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

The Trophies aka The Fleas

Posted on February 8 2008 by dion1

The Trophies (Hollywood, CA.)
aka The Fleas

Personnel :

Rick Nelson (Lead vocals)

Dave Burgess (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar)

Jerry Fuller (Vocals, Guitar)

Glen Campbell (Lead Guitar)

Discography :

The Fleas
1961 - Scratchin / Tears (Challenge 9115)

The Trophies
1961 - Desire / Doggone it (Challenge 9133)
1962 - Peg O' My Heart / I Laughed So Hard I Cried (Challenge 9149)
1962 - Felicia / That's All I Want From You (Challenge 9170)

Biography :

The Trophies were a studio-only pop-rock vocal group who issued three undistinguished singles for the Challenge label in the early 1960s. Their 45s would be forgotten today if not for the involvement of Rick Nelson, who was one of the singers in the group, which also included a young Glen Campbell, Jerry Fuller, and Dave Burgess.

For the last of the singles, an Army-bound Jerry Fuller was replaced by his brother Bill Fuller, who sang lead on both the tracks. Nelson had to keep his involvement in the Trophies low-key and unpublicized, as he was under contract to a different label, Imperial, for his solo recordings.

There was no threat, though, of the Trophies' singles blowing his cover, since they were generic early-'60s efforts crossing teen idol pop with doo wop and novelty rock'n'roll. All six of their tracks can be heard on Varese Sarabande's CD compilation The Lost '60s Recordings, which also includes a couple of other songs Nelson did with the Campbell, Jerry Fuller, and Burgess on a 1961 single credited to the Fleas, as well as solo recordings from the era by Campbell, Jerry Fuller, and Burgess.

Songs :

The Trophies


        Desire                                Laughed So Hard I Cried


That's All I Want From You                             Felicia

The Fleas


Tears                                     Scratchin

...

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The Contels

Posted on February 8 2008 by dion1

The Contels (Albion, PA)

Personnel :

Gene Vito "Lyon" (Lead Singer)

George A. Nopio, Jr.(Tenor)

Loren "Bugsy" Cope (Bass)

Anthony "Tony" Mezzacapo (Second Tenor)

Michael K. D'Amico (Guitar)

Gary Miller (Drums)

Discography :

1959 - Hey You / Lover's Dream (Warwick 103)

Biography :

After attending a performance given by the "The Four Coins" Loren "Bugsy" Cope and George A. Nopio, Jr. decided to start their own group. Loren knew a younger singer and asked him to join the group. His name was Gene Lyon. He became their lead singer. They then added Michael K. D'Amico a guitar player. They were practicing when a gentleman by the name of Donald Hubert approached Nopio's parents and asked if he could manage the group . They were on their way. Doing hay rides and record Hops. their manager talked them into entering a talent show in Cleveland, Ohio. they were called "The Contenials". they took first place. They returned back to Erie and still felt their group needed another voice and while performing at the Tech Follies they met a man then doing comedy and asked him to join The Contenials. His name was Anthony "Tony" Mezzacapo and he provided the group with the sound and the harmony they were looking for.

Gene Vito The Contenials (Gene,George and Bugsy)

They then had to return to Cleveland, Ohio Talent Contest as finalists. they piled into their managers vehicle and off they went. they took first place and received a recording contract. As they were leaving they received a call that a gentleman wished to see them so they went to his home. He told them that they could not call themselves "The Contenials" because he had a successful group in Florida that had that name. So they worked all the way home trying every form of the name and came up with the "THE CONTELS". The next day George called Cliff Shilling of the local radio station, WICU told him to please announce "The Contenials" were now "The Contels".

Gene Vito

The Contels recorded on Warwick Label. They wrote their own songs "Hey You" and "Lovers Dream". Which Cliff played often on his show, as well as, booked them into the "Let's Be Friends Show" on TV and Sock Hops. Along the way they met a drummer named Gary Miller and added him to the group. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra came to town and they toured Erie with them. On Saturday of that week they played Rainbow Gardens and while they pushed their record, they pushed ours. they returned to Rainbow Gardens to do a show with "The Five Jets" and "The Monotones". Then off to the Warner Theater to do a Rock Show with Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, "The Monotones", and Bobby Freeman.Their record was being heard and they were busy when they received word that their lead singer Gene would be moving to Kane, Pennsylvania and because he was only 13 years old, he had to go with his parents. If that wasn't bad enough, Tony was drafted and went to serve his country. they parted friends and all went our separate ways.

Songs :

Hey You Lover's Dream

....

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The Kinght Riders (1) aka Billy Vera & the Contrasts aka Blue-Eyed Soul

Posted on February 8 2008 by dion1

The Kinght Riders (1) (Wetchester, New York)
aka Billy Vera & the Contrasts aka Blue-Eyed Soul

Personnel :

Billy Vera (Lead Tenor)

Ronnie Hinds

Bob Powers

Al Esposito

Discography :

Billy Vera & The Contrasts
1962 - My Heart cries / All My love (Rust 5051)

The Knight Riders (1)
1961 – My Heart cries / All My love (Club 1220/Souvenir)

Blue-Eyed Soul
1966 – Shadow Of Your Love / Look Gently At The Rain (Cameo 401)
1966 – Somethin’ New / Tonight I Am A King (Cameo 423)

Biography :

Billy Vera was born in Riverside, California. He began his singing career in 1962 as a member of the Resolutions. He went on to write several songs throughout the early 1960s, writing for the likes of Barbara Lewis, Fats Domino, The Shirelles and Ricky Nelson. He also wrote the garage band classic, "Don't Look Back", performed by the Remains.

The Kinght Riders got their musical education backing hit record acts of the day: the Drifters, the Coasters, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, Little Anthony & the Imperials and many more. "My Heart cries / All My love" was released on the Rust label, a subsidiary of Laurie Records, in 1962.

It was made by the band using the name Contrasts because they were under contract elsewhere. The group later changed its name to Blue-Eyed Soul

Songs :

Billy Vera & the Contrasts

My Heart cries All My love

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The Chants (1)

Posted on February 8 2008 by dion1

1960 - Left to right : Pete Antell, Bobby Butts, Mike DeVivo, John Linde and Mickey Lee Lane

The Chants (1) (New York)

Personnel :

Mike DeVivo (Lead Vocals)

 Pete Antell (Guitar / Vocals)

Bobby Butts (Sax / Vocals)

John Linde (Drums)

Mickey Lee Lane (Bass)

Discography :

The Chants (1)
1961 - Respectable / Kiss Me Goodbye (MGM 13008)
1961 - Dick Tracy / Choo-Choo (Verve 10244)

Jimmy Soul & The Chants (1)
1963 - I Wish I Could Dance / Respectable (20th Fox 413)

Biography :

John Linde was born and raised in Oceanside, NY. John started down the road taking part in the school band as a percussionist. After graduation from high school and a stint in the armed forces, John formed a band called The Chants in 1959. Through John's contacts and his meticulous business acumen, The Chants began building a solid reputation as an excellent club band, establishing followings at various venues on Long Island.

The Chants (1)

The Chants hooked up with a family of fledgling recording entrepreneurs, Bill and Steve Jerome, owners of a small storefront recording studio and a label called Tru-Eko Records. The Chants recorded a version of “Respectable”, a song written and previously recorded by The Isley Brothers for RCA as their follow-up to the immensely successful single “Shout”.

The Chants (1)
1961 - top row, left to right: Pete Antell , John Linde; bottom row, left to right: Al Ferreira , Mike DeVivo and Curly

The Chants single was released on MGM and was put into rotation on New York radio. Following the success of “Respectable”, John recruited Mickey Lee Lane for bass and called Pete to ask if he was interested in a job as a vocalist and guitarist in The Chants. Pete accepted and was in on the recording of their next single, the novelty tune, “ Dick Tracy”.

The Chants (1)

This was the second and last single for MGM, released on their Verve subsidiary. After the success of The Chants, Pete and John, now songwriting and production partners, formed an alliance with another Long Island ensemble through an associate at Ultra-Sonic Studios. Keyboard player Stoney Jackson had worked with this quartet of young ladies who called themselves The Percells.

The Chants (1)

John Lindle, Stoney Jackson, Pete Antell & The Percells

Stoney recommended the outstanding group to Pete and John. Bill Stahl, the owner of Ultra-Sonic, also knew of the quartet's vocal prowess. When the songwriters heard The Percells at the studio one night, they liked what they heard. Immediately, plans were made to record The Percells., ...

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Chants (1)

Respectable                            Kiss Me Goodbye


Dick Tracy                               Choo-Choo

Jimmy Soul & The Chants (1)

I Wish I Could Dance Respectable

...

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The Catalinas (3) aka The Inventions

Posted on February 6 2008 by dion1

The Catalinas (3) aka The Inventions (Brooklyn, New-York)

Personnel :

Hank Ferrara (lead)

Sam Infantino (first tenor)

Richie Brooks (second tenor)

Jerry Ascher (Baritone)

Mike Harris (bass)

Discography :

The Catalinas (3)
1958- Marlene / With your girl (Glory 285)
1960 - Peanuts / Row boat (Up 111)

The Inventions
1960 - Peanuts / Row boat (Up 111)

Biography :

1956- Hank Ferrara, Richie Brooks, Jerry Ascher, Sam Infantino & Mike harris were at a local social club in their home of Williamsburg Brooklyn. The club was holding a "talent competition" and decided to try and do some singing. Without any previous singing experience, they gave it a try, after realizing they sounded really good.

While sitting in Hank's car outside, the guys were trying to think of a name for their new found group...being they were sitting in a Pontiac Catalina, the name just fit
The Catalinas later went on to win a talent contest (even beating out younger Johnny Maestro at the time) For winning they were awarded a trip to Phoenixville PA.

In 1958 they signed with Glory Records. They recorded Marlene (written by Hank). This recording is worth well over $200 dollars in todays collector's market.
One day while working with the machines in the shop, Hank had a "beat" stuck in his head all day long.

He kept humming it until he got home from work. It was so catchy that he started to make up some words to go along. Upon showering after a long hard days work, as fast as the water was flowing from the shower head, the words were starting to flow as well.

He yelled for someone to grab a pen & paper and told them to "write this down" This song later became the hit " Hey Peanuts"

Later the group recorded "Hey Peanuts" and heard their song all over the radio. They were becoming so popular in Brooklyn, and even later sang at the Jerry Lewis Telethon.
A local disk Jockey "Ronnie I" had them sing a jingle every Saturday Night on the radio, and they were on CBS FM.

They were on the top of the charts with "Hey Peanuts"
Unfortunately, their manager made some wrong decisions, and the group slipped through.

http://es-es.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111770985521410

Songs :

The Catalinas (3)

Marlene With your Girl

The Inventions

Row boat Peanuts

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The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

Posted on February 6 2008 by dion1

The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

The Suburbans (4) (Passaic, New Jersey)
aka The Five Classics (2)

Personnel :

Harry Arthur (Tenor)

Joseph Pasquino (Tenor)

Ralph Santora (Baritone)

Bernard Nathanson (Bass)

Discography :

The Suburbans (4)
1959 - Alphabet Of Love / Sweet Diane Cha Cha (Port 70011)
1960 - Little Bird / King Of Broken Hearts (Kip 221)
1961 - Mississippi Mud / Love Me (Flamingo 539)
1961 - Lovin' Hands / Love Me (Gee 1076)

The Five Classics (2)
1961 - Mississippi Mud / Love Me (Pova 6142)

Biography :

Vocal group from Passaic, New Jersey. Leader of the singers is Harry Arthur, 18 year old, Passaic High School Senior. Writer of most of their songs, Harry has a tenor voice and does all the arranging. Ralph Santora, 17 year old sophomore of Fairleigh Dickinson University, sings Baritone and Joseph Pasquino, 18, is Tenor. Bernard Nathanson, 20, is the Bass. When the Suburbans first organized they had five members. Ronald VanDunk was with them until he was invited to a command performance with the marines. Norman Oldam replaced him for a while. The marines didn't call him, but a bride changed his mind. Joseph Serniglia tried the entertainment field, but decided it wasn(t the profession for him.

The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

They practice about three times a week. Mrs Grace Schurman of the Licoln Music Shop, is their manager. In May 1959, they cut their first record on the Port Label, a subsidiary of Jay-Gee Record, "Alphabet Of Love" b/w "Sweet Diane Cha Cha" both wrote by Harry Arthur. "Alphabet Of Love" is being plugged by disk jockeys like Danny Styles the "Cat Man" and Clint Miller. In September 1960, the Suburbans recorded for Kip records owned by Lonnie Kaufman in New York, "Little Bird" b/w "King Of Broken Hearts", both wrote again by Harry Arthur. The group have entertained at many clubs in the area and across the country and appeared on a number of TV and Radio shows.

The Suburbans (4) aka The Five Classics (2)

At this time, Harry Arthur left and Bruce Starzzo and Angelo Gerardi integrate the group. Joseph Pasquino takes the lead role and wrote the fabtastic "Love Me". Paul Poveromo of The Five Classics on Arc records produced the group for their third singles. The Suburbans auditioned at Paul's house and recorded "Mississippi Mud" b/w "Love Me". The single was released on Flamingo records. The same year The single was re-released on Pova records as The Five Classics. The Suburbans re-recorded "Love Me" the same year with different arrangements for Roulette Records . The new "Love Me" was released by Gee Records (Roulette subsidiary) with "Lovin' Hands".

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Suburbans (4)


Mississippi Mud                                       Love Me


Lovin' Hands                                         Alphabet Of Love


Sweet Diane Cha Cha                      King Of Broken Hearts


   Little Bird                                   Love Me (On Gee)

…

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The Del Fi's aka The Vells (2) aka The Del-Phis (1) aka ....

Posted on February 6 2008 by dion1

The Del Fi's aka The Vells (2) aka The Del-Phis (1) aka ....
Gloria Jean Williamson, Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard

The Del-Phis (1) (Detroit)
aka The Del Fi's aka The Vells (2) aka The Fayettes
aka Martha & The Vandellas

Personnel :

Gloria Jean Williamson (Lead)

Martha Reeves (Second Lead)

Rosalind Ashford (Background)

Annette Beard (Background)

Discography :

J J Barnes & The Dell Fi's
1960 - Won't You Let Me Know / My Love Came Tumbling Down (Kable 437)

Leon Peterson & The Dell Fi's
1960 - Silver & Gold / Together Just We Two (Kable 438)

Mike Hanks & The The Del Fi's
1960 - When True Love Comes To Be / The Hawk (Inst.) (Mah's 000.3)

Mike Hanks & The Del-Phis
1961 - I Think About You / I Think About You Part 2 (Mah's 000.4)

The Del-Phis (1)
Singles :
1961 - I'll Let You Know / It Takes Two (Checkmate 1005)
Unreleased :
1961 - My Heart Tells Me so (Checkmate)

The Vells (2)
1961 - There He Is (At My Door) / You'll Never Cherish A Love So True (Mel-O-Dy 108)

Biography :

After graduating high school, Martha Reeves began singing professionally in 1959 when she joined the Fascinations. The following year, she joined the Del-Fis - Gloria Williamson (lead), Rosalyn Ashford, Annette Beard - from which the Vandellas later emerged, performing at local talent shows and backing Mike Hanks on his record, Leon Peterson and J.J. Barnes's 1962 on “Won't You Let Me Know.”

The Del Fi's aka The Vells (2) aka The Del-Phis (1) aka ....
J J Barnes

Billy Davis snatched them for his Checkmate label for one release as the Del-Phis: "I'll Let You Know" written by Joe Hunter and Martha Reeves and "It Takes Two,". Checkmate folded and Davis moved to Chicago to work for Chess Records. The girls found day jobs but still did backup sessions

From the top : Gloria Jean Williamson, Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard Marvin Gaye

A chance for the Del Fi's came later in 1962 when William "Mickey" Stevenson needed background singers for a Marvin Gaye session; the Andantes were moonlighting in Chicago, so Martha called the Del Fi's down to 2648 West Grand Blvd. to do the job. The song "Stubborn Kinda Fella" became Gaye's first smash and introduced the Vandellas' chirpy sound to the world.

The Del-Phis (1) aka The Del Fi's aka The Vells (2) ...
1962: Top left to right - Martha Reeves, Annette Beard, Mary Wells & Dick Clark.

They recorded a single on Motown's subsidiary Melody Records. Gloria Williamson led both sides of the record "You'll Never Cherish a Love So True" b/w "There He Is at My Door," released October 1962; It was credited to the Vells since Chess Records owned the name Del Fi's. Mickey Stevenson put the Del Fi's voices on "I'll Have to Let Him Go"; the "demo" became Martha & the Vandellas' debut single.
http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/mreeves.htm
http://www.soulfuldetroit.com/archives/3838/2800.html?1051864571
Thanks to ILMJXXX
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-del-fis-mn0001394392

Songs :
updated by Hans-Joachim

The Del-Phis (1)


I'll Let You Know / It Takes Two         My Heart Tells Me So

The Vells (2)


There He Is (At My Door)           You'll Never Cherish A Love So True

J J Barnes & The Dell Fi's

Won't You Let Me Know My Love Came Tumbling Down

Mike Hanks & The The Del Fi's

When True Love Comes To Be

Marvin Gaye bb The Del-Phis (1)

Stubborn Kind of Fellow

Leon Peterson & The Dell Fi's

Together Just We Two / Silver & Gold

...

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Little Sammy & The Tones (4) aka The Guys (1)

Posted on February 5 2008 by dion1

Little Sammy & The Tones (4) aka The Guys (1)
(The Tones) L to R : Kenny Cubicotti, Larry D'Angelo, Billy Hebert and Jimmy Avachini.

Little Sammy & The Tones (4) (Philadelphia)
aka Little Sammy Rozzi & The Guys (1)

Personnel :

Sammy Rozzi (Lead)

Kenny Cubicotti

Larry D'Angelo

Billy Hebert

Jimmy Avachini

Discography :

Little Sammy & The Tones (4)
1962 - Christine / Over The Rainbow (Jaclyn 1161)

Little Sammy Rozzi & The Guys (1)
1963 - Christine / Over The Rainbow ( (Pelham 722)

Biography :

Vocal group from from 13th and Wharton in Philadelphia consisted by Kenny Cubicotti, Larry D'Angelo, Billy Hebert and Jimmy Avachini. At that time they just caled the "Tones".Larry D'Angelo went to school with Frank Pescatore, stage name (Dean Randolph) for 12 years. it was Frank who suggested to the group to make a new version of "Over The Rainbow". Kenny Cubicotti wrote the song "Christine" and Frank showed them the different parts and harmony to the song.

Little Sammy & The Tones (4) aka The Guys (1)
                         Dean Randolph

Unfortunately, Larry D'Angelo was drafted into the army before the Tones entered the studio to record the two songs. Sammy Rozzi replaced Larry. The Group recorded the two songs into the A.M.S. Recording Studio at 17th & Jackson in South Philadelphia and the single was released by Jaclyn in 1962. Shortly after the release of the single, the Tones broke up. It was minor hit in the Delaware Valley, getting plenty of action, especially on pop stations like WIBG. In 1963, Pelham Records reissued the single as by Little Sammy Rozzi & The Guys.

Songs :


       Christine                                         Over The Rainbow

...

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The Nortones

Posted on February 5 2008 by dion1

Steve Barri

The Nortones (Los Angeles)
ref The Storytellers

Personnel :

Steve Barri (Steven Barry Lipkin)

Bernie Reed

Discography :

The Nortones
1959 - Susie Jones / That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles (Warner Bros 5065)
1959 - Boy / Smile, Just Smile (Warner Bros 5115)
1960 - Cookie Mon / I'm Gonna Find You (Stack 502)

Steve Barri
1961 - Story Of The Ring / I Want Your Love (Rona 1004)
1961 - Please Let It Be You / Down Around The Corner (Rona 1003)
1962 - Don't Run Away From Love / Two Different Worlds (Rona 1005)
1962 - Never Before / Whenever You Kiss Me (Rona 1006)

Biography :

Steve Barri was born Steven Barry Lipkin in Brooklyn, New York, on February 23, 1942. His family moved to California when he was just a child. He began his career as a songwriter. He submitted his songs to Screen Gems Music which was run by Lou Adler. Adler liked Barri's songs, and helped him get his first recording of a Barri original. Steve teamed with Bernie Reed. Warner wrote "The Nortones, Bernie Reed and Steve Barry, The two 18-years-olds who comprise the group, play their own guitar accompaniment as well as write their own material". In May Their manager, Norty Beckman sends them to the studio were they record four songs. The same month, Warner released "Suzie Jones" / "That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles" as the Nortones.

Steve Barri
The single wasn't a hit but it was a way into the business for the newly minted music professional, and over the next few years Barri tried several other avenues of expression, including cutting a few records as a singer, all to no avail. In the early '60s he teamed up with Carol Connors, an ex-member of the Teddy Bears (notable as an early group featuring Phil Spector in its lineup, and for its recording of his "To Know Him Is to Love Him") -- they didn't succeed as a duo, and subsequently formed a trio, the Storytellers, with Connors' sister Cheryl, and their debut single on Dimension, "When Two People (Are in Love)," brought Barri back into the orbit of Lou Adler, who produced the record. This successful entrepreneur then paired Barri with protege (Phil) P.F. Sloan and together the new team began creating material for many of Adler's acts. Jan And Dean, Johnny Rivers and Terry Black were among those benefiting from Sloan/Barri songs, while the duo also recorded in their own right under various pseudonyms, notably the surfing act the Fantastic Baggys.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Nortones


I'm Gonna Find You                    Smile, Just Smile


Susie Jones                                            Boy


                   Cookie Mon                   That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles

Steve Barri


I Want Your Love                       Please Let It Be You


Don't Run Away From Love                      Never Before

Whenever You Kiss Me

…

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The Mello-Harps aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps

Posted on February 5 2008 by dion1

The Mello-Harps aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps

The Mello-Harps (Brooklyn, New-York)

aka The Levee Songsters
aka The Teen-Tones (1)
aka The Melloharps
aka The Teentones

Ref The Leopards (1)

Personnel :

Arnold "Johnny" Malone (Lead)

Vernon Staley (First Tenor)

Joe Gowder (Second Tenor)

Daniel Elder (Baritone)

Ossie Davis (Bass)

Discography :

The Mello-Harps
1955 - Love Is A Vow / Valerie (Do-Re-Mi 203)
1956 - Searchin' / Love Is A Vow (Rego 1003)
1958 - Gumma Gumma / No Good (Casino 104)

The Melloharps
1955 - I Love Only You / Ain't Got The Money (Tin Pan Alley 145/146)
1956 - What Good Are My Dreams / Gone (Tin Pan Alley 157/158)

Teacho Wiltshire & The Melloharps
1956 - My Bleeding Heart / I Couldn't Believe (Tin Pan Alley 159/160)

The Teen-Tones (1)
1956 - Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby (Rego 1004)

Lee and Larry & The Teentones
1956 - Have A Happy (The Dedications Song)/ Oh Yes (Rego 1005)

The Levee Songsters
1959 - Our Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby (Karen 1004)

The Leopards (1)
1963 - Valerie / Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie (Leopards 5006)

Biography :

Brooklyn-based R&B vocal group the Mello-Harps formed in 1955. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the April 1990 issue of Record Collectors' Monthly, co-founders Arnold "Johnny" Malone (first tenor), second tenor Joe Gowder, baritone Daniel "Bunny" Elder, and bass Ossie Davis were longtime friends from the borough's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

The Mello-Harps aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps

After adding a fifth member, high tenor Vernon Staley, the Mello-Harps began touring the local nightclub circuit, and while performing at Brooklyn's Club Baby Grand they negotiated a management deal with musician Larry Lucy, who quickly landed them a record deal with the Do-Re-Mi label. The Mello-Harps beautiful debut, "Love Is a Vow," followed in the autumn of 1955. One of the scarcest singles of the doo wop era, it earned little attention upon its original release but later achieved cult classic status among R&B aficionados.

The Mello-Harps aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
Teacho Wiltshire

By year's end Davis resigned from the lineup, and upon adding bass Bobby Hawkins (the brother of NBA Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins), the Mello-Harps signed to Tin Pan Alley Records to issue their sophomore effort, "I Love Only You." "What Good Are My Dreams" followed in early 1956, and when the group's commercial fortunes failed to improve, Elder exited in the wake of their fourth single, "My Bleeding Heart." Tenor William Brown signed on prior to cutting a re-recorded "Love Is a Vow" for the Rego label.

The Mello-Harps aka The Levee Songsters aka The Teen-Tones (1) aka The Melloharps
A configuration of the Mello-Harps (or The Leopards)

Credited to the Teen-Tones, the song fared no better the second time around, and Staley was the next to turn in his resignation. Tenor David "Sonny" Forte signed on for 1957's "Gumma Gumma," a novelty tune that restored the Mello-Harps moniker. Despite saxophone contributions from the great King Curtis, the single went nowhere and after an aborted session for Juggy Murray's Sue label, the group split in 1959. In the early 60s, Joe Gowder formed another group, which re-recorded "Valerie" (with Joe himself doing lead). Along with the flip, "Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie" (also led by Joe), it was released on the Leopard label in 1963, as the "Leopards." David Forte was also in this group.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/MelloHarps/melloharps.html

Songs :

The Mello-Harps


Love Is A Vow                                             Valerie


Searchin'                       Gumma Gumma                             No Good

The Melloharps


I Love Only You                       Ain't Got The Money


What Good Are My Dreams                            Gone

Teacho Wiltshire & The Melloharps

My Bleeding Heart / I Couldn't Believe

The Teen-Tones (1) / The Levee Songsters

1959 - (Our) Love Is A Vow / Walkie Talkie Baby

The Leopards (1)


             Valerie                      Mah Mah Chicken Pot Pie

…

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