Charlene Miller & Janet Campbell (Standing), Joan Meifert (seated)
The Whippoorwills (1) (Portland, Oregon)
Personnel :
Joan Meifert
Janet Campbell
Jan Roberts
Discography :
1959 - Baby Let's Face It / You're In Oregon My Friend (Drift 1446)
Biography :
In 1959, three young girls named The Whippoorwills and their teachers from Portland were named winners of the Centennial song contest. Oregon's official Centennial song is entitled: "You're In Oregon, My Friend." The Whippoorwills were Joan Meifert, Janet Campbell and Jan Roberts, and their music and dancing teacher, Celia Burley. Drift Records from Portland released the "You're In Oregon My Friend" the same year with "Baby Let's Face It". In 1960, Charlene Miller replaced Jan Roberts & the group appeared localy.
Les Tear Drops 1959 - Je promets / L'Amour (Fleur de Lys 149) 1959 - Tout mon Amour / Et Je Sais (Fleur de Lys 157) 1960 - J'ai Toujours Besoin De Toi / Tu Me Comprends (Fleur de Lys 179) 1963 - Je Ne Fais Que Pleurer / Dis Ton Nom (Click 13) 1964 - Dans La Nuit / Pas A Pas (Click 49) 1964 - Jolie Fille / Michelle (Click 58)
Robert Vimont 1965 - Jenny / Dis-moi (Rusticana 290)
Biography :
The Tear Drops, a group formed in 1958 by Claude Bélisle, Tony Colette, Jerry Cote and Robert Menard. The group experiences early success with the song: "Je promets" in 1959.
The success remains unanswered, and the group becomes a duet with Robert Menard and Claude Bélisle and sign in for three singles for Click records, which follows a career at the tavern until its dissolution in 1965. Robert Menard recorded a 45 rpm solo whose securities "Jenny" et "Dis-moi" and continues to occur in the tavern the name of Robert Vimont.
The Tu-Tones (2) (Clifton, New Jersey) aka The Tutones
Personnel :
Cecile Mastroeni
Vivian Mastroeni
Discography :
The Tu-Tones (2) 1962 - Ring Of Virgin Gold / Green Is The Color (Stagedor 1001)
The Tutones 1963 - Ring Around the Christmas Tree / Santa Danced with Our Teacher (Airco 1115)
Biography :
The Tu-Tones were Cecile and Vivian Mastroeni of Clifton, New Jersey. "Ring of Virgin Gold" and flip side "Green is the Color" was recorded in 1962 the sisters. They performed with DJ Cousin Bruce Morrow at the Bergen Mall and Palisades Park. The record never got played on the radio due to the word "virgin" at that time. Bruce Morrow suggested that they re-cut the record substituting a different word but the song writers refused to do that. the girls also cut a Christmas 45 "Ring Around the Christmas Tree" and flip side "Santa Danced with Our Teacher". The two songs were recorded on a different independent label "Airco Records" and the name on the label is the Tutones.
Top : Lou Harding, Ralph Bailey, Ken Stephens, Jerry Cook, Weyman Kessler. Bottom : Gene Ulmer
The Pyramids (4) (Saint Petersburgh, Florida)
Personnel :
Jerry Cook
Ralph Bailey
Ken Stephens
Weyman Kessler
Musicians : Lou Harding, Gene Ulmer, Mike Beagle and Gerald Smith.
Discography :
1959 - Long Long Time / Oh No You Won't (Oh Yes You Will) (RCA 7556)
Biography
The original "Pyramid Quartet" quartet is not a quartet, really. But since only four of the boys sing, while the other four play instruments it seemed a likely name for the group when they began working together. Ralph Bailey, Jerry Cook, Ken Stephens and Weyman Kessler are vocalists, and Lou Harding, Gene Ulmer, Mike Beagle and Gerald Smith. the musicians. All are students at St. Petersburg Junior College and all are members of the Pyramid Social Club. The members of the unit got together in early 1958 when the Pyramid Club Was planning entertainment for a rush party. The group made such a hit that they been in great demand, not only appearing at Junior College functions but at other events, outside school, as well. In March The Pyramid Quartet has made several tape recordings of their renditions. Among the tunes taped are those written by members of the group ..."Long. Long Time," by Jerry Cook; "A Thousand Ways," by Lou Harding; plus "This Heart of Mine", "Wear My Ring " and "Wait For Me." The group will have to wait almost a year for Jerry Cook's magnificent doo wop: "Long Long Time" bached by "Oh No You Won't (Oh Yes You Will)" to be released by RCA as The Pyramids.
1962 - My Only Love / You've Been Crying (Ditto 501/Chess 1815)
Biography :
The C-Quins were a group from Roxbury, Massachussets, where they made a career of sorts performing at local dances. They recorded "My Only Love" b/w "You've Been Crying" released by Ditto Records, a small Boston label. The Masters was sold to Chess Records which released them in February 1962 on Chess # 1815. "You've Been Crying", a tender doo-wop ballad, features the lead vocals of Johnny Wyche. The back up singers for the C-Quins were Tommy, Sully and Jardy.
Danny White bb The Rouzan Sisters 1962 - Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye / The Little Bitty Things (Frisco 104)
The Rouzan Sisters 1962 - The Limbo Party / Dance Every Dance With Me (Frisco 105) 1962 - Lover / The Limbo Party (Frisco 105) 1966 - Men Of War / Dance Every Dance (Frisco 113)
Wanda Rouzan 1966 - Here's A Letter From Home / Long Time No See (Frisco 115) 1966 - Would You Love Me / Long Time No See (Frisco 116)
Biography :
The Rouzan sisters Laura, Wanda and Barbara Were a vocal group from the city's 7th Ward. Only in high school, they began their careers singing for talent shows, and in nightclubs. They wore bobby socks and white blouses with sailor collars. Laura, the eldest, began writing songs and had started her own publishing company. Their first break came when they sang backing vocals on Danny White's "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye", which led to a contract with Frisco. Less than two months after the "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" session in November 1962, the sisters, under the direction of Wardell Quezergue, recorded three Al Reed compositions, 'Men Of War", "Dance Every Dance" and "Limbo Party".
Danny White
However, "Men Of War" (Frisco 113) was not released until 1965. The song quickly rose in the local charts, holding the number one position for three weeks on WNOE, and Top 5 status at the rival WTIX. The record was associated with the controversy about the war in Vietnam. The Rouzan Sisters were in demand playing local shows with Danny White at the Sands, the Mardi Gras lounge. F&M Patio and local dances. The sisters, unfortunately, had no follow-up to "Men Of War", but Wanda continued to record for Frisco as a solo artist; "Long Time No See" and "Would You Love Me", are two fine examples of her solo work.
1959 - Chick-A-Dee / I'm Lonesome For You (Esta 100) 1960 - Diamonds And Pearls / We Dance (Federal 12380) 1961 - Golden Rule Of Love / Watcha Bet (Federal 12430) 1961 - Thank You Mr. Ballard / Yes, I Need Someone (Federal 12445) 1963 - Shame Shame Shame / That's Life (Federal 12493)
Biography :
In 1959 Lonnie Carter and Winfred Gerald left the Otis Williams' Charms and started their own group, called the Escos. The others were George Carter and Wilbert Bell.
"The Escos" - formely "Impalas"???
In June 1959, they recorded "Chick-A-Dee" and "I'm Lonesome For You," which were released on Eve Dodds' Esta label (out of Hamilton, Ohio) in July. Syd Nathan (Federal label Owner, a King Records subsidiary) got the Escos to record for him. The quartet recorded a handful of singles for the Federal subsidiary label from 1960 to 1963.
from left: Fran Russak, Karla Major, Alayne Major and Jim Morabito
Frani & The Frantics (2) (New York)
Personnel :
Fran Russak (Lead)
Karla Major
Alayne Major
Jim Morabito
Discography :
1964 - You Threw A Line / Skin And Bones (Giant Star 401)
Biography :
Frani & the Frantics were a vocal quartet of Fran Russak, sisters Karla Major and Alaine Major, and Jim Morabito. Fran Russak came from Carmel, New York, the others from Peekskill. Their one and only single from the spring of 1964, “You Threw a Line” b/w “Skin and Bones” was also the first on the Giantstar label of Mahopac, owned by Raymond Meltzer. Giantstar would release three singles by the Mark IV of Poughkeepsie. The labels of Giant Star GS 401 credit Dorothea Meltzer & Jeannie Villetto for both songs. Ray Meltzer owned Jemel Publishing, JNR Production and Music-All Inc. Copyright registration shows another song, “Why Ya Make Me Wanna Cry” which Frani & the Frantics attempted but didn’t finish. Jeanne Villetto had previous experience in song-writing, composing “I Dig That Guy” for the top side of a single by Claire Lane (aka Claire Litke, a member of the Ramrods) on Josie 904 (b/w “Run Run Run Away”). Villetto and Litke also wrote “Do You Hear Me Call?” in 1962, but I’m not sure if this was recorded. https://garagehangover.com/frani-the-frantics-on-giant-star/
1960 - How Long / Chloe (Jerden 1) 1960 - Goodnight My Love / Won't you give me a chance (Jerden 9)
Biography :
Darwin Lamm was an 18 year-old singer/songwriter living in Vancouver, Washington in 1960 when he heard Bonnie Guitar was appearing in town at the “Frontier Dinner Club.” Bonnie had several hit records on her own but was also credited with discovering the group The Fleetwoods. Not yet of legal drinking age, Darwin nonetheless grabbed up a couple of songs he had written with The Fleetwoods in mind, and headed for the club where Bonnie was singing. The doorman, of course, stopped him at the door for I.D., but, by claiming he had some important papers for Bonnie, young Darwin was allowed to enter and sit back by her dressing room. After Bonnie finished her set, Darwin met her outside her dressing room, where he actually sang his compositions in a live audition. Little did Lamm know, but Bonnie was looking for another Fleetwoods-like group.
Darwin Janet Peters, Bobbi Brown & Darwin lamm
When she learned Darwin was working with Bobbi Brown and Janet Peters, two female singers known as The Cupids, Miss Guitar believed she had just found her next Fleetwoods trio. At this time, Bonnie and Darwin met with Seattle music distributor Jerry Dennon who was anxious to start his own label. All that was missing was a singer and some songs, both of which were supplied when he signed Darwin & The Cupids. Within weeks “How Long” was the Northwest’s hottest hit, reaching the top of the charts. Darwin & The Cupids were in constant demand, playing rapid-fire dates for 10,000 plus crowds, such as the 1960 “Show of Stars.” “How Long” was included on the album Original Great Northwest Hits Volume I. On the heels of “How Long” came Darwin & The Cupids’ equally popular follow-up: “Goodnite My Love” (Jerden 9). After the two Jerden hits, Lamm moved to Los Angeles and from 1963 to 1965 recorded for Dore Records as “Darwin.” He also produced records by other artists for L.A.-based labels like Liberty, Dot and Dore Records.
(L to R) George Millard, Merle Moden, Chuck Joyce, Jerry Squyres, Jeff Rampy and Bobby Doyle
Bobby Doyle & The Ideals (5) (Austin, Texas)
Personnel :
Bobby Doyle (lead)
Chuck Joyce
George Millard
Merle Moden
Jeff Rampy
Jerry Squyres
Discography :
1958 - Too Late / Chug-a-Lug (Trinity AR-112)
Biography :
Robert Glen "Bobby" Doyle was an American singer, bassist, and pianist. He is best known for his early work with a young Kenny Rogers and for a brief stint with Blood, Sweat & Tears. Doyle joined the doo-wop group The Spades (later The Slades) in 1957 while still at McCallum High School in Austin. The Spades, a white group, had a Black/Chicano sound. "You Cheated" became their biggest hit. Its flip "The Waddle, " a dance song, was the original plug side. In 1958, Bobby Doyle left the group and fronted another group, The Ideals with other McCallum High School students. The Ideals consisted of George Millard, Merle Moden, Chuck Joyce, Jerry Squyres and Jeff Rampy. Bobby Doyle & The Ideals Recorded "Too Late" written by Bobby Doyle and "Chug-A-Lug" written by Jane Bowers, owner of Trinity records who released the single.
The Bobby Doyle Three (L to R) Don Russell, Bobby Doyle & Kenny Rogers
In 1960 he formed The Bobby Doyle Three with Don Russell and standup bass player Kenny Rogers, then a student at the University of Texas. Rogers soon dropped out of college to join Doyle full-time, singing high harmony and playing bass on the 1962 album In A Most Unusual Way. The group appeared at clubs across the country including the New York Playboy Club in 1962.[2] The trio disbanded in 1965, and Rogers went on to become a country-pop sensation.
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