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

The Story Tellers (1)

Posted on March 7 2008 by dion1

Ruben Ochoa, Nick Delgado and Al Sanchez (Sal Delgado not pictured)

The Story Tellers (1) (San Gabriel, CA.)

Personnel :

Ruben Ochoa (Baritone / Bass)

Nick Delgado (Lead / First Tenor)

Al Sanchez (Lead / First Tenor)

Sal Delgado (Second Tenor / Bass)

Discography :

1959 - You Played Me A Fool / Hey Baby (Zenith 101/Stack 501)
1990 - Gee But I Like Your Smile / Please Remember My Love (Classic Artists 118)
1991 - Heaven's For Real / This Is Goodby (Classic Artists 128)
1992 - Heart For Heart / The L.A. Shuffle Classic Artists 133)

Biography :

The Story Tellers were from San Gabriel Mission High School, located in southern California, and first got together in 1958. The group was composed Ruben Ochoa, Nick Delgado, Al Sanchez and Sal Delgado. They originally called themselves the Pretenders, and actually grew up together in the 1950's. Ruben Ochoa and Al Sanchez were cousins, and further, Al and Nick's fathers had sung together in a Mexican trio. The Story Tellers had one original recording in 1959 called "You Played Me A Fool", issued on Norty Beckman's Zenith and then Stack record labels. It was Norty Beckman that suggested the group name of the Story Tellers, which was quite unique. The Pretenders name had already been taken by a group on the east coast. Beckman had a record store and had heard the group sing locally, and signed them to a contract. Their record had late night airplay by several local DJ's including KFOX evening man Rudy Marini. His show was broadcast live from the Dolphins of Hollywood record store, a local Los Angeles legend. According to Al Sanchez, they had intended to cut a second record, singing the Rivileers song, 1000 Stars, but it was not what Beckman was looking for at the moment. It was what Indigo records was looking for when they pressed Kathy Young and the Innocents version shortly thereafter. The Story Tellers had some releases on the Classic Artists label starting in 1990.
http://www.colorradio.com/storytellers.html

Songs :

You Played Me A Fool Hey Baby

...

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The Darvels

Posted on March 6 2008 by dion1

The Darvels (Bronx, New-York)

Personnel :

Warren Gradus (Lead)

Richie Capala

Greg Paravati

Mike Gervan

Alan Mandel (Baritone)

Discography :

The Darvels
1963 - Gone / I Lost My Baby (Eddie's 69)

Frankie & The Darvels
1977 - Mr Fortune Teller / Last Goodbye (Crystal Ball 109)

Biography :

When Donn Fileti obtained the Verdicts' masters from Bill Downs, he met a friend of his who had just cut two sides with a young group from the Bronx featuring Warren Gradus (Later with the Belmonts). The Darnels as they were Called were lucky enough to have "Gone" and "I Lost My Baby" issued in the fall of 1963 as the first and only release on the Eddies label Stan Krause, Ed's partner in this venture and Donn Fileti brought the record around as a new release to radio Stations in the Chester-Wilmington area and were promptly, but politely shown the door.

Frank Lyndon

But Cashbox gave "Gone" a B+ rating in December 1963 believing that : "Teen memory Seekers will be stirred by the optima teen ballad blend". Later with Frank Lyndon (From the Belmonts) on Lead , the Darvels cut two Unreleased side "Mr Fortune Teller" and "Last Goodbye" issued in 1978 on Crystal Ball Records as Frankie & The Darvels.
(The Golden Groups - The Best Of relic Records)

Songs :

The Darvels

I Lost My Baby Gone

Frankie & The Darvels

Mr Fortune Teller Last Goodbye

...

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K

Posted on March 5 2008 by dion1

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The Mello-Tones (1) aka the Jets (3)

Posted on March 5 2008 by dion1

The Mello-Tones (1) aka the Jets (3)

The Mello-Tones (1) (New York)
aka the Jets (3)  

 Personnel :

Ray Hulbert (Lead Tenor)

Joe Lipscomb (Second Tenor)

Oliver James (Baritone)

Louis O'Neil (Bass)

Discography :

Singles : 
Marga Benitez & The Mello-Tones (1)
1954 - Man Loves Woman / Winos On Parade (Decca 48318)

The Mello-Tones (1)
1954 - I'm Just Another One In Love With You / I'm Gonna Get (What I Came...) (Decca 48319)

The Jets (3)
1956 - Heaven Above Me / Millie Brown (Gee 1020)

Ep :

Rhythm and Blues Bit (Decca ED-2399)
1956 - I'm Just Another One In Love With You / I'm Gonna Get (What I Came For Last Night)

The Mello-Tones (1) aka the Jets (3)

LP :

He Digs Rock'n Roll (Decca DL 8315)
1956 - I'm Just Another One In Love With You / I'm Gonna Get (What I Came For Last Night)

The Mello-Tones (1) aka the Jets (3)

Biography :

These were neighborhood friends who grew up on 132d Street in New York's Harlem. In 1953, responding to the R&B vocal group phenomenon taking place, they got themselves together and decided to form a vocal group. The members were between fifteen and eighteen years old at their start. They retained the services of manager Cliff Martinez but got their contract as a result of Hulbert's persistence with Decca management. On April 6, 1954, they had their first session, they recorded "Man Loves Woman" and "Wino's On Parade" behind Marga Benitez and, under their own name, "I'm Just Another One In Love With You" and "I'm Gonna Get (What I Came For Last Night)."

The Mello-Tones (1) aka the Jets (3)

The record didn't sell particularly well, but the group toured the East Coast on the strength of it. Lack of success caused O'Neil to leave, and he was replaced by Charlie Ca rrington. Next, they went to audition for George Goldner at Gee records. He agreed to record them, but insisted that they change their name to a more contemporary-sounding one: the "Jets." The group didn't like this, but they went along. Their only Jets record - "Heaven Above Me"/"Millie Brown" - recorded in April of 1956 and released in July, also failed to make any waves. Once again, the disc wasn't sent out for review.

http://www.uncamarvy.com/MelloTones/mellotones.html

Songs :

Marga Benitez & The Mello-Tones (1)


Man Loves Woman    Winos On Parade

The Mello-Tones (1)

I'm Just Another One In Love With You / I'm Gonna Get (What I Came For Last Night)

The Jets (3)


Heaven Above Me                               Millie Brown

…

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The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

Posted on March 5 2008 by dion1

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

1956 - Leonard Veal, Sonny Turner, James Frierson & Melvin Smith - (Bottom) Leuvenia Eaton

The Five Jades (1) (Cleveland, Ohio)
aka The Metrotones (2)

Personnel :

Charles "Sonny" Turner (Lead)

Leonard Veal (Second Tenor)

Fred Camp (First Tenor)

James Frierson (Baritone)

Melvin Smth (Bass)

Leuvenia Eaton

Discography :

The Metrotones (2)
1957 - Please Come Back / Skitter Skatter (Reserve 116)

The Five Jades (1)
Without Your Love / Rock And Roll Molly (Duke 118)

Biography :

The Metrotones were among the myriad doo wop acts to emerge from postwar-era Cleveland. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the November 1997 issue of Discoveries, baritone/tenor Guy Spears, baritone James Frierson, and bass Andrew Fortson co-founded the group in 1953 while students at John Adams High School, cycling through several tenors before adding first tenor Fred Camp and second tenor Leonard Veal the following year.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

1955 - Fred Camp, Leonard Veal, Russel Cole (Manager) James Frierson & Andrew Fortson - (Bottom) Leuvenia Eaton

In late 1954, Spears was drafted into military duty, and after a brief collaboration with alto Kim Tolliver, the Metrotones recruited alto Leuvenia Eaton. In March 1955, this new lineup claimed top honors in the inaugural Fame and Fortune amateur showcase at Gleason's Musical Bar, earning a weeklong headlining engagement at the club that resulted in performances at Cleveland's Quincy Theater and Circle Theater. The Metrotones also opened for the Ravens and the Drifters at Cleveland Arena before adding tenor Sonny Turner in the spring of 1955.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

Camp exited the lineup soon after, and that summer Fortson received his draft papers as well, prompting the addition of bass Melvin Smith. Despite their local popularity, the Metrotones did not sign a record deal until early 1957, inking with the Reserve label to cut their debut single, "Please Come Back," which featured Turner on lead. Local station WJMO nevertheless found its nonsensical flip side, "Skitter Skatter," too suggestive and banned the record from the air, effectively crippling its commercial momentum.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

1958 - Bill Brent, Sonny Turner, Angelo Jones, Leuvenia Eaton & Leonard Veal

The single proved their lone Reserve release, and in 1958 the Metrotones renamed themselves the Five Jades and signed to Don Robey's Duke Records to issue "Without Your Love," with Eaton on lead. It too failed to catch on at radio, and when Frierson was the next co-founder summoned to serve military duty, the group's days were numbered. After much additional personnel turnover, Turner exited in late 1958 to pursue a solo career, followed a few months later by Eaton.

The Five Jades (1) aka The Metrotones (2)

While the remaining roster continued as the Five Gents, Turner successfully auditioned to join the Platters, replacing the great Tony Williams in 1959 and remaining with the R&B legends for over a decade.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Metrotones/metrotones.html

Songs :

The Metrotones (2)


Please Come Back                            Skitter Skatter

The Five Jades (1)


Without Your Love                     Rock And Roll Molly

...

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The Savoys (3) aka The Pretenders (1) aka The Jones Boys

Posted on March 4 2008 by dion1

The Savoys (3) (New York)
aka The Pretenders (1) aka The Jones Boys

Personnel :

Jimmy Jones（Lead）

William Walker（Tenor）

Bobby Moore（Tenor）

Melvin Walton（Baritone）

Kerry Saxton（Bass）

Discography :

The Savoys (3)
Singles :
1956 - You / Say You're Mine（Savoy 1188）
1960 - With All My Heart / Please Say You're Mine（Savoy 1586）
Unreleased :
1956 - We Made A Vow (Savoy)

The Pretenders (1)
1956 - Possessive Love / I've Got To Have You Baby（Rama 198）
1956 - Lover / Plain Old Love（Rama 207）
1957 - Close Your Eyes (Sleep And Dream) / Part Time Sweetheart（Whirlin' Disc 106）
1958 - Tonight / I Love You So（Holiday 2610）
1958 - Blue And Lonely / Daddy Needs Baby（Central 2605/Apt 25026）

Jimmy Jones & The Pretenders (1)
1956 - Lover / Plain Old Love（Rama 210/Roulette 4243）
1960 - Blue And Lonely / Daddy Needs Baby（ABC Paramount 10094）
1964 - Close Your Eyes (Sleep And Dream) / Part Time Sweethear（Port 70040）

Barbara Gorman And Sister Viv bb The Jones Boys
1957 - Was It Just For Fun / 8 O'Clock（Arrow 714）

Jimmy Jones & The Jones Boys
1957 - The Whistlin' Man / Heaven In Your Eyes（Arrow 717）

Biography :

Jimmy Jones, who had spent a long apprenticeship singing in R&B vocal harmony groups, became a rock 'n' roll star in the early 1960s singing "Handy Man" and other hits with a dramatic and piercingly high falsetto. When Jimmy was around twelve years old he moved from his native Birmingham, Alabama, to New York City.

The Sparks of Rhythm

At that time he was already an accomplished tap dancer, but singing was equally important to him. Role models were Louis Jordan and the Ink Spots and later especially Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson. Early in 1955 he joined a vocal group, the Sparks of Rhythm (originally the Berliners), who landed a recording contract with Apollo Records in July 1955.

Four songs were recorded at their first session, three of them led by Jimmy. When the two resulting singles went nowhere, Jones left the Sparks of Rhythm to form his own group, the Savoys, soon renamed the Pretenders. Their first session was for Herman Lubinsky's Savoy label (for which they were named), on February 2, 1956 and yielded the single "Say You're Mine"/"You" (Savoy 1188).

Jimmy Jones - Bottom LtoR : Lee"Moe" Gail, William Walker, Bobby Moore & Melvin Walton

By coincidence, this was one day after the Sparks Of Rhythm, now without Jimmy, recorded four - then unissued - songs for Apollo, among them Jones's composition "Handy Man" (with bass Andrew Barksdale on lead). In 1957, the Pretenders hooked up with Arrow Records and for some reason, though, there were no records by the "Pretenders"; they were called the "Jones Boys."

Their first task at Arrow was doing the backup on "Was It Just For Fun"/"Eight O'Clock Date" by "Barbara Gorman and Sister Viv. The Jones Boys themselves recorded "The Whistlin' Man" and "Heaven In Your Eyes," which were released in September 1957. "Whistlin' Man".

Jimmy Jones Gorman Sisters

Jimmy led the Pretenders on a series of doowop sides for a number of New York based labels : Savoy, Rama, Whirlin' Disc, Arrow, Holiday, Central and Apt, but nothing came close to denting the charts. In 1959 he was getting tired of groups ("too much responsibility") and decided to go it alone.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/JimmyJones/jimmyjones.html

Songs :
pdated by Hans-Joachim

The Savoys (3)

Say You're Mine With All My Heart You

Please Say You're Mine We Made A Vow

The Pretenders (1)

I've Got To Have You Baby / Possessive Love         Lover / Plain Old Love


Close Your Eyes / Part Time Sweetheart             Blue And Lonely / Daddy Needs Baby


Tonight                               Lover / Plain Old Love             I Love You So

The Jones Boys


Heaven In Your Eyes               The Whistlin' Man

Barbara Gorman And Sister Viv (bb The Jones Boys)

8 O'Clock / Was It Just For Fun

...

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The Pyramids (1) aka The Tempo-Mentals

Posted on March 4 2008 by dion1

The Pyramids (1) aka The Tempo-Mentals

The Pyramids (1) (Los Angeles, CA.)
aka The Tempo-Mentals

Personnel :

Sidney Correia (Lead)

Joe Dandy

Lionel Cobbs

Melvin White

Kenneth Perdue

Tom Williams

Discography :

The Pyramids (1)
1955 - Deep in My Heart for You / And I Need You (Federal 12233)

The Tempo-Mentals
1957 - Dearest / Burning Desire (Ebb 112)

Biography :

The group was formed under the leadership of Sidney Correia. The rest of the group includes Joe Dandy, Lionel Cobbs, Melvin White, Kenneth Perdue and Tom Williams. It didn't take Federal A&R man Ralph Bass long to decide that he had a great potential recording act when he first heard the Pyramids sing in a Los Angeles night club. He got the group together in between shows and signed them to a recording contract and immediately made plans for their first recording session. The two sides of the session were "Deep in My Heart for You" and "And I Need You". With this disc the band will perform all over the region. in 1957, with almost the same members, the group changed its name and became The Tempo-Mentals. The group signs a recording contract with Ebb records and recorded two song /"Deep in My Heart for You" was reworked into "Burning Desire" and "Dearest". In, 1959 Melvin White join The Cyclones on Forward Records.

Songs :

The Pyramids (1)


Deep in My Heart for You                            And I Need You

The Tempo-Mentals


Burning Desire                                 Dearest

...

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The Extremes (2)

Posted on March 4 2008 by dion1

Bobby Sanders

The Extremes (2) (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Bobby Sanders

Charles Ingersol

Robert Rozelle (Bass)

Maurice Clark

Discography :

The Extremes (2)
1962 - That's All I Want / The Bells (Paro 733)
1964 - Sad Sam / How I Need Your Love (4J-514)

Charles Lamont & The Extremes (2)
1965 - I've Got To Keep Movin' / Doin' Mickey's Jerk (Challenge 59290)

Bobby Sanders
1961 - I'm On My Way / It Was You (Kaybo 618)
1962 - Maybe I'm Wrong / You've Forgotten Me (Kent 382)
1963 - Cleopatra / Dead Pigeon (Sor 117)

Biography :

The Extremes were formed in 1961 by Bobby Sanders and Charles Ingersoll (Van Clayton). Other members were Maurice Clark and Robert Rozel (Bass). They all attended Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. Dorsey High School's impressive alumni included Mike Love (Beach Boys), Marilyn McCoo (Fifth Demension), Sparkey Anderson (MLB Manager) and many other sports figures and personalities. Bobby Sanders wrote "The Bells", their first recording. During this period, Bobby Sanders also recorded a few singles as a single artist. When they had little success as The Extremes, the four members went their separate ways. At the same time Bobby Sanders with Ralph Chestnut and Clotelle King Backed Linda Carr as the Impossibles and recruited Andrew Bayone & Joe Lawson for a release on Infinity billed as The Cheerios and for Sue Record as The Chandeliers.

The Extremes (2)

Extremes' Bobby Sanders and Charles Ingersoll did studio session work with the female vocal group The Blossoms and performed background vocals for various artists including Charles Lamont, Dobie Gray and Phil Spector's groups. In 1967 Bobby Sanders formed the R & B/Soul group The Young Hearts and went on to manage, write and produce them with various members through the 60's and 70's. Their biggest hit was "I've Got Love For My Baby" which charted Nationally on Billboard in November, 1968 for 3 weeks and reached #94.

Songs :

The Extremes (2)


     The Bells                                         That's All I Want

Charles Lamont & The Extremes (2)


I've Got To Keep Movin'                         Doin' Mickey's Jerk

Bobby Sanders


I'm On My Way                                It Was You


Maybe I'm Wrong                             You've Forgotten Me

...

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The Dreams (4) aka The Cupcakes (2) aka The Threeteens

Posted on March 3 2008 by dion1

The Threeteens aka The Dreams (4) aka The Cupcakes (2)
Janis Cox, Left, Donna Crunk, top, Pam Crunk

The Threeteens (Phoenix, Arizona)
aka The Dreams (4)
aka The Cupcakes (2)

Personnel :

Donna Crunk

Pam Crunk

Janis Cox

Discography :

The Threeteens
1958 - Dear 53310761 / Doowaddie (Rev 3516)
1959 - For The Love Of Mike / X + Y = Z (Rev 3522/Todd 1021)

The Cupcakes (2)
1959 - It's Willy / Deutsche Rock und Roll (Time 1011)

The Dreams (4)
Singles :
1962 - Too Late / Inexperience (Smash 1748)
Unreleased :
1962 - No Love Lost
1962 - I Forgot About You

Denny Reed bb Donna & Pam Crunk (Uncredited)
1960 - A Teenager Feels It Too / Hot Water (Trey 3007)

Biography :

The Threeteens were a Phoenix girl group consisting of Donna and Pam Crunk (daughters of Connie Conway, whose real name is Connie Crunk) and their friend Jan Cox. Connie Conway, a noted musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and music teacher worked with songwriter/producer Lee Hazelwood (writer of “These Boots Are Made of for Walking”(Nancy Sinatra), and producer of Wayne Newton) . The Three girls were from Washington High School in Phoenix and in 1958 Donna, Jan & Pam signed a recording contract with Lester Sill and Lee Hazlewood to record at the Audio Recorders studio in Phoenix.

Donna Crunk & Janis Cox

As the Threeteens, they cut four songs released by Rev Records in Phoenix owned by Bill Thorne & Frank Porter . "Dear 53310761" b/w "Doowaddie" on Rev 3516 and "For The Love Of Mike" b/w "X + Y = Z" on Rev 3522, This Rev 45 was also released on Todd label. "Dear 53310761" On Rev Records #3516 had Duane Eddy on Guitar (The number "53310761", of course, refers to Elvis' U.S. Army serial number). The girls did most of the girl backgrounds at Audio Recorders.

Donna Crunk Janis Cox Pam Crunk

In 1959 They changed their name as the Cupcakes and cut "It's Willy" b/w "Deutsche Rock und Roll" for Time records. In 1961, Pam & Donna, renamed the Dreams, drove to L.A. to work with Lee Hazlewood and cut 4 sides for smash Records. Only the single "Too Late" b/w "Inexperience" was released on Smash 1748 .

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Threeteens


Doowaddie                                      Dear 53310761


X + Y = Z                                  For The Love Of Mike

The Cupcakes (2)

It's Willy / Deutsche Rock und Roll

The Dreams (4)


Too Late                                        Inexperience

Denny Reed bb Donna & Pam Crunk (Uncredited)


A Teenager Feels It Too                               Hot Water

...

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The Corvets (2) aka The Ivy Tones aka The Corvettes (4)

Posted on March 2 2008 by dion1

The Ivy Tones : Terry, Robert "Bird" Parks, Lenny brook,James "Pee Wee" Thomas & John Ivey

The Ivy Tones (Philadelphia, PA)
aka The Corvets (2) aka The Corvettes (4)

Personnel :

John Ivey (Lead)

James Green (Tenor & Second Lead)

James "Pee Wee" Thomas (Tenor)

Joseph Moody (Bass)

Discography :

The Ivy Tones
Singles :
1958 - Oo-Wee Baby / Each Time (Red Top 105)
Unreleased :
1958 - My Confession (Red Top)
1958 - Rock & Roll Daddy (Red Top)

The Corvets (2)
Singles :
1959 - I'm pleading / Let's Do The Pony (Sure 1003)
1959 - Voodoo Baby / I Want To Know Why (Tone Craft 1009)
Unreleased :
1959 - I'll Get You Yet (Sure )

The Corvettes (4)
1960 - When You're In Love / Pointed Toe Shoes (Val-Ue 212)

Biography :

John Ivey & James "Pee Wee" Thomas lived in the same neighborhood, 15th & Jefferson Streets, in North Phillly. The Ivy Tones consisted of James "Pee Wee" Thomas, John Ivey, James Green, William Brown & Robert "Bird" Parks (recruited by early member Lenny Brock). Thomas, Ivey & Green started out as a gospel group know as the Joylands with two other guys : Howard Tate & Willima Bright. The Ivy Tones traipsed to the Reco-Art Studio on 12th Street in Center City Waxing "Oo-Wee Baby", "Rock & Roll Daddy", "Each Time" and "My Confession". Founded in 1957, Red Top and its related labels gave Philadelphia another outlet for RnB and Vocal Group recordings.

The Ivy Tones : John Ivey, Terry, Robert "Bird" Parks, Lenny brook & James "Pee Wee" Thomas

Philadelphia in 1957 was the hotbed city for music. With recordings on Red Top, Hunt and later Jalynne and other labels for National and local releases, Red Top became a haven for local talent to cut wax and seek the National Hit. In 1958, "Each Time" b/w Oo-Wee Baby was released on Red Top 105. The record, the group's only release, picked up some play in Philadelphia and Pittsburg, and garnered a distribution deal for Red Top with Liberty. With William Brown & Robert "Bird" Parks departed, and with new member, The Ivy Tones Changed their name to the Corvets and released "I'm pleading" b/w "Let's Do The Pony" for a new company, Sure Records owned by Len Rosen.

The Corvettes (4) : Joe Moody, Robert "Bird" Parks, James "Pee Wee" Thomas & John Ivey

Their Next Waxing "Voodoo Baby" and "I Want To Know Why " was released on Tone-Craft Records. "Voodoo Baby" was a splendid Rockballad penned by James Green. The Corvets crooned "Voodoo Baby" At the Cotton Club opening for the DreamLovers. In 1960, a last singles was released for Val-Ue Records under the name of the Corvettes.

Songs :

The Ivy Tones

Oo-Wee Baby Each Time

The Corvettes (4)

When You're In Love

The Corvets (2)

I Want To Know Why Let's Do The Pony 

…. 

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