that Peter adopts the anglicized version of his surname as his stage name: Peter Anders. In the summer of 1958, the group’s manager, Jimmy Bouchard, secures a record deal with a local label, Rhody Records, run by building contractor Joe Criscione. Their first record, “Place In My Heart” backed with “Be My Girl , becomes a local smash selling over 5000 copies and reaching #1 on the local charts toward the end of the year.
The Videls become the area’s top attraction performing at larger and larger venues to bigger and bigger crowds. They continue to progress musically and it was during this time that Peter and Vini form their song writing partnership. At this point, Dino Amaral leaves the group to join another local doo-wop group, The Corals, with the Mancini Brothers (Joe and Richard) and Louie Camp (later one of the area’s top saxophonists). He was replaced by Herbert Rickey.
The Videls "road" group: Norman Marzano, Bobby Calitri & Joe Mancini (left to right), Richard Mancini (seated)
This final Videls lineup lasts until the breakup of the group. Encouraged by the Rhode Island-based hit songwriter Jimmie Crane and armed with a connection to Lucky Carle, a Rhode Island native then working for the large music publishing firm Peer-Southern in New York, the boys begin to make frequent forays into the city to hawk their wares as performers and writers. This quickly pays off in the form of a contract with JDS Records, a division of the powerful Kapp Records empire.
Their first national release, “Mr. Lonely”, an Anders & Poncia original, becomes a big hit while Vini is still in high school and the group is whisked off directly after his graduation ceremony to join Dick Clark’s Caravan Of Stars tour which includes an appearance on American Bandstand. The Videls never charted another single, but two of their members became reasonably successful songwriters and charted regularly for much of the rest of the '60s. Andreoli, who changed his last name to Anders, and Poncia, found much greater success during the early '60s as songwriters in association with Phil Spector, co-authoring such future classics by the Ronettes as "Do I Love You?" and "(The Best Part Of) Breaking Up."
The Tradewinds
This led to their signing to Red Bird, where they scored under the alias the Tradewinds, with "New York's a Lonely Town," which made the top 40. They later hit again in a small way as the Tradewinds with the single "Mind Excursion," and even got a full LP release out of it on the fledgeling Kama Sutra label. http://peteranders.net/timeline/
Songs :
Be My Girl A Place In My Heart Mr Lonely
I'll Forget You Now That Summer Is Here She's Not Coming Home
I'll Keep On Waiting Street Of Love A Letter From Anne
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