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

The Fidelitys

Posted on September 30 2020 by dion1

The Fidelitys (Albany, New York)

Personnel :

Emmett Smith (Lead Tenor)

Maurice Newton (Tenor)

Robert McCann (Tenor)

Arthur Morning (Baritone)

Earl Thorpe (Bass/Baritone)

Discography :

1958 - The Things I Love / Hold On To What'cha Got (Baton 252)
1958 - Memories Of You / Can't You Come Out (Baton 256)
1958 - My Greatest Thrill / Captain Of My Ship (Baton 261)
1959 - Marie / The Invitation (Sir 271)
1959 - Walk With The Wind / Only To You (Sir 274)
1960 - This Girl Of Mine / Where In The World (Sir 276)
1960 - Wishing Star / Broken Love (Sir 277)

Biography :

Albany, NY-based doo wop quintet the Fidelitys formed in 1956 -- according to Marv Goldberg's profile on his www.group-harmony.com website, bass Earl Thorpe assembled the founding lineup shortly after relocating from Jacksonville, FL. Thorpe's cousin Emmitt Smith was assigned lead duties, with Clarence Carter and Robert McCann assuming the tenor spots and Arthur Morning coming aboard as baritone. Originally dubbed the Mellow-Tones, the group rechristened itself the Fidelitys when tenor Maurice Newton (a friend of Thorpe's from Jacksonville) moved to Albany and replaced Carter.

In December 1957 the Fidelitys traveled to New York City in the hopes of landing a slot on the Apollo Theatre's famed amateur showcase -- instead, Apollo bandleader Reuben Phillips agreed to manage the Fidelitys, securing them an audition with booking agent Ben Bart of the firm Universal Attractions. Bart in turn landed the Fidelitys an audition with Baton Records, which signed the quintet on the spot -- their debut single, a reading of the Harold Barlow/Lew Harris chestnut "The Things I Love," followed in February 1958, consciously evoking the Platters with its sophisticated, gossamer approach.

The single went on to reach the number 60 spot on the Billboard pop charts, and in June the Fidelitys resurfaced with another oldie, Andy Razaf and Eubie Blake's "Memories of You" -- although its release was celebrated with a weeklong stint at the Apollo, the single failed to match the success of its predecessor, missing the charts altogether. The Fidelitys' third Baton effort, "Captain of My Ship," appeared in the autumn of 1958, coinciding with another week at the Apollo, but when it too failed to earn attention from radio and retail the group's momentum ground to a halt. Baton owner Sol Rabinowitz shuttered the label in the spring of 1959, shortly thereafter teaming with Morty Craft to co-found the new SIR imprint -- the Fidelitys issued the Irving Berlin-penned "Marie" on SIR that July, again to little notice. "Walk with the Wind" followed in the fall, and in early 1960 the group made its final Apollo appearance.

"This Girl of Mine" appeared that spring, and in August the Fidelitys issued their swan song, "Wishing Star," also the last gasp of the struggling SIR. When Smith was drafted into the military in 1962, lead Kenny French signed on his absence, and the Fidelitys continued performing live until the close of the decade. In 2005, the surviving members (Thorpe, Smith, Newton, and French) revived the group for a handful of Albany-area dates.

http://www.uncamarvy.com/Fidelitys/fidelitys.html

Songs :

The Things I Love                          Hold On To What'cha Got


Memories Of You                           Can't You Come Out


My Greatest Thrill                             Captain Of My Ship

Marie / The Invitation Walk With The Wind / Only To You

This Girl Of Mine / Where In The World Wishing Star / Broken Love

......

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The Juveniles

Posted on September 17 2020 by dion1

The Juveniles (Bronx, New-York)

Personnel :

Marilyn Bishop (aka Durant aka Piekarski) (Lead)

Robert Perryman (First Tenor)

Claude "Indio" Chenet (Second Tenor)

Joseph Durant (Baritone)

Larry Peters (Bass)

Discography :

1957 - Beat In My Heart / I've Lied (Mode 1)

Biography :

The Juveniles had a female lead singer named Marilyn Bishop who sang on a song entitled "Beat in my Heart" which was an original song written in 1957 and composed by her and four other teenage singers known as Robert Perryman, Claude "Indio" Chenet, Joseph Durant, and Larry Peters. In 1957, Marilyn Bishop Marilyn gave birth to a baby girl, Michelle, and left the Juveniles. Larry Peters will make even some time after.

At this time, the group has only three members. Robert Perryman stepped up to become the new lead singer and Cal Washington was recruited by Claude Chenet to become the new first tenor. Cal had sung with a local street group, had a background in gospel and blues and also hung out with the Chords. Pete Reyes was recruited by Bobby to replace Larry Peters as the bass singer. The Twilights now consisted of Robert Perryman (lead) Cal Washington (first tenor) Claude “Indio” Chenet (second tenor) Joseph Durant (baritone) and Peter Reyes (bass).

http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/index.htm
http://morningdewproductions.net/page3

Videos :

Beat In My Heart

Songs :

Beat In My Heart I've Lied

...

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The Corvetts (1)

Posted on September 11 2020 by dion1

The Corvetts

Tony La Pietra (Left), Charles Milazzo (top), Rudy Cali (right) and Bob Derose (bottom)

The Corvetts (1) (Rochester, New York)

Personnel :

Tony La Pietra

Charles Milazzo

Rudy Cali

Bob Derose

Discography :

1961 – In The Chapel / The Swinging Smitty (Sheraton 201)

Biography :

Vocal group from Rochester, New York composed by Tony La Pietra, Charles Milazzo, Rudy Cali and Bob Derose. The Corvetts started singing together in 1957 when they were at East High.

The Corvetts

Since then they have made numerous appearances, in 1961 the Corvetts cut their only record, " In The Chapel" b/w "The Swinging Smitty" released by Sheraton. Tony La Pietra wrote the words for "In The Chapel" and Charles Milazzo wrote the music

Songs :

In The Chapel

...

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The Trends (2)

Posted on July 9 2020 by dion1

The Trends (2)

The Trends (2) (Philadelphia, PA.)

Personnel :

Tony Amaral

Jim Romero

Herbie Lopes

Joe Lopes

Discography :

1959 - Silly Grin / Once Again (Scope 102)

Biography :

Formed in 1955 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where all the members were stationed in the U.S. Air Force, the 4 Deuces change their name when a five member join the group. The new name they decided on was the "Del Vikings." They were Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson, David Lerchey, Norman Wright, Don Jackson, Clarence Quick. There was actually a sixth member of the Del Vikings, Joe Lopes was added to the group as their guitarist. Joe Lopes will be present at the first recordings of the group on Fee Bee Records, and will be an integral part of the Del-Vikings on Mercury until 1959.

The Trends (2)
          The Mercury Del-Vikings with Joe Lopes (Top)    The Trends / Tren-Dels with Joe Lopes (Top right)

In 1959, Joe Lopes joined Tony Amaral, Jim Romero and Herbie Lopes in Philadelphia. The quartet, originally named The Tren-Dels will record "Silly Grin" and "Once Again". Scope Records will release the single as the Trends. The Trends went on the road touring in the Northeast. They ran into lots of racial issues on the road. Having black and white musicians playing together was unheard of at the time. When they went on break, the black band members would have to go outside. They often couldn't stay in the same hotels or eat at the same restaurants. They had a big break and had to perform on American Band Stand ... But Tony's wife got pregnant and asked him to leave the road and that's when their tour ended. All the guys stayed friends and lived in the same area of New England.

Songs :


Silly Grin                                     Once Again

...

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The Escorts (8)

Posted on July 5 2020 by dion1

L-R: Dennis DeVita, Daniel DeVita, Doug Scanelli, Phil Giarratano

The Escorts (8) (Long Island, New York)
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Philip J. Giarratano "Phil Tano" (Lead)

Dennis DeVita

Danny DeVita

Doug Scanelli

Dave Kelley (Bass)

Discography :

Single :
1961 - Happy / You're For Me (And I'm For You) (Taurus 350/351)

Demos
n/a - Is It Any Wonder
n/a - Lorraine
n/a - Stormy Weather
n/a - Walkin' My Baby Back Home
n/a - You Just Don't Know

Biography :

The Escorts were a Long Island group, West Bablyon and North Babylon. The Escorts are Phil Giarratano, Dennis DeVita , Doug Scanell, Danny , and Dave Kelley did bass. The Group cut one single for Brooklyn's Taurus Records, a label perhaps best known for its belated and ultimately disappointing Fireflies' LP.

Be that as it may, label owner Michael Sebianiano, who focused much of his energy on putting out the white vocal group sound that was enjoying success in the early 60's, did issue quite a bit of solid material. A few years later, in 1967, Phil Tano joined the Valrays, Rod McBrien, John Giametta and a new member, Meco Menardo for a single.

Songs :


                  Happy                               You’re For Me (And I’m For You)


Is It Any Wonder                  Lorraine


You Just Don't Know

...

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The Corsairs (1)

Posted on July 4 2020 by dion1

The Corsairs (1) (New York)

Personnel :

?

Discography :

Single:
1957 - Goodbye Darling / Rock Lilly Rock (Hy-Tone 110)

Unreleased:
1957 - Believe In Me (Hy-Tone)
1957 - Darling (Please Be Mine) (Hy-Tone)

Biography :

Not the Hy-Tone from Chicago that from the late forties to the mid fifties issued many good blues records, this record company was in fact from Queens, New York. Operating between 1957 and 1959, the Hy-Tone label presented here released fine records by The Lyrics and The Hy-Tones, as well as this single by The Corsairs.

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Goodbye Darling Rock Lilly Rock

Darling (Please Be Mine) Believe In Me

...

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Harry & The Keyavas

Posted on May 28 2020 by dion1

Harry & The Keyavas

Harry & The Keyavas (Rahway, New Jersey)

Personnel :

Harry Starr (Lead)

Jerry Timmons

Kevin Garrity

Discography :

Harry & The Keyavas
1963 - If This Is Goodbye / Tears (IPG 1011)

Harry Starr
1966 - Step Into My World / Another Time, Another Place (End 1129)

Biography :

C&M Records from Elizabeth,N.J. were a label owned by Castino Queen and Mary Linkowitch (also owners of Wanger Records). The C&M label was just beginning but was about to sign a young black group from Elizabeth called the Nobletones . C&M Records was a small outfit so they worked out of a storefront and these kids happened to be from the neighbourhood and they went in and he recorded them first.

Harry & The Keyavas

Among the Nobletones was Jerry Timmons, who a few years later would again register for C&M as a member of the Keyavas. They recorded two great doo-wop : "If This Is Goodbye" b/w "Tears" as Harry & The Keyavas. Lead singer Harry Starr`s real name was Harrison William Pennington and he was married to Eller Weas Little, aka Elouise Pennington from the Spellbinders. In 1966 Harry Starr recorded "Step Into My World" b/w "Another Time, Another Place" for the End label.

Songs :

Harry & The Keyavas

If This Is Goodbye Tears

Harry Starr

Another Time, Another Place Step Into My World

...

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The Arvettes

Posted on May 20 2020 by dion1

(L to R) Phyllis Walker, Mary Clemons and Patricia Allensworth Stephens

The Arvettes (New Kensington / Ford City, PA.)

Personnel :

Patricia Allensworth Stephens

Mary Clemons

Phyllis Walker

Discography :

1962 - At A School Dance / Lovely Emotions (Hac 100)
1963 - Pledge Of Love / I Want To Dance With You (Ideal 100)
1963 - Stolen Hours / Pledge Of Love (Ideal)
1965 - Stolen Hours / Pledge Of Love (Ideal 272G-3776)

Biography :

Vocal group, composed of Phyllis Walker, Mary Clemons and Patty Allensworth Stephens. Phyllis Walker, Mary Clemons were from New Kensington and Patty Allensworth Stephens, is from Ford City. The trio signed a contract with HAC Records named after the three song writing partners, Hal-Al-Chuck. They recorded "At A School Dance" and "Lovely Emotions" released by HAC in 1962.

"At A School Dance" and "Lovely Emotions" was written by Ford City, PA native Frank Tolliver. He was also the writer of "I Found a Dream" and "I Wanna Dance With You" for the Pacers (from Ford City). He and Patricia Allensworth was part of the Pacers who recorded the two songs in 1958 for Calico. In 1963, Ideal records released their second single with "Pledge Of Love" and "I Want To Dance With You" (written by Frank Tolliver). December of the same year, the label will release a new single with a new title : "Stolen Hours" coupled with "Pledge Of Love".

Songs :


At A School Dance                        Lovely Emotions


       Pledge Of Love                   I Want To Dance With You

Stolen Hours

...

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Michael & The Continentals (8)

Posted on May 18 2020 by dion1

Michael & The Continentals (8)
1962 - Michael & The Continentals

Michael & The Continentals (8) (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Michael Zarzana (Lead)

Dennis Muro (First Tenor)

Joey Noto (Second Tenor)

Mark Weiner (Baritone)

Billy Schlanger (Bass)

Discography :

1967 - Little School Girl / Rain In My Eyes (Audio Fidelity 139)

Biography :

Michael and the Continentals were from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and consisted of Michael Zarzana (lead), Dennis Muro (first tenor), Joey Noto (second tenor), Mark Weiner (baritone) and Billy Schlanger (bass). Originally, Tony Battiglia was the 2nd tenor but Michael asked Joey Noto to take his place. All were from Sheepshead Bay and started singing in the early 1960 on the street corners of Brooklyn or any other practice venue the groups could find. They eventually form "Michael & the Continentals" & sang professionally for 10 years. The group makes several recordings but nothing comes out. They have to wait until the mid-60s to finally see the release of a single : "Little School Girl" b/w "Rain In My Eyes". There are many unreleased doowop cuts by the Continentals, produced by Barney Zarzana of the Bay Bops.

Songs :

Little School Girl / Rain In My Eyes

...

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The Travelers (3)

Posted on May 14 2020 by dion1

The Travelers (3)
(L to R) Bruce Diskin, Richie Solari, Sal Tepedino and Bernie Rosner

The Travelers (3) (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Bernie Rosner (Lead)

Sal Tepedino

Bruce Diskin

Richie Solari

Discography :

1960 - June, July, August (& September) / What A Weekend (ABC Paramount 10119)
1961 - Cadwaller 00002 / Ivy On The Old School Wall (Decca 31215)
1961 - White Rose / (Love Me) Oh My Love (Decca 31282)

Biography :

The Travelers were a group out of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn NY. The group members were Bernie Rosner, Sal Tepedino, Bruce Diskin and Richie Solari. They were together for about three years in the early ' 60s. The Travelers cut three singles between 1960 & 1961. The first for ABC in 1960 with "June, July, August And September" b/w "What A Weekend".

The Travelers (3)

In 1961, The Travelers signed with Decca Records and cut two singles, "Cadwaller 00002" b/w "Ivy On The Old School Wall" and "White Rose" b/w "Oh My Love". In 1964, Sal Tepedino joined a reshuffled Concords fronted by Mike Lewis with Teddy Grable (ex Star-Drifts) and Bobby Ganz. A contract with Epic Records led to the release of "Should I Cry" b/w " It's Our Wedding Day". A remake of the Quintones' "Down The Aisle Of Love" was the final Concords single in 1966.

Songs :


White Rose            June, July, August And September         What A Weekend


Ivy On The Old School Wall        Oh My Love                    Cadwaller 00002

...

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