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

The Ocapello's

Posted on June 20 2019 by dion1

The Ocapello's

The Ocapello's (East Orange, NJ)

Personnel :

Pat Coleman

Artie Johnson

Jimmy Tymes

Walter Tooney

Vincent Williams

Discography :

1966 - The Stars / Anytime (General 106/107 / Checker 1144)

Biography :

In 1960, Patrick Coleman singing with the East Orange's Cameos, with his brother William and sister Patsy. They only cut one single "Wait up" b/w "Lost Lovers" on the tiny Dean label. Six years later, Patrick became a member of the legendary Ocapellos.

The Ocapello's
(L to R) Vincent Williams, Jimmy Tymes,Walter Tooney, Pat Coleman and Artie Johnson

The Ocapello's recorded two songs : "The Stars" b/w "Anytime " Members of this one-record group were Pat Coleman, Artie Johnson, Jimmy Tymes, Walter Tooney and Vincent Williams. The single was released in 1966 on General #107.

The Ocapello's

In June 1966, Checker purchased the General master and released it in August 1966 on Checker (# 1144). It was again released in 1972. "The Stars" got a lot of play in Pittsburgh, PA over the years.

Songs :

The Stars Anytime

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Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts

Posted on June 15 2019 by dion1

Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts (Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)

Personnel :

Mel Cabang "Mel Calvin" (Lead)

Paul Texeira

Discography :

Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts
1962 - I Love You / My Mummy (Bertram International 215)

The Tilton Sisters & The Kokonuts
1960 - Put Your Arms Around Me Honey / He Knows (not them) (Bertram International 217)

Biography :

Comedian, singer, actor, Mel Cabang, aka the Legend in Hawaii and Uncle Mel is also known in 1962 as Mel Calvin. Mel was born on the big island of Hawaii and graduated high school in 1960, later receiving a bachelor’s degree in music and a minor in psychology.

Bob Bertram with The Tilton Sisters (Muriel and Gwen Tilton) (updated by Hans-Joachim)

He wanted to teach music but ended up being a musician in his own first band under the name of Mel Calvin & the KoKonuts with some Kaimuki boys. They cut one single for Bertram "I Love You" b/w "My Mummy" and backed the Tilton Sisters on "Put Your Arms Around Me Honey " . Bertram owned several labels, including Lariat, whose artists included Joe Maphis, Polynesian (which released hula records aimed at the tourist trade) and Bertram International, which recorded rock & roll.
http://www.pbase.com/halinhi/khs60misc&page=2

Songs :

Mel Calvin & The Kokonuts

I Love You My Mummy

The Tilton Sisters & The Kokonuts

Put Your Arms Around Me Honey

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The Indigos (1)

Posted on June 8 2019 by dion1

The Indigos (1)
(L to R) Denny Brooker, Joe Corbo, Sandy Fiscella, Tony Silvestre, and Michael Basso

The Indigos (1) (Mount Vernon, New York)

Personnel :

Sandy Fiscella

Tony Silvestre

Michael Basso

Denny Brooker

Joe Corbo

Discography :

1957 - Servant Of Love / Woo, Woo, Pretty Girl (Cornel 3001)
1958 - Everything Plus / High School Social (Cornel 515)

Biography :

Vocal group from Mount Vernon, New York., The group consisted of Sandy Fiscella (Lead), Denny Brooker, Joe Corbo, Tony Silvestre, and Michael Basso. The Indigos recorded "Servant Of Love" written by Sandy Fiscello and Denny Brooker b/w "Woo, Woo, Pretty Girl" written by Joe Corbo and Mike Bosso. The single was released in November 1957 by new label Cornel.

The Indigos (1)

Cornell Records has been organized by Bill Fisher and Cornel Tanassy, with headquarters at 1674 Broadway. Tanassy is a former pianist-conductor for Marian Marlowe and arranger for Perry Como, Joe Stafford and others. Their first singles were the Indigos & Bob Neblett. Their second and last single was recorded on April 25, 1958 and was written by Brook Benton and King Curtis, both on Cornell Records.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

Servant Of Love Woo, Woo, Pretty Girl

Everything Plus / High School Social

...

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Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2)

Posted on June 7 2019 by dion1

Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2)
Manuel Pena, Hank Ayala and Eddie Ramirez

Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2) (Weslaco, Texas)

Personnel :

Hank Ayala (Lead / High Tenor)

Manuel Pena (High Tenor)

Eddie Ramirez (Second Tenor)

Discography :

1960 - Betty Jo / Handsome (Backbeat 530)

Biography:

Hank Ayala was born and raised in the coastal plain town of Weslaco Texas. Hank discovered in Junior High that he had definite musical ability and as was common in those days, formed a singing group. Originally, the group had seven members, but they whittled it down to three. While singing at a local hop, radio DJ Bobby Dixon approached them with the idea of singing locally with his connections.

Hank Ayala & The Matadors (2)

The group eventually cut a record on the Houston based Backbeat label, and were fortunate to have Bobby Doyle and Kenny Rogers play on the session.They enjoyed it so much, they actually played several gigs with the Matadors in the surrounding area. Once the record was released, they actually played it over the intercom at the Matadors school - Weslaco High School.

Hank Ayala, Manuel Pena and Eddie Ramirez

The record did very well locally, but did not catch on nationally. They didn't really have an effective manager, and that was a stumbling block to their career. The group broke up as they finished high school. Eddie Ramirez Went into the air Force and Manuel Pena went off to college. Hank was left on his own, and did some solo work and assembled a group, but did not continue with it for long.
http://www.colorradio.com/hank_ayala_matadors.htm
http://whitedoowopcollector.blogspot.fr/

Songs :

Betty Jo Handsome

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Herb Price & The Darts (3)

Posted on June 5 2019 by dion1

(From left) Herb Price, Jerry Clark, Richard Williams, James Clark Jr. and Virgil Gooding

Herb Price & The Darts (3) (Davenport Iowa)

Personnel :

Herbert Price (Lead)

James Clark Jr. (First Tenor)

Virgil Gooding (Second Tenor)

Richard Williams (Baritone)

Jerry Clark (Bass)

Discography :

1959 - Shimmy Shimmy (Cha Cha Cha) / Gone Too Long (Tempus 1506)

Biography :

The group composed of Herbert Price, James Clark Jr., Virgil Gooding, Richard Williams and Jerry Clark have been entertaining local group for several months. The Boys are well-known to Davenport High students as the "Davenport Darts." Herb & Jerry, both Davenport High School graduates are students at the State University of Iowa and the University of Dubuque respectively. Herb dropped classes to work with the Darts but plans to return to school. Virgil and Jim are seniors at Davenport High school and Richard is a student at J.B. Young Junior High School.

Herb Price & The Darts (3)

The Darts began singing as a group in early 1958. It all started when several of the boys were sitting in one of their homes singing when they discovered , with the aid of a tape recorded, that they were much in need of practice. After about two weeks of just practicing the scale they really started singing. During the fall months of 1958, the boys received a recording contract with the Tempus Co. of Peoria, Ill, and they recorded "Shimmy Shimmy (Cha Cha Cha)" and "Gone Too Long". The songs are heard frequently over the radio stations.

Songs :

Gone Too Long Shimmy Shimmy (Cha Cha Cha)

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The Threeteens aka The Dreams (4) aka The Cupcakes (2)

Posted on June 4 2019 by dion1

The Threeteens aka The Dreams (4) aka The Cupcakes (2)
Janis Cox, Left, Donna Crunk, top, Pam Crunk

The Threeteens (Phoenix, Arizona)
aka The Dreams (4)
aka The Cupcakes (2)

Personnel :

Donna Crunk

Pam Crunk

Janis Cox

Discography :

The Threeteens
1958 - Dear 53310761 / Doowaddie (Rev 3516)
1959 - For The Love Of Mike / X + Y = Z (Rev 3522/Todd 1021)

The Cupcakes (2)
1959 - It's Willy / Deutsche Rock und Roll (Time 1011)

The Dreams (4)
Singles :
1962 - Too Late / Inexperience (Smash 1748)
Unreleased :
1962 - No Love Lost
1962 - I Forgot About You

Denny Reed bb Donna & Pam Crunk (Uncredited)
1960 - A Teenager Feels It Too / Hot Water (Trey 3007)

Biography :

The Threeteens were a Phoenix girl group consisting of Donna and Pam Crunk (daughters of Connie Conway, whose real name is Connie Crunk) and their friend Jan Cox. Connie Conway, a noted musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and music teacher worked with songwriter/producer Lee Hazelwood (writer of “These Boots Are Made of for Walking”(Nancy Sinatra), and producer of Wayne Newton) . The Three girls were from Washington High School in Phoenix and in 1958 Donna, Jan & Pam signed a recording contract with Lester Sill and Lee Hazlewood to record at the Audio Recorders studio in Phoenix.

Donna Crunk & Janis Cox

As the Threeteens, they cut four songs released by Rev Records in Phoenix owned by Bill Thorne & Frank Porter . "Dear 53310761" b/w "Doowaddie" on Rev 3516 and "For The Love Of Mike" b/w "X + Y = Z" on Rev 3522, This Rev 45 was also released on Todd label. "Dear 53310761" On Rev Records #3516 had Duane Eddy on Guitar (The number "53310761", of course, refers to Elvis' U.S. Army serial number). The girls did most of the girl backgrounds at Audio Recorders.

Donna Crunk Janis Cox Pam Crunk

In 1959 They changed their name as the Cupcakes and cut "It's Willy" b/w "Deutsche Rock und Roll" for Time records. In 1961, Pam & Donna, renamed the Dreams, drove to L.A. to work with Lee Hazlewood and cut 4 sides for smash Records. Only the single "Too Late" b/w "Inexperience" was released on Smash 1748 .

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Threeteens


Doowaddie                                      Dear 53310761


X + Y = Z                                  For The Love Of Mike

The Cupcakes (2)

It's Willy / Deutsche Rock und Roll

The Dreams (4)


Too Late                                        Inexperience

Denny Reed bb Donna & Pam Crunk (Uncredited)


A Teenager Feels It Too                               Hot Water

...

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The Commodores (1)

Posted on June 3 2019 by dion1

The Commodores (1)
Eddie Seals, Homer Tankersley, Charles Speed and Floyd Gray

The Commodores (1) (Lubbock, TX)

Personnel :

Homer Tankersley (Lead)

Charles Speed (Tenor)

Eddie Seals (Tenor)

Floyd Gray (Bass)

Discography :

The Commodores (1)
1955 - Riding On A Train / Uranium (Dot 15372)
1955 - Cream Puff / Close To My Heart (Dot 15425)
1955 - Speedo / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (Dot 15439)
1956 - Two Loves Have I / Who Said I Said That (Dot 15461)
1957 - Sweet Angel / Not A Day Goes By (Challenge 1004)
1957 - I'll Be There (When You Get Lonely) / Faith (Challenge 1007)
1959 - Who Dat? / Laughing With Tears (Brunswick 55126)

Darrell Glenn & The Commodores (1)
1957 - Hello Baby (Glad To Have You Home) / Zinga Zingo (RPM 488)

Ken James
1958 - If I Had Known / Within My Heart (Un peu de toi) (Nor-Va-Jak 1321)

Ken Pepper
1961 - Just A Little At A Time / I Get The Blues When It Rains (Top Rank 535)
1961 - The Dying Soldier / Little Fish (Roulette 4375)

Biography :

Homer Tankersley, Floyd Gray, and Charles Speed were the originators of a singing group known as the Imperial Quartet, which, for many years, was a leader in the spiritual singing field throughout the southern states. The group (Imperial Quartet) appeared on the Texas Quality Radio Network for three years, during which time they were appearing dailv on a Dallas television station. While the group was engaged in radio and TV work, they also did many personal appearances and concerts in the Southwest.

The Commodores (1)

In August, 1954, Eddie Seals joined the quartet and through a close friendship with Artie Glenn, author of the song hit “Crying in the Chapel,” Artic was introduced to Homer, Floyd, and Speed. After watching the group work for several weeks, Artie became very interested in die talent and could see a great future in the popular field of music for the group. Mr. Glenn encouraged the Imperial Quartet to change their name and enter the popular field. On his suggestion, the group immediately changed their name to the Commodores.

The Commodores (1)

The big break came when they landed a recording contract with the Dot Record Co., of Tennessee. Their first Dot Record release. “Uranium” and “Riding on a Train.” became a smash hit in the southern slates. “Uranium” was written by Artie Glenn; Glenn also collaborated with Marvin Montgomery, a fellow musician, on the "Train” side. The group will record three more singles on Dot records in 1955/56 before recording two more discs for the Hollywood label' Challenge in 1957. In California, The Commodores backed Darrell Glenn on "Hello Baby (Glad To Have You Home)" and "Zinga Zingo" released by RPM the same year. The group will record a last record for Brunswick records in 1959. Homer Tankersley also recorded as Ken James on Petty’s Nor-Va-Jak label in 1958 and as Ken Pepper for Roulette in 1961.

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Commodores (1)

Riding On A Train                   Uranium                                    Speedo


Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On         Two Loves Have I               Who Said I Said That


Sweet Angel                         Not A Day Goes By                   Faith


Laughing With Tears                      Who Dat?                              Cream Puff

Close To My Heart

Darrell Glenn & The Commodores (1)

Hello Baby Zinga Zingo

...

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The Del-Rays

Posted on May 28 2019 by dion1

1958 - (L to R) - Brick Storslee, Willie English, Willie Bell, Mike Nunnally & Doug Evans

The Del-Rays (Battle Creek, Mi.)

Personnel :

Brick Storslee

Willie English

Willie Bell

Mike Nunnally

Doug Evans

Discography :

?

...

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The Five Delights aka The Mood Makers aka The Watusi Warriors 

Posted on May 27 2019 by dion1

The Five Delights aka The Mood Makers aka The Watusi Warriors 1959 (l-r) Danny Levy, Eddie Stokes, Ray Figueroa, Waldo Champen and Sonny Jordan

The Five Delights (New York)
aka The Mood Makers
aka The Watusi Warriors 

Personnel :

Ed "Sonny" Jordan (First Tenor)

Waldo Champen (First Tenor)

Douglas Ferrer (Second Tenor)

Georges Rosa (Baritone)

Daniel Levy (Bass)

Discography :

The Five Delights
Singles:
1958 - There'll Be No Goodbye / Okey Dokey Mama (Newport 7002/Unart 2003)
1959 - The Thought Of Losing You / That Love Affair (Abel 228)
Unreleased :
1959 - Sweet Little Girl (Abel)

The Mood Makers
Single:
1961 - Dolores / Dream a Dream (Bambi 80)
Unreleased :
1961 - Sweet Little Girl (Bambi)

The Watusi Warriors
1959 - Wa-Chi-Bam-Ba / Kalahari (Prince 1206)

Biography :

In 1958, Waldo Champen and Ed Jordan reunited in the 5 Delights, with Douglas Ferrer (second tenor), George Rosa (baritone) and Daniel Levy (bass). This mixed group (George was Spanish and Daniel was white) was already in existence; when they brought in Ed (an old friend), he, in turn, brought in Champ. They recorded a single record which was released on another of Jerry Winston's labels in June (Newport this time; it was distributed by George Goldner's Gone label).

The Five Delights aka The Mood Makers aka The Watusi Warriors
(l-r) Danny Levy, Eddie Stokes, Ray Figueroa, Waldo Champen and Sonny Jordan

Ed led "There'll Be No Goodbye," while Douglas fronted "Okey Dokey Mama." When it started making a little noise, the masters were sold to United Artists, which re-released it on Unart in September. However, a little noise was all it made, and George and Douglas left. Two new members were found in Raymond Figuroa (a Spanish second tenor) and Ed Stokes (a white baritone). They had a release, in March 1959, on the Prince label (under the embarrassing name of the Watusi Warriors): "Wa-Chi-Bam-Ba," backed with "Kalahari.

Then, a new label (Alan Abel's Abel Records) and a couple of new tunes: "The Thought Of Losing You" with Ed and "That Love Affair" with Champ. Once again there was no action, but this time they hung in there. In 1961 they changed the group's name to the Mood Makers and had a single release on the Bambi label in May. "Dolores" (the Bachelors' tune) is led by Ed Jordan and "Dream A Dream" is a duet between Ed and Champ.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/WaldoChampen/waldochampen.html

Songs :

The Five Delights

There'll Be No Goodbye        The Thought Of Losing You


That Love Affair                        Okey Dokey Mama

The Mood Makers

Dolores Dream A Dream

The Watusi Warriors

Wa-Chi-Bam-Ba Kalahari

...

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The Visuals (1)

Posted on May 26 2019 by dion1

The Visuals (1)
The Visuals (L to R) : Rob Farrow, Stuart Magness , Melvin Maron, Anthony Galante

The Visuals (1) (Brooklyn, New York) 

 Personnel :

Robbie Joel Farrow (Lead)

Anthony "Rocky" Galante (Second Tenor)

Stuart Magness (First Tenor)

Melvin Maron (Bass)

Discography : 

Singles :
1962 - The Submarine Race / Maybe You (Poplar 115)
1963 - My Juanita / A Boy A Girl And A Dream (Poplar 117)
1963 - Please Don't Be Mad At Me / Blue (Enough To Cry) (Poplar 121/Jason Scott 11)

Unreleased :
1961-That's My Desire (Demo)
1961 - The Closer You Are (Demo)
N/A - Darling We're In Love (Poplar)
N/A - Devil (Poplar)
N/A - Just For Tonight (Poplar)
N/A - Look At The Moon (Poplar)
N/A - One Little Kiss (Poplar)

Biography :

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, The Visuals were Robbie Joel Farrow (lead), Anthony "Rocky" Galante (second tenor), Stuart Magness (first tenor) and Melvin Maron (bass). For a 1963 Poplar, Jay Rose was added.) Before he formed the Visuals Robbie Joel Farrow was part of the Corsairs, an unrecorded vocal group composed by Howie Farrow (1st Tenor),Brian Farrow (2nd Tenor),Kenny McLinick (Bass) and Johnny Turco (Lead) and himself (Baritone & Falsetto). The Visuals had 3 singles, all on Poplar between 1962 and 1964. Poplar, founded in New York City in 1962 by Stan Seifer, generally featured doo wop-styled groups, but backed them with often surprisingly sharp early rock arrangements that avoided being derivative by adding in little percussion touches, unusual basslines, and touches of horns.

The Visuals (1)
The Corsairs (Top) Howie, Brian & Robbie (Bottom) Kenny & Johnny

Rocky Galante was born Anthony Galante, on January 5th, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York and with the Visuals earning his first record contract at age 14. Later, he sang vocals for the folk group The Braid. When Rocky came to San Francisco he had not only changed his name but also started his solo career and recorded several albums.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Submarine Race                    Maybe You                              My Juanita


A Boy A Girl And A Dream             Blue (Enough To Cry)       Please Don't Be Mad At Me


Darling We're In Love                 Just For Tonight                    Look At The Moon


       One Little Kiss                          The Devil                      Submarine Race (demo)

…

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