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

The Cherokees (4)

Posted on May 26 2019 by dion1

Fred Parris

The Cherokees (4) (New Haven, Connecticut)

Personnel :

Marshall Lassiter (Lead)

Bobby Bowdon

Dickie Arnold

Count Hopkins

Fred Parris

Discography :

1961 - My Heavenly Angel / Bed Bug (United Artists 367)

Biography :

In 1961, the Five Satins jumped at the opportunity to record for some larger labels such as Chancellor, MGM's Cub subsidiary, United Artists, and Warner Brothers. Despite great material, these large record companies never did return the Five Satins to the spotlight. While with United Artists, Fred Parris co-wrote two songs “My Heavenly Angel” and "Bed Bug." The Two songs were recorded by The Cherokees with Fred Parris playing the chimes in the background. The single will be released in November 1961 by United Artists. The Cherokees hailed from New Haven, Connecticut. Group members were Marshall Lassiter (lead), Bobby Bowdon, Dickie Arnold, Count Hopkins and Fred Parris for their only single.

Songs :

My Heavenly Angel Bed Bug

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The Hall Brothers

Posted on May 25 2019 by dion1

The Hall Brothers
Gary, Roy & Hal

The Hall Brothers (Staten Island)

Personnel :

Gary Hall

Roy Hall

Albert Hall

Discography :

1958 - My White Convertible / Now You Say We Are Thru (Arc 4444)

Biography :

After graduating in 1957 from Broadcasting school in NYC. Tom DeCillis took a job as a staff announcer at a small station in Havre de Grace, Md. Soon after that, he returned to NJ to start his own radio show on a Newark station playing rock and roll music. He was able to meet recording artists and record labels as a result of being prompted to play their records on his show.

The Hall Brothers
Tom DeCillis

During that time a recording engineer from Newark contacted him and showed interest in making records. He was introduced to the Hollywood Playboys appearing at a lounge in Newark, NJ. The group included Nick Massi, soon to be a part of the 4 Seasons. He arranged to record them and released a record on the Rita label which never went anywhere. But the friendship with Nick Massi did. It lasted until his death in 2000.

The Hall Brothers
Gary, Roy & Hal

In the years 1958 to 1960 he continued playing records and started to manage artists. A group from Staten Island, NY called the Hall Brothers was contacted by DeCillis. They wrote and recorded a song about my 1957 white convertible car. The song “My white Convertible” was a mild success on a small label and the boys appeared on Also Freed’s TV show and others.

http://www.jerseygirlssing.com/DeCillis.html

Songs :

My White Convertible Now You Say We're Thru

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The Shondelles

Posted on May 23 2019 by dion1

Brenda Harris, Carol Hawkins, Cheryl Lynn Brown and Rhonda Kirby

The Shondelles (East Shrewsbury, NJ)

Personnel :

Carol Hawkins (Lead)

Cheryl Lynn Brown

Rhonda Kirby

Brenda Harris

Discography :

The Shondelles
1964 - Why Do Fools Fall In Love / Upsetter Of Her Heart (Selsom 102)

Tony Maples & the Naturals (bb The Shondelles)
1964 - Pretty Girls Everywhere / I’m Your Lover Man (Selsom 103)

Biography :

In 1964, Norman Seldin start a record label to record his talent. The Selsom label name grew out of a combination of names of Seldin and an early business partner but also was a play on words – SEL(l) SOM(e). The Same Years, he signed a young female quartet from East Shrewsbury, NJ, called the Shondelles.

The Shondelles
Brenda Harris, Carol Hawkins, Cheryl Lynn Brown and Rhonda Kirby Brenda Harris, Rhonda Kirby and Cheryl Lynn Brown

Carol Hawkins, Rhonda Kirby, Cheryl Lynn Brown and Brenda Harris attended Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls, NJ, when discovered by Seldin. The girls cut one single for Selsom record. Later, Tony Maples from The V-Eights recorded the Eugene Church song, “Pretty Girls Everywhere” with unaccredited backup voices by the Shondelles.
http://www.classicurbanharmony.net

Songs :

The Shondelles

Why Do Fools Fall In Love

Tony Maples & the Naturals (bb The Shondelles)

Pretty Girls Everywhere

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The Contenders

Posted on May 22 2019 by dion1

The Contenders

The Contenders (New York)

Personnel :

Lee Smith

Discography :

?

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The Del Shays aka The Teen Rockers (2)

Posted on May 21 2019 by dion1

The Del Shays aka The Teen Rockers (2)
Barry VanFosson, Walter Andrade and Bill Hughes

The Del Shays (South Gate, California)
aka The Teen Rockers (2)

Personnel :

Walter Andrade (Lead & Piano)

Rick Holt (Vocal & Bass) replaced by Charlie Flecher

Bill Hughes (Vocal & Guitar)

Barry Van Fossan (Vocal & Drums)

Discography :

The Del Shays
1964 - Fake It (Inst.) / (Love You) Forever (Charger 102)
1965 - A Long Long Time / Remember What I Said (Celestial 1006)

The Teen Rockers (2)
1961 - Scat Cat / Rattlesnake (Eldo 116)

Biography :

Vocal & Instrumental group, The Teen Rockers consisted of Walter Andrade, Rick Holt, Bill Hughes and Barry Van Fossan. They began back at South Gate Junior High, played at high school dances, Rock and Roll Sox Hops, and shows around the LA area. In 1959, the group was chosen a winner on the Betty Yeakel show, “Rocket to Stardom,” broadcast on TV. In 1961 they recorded two songs for ELDO Records, "Scat Cat" and "Rattlesnake."

The Del Shays aka The Teen Rockers (2)
Rick Holt, Barry VanFosson, Walter Andrade and Bill Hughes

After high school, Charlie Flecher replaced Rick Holt and the band went on to become the Del Shays and had the honor of working with Bob Eubanks, as the “back-up” band on many concerts with the Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, the Temptations and many others and played at the Cinnamon Cinder.

The Del Shays aka The Teen Rockers (2)
Walter Andrade, Barry VanFosson, Rick Holt, and Bill Hughes

In 1964, they recorded the nice Doo-wop “I'll Love You Forever,” which Charlie Flecher & Walter Andrade wrote. With some staff changes, in 1965, the Delshays recorded "A Long Long Time" and "Remember What I Said" both wrote & producer by Bill Hughes. The single will be released by Celestial records out of Los Angeles.

Songs :

The Del Shays

(Love You) Forever Remember what I said

A Long Long Time

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The Impressions (2)

Posted on May 20 2019 by dion1

The Impressions (2)

The Impressions (2) (Tottenville, Staten Island, NY)

Personnel :

Charlie Anderson (Lead)

Jimmy Anderson

Eddie Anderson

Discography :

1961 - I Dreamed Last Night / Popcorn Willie (Adore 901)

Biography :

Vocal group from Tottenville, a neighborhood on the South Shore of Staten Island, New York City. Brothers Charlie and Jimmy Anderson were in the group, however Eddy their other brother was too young to participate, so another Eddie Anderson lived in town too. He joined and they hung outside Al Lang's gas station on Amboy Road. The Impressions practiced at The Police Athletic League building in Tottenville and the Anderson brothers lived one or two street down from where they practiced. The group wrote two songs in 1961, "I Dreamed Last Night" and "Popcorn Willie" released by Adore records, 1650 Broadway, NYC, possible owned by Ray Rand and Leo Rogers. Their career will stop after the disc because most of them were drafted or enlisted in the military.

Songs :

I Dreamed Last Night

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The Dynamics (9)

Posted on May 18 2019 by dion1

The Dynamics (9)

The Dynamics (9) (Plainfield, NJ.)

Personnel :

Albert Price

Walter Price

Walter Popdora

Chester Popdora

Bill Jennings

Paul Nocilla

Discography :

The Dynamics (9)
1959 - Enchanted Love / Happiness And Love (Arc 4450)
1960 - Seems Like Only Yesterday / How Should I Feel (Decca 31046/31050)
1960 - At The End Of Each Day / The Girl By The Gate (Decca 31129)

Skip Milo bb The Dynamics (9)
1959 - Jo Baby / What's Wrong With Me (Arc 4453)

Biography :

Four Plainfield youths make up a singing group called the Dynamics, the group include Albert Price,18, his brother Walter,17, a cousin,17, Bill Jenning,17, and Paul Nocilla, 19, and Walter and Chester Podpota of Milford. The Price boys are seniors at Plainfield high school and Nocilla and Jennings were graduated in June.The group began career five years ago, in 1955 in a talent contest. In 1959, Bill Jennings with Albert and Walter Price wrote two songs "Enchanted Love" and "Happiness And Love". The group recorded the songs in Elizabeth NJ at the ARC records studio owned by Ed Dambach. The single will be released by Arc in July 1959.

The Dynamics (9)
Skip Milo Tom DeCillis

"Enchanted Love," made the top 10 over Chicago radio stations. On the Arc label The Dynamics backed Skip Milo on "Jo Baby" and "What's Wrong With Me". Tom DeCillis started to manage The Dynamics, and signed them to Decca Records. Tom DeCillis start his own radio show on a Newark station playing rock and roll music. He was able to meet recording artists and record labels as a result of being prompted to play their records on his show.

The Dynamics (9)

Decca released their second single "Seems Like Only Yesterday" b/w "How Should I Feel"in February 1960. A third single and last disc will be released by Decca in July 1960 with "At The End Of Each Day" and "The Girl By The Gate". The Dynamics, have be heard at several local events, have also appeared at Grossing-ers in the Catskills and on television programs in Conecticut and Pennsylvania. When the stardom wore off and the group started to go in different directions, Nocilla sang with Joey Dee and the Starliters. Probably most famous for “Peppermint Twist,” Joey Dee and the Starliters were the house band for the Peppermint Lounge in New York City.

Songs :

The Dynamics (9)

                      Enchanted Love       At The End Of Each Day / The Girl By The Gate

Seems Like Only Yesterday / How Should I Feel

Skip Milo bb The Dynamics (9)


What's Wrong With Me                             Jo Baby

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The Derringers

Posted on May 18 2019 by dion1

The Derringers

The Derringers (LaPuente, California)

Personnel :

Len Mon

Jim Grimpe

Discography :

Len & Jim
Single:
1960 - Round And Round / Don't Be That Way (Del-Fi 4147)
Unreleased:
1960 - Run Home (Del-Fi)

The Derringers
Single:
1961 - (If You Cry) True Love, True Love / Sheree (Capitol 4532)
1961 - Don't Deceive Me / Maybe Baby (Capitol 4572)
Unreleased:
1961 - I Can't Say (Capitol)
1961 - Rockin' Li'l Patty (Capitol)

Biography :

Singing duo consisted Len Mon and Jim Grimpe. The duo grew out of a dance band which the two organized while students at La Puente (California). In 1960, the duo recorded "Round And Round" and "Don't Be That Way" both composed by Len Mon. The single will be released by Del-Fi Records in Hollywood as Len & Jim. In 1960, the singing duo have been signed to an exclusive disk pact by Capitol Records. To be recorded under the supervision of A&R producer Nick Venet. Two singles will be released in the year 1961, "True Love, True Love" b/w "Sheree" and "Don't Deceive Me" b/w "Maybe Baby".

Songs :

The Derringers
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

(If You Cry) True Love, True Love                       Sheree


Maybe Baby                             Don't Deceive Me

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The Gales (3)

Posted on May 16 2019 by dion1

Paulette Costa (Seated)-(L to R) Shirley Machler, Madlyn Peters and Carol Fedor

The Gales (3) (Scranton, Pennsylvania)

Personnel :

Paulette Costa (Lead)

Shirley Machler (Tenor)

Carol Fedor (Harmony Bass)

Madlyn Peters (Bass)

Discography :

The Gales (3)
1963 - Tommy / Around The Clock With You (Debra 1002)

Tommy Genova bb The Gales (3)
1961 - I Loved And I Lost / I've Got That Feeling (not them) (White Rock 361)

Biography :

Known as the Gales, the young vocalists are Paulette Costa, Carol Fedor, Shirley Machler and Madlyn Peters. Misses Costa, Fedor and Machler reside in West Scranton. Miss Peters-hails from the Pine Brook section. Miss Costa, leader of the Gales, Wrote one of the tunes that appears on the disc "Tommy". The flip side is "Around the Clock". Paulette Costa is a graduate of West Scranton High School, as Carol Fedor . Shirley Machler will be a senior at West - Scranton High School in September. Madlyn Peters graduated from Technical High School. The girls range in age from 16 (Machler) to 19 (Peters). Paulette Costa is 18 and Carol Fedor, 17.

The Gales (3)

Their recording was cut in New York City, on the Debra label. They got their chance to record after their background work for Tommy Genova's "I Loved and I Lost" was noted. Genova also resides in Scranton. "I Loved and I Lost" was penned by Pete Mills, another Scrantonian. The Magics, a male doo-wop group, also from Scranton, are the male back-up singers on "Around The Clock With You". Miss Costa is a brother of Tony Costa, a musician currently on tour with the Town Pipers. The Gales have appeared at local record hops and will fuelfill a number of engagements to plug their record in the fall. They got together as a team 18 months ago

Songs :

The Gales (3)

Around The Clock With You Tommy

Tommy Genova

I Loved and I Lost

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The Ambers (2)

Posted on May 15 2019 by dion1

The Ambers (2)
(L to R) June Cromarty, Wilda Cromarty, Loraine Durante and Joseph Durante

The Ambers (2) (Hackensack, New Jersey)

Personnel :

Joseph "Joey" Durante (Lead & Guitar)

Loraine Durante

June Cromarty

Wilda Cromarty

Discography :

The Ambers (2)
1960 - All Of My Darling / So Glad (Todd 1042)

Joey & The Ambers (2)
1960 - The Treasure In My Heart / Sweet Sweet Memory (Bigtop 3052)

Biography :

Vocal group from Hackensack composed by June Cromarty, Wilda Cromarty, Loraine Durante and Joseph Durante. The two Cromarty sisters are Hackensack High School students while Joseph and Lorraine Durante are husband and Wife. In early 1960, The Ambers recorded "All Of My Darling" b/w "So Glad" released in April on the Todd Label. Todd Records got its start in New York City in 1958. Paul Cohen was owner and president of the company and also the main producer.

The Ambers (2)

The same year, they recorded "The Treasure In My Heart" b/w "Sweet Sweet Memory" released by Bigtop record in September as Joey & the Ambers. BigTop was a New York label owned by Julian and Jean Aberbach as a subsidiary of Hill and Range Music. It was run by their nephew, Johnny Bienstock (President) with Fred Beinstock named as Executive.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Ambers (2)

All Of My Darling So Glad

Joey & The Ambers (2)

The Treasure In My Heart

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