Elroy & The Excitements (Pittsburgh, Pa) aka The Enchantments (1)
Personnel :
Leroy Grammmar (Lead)
Ronald Hill (First Tenor)
Leon Harvard (Second Tenor)
Paul Brently (Baritone)
Wayne Walker (Bass)
Discography :
Elroy & The Excitements 1961 - My Love Will Never Die / No One Knows (Alanna 189)
The Enchantments (1) (featuring Leroy ) 1962 - Lonely Heart / Popeye (The Dance To Do) (Romac 1001)
Biography :
This group began as the El Dupreys from Pittsburgh. They were always the opening act for big name groups coming to the area. They split up and later reformed as the Excitements. Ronald Hill had a medical condition that initially forced him to leave the Excitements. When the group was traveling, Hill stayed home. Therefore on the road the group was a quartet. When they were about to record for Alanna, they asked Hill to join them for the recording — which he did.
Elroy & The Excitements
Following their audition, they learned that Alanna management loved them and signed them to record. They cut two discs for Alanna, the first of which was released in the fall of 1960. Following these two recordings, Elroy and the Excitements kept busy with live appearances but did no further recording. Eventually they were released from their contract with Alanna. After leaving Alanna, they auditioned for Motown but met with no success. They then became Leroy and the Enchantments and recorded for Romac.
Top : Willie Graham - Middle : Ira Foley & Randolph Bryant - Bottom : Donald Woods
The Bel-Aires (3) (Los Angeles) aka The Vel-Aires aka The Rhythm Masters
Personnel :
Donald Woods (Lead)
Randolph Bryant (Tenor)
Willie Graham (Second Tenor)
Ira Foley (Bass)
Discography :
The Bel-Aires (3) 1955 - This Paradise / Let's Party Awhile (Flip 303) 1955 - White Port And Lemon Juice / This Is Goodbye (Flip 304)
Donald Woods & The Vel-Aires 1955 - Death Of An Angel / Man From Utopia (Flip 306) 1955 - Stay With Me Always / My Very Own (Flip 309) 1956 - Heaven In My Arms / Mighty Joe (Flip 312)
The Rhythm Masters 1956 - Baby We Two / Patricia (Flip 314)
Biography :
Donald "Buster" Woods originally recorded with The Medallions, from Los Angeles, California. The Medallion's group leader was Vernon Green, but when Woods split from Green he took three of the Medallions with him to form The Bel-Aires, who were known as the Vel-Aires when they weren't backing Woods. In 1954, Flip Records, a small, Hollywood based label, that specialized in Doo-Wop, recorded two Singles by The Bel-Aires, "This is Paradise," backed with "Let's Party Awhile," (Flip #303) and "White Port & Lemon Juice," backed with "This Is Goodbye," (Flip #304).
Darryl Perault (Jivers & Rhythm Masters)
In June, Flip issued the group's third record, but by then their name had been changed to the "Vel-Aires." It's probable that this was due to the existence of another West Coast Bel-Aires, this one a black and white duo that had covered Marvin & Johnny's "Tick Tock" on Crown in 1954. Flip Records recorded two other Singles by Donald Wood & The Vel-Aires. In 1955, Donald Woods had left to try a solo career. Willie, Randolph, and Ira got a replacement tenor: Darryl Perault (who would go on to sing with the Jivers) and, on December 10, 1955, they recorded "Baby We Two" and "Patricia" for Flip as the "Rhythm Masters". http://www.uncamarvy.com/Medallions/medallions.html
Singles : 1956 - The Heaven And Earth / Don't You Know (Federal 12286)
Unreleased : N/A - Shame On Me (Federal) N/A - Days A Week (Federal)
The Fabulous Playboys
1959 - I Fooled You / Sweet Pea And The Broncbuster (Contour 004) 1961 - Nervous / Forget The Past (Daco 1001/Apollo 758) 1961 - Honkey Tonk Woman Tears, Tears, Tears (Apollo 760) The Falcons (5)
Singles :
1963 - Oh Baby / Fine Fine Girl (Atlantic 2207) 1964 - Lonely Nights / Has It Happened To You Yet (Lu-Pine 124/Lu-Pine 1020) 1966 - (I'm A Fool) I Must Love You / Love, Love, Love (Big Wheel 321/322) 1966 - Standing On Guard / I Can't Help It (Big Wheel 1967) 1967 - Love Look In Her Eyes / In Time For The Blues ((Big Wheel 1971) 1967 - Good Good Feeling / Love You Like You Never Been Loved (Big Wheel 1972) Unreleased 1964 - Love The Way You Walk (Lu-Pine) 1964 - Stick By You (Lu-Pine)
Biography :
The Falcons were during their history two groups with the first group having two eras. Coming together in the mid 50's, with a mixed race line-up of Bob Manardo, Eddie Floyd, Ton Shelter and Arnett Robinson, with Willie Schofield joining soon after. Eddie Floyds uncle Robert West became the groups manager.
Bob Manardo was soon drafted and Tom Shelter decided to enlist himself. West held auditions which in turn lead to Joe Stubbs joining the ranks along with guitarist Lance Finnie, Mack Rice following not too long after replacing Arnett Robinson.
Without going into too much detail this was essentially the first era of the group, the second, after changes to the line up lead to Wilson Pickett joining the group to provide vocals. Not long after signing for Atlantic and after just one session and one solitary release 1962, the group split, most of the group did have solo careers by this time as well as their time with the group.
This left West with just a name, a name he had no intention of seeing become history. Early 1963 West saw a group play in Cleveland, The Fabulous Playboys, coincidentally one he managed.
The Ramblers
After seeing their performances and eager to keeping the name the Falcons alive West asked the Fabulous Playboys to take over the name, something they eventually agreed to seeing a better financial future with the name The Falcons, the line-up of the second group being Sonny Monroe, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin & Alton "Bart" Hollowell. http://www.uncamarvy.com/Falcons/falcons.html http://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/SJCD5000.html
Songs :
Standing On Guard Oh Baby
Love Look In Her Eyes Love Like You Never Been Loved
1959 - I Fooled You / Sweet Pea And The Broncbuster (Contour 004) 1961 - Nervous / Forget The Past (Daco 1001/Apollo 758) 1961 - Honkey Tonk Woman / Tears, Tears, Tears (Apollo 760)
Biography :
The Frenesis is a group named after the popular Latin tune "Frenesi". The members were Carlis "Sonny" Monroe, (lead), James "Ooh Wee" Gibson (first tenor), Johnny Alvin (second tenor and baritone), and Frank Holt (bass). By 1956, the group had changed its name to the Playboys (later the Fabulous Playboys) and their manager is Robert West.
The Ramblers (2)
Federal a&r man Ralph Bass was scouting for talent in the Detroit area and picked the Fabulous Playboys from fifty local acts that he auditioned. Since there were other Playboys groups at the time (one on Rainbow and another on Tetra), Federal asked them to use a different name and James Gibson suggested the "Ramblers" (after the car). "The Heaven And Earth"/"Don't You Know" were released in December 1956.Probably during the summer of 1957, Frank Holt was replaced by second tenor/baritone Alton "Bart" Hollowell, who had been in the Enchanters on Coral. They later became The Falcons (5) http://www.uncamarvy.com/Falcons/falcons.html
The Veltones Singles : 1959 - Someday / Fool In Love (Satellite 100/Mercury 71526) Unreleased : 1958 - Did You (Sun) 1958 - Good Gracious (Fire) (Sun)
Carla Thomas bb The Veltones (Uncredited) 1960 - Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes) / For You (Satellite 102/Atlantic 2086)
The Vel Tones (3) 1966 - I Do / Darling (Goldwax 301)
Biography :
Before its glory days as Stax, the label was called Satellite — founded in 1957, by Jim Stewart in his wife’s uncle’s garage in Memphis. Stewart was a fiddle player and so his tastes naturally leaned toward country music, which is what he originally sought to record and release on Satellite, along with rockabilly and pop tunes. A year after starting out, Stewart got a much-needed financial boost from his sister Estelle Axton, who mortgaged her house to buy a console tape recorder, and in so doing, became a financial partner in Satellite. In 1959, she helped the burgeoning label out of the garage and into a better facility in Brunswick, Tenn. (about 20 miles northeast of Memphis).
It was during Satellite’s sabbatical in Brunswick that Stewart became interested in R&B music. Producer, songwriter and guitarist Lincoln Wayne “Chips” Moman helped turn him on to some of the local groups, one of which was a black vocal quintet that called themselves the Veltones (sometimes written Vel Tones). The group, composed of Samuel Jones, Alvin Standard, Kenneth Patterson, George Powell and Jimmy Ellis, had been singing in Memphis since 1952, taking their inspiration from doo-wop. Stewart enjoyed the Veltones’ smooth sound and offered to record and release a single for the group on Satellite.
Carla Thomas & Jim Stewart
On a handful of occasions in the spring of 1959, the Veltones trucked on out to Brunswick to record a pair of songs. Chips Moman would serve as the guitarist on the session, along with bassist Jimbo Hale and drummer Jerry “Satch” Arnold. Moman and Arnold also wrote the song selected for the A-side, ‘Fool in Love,’ which features Chips’ ghostly, twangy lead guitar — a peculiar sound on a ’50s R&B recording. The B-side was the more traditionally sounding ballad ‘Someday,’ with songwriting credit given to the group. Although it wasn’t the first record released on the label, ‘Fool in Love’/‘Someday’ was released in the summer of 1959 as Satellite 100 . As it turned out, the reboot was appropriate. Of course, the Veltones record would be the first by a black group on a label that would soon become world famous for R&B music. In addition, the single marked the first time Stewart and Axton made any money from their record label. Since Satellite could only manage to distribute copies regionally, Mercury Records contacted Stewart with an offer to take the record national. Mercury paid Satellite between $400-500 for the rights and re-released the record in September 1959. However, the record flopped and no one saw any more money from ‘Fool in Love.’ The Veltones are also the backing vocal group on 'Gee Whiz' by Carla Thomas (some people say the Del-Rios) . That hit brought the fledgling record company to preeminence as Stax Records. In 1966 The Veltones would cut two sides for Goldwax Records. although by the time of this single there had been some personnel changes. http://theboombox.com/stax-records-first-r-and-b-song/?trackback=tsmclip http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Stax_Volt_-_Volume_1.html
The Four Kings (3) (Menphis, Tenesee) aka The Canes
Personnel :
Don Bryant (Lead)
James "Jamie" Bryant (Tenor)
Elvin Lee Jones (Second Tenor)
Lionel Byrd (Baritone)
Discography :
Willie Mitchell & The Four Kings (3) 1958 - Tell It To Me Baby / Walking At Your Will (Stomper Time 1160) 1958 - Walkin' Alone / Rag Mop (Stomper Time 1163)
The Four Kings (3) 1963 - Farmer John / Round And Round (Moc 651) 1963 - Early In The Morning / I Want To Be There (Moc 655)
The Canes 1962 - Why Should I Suffer With The Blues / I'll Never Give Her Up (My Friend) (Stax 123)
Biography :
1942, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. A significant songwriter for Joe Cuoghi"s (and then Willie Mitchell"s) Hi Records, especially for (and sometimes with) his wife, Ann Peebles, Bryant was also a superb soul stylist, although most of his own recordings for Hi were cut long before Al Green, in particular, gave the label the commercial soul base it needed for continued survival. One of 10 children, Bryant"s father (Donald Snr.) featured in the gospel quartet the Four Stars Of Harmony, and in 1955, Don Jnr. and four of his brothers formed their own gospel group, the Five Bryant Brothers, which soon became "secularized" as the doo-wopping Quails.
Four Stars Of Harmony
At Booker T. Washington High School, Bryant joined a group variously called the Canes and the Four Canes, named after their "manager", local Radio WLOK DJ, D. Cane Cole. or their live gigs the Canes dressed in striped jackets and straw hats and carried walking canes. Don"s brother James was also in the group, along with Lee Jones and William Walker, reputed to be the later Goldwax, Checker and Pawn soulman, (Wee) Willie Walker. A group called the Canes were taken to Stax Records by D. Cane Cole in early 1962 where they cut "Why Should I Suffer With The Blues", but they have since been identified as probably being the Largoes, led by Lorece Thompson.
Willie Mitchell
FEventually, Bryant split from Cole and changed the group"s name to the Four Kings. The new quartet became Willie Mitchell"s singing group at the band leader"s live gigs at Memphis clubs. Bryant himself was still underage, and, to enable him to work, Mitchell became his legal guardian.Mitchell was also producer for the Home of The Blues label, whose featured artists included the ex-King group the Five Royales. They recorded Bryant"s first commercial composition, "Is There Someone Else On Your Mind". Meanwhile, the Four Kings cut "Crawl Parts 1 & 2" with the Willie Mitchell Band for Hi, before the group dissolved. Bryant went solo in 1964, making his debut with a storming version of Chris Kenner"s "I Like It Like That".
Singles : 1953 - This Is The Real Thing Now / Crying For My Baby (Decatur 3001) 1973 - Miracle Of Love / Proud Of You (Vintage 1010) 1974 - Tonight Must Live On /Crying For My Baby (Firefly 330) 1974 - You Will Always Find Me True / This Is The Real Thing Now (Firefly 332)
Unreleased : 1953 - Tonight Must Live On (Decatur) 1953 - You Will Always Find Me True (Decatur)
The Four Dukes (1)
Singles : 1953 - Crying In The Chapel / I Done Done It (Duke 116)
Unreleased : 1953 - Can't I Have You (Duke) 1953 - No Other Love (Duke) 1953 - I Gotta Holler (Duke) 1953 - Only A Hag Could Be Such A Drag (Duke) 1953 - I Wonder Can This Be Love (Duke) 1953 - Confusion Juice (Duke) 1953 - Come On Back To Daddy (Duke)
The Heralds
Singles : 1954 - Eternal Love / Gonna Love You Every Day (Herald 435) Unreleased : 1954- You'll Always Find Me True (Herald) 1954 - Till My Baby Falls In Love (Herald) 1954 - Freeze (Herald) 1954 - Why Can't I Have You (Herald) 1954 - Confucius (Herald) 1954 - Confucius (Old Town) 1954 - Why Can't I Have You (Old Town)
Biography :
Billy Dawn Smith was an aspiring singer and composer who grew up on the streets of Brooklyn in a section known as Fort Green. In the early nineteen fifties Smith put together a vocal group that consisted of himself, his brother Tom, and two friends Donny Myles and Sonny Benton . Billy dropped his last name in naming the foursome and was now known as The Billy Dawn Quartette. One of the sometime members of the group was pianist and vocalist Al Browne who in later years become famous for his work for many record labels in New York, especially Hull Records. While the vocal group worked on their harmony and presence, they also worked hard on coming up with original material. In the spring of 1952, they made their way to Harlem to see Lexy "Flap" Hanford, a well known entertainment entrepreneur in the neighborhood. He thought enough of their talent to send them to an acquaintance of his named David Levitt who owned a small independent record label called Decatur Records. After meeting with Levitt and some more work on their songs, they went into a small recording studio and the result was two songs "This Is The Real Thing Now" and "Crying For My Baby" which was released by the label on #3001. The first copies were listed as by The Dawn Quartette, but that was soon changed to The Billy Dawn Quartette.They release Three discs all under three names : Billy Dawn Quartet, Four Dukes and Heralds.
The Equalos 1959 - Yodeling / Patty-Patty (Mad 1296)
The Equallos 1962 - In Between Tears / Beneath The Sun (Mad 23)
Willie Logan & The Plaids (3) 1963 - Say That You Care / You Conquered Me (Jerry-O 103)
Biography :
The Equalos were brothers O. C. Logan and Willie Logan, Arthur Ford, and Dave Hoskin. Their first release was on Mad in 1960. They recorded "Yodelin" and "Patty-Patty." The Equalos' single on Mad 1296 failed to generate any response. Their next single arrives three years later, as The Equallos with an additional "l" in the name. "Beneath The Sun" b/w "In Between Tears," was released in 1962. Going baroque did not generate any sales, and in 1962 the group signed with George Leaner's One-derful label. Much to the Equallos' dismay, however, he never put anything out on them. In 1963 the Equallos recorded as Willie Logan and the Plaids, making a two-sided neo-doowop single called "You Conquered Me" b/w "Say that You Care," which appeared on Jerry Murray's Jerry O label. The two thinly-produced sides with their exotic warbling (a bit off-key besides) sounded dated next to the soul sounds that were emerging.
The Egyptian Kings : top : Morris Wade - bottom (L to R): William Suber, Leo Blakely & Paul Moore
The Four Pharaohs (Columbus, Ohio)
aka The King Pharaoh & The Egyptians (1) aka The Columbus Pharaohs aka The Egyptian Kings
Personnel :
Morris Wade (Lead)
George Smith (First Tenor)
Ronnie Wilson (Baritone)
Robert Lowery (Bass)
Discography :
The Columbus Pharaohs 1958 - Give Me Your Love / China Girl (Esta 290)
The Four Pharaohs 1958 - Give Me Your Love / China Doll (Ransom 101) 1957 - Pray For Me / The Move Around (Ransom 100)
Morris Wade & music by Manhattans bb The Four Pharaohs 1959 - Is It Too Late / It Was A Nite Like This (Ransom 102)
King Pharaoh & The Egyptians (1) 1961 - By The Candlelite / Shimmy Sham (Federal 12413)
The Egyptian Kings Single: 1963 - Give Me Your Love / I Need Your Love (Nanc 1120) Unreleased : 1963 - School days (Nanc) 1963 - Summertime (Nanc)
Biography :
The Four Pharaohs were a top R&B vocal group in Columbus, lasting for more than 10 years and several name changes. The group started as the Columbus Pharaohs by four teenagers, Morris Wade (on lead), Benard Wilson, Ronnie Wilson, and Robert Taylor The Wilsons were brothers who attended Central High School. Taylor attended East High, while Wade had moved between the two schools. The group recorded a 45 for Esta records in Hamilton, singing two original songs, "Give Me Your Love" and "China Girl".
King Pharaoh & The Egyptians (L to R) Leo Blakely, Morris Wade, Paul Moore, Ronnie Wilson & Harold Smith
On the recording session, they were backed by Tommy Wills and his band, and the recording was done at King. At the time, the band was managed by Howard Ransom in Columbus, and shortly after the Esta record was released, he released the songs on his own Ransom, changing the title from China Girl, the correct name, to China Doll. To make things even more confusing, the Esta 45 had the group name as Columbus Pharaohs. Possibly, Ransom wanted the record to come out under the group's correct name as Four Pharaohs. The record had some sales but only in the Columbus area.
King Pharaoh & The Egyptians with Harold Smith
After a couple years, Robert Taylor left, replaced by George Smith, and Bernard Wilson was replaced by Robert Lowery, both from Columbus. This new lineup recorded a second 45 on Ransom, the ballad "Pray For Me" and the uptempo "The Move Around". When the record was released, the label name was mispelled as Ranson. Although being on a local label, this record seems to have sold more copies than the first one as plenty of used copies turn up.
King Pharaoh & The Egyptians with Harold Smith The Egyptian Kings
About a half year later (mid 1959), Ransom released a third 45. The artist was credited as Morris Wade with music by the Manhattans. The Four Pharaohs sang, and the backing band was hired by Ransom. The band was a working band that had backed up Sonny Til, Ransom gave them the Manhattans name, presumably to make people think they were a sophisticated group from NYC. The songs were "Is It Too Late"(mispelled 'To' on the label) and "It Was A Nite Like This". Around the time of this release, the group's first 45"Give Me Your Love"/:China Girl" was rereleased on the Paradise label from NYC.
The Egyptian Kings (L to R) : Forest Porter, Leo Blakely, Paul Moore, Harold Smith & Morris Wade
During the time these records were coming out, the group spent a lot of time on the road, playing standard chitlin circuit venues in Detroit, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, etc. In 1961 the group was reorganized as King Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The group added a guitarist, Harold Smith, and George Smith left. Then, Robert Lowery left and was replaced by Paul Moore, who brought Leo Blakely with him. Harold Smith was "King Pharaoh". During this time, they recorded a 45 on Deluxe, using their usual style of a ballad "By the Candle Lite" and the uptempo "Shimmy Sham".
In 1959 or 1960, Howard Ransom had moved to California where he continued in the record business. In 1963, with Pete Oden having replaced the last original member (other than Morris Wade) Bernard Wilson, the group decided to move to Los Angeles. They reconnected with Ransom, who had a new label, Nanc. The group, now known as the Egyptian Kings - without Harold Smith - recorded a 45 on Nanc, featuring a remake of "Give Me Yout Love".
The Egyptian Kings - (L to R) : Paul Moore, Leo Blakely, William Suber & Morris Wade
After a couple years in LA, the group wasn't going anywhere so they returned to Columbus. William Suber replaced Pete Oden. The group tried to get something going with Way Out records in Cleveland, and performed there at clubs like the Music Box, but nothing came of that. There were no more recordings done. Finally, Morris Wade decided to relocate for good to Los Angeles, and that was the end of the Egyptian Kings (and their ancient Egypt inspired outfits!). When he was settled in LA, Morris joined a touring group that did USO shows. He joined fellow Columbus native Bobby Hendricks in a version of the Drifters in 1983. Back in 1974, he had an appearance as a hit man in the movie "Baby Needs a New Pair Of Shoes", later retitled "Jive Turkey", which was produced by Howard Ransom. Robert Taylor relocated to Vancouver, BC and became Bobby Taylor who recorded the hit "Does Your Mother Know" for Motown. http://www.uncamarvy.com/4Pharaohs/4pharaohs.html http://www.buckeyebeat.com/fourpharoahs.html
Songs :
The Columbus Pharaohs
Give Me Your Love China Girl
The Four Pharaohs
Give Me Your Love Pray For Me / The Move Around
King Pharaoh & The Egyptians (1)
Shimmy Sham
Morris Wade & music by Manhattans bb The Four Pharaohs
The Robbins (3) (Cleveland, OH.) aka The Two-Notes (1) aka The Classics (7) aka The Robins (2)
Personnel :
Redda Robbins "Shubert"
Jeanette Robbins "Harris"
Discography :
The Robbins (3) 1959 - And Everytime / Tweedy-Dee (Redda Robbins) (Redhead 100) 1959 - I Want To Sing Again / Standing At The Bandstand (Cashmere 1000)
The Two-Notes (1) 1959 - Sandy, Sandy / My Secret Lover (Coral 62153)
The Classics (7) 1960 - You're Everything / Burning Love (Top Rank 2061)
The Robins (2) 1961 - Baby Love / We Loved (Gone 5101)
Biography :
In February 1959, Redda and Jeanette Robbins South Euclid’s young singing composers, have etched two of their songs for Cashmere Records Studio, which they own. "I Want to Sing Again" "and "Standing At The Bandstand" are their lilting tunes for which they recruited Dick Lurie's all-Cleveland orchestra. Billed as The Robbins, the sister team makes its home at 3852 Grosvenor Road. A few months later The Robbins released a new single on the Redhead label with the B-side by Redda Robbins.
1964 - Redda Robbins 1968 - Redda Robbins
In November 1959, as the Two-Notes They write and recorded "Sandy, Sandy" and "My Secret Lover" for Coral. They recorded in 1960 as by The Classics on Top Rank the following year with "You're Everything" and "Burning Love" and in 1961 "Baby Love" "We Loved" as The Robins. (Redda Robbins also used the name Redda Shubert and Jeanette Robbins the Name of Jeanette Harris). in 1963, Redda Robbins heard the Secrets at one of the gigs, and offered to take the girls under her wing. In 1964, Redda Robbins started and owned the Redda label and she was the manager of the Motions, The Bobbi Pins, the Parakeets, the Wispers, Barry Lee, Terry Hall and of course Bocky and the Visions.
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