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

Kenny Kole & The Huskies (1)

Posted on September 23 2021 by dion1

(L to R) Ken Kolok, Jack Covert, Dick Crane, Roger DeLuca and Dave Jones

Kenny Kole & The Huskies (1) (Storrs, Connecticut)

Personnel :

Ken Kolok "Kenny Kole" (Lead)

Jack Covert

Dick Crane

Roger DeLuca

Dave Jones

Discography :

1958 - Who / Sorry (Klik 8205)

Biography :

Kenny Kole and the Huskies made their debut on the Uconn campus in the early days Of March 1958. At this time they were not yet under their present name but that of The Crystals. As they proceeded from one dorm to another, singing only two numbers which they themselves had composed, they received a rousing ovation and a cry of encore. Not long after this they again popped up, this time in the Campus Sing at the HUB and under still another name, The Tolland Hall Five. Under what the Judges called "Original work, good blending and bal- ance" they ran away with the show. This was their first milestone. They have made rapid progress, The name of Kenny Kole and the Huskies has been in front of the public constantly. Locally, they have participated in student activities such as Skitsofunia, dorm formals more serenading and a appearance In benefit of the CCC. On the outside, on such shows as WHNC TVs Bandstand and an ln person appearance at the Ritz Ballroom in Bridgeport, where such names as Count Basie have appeared.

Kenny Kole and the Huskies have signed a contract with the Klik Records and have released a record on which "Sorry" and "Who" are featured. This record has been termed by Billboard Magazine as "having a sound" and being "eminently danceable." The lead singer Ken Kole comes from Byran Connecticut, and is a sophomore on campus majoring in business. He learned to play the guitar from a book without any private training. The background group is made up of three freshmen and a junior. Dave Jones, a freshman comes from Branford, Connecticut is also majoring In business. Jack Covert is also from Branford and is a freshman majoring In engineering. As previous experience he sang with the Ballads, a rock and roll group that recorded on the Franwill label. Roger DeLuca Is the third freshman and is from Norwalk, Connecticut. He Is majoring In engineering and most of his previous singing experience was gained In a church choir. The Junior, Dick Crane resides in New Haven, Connecticut, and also Is majoring in business. He earlier sang with a group by the name of the Teardrops.

Songs :

Who Sorry

...

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The Pastels (6) aka Jack & Jill

Posted on September 19 2021 by dion1

The Pastels with John Wesley Ryles

The Pastels (6) (Bastrop, Louisiana)
aka Jack & Jill

Personnel :

Carolyn Riels

Patricia Riels

Mary Riels

Discography :

Jack & Jill
1963 - Very Few Heartaches (Very Few Tears) / Laurie's Love (Arlen 726 / Smash 1824)

The Pastels (6)
1964 - Do You Ever Think Of Me / Sleep Tight (Pastel 506)

Biography :

The Pastels are the Riels Sisters : Carolyn, Patricia, and Mary. They are originally from Bastrop, Louisiana area, but were singing out of Dallas, TX for their record. They worked in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, singing vocal back-up. They made several recordings under different names, Bill Smith, would record them and give them a different name for each recording. "Sleep Tight" was record that produced just for them, to try and help them make it on their own. The flip side of this record is a catchy tune called "Do You Ever Think of Me".

The Pastels (6)

They are sisters to John Wesley Ryles (Riels), who was on the top of the Country Charts in the 70's and 80's with songs such as "Kay" and "Once and a Lifetime Thing". Patricia also recorded with Jimmy Ware, one he wrote himself "Very Few Heartaches" under the name, Jack and Jill, this record did very well. The other Song "Laurie's Love" is Jimmy Ware backed by The Pastels.

Songs:

Jack & Jill


                     Laurie's Love              Very Few Heartaches (Very Few Tears)

The Pastels (6)


         Sleep Tight                            Do You Ever Think Of Me

...

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The Blendtones

Posted on September 11 2021 by dion1

The Blendtones
1959 - Little George & the Del-Rays from left : Victor Smith, Carl Sanders, James Ewing, Gilbert Davis & Little George Davis

The Blendtones (Des Moines, Iowa)

Personnel :

George Davis

Gilbert Davis

Audrey Davis

Ronnie Brewer

John Walker

Discography :

Singles :
1963 - Dear Diary / Lovers (Success 101)
1963 - The Slide / Come On Home (Success 105)

Lps :
1963 - Only For Teenagers And Swinging Adults (Success LP 1011MX)
The Slide / Come On Home

Biography :

The Blendtones, like so many groups of the time, were formed at their highschool in Des Moines, Iowa in 1959. Originally called the Little George and the Del-Rays, the group consisted of Little George Davis, Victor Smith, Carl Sanders, James Ewing & Gilbert Davis. Several years later Victor Smith, Carl Sanders, James Ewing were replaced by Audrey Davis, John Walker & Ronnie Brewer.They played the local scene until they signed (and changed names : The Blendtones) to Success records in 1963.

The Blendtones

The group enjoyed some significant popularity with a West Coast tour and their song “Lovers” (with lead vocal by George) reached #3 in Los Angeles, behind #2 “Just One Look” (by Doris Troy) and the #1 hit “Fingertips” (by then 12-year-old Stevie Wonder). The flip side of the single was “Dear Diary,” with Ronnie on the lead vocal, making for a potent one-two punch. They only put out 2 45s.

Ronnie Brewer

In the summer of '63, the group went on a very successful tour on the West Coast and the chance to open for Ike and Tina in their hometown. While on tour, Success records signed more local groups including The Martinels, The Extensions, and The Casualtones. Upon completion of the tour, it was suggested that an album be produced featuring all of the artists that were currently signed with the company.

Songs :


Come On Home                  Lovers


The Slide                                 Dear Diary

...

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Mikie & The Ardons

Posted on September 5 2021 by dion1

Top - Joe Bill Loudermilk, Ronnie Wolshaw, Alton Gill, Jay Foley and Bunky Bartlett
Bottom - Chris Harris, Mikie Harris, Collier Summers

Mikie & The Ardons (Sarasota, Florida )

Personnel :

Mikie Harris (Lead)

Chris Harris (Vocal)

Jay Foley (Vocal)

Collier Summers (Vocal)

Bunky Bartlett (Vocal)

Discography :

Mikie & The Ardons
1962 - Three's A Crowd / Donnie (Mam'selle 1)
1966 - Three's A Crowd / Man Of La Mancha (by the Bob Wayne Five) (Gallant 3016)

Mikie Harris
1964 - Little Miss Lonely / By Choice Or By Chance (Epic 9749)
1969 - Love Is All I Need / Love Is All I Need (Volare 1002)

Biography :

Mikie (Michaele) Harris was raised in Sarasota, Florida (by way of North Carolina), the eldest daughter of an accomplished businessman and airplane pilot and an airline stewardess mother, both of whom gave their daughter lots of encouragement in anything she wanted to do. Fast-forward to 1962, when, as a Manatee College sophomore, Mikie decided that she wanted to produce a recording session with herself as the lead vocalist and other local vocalists and band members with whom she was working. Since she had no label to back her, she decided to start one of her own, calling it “Mam'selle Records” in honor of a hit song by one of her favorite groups, "the Four Freshmen"

   Mikie Harris                              Mikie Harris with the Rag Dolls

It would become her first attempt as a lady record producer and label CEO. After raising some of the money by working the switchboard at school, Mikie convinced her dad to lend her the rest of the money for the session. To avoid any frivolity on her part, Mikie's dad made her sign a loan note, but gave her his full support as she learned the ropes of becoming a businesswoman. The recording took place in Miami at Criteria Recording and Mikie put up all the musicians (and her mother, who was the chaperone) at The Fontainebleau Hotel, quite a venture for a teenager. Mikie's sister Chris sang the lead harmonies with her. The other singers were Jay Foley, Collier Summers and Bunky Bartlett. The band was The Playboys, featuring Joe Bill Loudermilk (John's cousin), Alton Gill, Ronnie Wolshaw and Paul Cooper. The single did make some inroads on a few local and regional stations. Mikie Harris will be part of several groups :The Beach Girls, The Rag Dolls, Les Girls.
Girl Groups: Fabulous Females Who Rocked the World

Songs :

Mikie & The Ardons


Three's A Crowd (1962)                   Three's A Crowd (1966)

Mikie Harris

Little Miss Lonely

...

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The Strollers (3)

Posted on July 23 2021 by dion1

The Strollers (3) (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Joe Prisco

Alex Giordano

Joe Orlando

Discography :

1960 - Dee Dee Brown / Favors (Cub 9060)
1960 - One Summer Love / King Of All Fools (20th Fox 226)

Biography :

Vocal Trio from brooklyn composed by Joe Prisco, Alex Giordano and Joe Orlando. The Strollers have done night club engagements in the New York Area and landed a recording contract with MGM. The Strollers' "Dee Dee Brown" b/w "Favors" came out January 11 1960 on Cub (9060). Cub was a subsidiary label of MGM. The biggest hit for the label was the Impalas' "Sorry (I Ran All The way Home)", which made #2 in early 1959.

The Strollers (3)
The Strollers with Clay Cole

The Strollers made appearance with Clay cole on his WNTA-TV show with "Dee Dee Brown". The Group recorded Another single the same year on 20th Fox "One Summer Love" b/w "King Of All Fools" backed by some female vocals.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

         Favors       Dee Dee Brown


One Summer Love                              King Of All Fools

...

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Bill Pinky & The Turks (2)

Posted on July 4 2021 by dion1

Bill Pinky & The Turks (2)
Bill Pinkney

Bill Pinky & The Turks (2) (Memphis)

Personnel :

Bill Pinkney (Lead)

Willie Peppers

Gerald Hendrix

Tom Abston

James Curry

Discography :

Single:
1958 - After The Hop / Sally's Got A Sister (Phillips 3524)
Unreleased :
1958 - High School Rock (Phillips)

Biography :

Originally from South Carolina, Pinkney was singing alongside Brook Benton in the Jerusalem Stars when Clyde McPhatter drafted him into the Drifters in 1953. After McPhatter left, Pinkney sang lead on a few songs, including ''Steamboat'' before the Drifters' manager (and owner), George Treadwell, fired him in 1957. He did a tour with Bill Justis and Roland Janes, which probably accounts for this one-off single. In all likelihood, it was recorded shortly before Pinkney put together a group called the Flyers with Bobby Hendricks that made one record for Atco.

Bill Pinky & The Turks (2)

Pinkney meanwhile was still recording occasionally with the Drifters until Treadwell fired the lot in 1958. Bill Pinkney had cut the single with a studio group called the Turks "After the Hop" b/w "Sally's Got A Sister" in Memphis in 1958 on Sam Phillips Phillips International label as Bill Pinky & The Turks. The group consisting of Willie Peppers, Gerald Hendrix, Tom Abston and James Curry.

Songs :

After The Hop Sally's Got A Sister

High School Rock

...

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The Ban-Lons

Posted on July 2 2021 by dion1

The Ban-Lons
L to R : Junius Thompson, Clement Lynch, Nat Dixon, George Flagg & Noe Girault

The Ban-Lons (Wichita Falls, TX)

Personnel :

Nat Dixon (Lead)

George Flagg

Noe Girault

Junius Thompson

Clement Lynch

Discography :

1962 – Hey Baby / Highest Mountain (Fidelity 4051)
1962 – Hey Good Lookin’/ I Like It (Fidelity 4056)

Biography :

Vocal group from the United States Air Force Stationed at Shepard AFB Texas composed by A.1C, Nathaniel Dixon, A.1C, George Flagg, A.2C., Clement Lynch, Noe Girault and Junius Thompson. The Ban-Lors took the first place in the vocal group category of the 1962 Air Training Command Talent Contest held at Sheppard Air Force base. In the same time, Nathaniel Dixon won the popular vocalist solo event. Junius Thompson, Clement Lynch, Nat Dixon & Noe Girault were from New York & George Flagg from Indianapolis.

The Ban-Lons
Bruce Channel

Thanks to this recognition, they take the path of the studios and record two songs : "Highest Mountain" and a nice cover of Bruce Channel's hit, "Hey Baby". The single will be released by Fidelity out of Wichita Falls. Two months later a new single will be released by Fidelity, "Hey Good Lookin’" b/w "I Like It ". At some point their Fidelity 4051 was distributed by Milwaukee-based (and largely song-poem) lbl, Brosh, the only difference being a Brosh address sticker placed over the Fidelity name.

Songs :

The Ban-Lons

      Hey Baby                                       Highest Mountain


Hey Good Lookin’                                          I Like It

Bruce Channel

Hey Baby

...

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The Grand Prees (1)

Posted on June 19 2021 by dion1

The Grand Prees (1) (Philadelphia)

Personnel :

Vinnie Palace (Lead)

Anthony Armentani (First Tenor & Lead)

Nick Pucillo (Second Tenor)

Jimmy Romano (Baritone)

John Lombardo (Bass)

Discography :

The Grand Prees (1)
Unreleased :
1962 - My Desire (Sound Plus)
1962 - Foolish Things (Sound Plus)
Singles:
1963 - Alone / I’m Gone (Haral 779)
1964 - World’s Fairest Chic / Other Worlds (J & G 1719)

Jimmy Eden (Jimmy Testa) & The Revelers (Grand Prees uncredited)
1963 - Goddess of Love / Beatle Walk (Haral 780)

Biography :

Group from South Philly in the late 50's / early 60's. They were from the area around 11th & Shunk. Their members were Vince Palace, Anthony Armentani, Nicky Pucillo, Johnny Lombardo & Jimmy Romano. 11th & Shunk in South Philadelphia, the ward which produced Richie & the Royals. In their wake came the Grand Prees, a melange of disparate singers who idolized the Royals, as well as the Royals’ prime influence, Anthony & the Sophomores.

As South Philly white groups go, the Sophs were top of the heap, with hit records, a broad fan base, and more gigs than they could go to. Insofar as idols, the Grand Prees could have done far worse. “In the beginning,” notes first tenor/lead Anthony Armentani, “it was me, John Lombardo, and a dude named Anthony Campagna, We harmonized on the street corner like most everybody else, and I did some leads. We kept out of trouble and enjoyed ourselves, plus the girls gravitated to singers. That we loved.

“But we were short a baritone, so I remembered this guy in the neighborhood, Jimmy Romano. We shuffled around to his house one day and asked him if he wanted to join us.” The ensemble was now a quartet, but a more accomplished lead voice was called for as Anthony was only suitable for certain songs. Jimmy was a member of the glee club at Thomas Junior High (where his Science teacher was Mr. Todarello, owner of Rello Records and discoverer of Richie & the Royals), where he sang side by side with a sonorous voice, Vinnie Palace, so the task at hand was to lure Vinnie into the fold. “He heard our sound,” burbles Romano, “and he signed up right away. It was an easy sell.” Campagna lost interest, and tenor Nick Pucillo was conscripted, and the final lineup was set, and would remain so for the ensuing three years: Vinnie Palace, lead, Anthony Armentani, first tenor and alternate lead, Nick Pucillo, second tenor, Jimmy Romano, baritone, and John Lombardo, bass."

Thanks to Jim Romano
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113450178679167&v=info

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Grand Prees

My Desire / Foolish Things Alone

I'm Gone

Jimmy Eden & The Revelers

Beatle Walk Goddess of Love

...

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The Classics (2)

Posted on June 4 2021 by dion1

1962, L to R : Hank Stevenson, Larry Fields, Chico Waters and Ray (Boone) Leary

The Classics (2) (Portland, OR)

Personnel :

William “Mickey” Stevenson

Elliott Gabriel

J. Marls

Discography :

1958 - If Only The Sky Was A Mirror / Gosh But This is Love (Class 219)
1959 - Let Me Dream / You're The Prettiest One (Crest 1063)

Biography :

Vocal group from Portland in Oregon, the Classics will have several personal changes during their five-year performance, between 1958 and 1962. For their first records, Group members were Elliott Gabriel (bass), J. Marls and most famous member William “Mickey” Stevenson. They wrote both songs and recorded in L.A.. Elliott Peter Gabriel sings bass vocal on the songs and was the brother of renowned musician Charles Henry Gabriel (Charlie Gabriel). Elliott was traveling touring with many vocal groups around the country, Bobby day and the Satelites, The Classics, Bobby Thurston. William Stevenson went on to become song writer, producer and head of Motown Records’ A&R department through the 1960’s. During this time he was husband to Motown star Kim Weston and wrote or co-wrote many of Motown’s monster hits.

The Classics (2)
The Classics With "Ray Boone" (2nd from the right)

The single was released by Class Records. Class Records was stablished in Los Angeles, California in 1951 by songwriter and record producer Leon René. In 1959, the Classics recorded "Let Me Dream" and "You're The Prettiest One" again in L.A., at this time The group members were William Young (Lead Singer), Larry Fields, Chico Waters, William “Mickey” Stevenson and Howard Bullard. Their second single was released by Crest Records. Ellis Ray Leary aka "Ray Boone", father of The Whitney Family children became the lead vocalist for The Classics from 1960 until 1962 with Hank Stevenson, Larry Fields and Chico Waters.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

If Only The Sky Was A Mirror                 Gosh But This Love


       Let Me Dream                        You're The Prettiest One

…

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The Bop-Chords

Posted on May 18 2021 by dion1

The Bop-Chords
1956, Ernest Harriston, Butch Hamilton and William “Sheik” Dailey

The Bop-Chords (Harlem, New York)

Personnel :

Ernest Harriston (Lead)

William "Sheik" Dailey (First Tenor)

Butch Hamilton (Second Tenor)

Morris Smarr (Baritone)

Leon Ivey (Bass)

Discography :

1956 - When I Woke Up This Morning / I Really Love Her So (Holiday 2603)
1956 - Castle In The Sky / My Darling To You (Holiday 2601)
1957 - So Why / Baby (Holiday 2608)

Biography :

Harlem's the Bop Chords formed in 1955 in the same building where the Ladders, Channels, and Willows got their start. Lead vocalist Ernest Harriston, William Dailey, Butch Hamilton, Leon Ivey, and Morris Smarr had all sung with other neighborhood groups, and Hamilton had recorded with the Five Wings earlier in the year on a tribute to Johnny Ace that was issued by King. The Bop Chords recorded for Holiday in 1956, and the mid-tempo "Castle in the Sky" was a local and regional hit. Their second single, "When I Woke Up This Morning," also did well on the East Coast, but internal clashes over song content and wardrobe soon caused lineup defections and changes.

The Bop-Chords

Dailey and Smarr left and were replaced by Skip Boyd and Peggy Jones, their first female vocalist. They recorded "Why" in 1957, then disbanded. Harriston did background vocals for Shep & the Limelites and recorded "We Need Love" for Asnes in 1962 as Ernie Johnson. A new edition of the Bop Chords resurfaced in 1971, with lead vocalist Johnson, Hamilton, Boyd, and Ivey. They never recorded, but were a popular attraction at various New York locations and oldies shows in the '70s.

Songs :


When I Woke Up This Morning               I Really Love Her So


Castle In The Sky                          My Darling To You


So Why                                          Baby

…

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