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

The Blenders (3)

Posted on February 15 2020 by dion1

The Blenders (3)

The Blenders (3) (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Personnel :

Lowell D. Kirby (Lead)

Pat Baker (Tenor)

Larry Joe

Larry Jo Davis

Ricky Hong

Jim Blakely

Bob Sharp

Bob Boatman

Mike Webb

Discography :

1961 – I Asked For Your Hand / Dance In The Night (Vision 1000)
1961 – There’ll Be A Tear In Your Eye / I’m Not Sorry (Vision 1001)

Biography :

Vocal & Instrumental group from Knoxville West High School, the group consisted of nine members, Lowell D. Kirby (Lead), Larry Joe, Pat Baker (Tenor), Larry Jo Davis, Ricky Hong, Jim Blakely, Bob Sharp, Bob Boatman and Mike Webb. For more than a year the Blenders played in the area for college and high school parties.

The Blenders (3)
Ricky Hong

In July 1961, Vision Records, a Knoxville recording firm released their first single "I Asked For Your Hand" b/w "Dance In The Night". Lead singer, Lowell D. Kirby, wrote and sing both songs of the records. A few months later in February 1962, Vision released a new Blenders record "There’ll Be A Tear In Your Eye" b/w "I’m Not Sorry", two new songs still written and performed by Lowell D. Kirby

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

      I Asked For Your Hand              There'll Be A Tear In Your Eye


I'm Not Sorry                    Dance In The Night

...

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The Chymes aka Four Chymes aka The Three Chimes

Posted on February 15 2020 by dion1

The Chymes aka Four Chymes aka The Three Chimes

The Chymes (Brooklyn, NY)
aka Four Chymes aka The Three Chimes

Personnel :

Gil Pabon (Lead)

Larry Gerona (First Tenor)

Ray Diaz (Second Tenor)

Carmine Scibelli (Baritone)

Discography :

The Chymes
1964 - If I Give My Heart To You / On The Street Where You Live (Musictone 6125)

Four Chymes
1964 - The Gypsy / Now Look At Who's Crying (Musicnote 121)

The Three Chimes
1964 - Tears And Pain / Show Me The Way (Crossway 444)

Biography :

In 1961, Lenny coco & The Chimes entered a local studio to cut a demo in 1960; a recording engineer called Andy Leonetti, who hustled down and signed the newcomers to his fledgling Tag label. Leonetti pressed up the ballad under the slightly off-kilter title of "Once In Awhile" that autumn. The Chimes' debut single soared to #11 pop in early '61. The group would not find success with their following albums, and split up in the middle of the decade. Andy Leonetti did not give up and in 1964 signed another Brooklyn group on his Musicnote label. He calls them The Chimes with a different spelling, The Chymes. Composed by Gil Pabon, Larry Gerona, Ray Diaz and Carmine Scibelli , the group recorded "If I Give My Heart To You" b/w "On The Street Where You Live" followed by "The Gypsy" and "Now Look At Who's Crying" some time later as the Four Chymes. After one member left, Andy Leonetti released on his Crossway label "Tears And Pain" and "Show Me The Way" as the Three Chimes.

Songs :

The Chymes

If I Give My Heart To You On the Street Where You Live

The Four Chymes

Now Look At Who's Crying                        The Gypsy

The Three Chimes


Tears And Pain                               Show Me The Way

...

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The Versatiles (1)

Posted on February 14 2020 by dion1

The Versatiles (1) (Mount Vernon, NY)

Personnel :

Ben Sands (Lead)

Joe Johnson

Shirley Lee

Billy Landrine

Patrick Landrine

Discography:

1958 - Crying / Passing By (Atlantic 2004)
1962 - Just Words / The White Cliffs Of Dover (Peacock 1910)

Biography :

Despite the fact that he is registered vocal quartet on the disc, the band consists of five members. The group comes from Mount Vernon, NY. and consists of two brothers, Billy Landrine and Patrick Landrine, Ben Sands, Joe Johnson and Shirley Lee, . In 1958, The Versatiles recorded "Crying" and "Passing By" both written by James Stansfield. Atlantic Records released the single in October 1958.

The Versatiles (1)

Three years and a few months later, Peacock released another single by the Versatiles with the classic "White Cliffs Of Dover" and "Just Words" written again by James Stansfield as well as Brown (maybe the fifth member) and lead singer of the group Billy Sand.

Songs :


Crying                                          Passing By


            Just Words                        The White Cliffs Of Dover

...

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The Coeds (3)

Posted on February 13 2020 by dion1

The Coeds (3)

The Coeds (3) (Troy, Alabama)

Personnel :

Tommy Fowler (Bariton)

Elbert Schory (Tenor)

Carole Weeks

Joyce Grissett

Discography :

1959 - My Pretty Baby / My Love For You (Reed 1038)

Biography :

The Coeds were a recording group from Troy State College, Troy, Ala. They were composed of Tommy Fowler, from Luverne, Carole Weeks, from Lake City, Fla., Joyce Grissett from Mobile, and Elbert Schory, from Ft. Myers, Fla.. The Coeds were formed July 14, 1959, when they appeared at a talent show at Troy High School. Fowler and Schory joined forces early in June and began writing songs. Fowler writes the lyrics and Schory writes the music for the Coeds. They started writing songs as a hobby, but when students at the college heard the songs, they encouraged the boys to record them.

The Coeds (3)

Fired with the idea of making a record Fowler contacted several recording companies in the area and set a date with Artist Recording Company in Birmingham. With a recording contract in sight, Fowler and Schory teamed up with two youne ladies, Miss Carole Weeks and Miss Joyce Grissett to form the vocal group called the Coeds. Since then, the Coeds have sung over radio and have appeared in several talent and variety shows in the Troy area. On October 17, the Coeds have recorded their first record with Artist on the Reed Label. The record, entitled "My Pretty Baby", sung by Tommy Fowler, and "My Love For You", sung by Elbert Schory, was released to the public on December 14, 1959.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Tommy Fowler & The Coeds (3) Elbert Schory & The Coeds (3)

My Pretty Baby My Love For You

…

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The Ideals (2)

Posted on February 10 2020 by dion1

The Ideals (2) (Hollywood, Ca)

Personnel :

Darlene Lucas

Elaine Lloyd

Tommy Starr

Joe Paskel

Discography :

1959 - Please Jan / Always Yours (Stars Of Hollywood 101)

Biography :

There were actually quite a lot of groups that used the name The Ideals. This group came from California and was composed by Darlene Lucas, Elaine Lloyd, Tommy Starr, Joe Paskel & another guy. The Ideals have only one single on Stars Of Hollywood Record.

Stars Of Hollywood was a division of Mobile Fidelity Recording Co., Burbank, California Owned by Brad Miller. Brad Miller (1939-1998) began his career by recording the sounds of steam engine railroad trains as a teenager during the 1950's, releasing LP's on Mobile Fidelity Records.

Songs :

Always Yours Please Jan

..

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The Symphonics (2)

Posted on February 9 2020 by dion1

The Symphonics (2)

The Symphonics (2) (East Liverpool, Ohio)

Peronnnel :

Sheridan Battistelli

Craig O'Neil

Chuck Capwell

Dick Kelly

Discography :

1961 - She's My Girl / Millionair Hobo (Bock 5001)

Biography :

Vocal group from East Liverpool Composed of Sheridan Battistelli, who was graduated in 1960, and Craig O'Neil, Chuck Capwell and Dick Kelly, high school students. The "Symphonies" recorded two original songs entitled "She’s My Girl" and "Millionair Hobo". The songs single was released by Bock. “She’s My Girl” has been voted the top record of the week on the WOHi “Go Slow Show” and also has been spun on Steubenville radio and television and a Cleveland radio station. The "Symphonies” have make a personal appearance on Channel 9’s “Teen Time” program Saturday and other stations. he "Symphonies" had already planned two other recordings, unfortunately nothing will be recorded by the group.

Songs :

Millionair Hobo She's My Girl

...

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The Arcs (1)

Posted on February 8 2020 by dion1

(L to R) Jimmy Beaver, Bill McSwain & Jerry Lambert

The Arcs (1) (Kannapolis, NC.)

Personnel :

Jerry Lambert (Piano / Vocal)

Gus Voss (Guitar / Vocal)

Jimmy Beaver (Drum)

Bill McSwain (Bass)

Discography :

The Arcs (1)
1958 - Alone / Rockin' Strings (K&C 101)

The Exclusives (1) - Music by the Arcs (1)
1958 - My Girl Friend / It's Over (K&C 102/103)

Biography :

In 1958, this three Kannapolis area boys were members of The Arcs a vocal & instrumental group. The group consisted of Jerry Lambert from Concord (piano and vocal), Jimmy Beaver of Landis (drum) and Bill McSwain of Kannapolis (bass and vocal) . The Fourth member of the group are Gus Voss from California (guitar and vocal), he was not in the photo because he was playing at the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach.. The Arcs recorded "Alone" with the vocal of Jerry Lambert and "Rockin' Strings" an instrumental. The single was released by K&C Records from Myrtle Beach. The Arcs tastefully supply the music on both songs for the next single on K&C by The Exclusives, a vocal group.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim

The Arcs (1)

Alone Rockin' Strings (Inst.)

The Exclusives (1) - Music by the Arcs (1)

It's Over / My Girl Friend

...

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The Rivals (4)

Posted on February 8 2020 by dion1

The Rivals (4) (Detroit)

Personnel :

Gerald Green (Lead)

James Green (First Tenor)

Herman Green (Second tenor)

Robert Metcalf (Baritone)

Tolbert Dorr (Bass)

Discography :

Letha Jones & The Rivals (4)
1960 - I Need You / I Got That Feeling (Anna 1113)
1960 - I Need You / Black Clouds (Anna 1113)

The Rivals (4)
1963 - It's Gonna Work Out / Love Me (Puff 1001/Lupine 118)
1964 - Make Your Mind Up / She's Mine (Puff 3912)

Biography :

The Rivals first appeared on Anna Records backing Letha Jones. Anna issued two singles in 1960 credited to Letha Jones & the Rivals, "I Got That Feeling" b/w "I Need You" and "Black Cloud" with the same B-side as the first single. Neither did anything and the Rivals wouldn't appear on record again until 1963 when they waxed "It's Gonna Work Out" b/w "Love Me" on T. J. Fowler's Puff label. The session musicians included Fowler (keyboards), Uriel Jones (drums), Walter Cox (sax), and Dezi McCullers (horns) a.k.a. the T. J. Fowler Combo. It did well locally so Fowler sold the master to Bob West's Lupine Records, distributed by Atlantic Records, to give it a better shot.

The Rivals (4)
Letha Jones

But despite immense potential, the record never did much outside Detroit. Because of its popularity in the Motor City, the Rivals did commercials for Goebel Beer and Wrigley Gum, appeared on the Robin Seymour Show, and played local venues such as the 20 Grand and the Graystone Ballroom. A second Puff single came out in 1964, but "She's Mine" b/w "Make Your Mind Up," failed to achieve even local success, and the Rivals broke up. Their old session drummer, Uriel Jones, went to work for Motown, as did Gerald Green, who joined the Contours.
Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide

Songs :

The Rivals (4)

It's Gonna Work Out                Love Me


She's Mine                                Make Your Mind Up

Letha Jones & The Rivals (4)

I Need You I Got That Feeling

...

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The Zebulons

Posted on February 8 2020 by dion1

The Zebulons

The Zebulons (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Shawn Syville

Billy Hamilton

Leroy Harper

Clarence Ellis

Troy Mangum

Discography :

1960 - Falling Water / Wo-Ho-La-Tee-Da (Cub 9069)

Biography :

Billy Hamilton and Leroy Harper began to sing together in their spare time in the Navy, and when they returned to their hometown of Brooklyn (New York) they decided to form a Doo wop group, along with another guy they had met in the Marine, Clarence Ellis, and a neighbour, Troy Mangum. After some trials the success of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers was overwhelming, so they rushed to sign a singer with the voice of a child like that of Lymon, Harper's cousin, Shawn Syville, who although he was 19 years old was able to sing with falsetto tone.They called themselves the "Zebulons. The Zebulons only did a couple of shows, both at schools, appearing with the Crests and the Passions. Gribble got the guys a six-month with the record division of M-G-M., From where they sent them to their cheap subsidiary, Cub records.There they published the single "Falling water" (1960), Barely a month after the album was released and when it started to start, Harper and Syville went to a party where Sherman Williams was, a boy who wanted to join the Zebulons but was rejected because I did not know how to sing. This one, still hurt, told Syville that at least he danced better than he and the thing was more, when Syville, a drunken Harper and two other friends assaulted with punches, kicks, stabs, bottles, even with an antenna, to Williams until it killed him and left him almost unrecognizable. The four found their bones in jail and spent six and a half years behind bars, despite constant appeals to their innocence. The other Zebulons had tried to maintain the group, but the voice of Syville was irreplaceable and in addition Gribble died of a heart attack in 1962, reason why the group decided to separate.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Zebulons/zebulons.html

Songs :

Falling Water Wo-Ho-La-Tee-Da

...

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The Squires (5)

Posted on February 7 2020 by dion1

The Squires (5)

The Squires (5) (New York)

Personnel :

Peter Baralt (Lead / First Tenor)

Garry Bonner (Lead / Second Tenor)

Bob Friedman (Bass / Baritone)

Arnie Magraner (Baritone)

Discography :

1962 - So Many Tears Ago / Don't Accuse Me (Not Them) (Gee 1082)

Biography :

The last record on Gee (1082) was "So Many Tears Ago" by the Squires. The group consisted of Peter Baralt, Arnie Magraner, Gary Bonner and Bob Friedman. Arnie Magraner sang in 1958 with the Crystal Chords who recorded "Be Mine Again" b/w "When In The World". The Squires were discovered at the "Cafe Wha?" Greenwich Village in Manhattan and signed a contract the following day and recorded the next day. Richards Barrett was at the session, organizing the effort and playing maracas. Arlene Smith was there also. The flip of Gee 1082, "Don't Accuse Me" was not put on the record when it was recorded. In other words, that's not the Squires. They thinks that the group that is on the 45 doing "Don't Accuse Me", contains some of the Students (I'm So Young).

The Squires (5)
Richards Barrett "Don't Accuse Me" by the Students?

When they dug up the Gee masters for a box set, they came up with the Squires’ version and put it on the CD set. In 1964, The Squires won Amateur Night at the Apollo with their rendition of the Dominoes' "Stardust." The Squires were together from 1962-65 during which time they cut many cover records of the Beatles, the Four Seasons and the Tams for the Twin Hits label. Each of them was paid $5 per record and the lead got $10. Gary Bonner went on to write "Happy Together" for the Turtles and some other sides. Bob Friedman went on to sing with the Sparrows Quartet out of NYC for a decade and then moved to Chicago and sang with Yesterdays Rhythm.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Squires (5)

So Many Tears Ago Don't Accuse Me (unrel. diff. vers.)

Unknown group (the Students?)

Don't Accuse Me

…

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