Freddy 'Boom Boom' Cannon was pretty much the last of the 50s rockers. His records were wild, raucous affairs, propelled by loud whoops, a booming backing and a thumping beat - all of which invariably made them sound dated. Indeed, his breakthrough hit, the brash "Tallahassee Lassie", heralded a booting, big band style which, by 1959, already sounded anachronistic. Yet it has served him well and with a couple of dozen major hit records under his belt, a half-dozen of which were million-sellers, Freddy continues to tour and record to this very day. He was born Frederick Anthony Piciarello Jr, on December 4th, 1939, in Swampscott, Massachusetts, and was raised in the neighbouring town of Lynn. Freddy grew up in a musical environment- his father played trumpet in local bands and he was encouraged to listen to singers like Big Joe Turner on the radio. When R&R came along he was quickly seduced by it, his earliest heroes being Chuck Berry and Elvis.
As a 16-year old he (allegedly) played guitar on The G-Clefs' Doo-Wop classic "Ka-Ding-Doug" and the following year Freddy Cannon recorded with two Boston buddies: John Falzone (who was part of the original Majestics before they recorded for 20th Fox) and David Sugarman who wrote with him the two songs. The single will be released by Hot Records (Boston). "Cha Cha Doo" b/w "Belinda" will be picked up by ABC-Paramount for distribution.. With The Spindrifts, he writing, singing and playing guitar on 'Cha Cha Doo', which became a significant local success. However, he wanted to get into more mainstream R'N'R to which end he formed his one band, Freddy Karmon & the Hurricanes, who very quickly became popular in and around Boston, managed by local deejay Jack McDermott.
1962 - Darling, I'll Be True / Wilted Rose Bud (King 5633)
Biography :
The Interludes had a recording session with Johnny Otis in Los Angeles on 15 March 1962. The results included two ballads, "Darling, Be True" and "Wilted Rosebud", which were released as King 5631. The group was a sextet: Billy Hall (lead), Billy Belfield, Dennis Watson, Ron Gipson, Tommy Deureaux and Robert McGhee. They formed in the late 1950s at Freemont High School - a location which was a rich spawning ground for many Los Angeles vocal groups in the early 1950s. This Interludes group is not connected with the Boston-based Interludes who recorded for RCA in 1961.
Singles : 1956 - My Inspiration / I Prayed For Love (King 5004) 1957 - Don't Be Afraid to Love / After School (King 5037) 1957 - Jellyfish / Bridge Of Love (Dot 15669) 1958 - Sugar Baby / Catch Me, I'm Falling Again (Rendezvous 102) 1959 - Al Chiar Di Luna (Porto Fortuna) / We Won't Tell (Josie 856) 1959 - You're My Hollywood Star / Cry No More (Josie 862) 1959 - Daddy's Little Girl / Always You (Josie 873) 1966 - Till / Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (Frisky 243) 1966 - Two Stars / Ol' Man River (Frisky 914) 1966 - Hey Gingerbread / Champaign Lady (Laurie 3325) 1976 - Welcome Back Kotter / Champagne Lady (Laurie 3642) 1977 - Goodnight Elvis / Hey Gingerbread (Laurie 3660)
Unreleased : 196? - You and I (Laurie)
Lps : 1963 - The Teardrops At Trinchi's (20th Century Fox 5011) Hey Look Me Over / Mala Femmena (Always You) / Chella La / My Prayer / My Melancholy Baby / Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You) / Scarpricciatiello / You Are My Destiny / Ddoje Stelle So Cadute / Just Say I Love Her / Mama / My Yiddish Mama / When The Saints Go Marching In
1966 - Our Best (Frisky 243) Let Me Know / Love Is A Many Splendored Thing / You Mean Everything To Me / My Yiddishe Momma / 'Till / Old Man River / Two Stars / Why / Na Voce Na Chitarra / Passione / Just Say I Love Her / Infatuation
Biography :
Paulie “Teardrop” Ciaurella, and his brother, Tony, started making music in the early 1950s as the Teardrops. Born in East Harlem, they would pack up their instruments, and take their show on the road. The Teardrops became known for their Italian songs and show, unique to the era. From opening at New York’s Copacabana Club in 1953, to Las Vegas and ultimately Atlantic City, The Teardrops were a fixture.
When they signed to king records in 1956, Paul is twenty two years old plays the guitar, and sings both tenor and baritone. Tony, twenty years old play the accordion and sing baritone. Before the end of 1956 and April 1958, the teardrops recorded four singles, two for King records, one for Dot Records, who have moved to Hollywood, California, and one for the Label Rendezvous, also established in california.
The Four Coins with Tony & Paul Ciaurella
According to Cashbox February 21, 1959, Danny Kessler, Record company executive, publisher and talent agent send them to Josie Records, a subsidiary of Jubilee Records in New York City. The Teardrops recorded "Al Chiar Di Luna (Porto Fortuna)" b/w "We Won't Tell", and two others records for Josie. Another group of "Teardrops" had already recorded two singles for Josie in 1954, one of which was re-released in 1960 on the Port label. The Teardrops of 1954 has nothing to do with the brothers Paul & Tony. It is possible to imagine that they did not agree to change their name after having already made a reputation on stage and having recorded four singles.
Over the next six years, The Teardrops appeared on all the major stages and recorded an album for 20th Century Fox in 1963: The Teardrops At Trinchi's. In 1966, they recorded a second album for Frisky Records owned by Henry Rosenberg in Kearny, NJ. In 1966, Ernie Maresca with whom the two brothers have been friends for a long time, wrote them two songs which were released by Laurie the same year :"Hey Gingerbread" b/w "Champaign Lady".
Songs :
You're My Hollywood Star Champaign Lady You and I
My Inspiration I Prayed For Love Don't Be Afraid to Love
Jellyfish Bridge Of Love Sugar Baby
Al Chiar Di Luna (Porto Fortuna) We Won't Tell Hey Gingerbread
1962 - My Kind Of Love / Johnny (Laurie 3142) 1963 - I Cried / Shy Guy (Laurie 3173) 1963 - Sweet Talk / Work It Out (Laurie 3203) 1964 - Looking For Trouble / After You Walk Me Home (Pip 800) 1965 - Where's The Boy / It's A Funny Way We Met (Louis 6806)
Biography :
The Charmers hailed from Brooklyn, Ny. It is unanimous opinion that they recorded both incredibly tender and weepy ballads and some rockin' dance tunes, all filled with tight harmony fronted by a bold and confident female lead. Some of the guys in the group had been members of The Van Dykes, who recored the smooth group harmony ballad "The Bells Are Ringing" for King Records in 1958, a New York area favorite during the revival year of 1961. Due to the renewed interest in the single, Mike Cruz and Tony Rivera from The Imperials and the Van Dykes and Benny Ortiz from The Van Dykes reformed the group, they added Cesar and Julio .
The Van Dykes with Charmers' Mike Cruz ,Tony Rivera and Benny Ortiz
Along the way, a new name change occurred and a new member, Inez Williams, was brought in to sing lead. They were called locally the Latino Charmers of Brooklyn, NY. "My Kind Of Love" was their first of three waxings for Laurie records, released in late 1962, coupled with "Johnny" (Laurie 3142). They second single on Laurie is incredible "I Cried" "Shy Guy", all the voices are just perfect. The Charmers released one more singles after their tenure with Laurie, one on the very short-lived Scepter subsidiary PIP and another on Louis Records rounding out a favorable body of recordings. from 1962 to1965 the personnel could be different since Uncle Sam took his tithe.
Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1) (Boston, Massachusetts)
Personnel :
Jerry Diamond (Lead)
...
Discography :
Jerry Diamond & The Sparkles (1) 1958 - Let's Make It (Ooh-Whad-A-Ya-Mean) / Lindy-Lou (RCA 7257)
Jerry Diamond 1957 - Sunburned Lips / Don't Trust Love (Atlantic 1145)
Biography :
Jerry Diamond's a 22 year-old lad from The Boston area who got together in a recording studio (quite by accident) with three teenage gals who were being auditioned. The result : a rock'n'roller a la "Lollipop," Lindy-Lou. The billing : Jerry Diamond and the Sparkles. Jerry Diamond had previously recorded "Sunburned Lips" b/w "Don't Trust Love" released by Atlantic.
The Dreamers from Left, Edmund Walters, G.G. Greer, Ralph Steward & Ed Stewart
The Dreamers (6) (Largo, FL.)
Personnel :
Ralph Steward (Lead, Baritone, Guitar)
G.G. Greer (First Tenor)
Edmund Walters (Second Tenor)
Ed Stewart (Bass)
Sharon Madson (Piano)
Kenny Keen (Drums)
Discography :
Singles: 1958 - Dear I / Only Time (Tri-Dec 8757) 1959 - Don't Cry / It's Gonna Be Alright (Nugget 1000) 1959 - Seconds / Mama Lucie (Dream 101) Unreleased: 1958 - Talking About It (Tri-Dec) 1958 - Devil Congo Drums (Tri-Dec)
Biography :
Organized in 1956 from the Largo High School glee club, this six-member group is recording on the Tri Dec label in 1958. Their first record was "Dear I" backed with "Only Time." both written by Ralph Steward. "Dear I" made the top 40 locally and the Dreamers doing shows and dances throughout the state. All teen-agers, The line up Is: Ed Steward, M. C. and bass; Ralph Steward, baritone and guitar; G. G. Greer, first tenor; Edmund Walters, second tenor; Sharon Madson, piano and Kenny Keen, drums. They all live In Largo or Clearwater.
The Dreamers with The Links Band at the Clearwater Auditorium Ralph Steward
They recorded two other songs for Tri-Dec : "Talking About It," by Green and "Devil Congo Drums," by Ralph Steward. Unfortunately these two titles will never be released. In addition to over 10 original numbers the Dreamers do many current hits, such as "At The Hop" "Daddy Cool" and "Get A Job." In early 1959, Ralph Steward wrote "It's Gonna Be All Right" and "Don't Cry" who were issued in 1959 on Nuggett Records, a Tampa label owned by Lonzo and Oscar, once a popular country act. A third single will be released the same year on the Dream Label with two new titles written by Ralph "Seconds" and "Mama Lucie."
Rick & Rob 1959 - Purple Pedal Pushers / Suzzane (Golden Crest 530)
The Fireflies 1960 - Give All Your Love To Me / Marianne (Canadian American 117)
Biography :
The Fireflies was formed by producer Gerry Granahan in Long Island in 1957 with Ritchie Adams, Lee Reynolds, Paul Giacalone and John Viscelli. "You Were Mine", which was their biggest hit. It spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at #21 on October 26, 1959. In 1960, After four singles for Roulette & Ribbon records, the Fireflie's broke up. Lee Reynolds & Gerry Granahan recording as Lee & The Sounds.
Months later, Lee form a new Fireflies group with Frank Piaza, Robert Saraniero and Richard Spero. Robert Saraniero and Richard Spero, two handsome brothers from the Bronx, had written and recorded two nice doo-wop songs in early 1959, "Purple Pedal Pushers" and "Suzzane" which had been released by Golden Crest as Ricky and Robby. The New Fireflies recorded one single in 1960 for Canadian American Records with "Give All Your Love To Me" and the beautiful ballad "Marianne written by Robert and Richard. Robert Saraniero sang lead on both songs.
1957 - You For Me / Don't Say Tomorrow (Nasco 6001)
Biography :
Clifford Curry attended Austin High School, 1951-55 during a time when the lines between races were clearly drawn and respected. By 1953 Curry garnered a reputation in his school as an outstanding singer. Benjamin Washington was a classmate at Austin High who introduced Curry to his singing group, The Echoes. They included the Myers brothers, Herbert, and twins, John and James, Charles Holloway (bass singer), and Benny Washington (lead singer).
Clifford Curry
By 1954 he was a senior in high school. Curry sang with The Echoes for black audiences in churches and at clubs, and with The Fabulous Six at the University of Tennessee fraternity parties, debutant balls, and white night clubs. The Group signing a recording contract with Savoy records. Savoy management decided to rename the group The Five Pennies. They cut three singles. When The Five Pennies quit high school to go on tour Curry’s father refused to allow him to go until he got his diploma. With The Five Pennies away, Curry continued with The Fabulous Six who grew more willing and eager to play his songs.
Ernie Young (founder of Nashboro, Nasco and Excello labels)
While The Five Pennies toured during high school, Curry’s four other friends formed a group called The Bingos. That group included, Willie Earl Drummond, Vestee Huddleston, Clayton Whittington and Leon “Mickey” Prater. Curry wrote his own songs and sang into his small reel-to-reel tape recorder until the group saved enough money to drive to Nashville to record one 45 on Nashboro Records. Curry was the lead singer on both; “Don’t Say Tomorrow” and “You For Me” the later, a song Curry co-wrote with Mickey Prater. Then the owner of Nashboro Records, Ernie Young, changed their name to The Hollyhocks. The man loved flowers. The following year, he joined a band called the Contenders (Dewey Guy, his twin brother, Lewey Guy, Jerry Johnson, Wayne Cronan, and Bob Adams). In late 1958, they recorded "Mr. Dee Jay"/"Yes I Do" for Earl Dorrance's Blue Sky Records (although the label called them the "Continders"). Then, as "Dewey Guy and the Fabulous Six," they had "Rock A While"/"Can't Stand To Be Alone" on Ralph Stevens' Ridgecrest Records in early 1959. Cliff also had a solo effort on Ridgecrest: "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss"/"Crazy For You."
The Temptations with Efrain Rivera on lead in 1955
The Temptations (1) (Brooklyn, New York) ref: The Van Dykes (2) ref : The Charmers (5)
Personnel :
Efrain Rivera (Lead)
Mike Cruz (First Tenor)
Tony Rivera (Second Tenor)
Ray Pena (Baritone)
John Cales (Bass)
Discography :
The Temptations (1) 1958 - Standing Alone / Roach's Rock (King 5118)
The Van Dykes (2) 1958 - The Bells Are Ringing / Meaning Of Love (King 5158/DeLuxe 6193) 1959 - Once Upon A Dream / Dame Tu Corazon (Felsted 8565) 1960 - Gift Of Love / Guardian Angel (Spring 1113/Donna 1333)
Biography :
The Temptations were a Hispanic group from South Brooklyn who had one release on King in 1958. Both sides of their rare single,"Roach's Rock"/ "Standing Alone" (King 5118) were recorded in a New York City studio on two separate days in February 1958. The group members were Efrain Rivera (lead), Mike Cruz (first tenor), Tony Rivera (second tenor), Ray Pena (baritone) and John Cales (bass). They were not related to the Temptations on Goldisc or Savoy and could never have foreseen the worldwide fame of their Motown namesake on Gordy.Another group as the Temptations who recorded for Savoy, staked a prior claim to the name obliging the King Group to change its name to the Van Dykes in time for their next release.
The Van Dykes with Mike Cruz on lead
The group changed personnel (with Mike Cruz and Tony Rivera remaining, they added Benny Ortiz, Junior Garcia and Ray Martinez) and recorded "The Bells Are Ringing" b/w "Meaning Of Love" (King 5158) in October 1958 as The Van Dykes. "The Bells Are Ringing", an exquisite record that surprisingly failed to elicit the response it merited. Three Years later, demand for the record at New York's Time Square record shop, a legendary haven for collectors, created a resurgence of interest in "The Bells Are Ringing" which had a long since become unavailable.
A young King employee named Seymour Steinbeigle who had been given the task of overseeing King's back catalogue, re-issued "The Bells Are ringing" on King's Deluxe subsidiary to meet a demand on the East Coast where sales, helped by a little airplay pushed it to #99 on the hot 100 - a poor showing for a record of such undoubted quality. Seymour Stein later founded Sire Records. During the revival year of 1961. Due to the renewed interest in the single, Mike Cruz, Tony Rivera and Benny Ortiz reformed the group, they added Cesar and Julio . Along the way, a new name change occurred and a new member, Inez Williams, was brought in to sing lead. They were called The Charmers.
aka The Georgettes (1)(Ricki) aka The Page Sisters(Ricki & Sonya) aka The Austin Sisters(Ricki & Sonya) aka The Majorettes (1) (Sheila, Joanna, Susie and Rebecca) aka Joanne & The Triangles (3) (Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca) aka Beverly & The Motor Scooters (Ricki, Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca) aka Becky & The Lollipops (2) (Joanna,Rebecca) aka The Bermudas (Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca) aka The Cinders (3) (Ricki, Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca)
Personnel:
Ricki Page
Rebecca Page
Joanna Page
Sheilah Page
Discography :
The Georgettes (1) 1957 - Love Like A Fool / Oh Tonight (Ebb 125) 1959 - Dizzy Over You / Oh Oh Yes (Jackpot 48001) 1960 - Down By The River / Pair Of Eyes (Fleet 1111/UA 237) 1963 - The Story / Little Boy (Troy 1001)
The Page Sisters 1957 - Sweet Sweetheart / All My Love Belongs To You (Zephyr 70-012) 1958 - Dream Boy / If They Only Knew (Liberty 55133)
The Austin Sisters It Happened At The Hop / Love Can Do Most Anything (Edison International 401)
The Majorettes (1) 1962 - Stretch Sensation / Dance With Me (Regency 8000) 1962 - White Levi's / Please Come Back (Troy 1000) 1963 - Let's Do the Kangaroo / Dance With Me (Troy 1004)
Joanne & The Triangles (3) 1963 - After The Showers Come Flowers / Don't Be A Cry Baby (Vip 25003)
Beverly & The Motor Scooters 1964 - He's My Boy / I Had To Walk Home Myself (Epic 9654)
Becky & The Lollipops (2) 1964 - I Don't Care (What They Say) / Come On Home (Troy 6493) 1964 - I Don't Care (What They Say) / My Boyfriend (Epic 9736)
The Bermudas 1964 - Donnie / Chu Sen Ling (Era 3125) 1964 - Blue Dreamer / Seing is Believing (Era 3133)
The Cinders (3) 1964 - I'll Follow You / The Story (Original Sound 43)
Biography :
Rickie Page was born June Evelyn Kuykendall in tiny Lindsay, Oklahoma on 7 November 1929. June became a recording star with releases on Liberty, Dot, Zephyr, and Rendezvous. Sometimes recording with her sister Sonya (The Page Sisters and The Austin Sisters) and Sometimes with some combination of her three daughters Joanna, Sheila, and Becky (Rebecca) Page and their friend Susan Kuykendall.
The Georgettes
She also put records out on Con, Landa, Decca, Epic, Era, Fleet, Hit, Landa, Spar, United Artists, and VIP, using a huge variety of artist names, including The Georgettes. The Georgettes was fronted by Rickie Page in 1957 and were named after her husband/co-writer/producer George Motola. Rickie Page was the only vocalist for the group. The Georgettes appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in January, 1958.
The Majorettes : Sheila, Joanna, Susie and Rebecca
They hired a little Philipino girl, Rosalie, to be the other half and they did the Dick Clark show. The Bermudas, the Majorettes, the Georgettes, Becky & Lollipops, Joanne & the Triangles and Beverly & the Motorscooters – these are just some of the recording names used by Rickie Page and the female members of her musical family. The Majorettes first released "Stretch Sensation" b/w Dance With Me" which is very much inspired by the recordings of Little Eva and Dee Dee Sharp – in 1962 on the Regency International label.
The Bermudas : Joanna, Sheilah & Rebecca
They then released “White Levis” on George Motola’s Troy label later that year. “Let’s Do The Kangaroo” followed in 1963 with “Dance With Me” resurrected for the flipside. Rickie Page and George Motola were active in the music business in the late 50s and 60s. They wrote “Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie” for Eddie Cochran, “Donnie” for the Bermudas and “Borealis” for the Markets among other achievements. George wrote “Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)” with John Marascalco.
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