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

The Derrs

Posted on October 31 2022 by dion1

The Derrs
Leon and Dale Derr

The Derrs (Berwick, PA.)

Personnel :

Leon Derr

Dave Derr

Discography :

1961 - You Are My Happiness / Eighteen's Not Teenage (Murecord 104/105)
1962 - The Blues Come Back / The Mary-Ann Twist (Murecord 194/195)

Biography :

In 1961,from Berwick, PA. Leon and Dale Derr, two brothers known on entertainment circles as the Derrs Have recorded "You Are My Happiness" and "Eighteen's Not Teenage". They recorded the songs for Murecord Records of Mountaintop. Dale is the songwriter of the duo. In the spring of 1962, the boys recorded another single with "The Blues Come Back" and "The Mary-Ann Twist".

Songs :

???

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The Charmettes (4)

Posted on October 29 2022 by dion1

The Charmettes (4)
Susan Meriwhether, Radean Martin and Radean Martin

The Charmettes (4) (Columbus, Georgia)

Personnel :

Sharilyn Martin

Radean Martin

Susan Meriwhether

Discography :

The Charmettes (4)
1960 - Deeds To My Heart / I Love You to the Ninth Degree (Mona KB-553)

John Shur & The Charmettes (4)
1962 - I Got Caught In The Washing Machine / Mashed Potato Sue (Caricature 104)

The Charmettes (4)

Tony D'Angelo & The Charmettes (4)
1962 - Walkin / Hopeless (Teal 1808)

Biography :

In 1960, The Charmettes recorded for Mona Records the sides "The Deeds To My Heart" and "I Love You To The Nith Degree". In 1960, local newspaper write : Five Columbus performers, two male singers and a Girl trio were signed to recording contracts by Outer Space Products, inc. to record on the Autograph Records Label. Norris Peed, Executine vice president of Outer Space Products signed singers John Shur, Tony D'Angelo and The Charmettes,

The Charmettes (4)
From top : Tony D'Angelo, John Shur & the Charmettes signing the contract. John Shur

Susan Meriwhether, Radean Martin and Radean Martin. The signing took place at the home of Lucky McDaniel who is also an executive vice president of the firm. In 1962 the Charmettes backed John Shur on his sides "I Got Caught In The Washing Machine" and "I'm Gonna Twist All Night!/Mashed Potato Sue", and Tony D'Angelo (who have previously recorded under the name of Saladin) on his Teal Records Sides "Walkin" and "Hopeless"
http://oldwax.blogspot.com.es/2011/08/i-got-caught-in-washing-machine-and-im.html

Songs :

The Charmettes (4)

Deeds To My Heart

John Shur & The Charmettes (4)

I Got Caught In The Washing Machine

Tony D'Angelo & The Charmettes (4)

Walkin Hopeless

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The Destineers (1)

Posted on October 22 2022 by dion1

The Destineers (1)
The Destineers, Tommy Boyce and group's manager Joe DeAngelis (extreme right)

The Destineers (1) (New York)

Personnel :

???

Discography :

1962 - Take A Look [In The Mirror] / So Young (RCA 47-8049)

Biography :

Very little information on this group except that the two very good songs were written and arranged by Tommy Boyce. The career of Tommy Boyce begins as early as the late 1950s. In those days, Tommy had established himself as one of the brightest young writers to ever come out of the legendary Brill Building days. His first big break came when he wrote "Be My Guest" for Fats Domino. He wrote the song alone but gave writing credit to the artist, as well as the person who helped him get the song to the artist. In 1962 Tommy accepted an opportunity to move to New York and write for Ray Peterson and Curtis Lee. His collaboration with Lee resulted in Boyce's second top ten song, "Pretty Little Angel Eyes". They followed this up with the single "Under The Moon Of Love". Singer Anita Darian, New Yorkers know her from performances with the New York City Opera and the New York Philharmonic, but in pop music her claim to fame was the high soprano vocals in The Token's "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Darian also provided backing vocals on The Destineers "Take A Look (In The Mirror).

Songs:

So Young Take A Look [In The Mirror]

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The Cee-Jays

Posted on October 22 2022 by dion1

The Cee-Jays (Laurel Mississippi)
Top : Patsy, Sandra & Martha - Bottom : Bill Clark

The Cee-Jays (Laurel Mississippi)

Personnel :

Patsy Jones (Alto / Tenor)

Sandra Jones (Soprano)

Marthe Clark (Alto / Tenor)

Bill Clark (Baritone / Piano)

Discography :

Jimmy Clanton bb the Cee-Jays (Uncredited)
1961 - Not Like A Brother / Lucky In Love With You (Ace 634)

Biography :

The "Cee-Jays" from Laurel Mississippi were composed of Bill Clark, 20, and his 18-year old sister, Martha, and the Jones sisters, Patsy, 19, and Sandra, 17. They have been singing together from 1958 after organizing for a Laurel, Miss., High School performance. Bill, a baritone, plays the piano and handles the musical arrangements. Martha sings alto or tenor and Patsy alternates taking these same parts. Sandra, the young est, is the soprano.

The Cee-Jays (Laurel Mississippi)
Bill, Patsy, Sandra & Martha

In 1961, the group went to New York for an audition, They signing a recording contract with Ace records and they recorded "Not Like A Brother" a song by Jimmy Clanton and the Cee-Jays sing the Vocal accompaniment. The Cee-Jays have been smash hits in appearances in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

Songs :

Not Like A Brother Lucky In Love With You

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Buddy & Brik

Posted on October 16 2022 by dion1

Gene Bricker and Ray Bowling

Buddy & Brik (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanie)

Personnel:

Gene Bricker (Brick)

Ray Bowling (Buddy)

Discography :

1959 - Misty Eyes / Stick Around (Greenwich 414)

Biography :

Native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gene Bricker was a tenor singer with the rhythm and blues group, The Marcels. They are best remembered for their 1961 hit single, "Blue Moon." The song sold well over a million copies, hit number one on the UK singles charts. Formed in 1959, the group also included lead singer Cornelius Harp, bass player Fred Johnson (Allen's brother), Ron Mundy, and Richard Knauss. In 1961, Bricker and Knauss left the group.

Buddy & Brik
The Original Marcels (Gene Bricker in the Center)

Actually, before joining the Marcels, Gene (Brick) Bricker and friend Ray (Buddy) Bowling, both civilian employees at the North Park Nike Site (National Guard) have recorded "Misty Eyes" and "Stick Around" (Two songs written by Ray) and released by Greemwich Records.

Songs :

Misty Eyes Stick Around

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The Concertones aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons

Posted on October 15 2022 by dion1

The Concertones aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons
The Concertones : Melvin Beckner, Gary Church, Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson

The Concertones (Newport News, Virginia)
aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons

Personnel :

Melvin Beckner

Gary Church

Kay Brooks

Roslyn King

Brenda Robinson

Discography :

The Brothers Kennedy
1961 - I Know Why Dreamers Cry / Once In A Lifetime (1-2-3 Kick) (Legrand 1007)

The Concertones
1961 - Just One More Time / All Is Well And Fine (Legrand 1011)

The Hamptons
1964 - I Know Why Dreamers Cry / Once In A Lifetime (1-2-3 Kick) (Legrand 1007)

Biography :

Vocal group from From Warwick High School, in Newport News, Virginia composed by Gary Church, Melvin Beckner, Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson. In early 1960, Melvin Beckner wrote some songs like "All's Well and Fine", "Don't Say I Love You" and "Heartaches For Me". Warwick High's musical senior Mary Jane Cofer sponsored a concert with Melvin who sang the lead on his three songs , backed by three girls named The Mello-Tones Trio. The success was immediate and Melvin landed a recording session. In April 1961, Melvin and his singing partner, Gary Church, recorded "I Know Why Dreamers Cry" and " Once In A Lifetimethe" both written by Melvin in a recording session in Norfolk produced by Frank Guida.

The Concertones aka The Brothers Kennedy aka The Hamptons
The Brothers Kennedy : Melvin Beckner and Gary Church The Concertones

They went over to Norfolk twice a week for three weeks to work on it. The last session, when they really got it, took from seven o'clock at night to four o'clock in the morning, And some time later the single will be released as The Brothers Kennedy on the Legrand Label. In 1964, the single was also released credited to The The Hamptons. Four months later, Melvin Beckner, Gary Church and the Mello-Tones Trio; Kay Brooks, Roslyn King and Brenda Robinson Have a new recording session. Under the name of the Concertones, Legrand released "Just One More Time" and "All Is Well And Fine". Melvin also wrote "Time Ole Story", the flip side of Quarter To Three for Gary (U.S.) Bonds.

Songs :

The Concertones

All Is Well And Fine / Just One More Time

The Brothers Kennedy

I Know Why Dreamers Cry

...

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The Four Speeds

Posted on September 25 2022 by dion1

The Four Speeds

The Four Speeds (Jacksonville, Florida)

Personnel :

Benny Goodwin (Lead)

James Hartley

Marvin Robinson

Willie Driskell Jr.

Discography :

1954 - I Need You Baby / The Girls Back Home (DeLuxe 6070)

Biography :

The Four Speeds were formed in June, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, where all the band members lived at the time. They were a vocal group with lead vocals sung by Benny Goodwin, and the backing vocals handled by James Hartley, Marvin Robinson and Willie Driskell Jnr. Goodwin had been discovered by DeLuxe Records then A&R representative, Carl LeBow, a few years earlier. LeBow thought Goodwin needed more experience before recording anything, so it was not until 1954 that he was deemed "ready", The Four Speeds were formed, and a recording session held. The resulting single, The Girls Back Home b/w I Need You Baby, was written by band members Goodwin (Girls) and Hartley (Baby) and showed promise for them as an up and coming group.

The Four Speeds

It was to be their only release and, although it was reviewed well in Billboard Magazine, failed to make any impact on the charts. The band had also been signed to a contract with Elmore James, along with saxophonist Fats Jackson, in 1954. James was keen to get his new lineup into the studio and record some material, which he did, but none of his releases around that time featured any backing vocals, so it is doubtful if The Four Speeds ever actually recorded anything with him. They were listed on the roster of artists signed to DeLuxe Records in the January 29 edition of Billboard magazine in 1955, but no further mentions occur after that date. The band, therefore, was only together for around seven months, and then the individual members moved on to do other things.

Songs :

I Need You Baby The Girls Back Home

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The Keen Teens

Posted on September 22 2022 by dion1

The Keen Teens
(L to R) Max Harrington, Buddy Maynard and Morris Alexander (top) Kirby Williams

The Keen Teens (Anton, Tx)

Personnel :

Morris Alexander (Lead)

Buddy Maynard

Max Harrington

Kirby Williams

Discography :

Unreleased :
1960 - Our Love Should Be
1960 - Naughty Neena

Biography :

Organized in 1957, this Vocal Quartet from Anton includes Max Harrington, Buddy Maynard, Morris Alexander and Kirby Williams. Duran Bishop plays the piano, Mickey Jolley plays the guitar and Larry Cox is on the drums. Starting out by singing only around Anton, the quartet's popularity soon spread to other communities throughout this area.

Norman Petty Studio

They have made numerous appearances at various gatherings and have appeared on television. Mars,22 1960 The Kenn Tenns cut two songs at the Norman Petty Studio in Clovis : "Our Love Should Be" b/w "Naughty Neena ". Unfortunately, both titles will never released...

Song :

Naughty Neena

...

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The Marquees (3)

Posted on September 8 2022 by dion1

The Marquees (3)

The Marquees (3) (Los Angeles)

Personnel:

Andrew Fisher

George Bonney

Sammy Reynolds

Mickey ...

Discography :

The Marquees (3)

Singles :
1959 - Who Will Be The First One / Love Machine (Warner Bros 5072)
1959 - Christmas In The Congo / Santa Done Got Hip (Warner Bros 5127)
1960 - Until The Day I Die / Don't Be Mean, Geraldine (Warner Bros 5139)
1960 - That's The Way I Feel / Stay With Me (Jo Ann 128)

Unreleased :
1960 - Somebody Cares For You (Warner Bros)
1960 - Yardbird Sam (Warner Bros)

Andrew Fisher & The Marquees (3) / Terry Brown & The Marquees (3)
1961 - Don't You Do Me Like That / I Need A Helping Hand (Jo Ann 130)

Etta And Amelia bb The Marquees (3)
1961 - Teenage Boy / Dry Your Eyes (Jo Ann 129)

Biography :

The Marquees were one of several singing groups represented by Bob Sherman and Music World Corporation in the late 1950s. The Group recorded many songs , most of which will be written by Bob & Richard Sherman. The Marquees had 3 releases on Warner Brother between 1959 and 1960. The Warner Brothers group consisted of George Bonney, Andrew Fisher, Sammy Reynolds, a 4th singer only remembered as Mickey and & a 5th singer. Andrew Fisher & the Marquees had 2 more releases. Both were on the Jo Ann label: 1 in 1960 & 1 in 1961.

The Marquees (3)

Robert Bernard (Bob) Sherman was an American songwriter who specialized in musical films with his brother Richard Morton Sherman. The Sherman Brothers were responsible for more motion picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history. Some of the Sherman Brothers' best known songs were incorporated into live action and animation musical films including: Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Slipper and the Rose, and Charlotte's Web

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Marquees (3)

Who Will Be The First One / Love Machine


Christmas In The Congo                       Until The Day I Die


Don't Be Mean, Geraldine                        Santa Done Got Hip

      Stay With Me                      That's The Way I Feel


Don't You Do Me Like That                     I Need A Helping Hand

Etta And Amelia


Dry Your Eyes                                  Teenage Boy

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The Emberglows

Posted on September 1 2022 by dion1

The Emberglows (Watts, Los Angeles)

Personnel :

Lloyd Boughton

Thomas Hangie

Ray Jones

James Hicks

Discography :

1961 - Have You Found Someone New / Sack And Chemise Gang Fight (Doré 591)
1962 - Make Up Your Mind / Sentimental Reasons (Amazon 1005)
1962 - Cookie / Make Up Your Mind (Amazon 1005)

Biography :

The Emberglows were based at Holmes Avenue, just north of Watts, and the members on their 1961 Doré contract were Lloyd Boughton. Thomas Hangie, Ray Jones and James Hicks. Boughton wrote "Sack And Chemise Gang Fight" and Hicks penned "Have You found Someone New". They had two more 45s, on the Amazon label, the following year: "Make Up Your Mind" b/w "Sentimental Reasons" and a later coupling of "Make Up Your Mind" b/w "Cookie".

Songs :

Sack And Chemise Gang Fight Sentimental Reasons

...

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