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

Teddy & The Continentals (6)

Posted on May 13 2019 by dion1

Teddy & The Continentals (6) (Wilmington, Delaware)

Personnel :

Teddy Henry (Lead)

Lawrence Davis (First Tenor)

Eugene Callaway (Second Tenor)

Gerald Hamilton (Baritone)

Donald Jackson (Bass)

Jerome Jefferson (Guitar)

Discography :

Teddy & The Continentals (6)
1961 - Tick Tick Tock / Everybody Pony (Richie 1001/Pik 235)
1961 - Do You / Tighten Up (Richie 445)
1963 - Crying Over You / Crossfire With My Baby (Richie 453)

Teddy Continental
1965 - I Call It Home / Find Someone (Richie 66-5/7)

Biography :

Teddy & The Continentals were from Wilmington, Delaware and consisted of Teddy Henry (Lead), Lawrence Davis (First Tenor), Eugene Callaway (Second Tenor), Gerald Hamilton (Baritone), Donald Jackson (Bass) and Jerome Jefferson (Guitar). The Boys started singing together three years ago, they all went to Absalom Jones Senior Center and used to sing in the music room after school. Four of them are in High School, Teddy and Eugene go to Conrad High School, While Lawrence Davis and Gerald Hamilton go to Howard High School, Jerome Jefferson was graduated from Wilmington high school in 1959 and Donald has been graduated from Newark High.

Teddy & The Continentals (6)
Teddy Henry

At a anniversary party, a neighbour of Teddy Henry, Theron Byrd, tape recorded their songs. He became interested in the group and finally he was made their manager. They went to his home to practice and finally they got a music publisher from Wilmington to listen to their sing. In February 1961, Teddy decided it was the time for the Continentals to get on the local hit parade. They turned out "Everybody Pony" and a band from pottsville, Pa., was hired to accompany them. "Everybody Pony" was recorded on the Richie Label in Late February. Richie Records is from Wilmington, DE owned by a local record producer and rock's roll promoter Vincent Rago and named after his son Richie. The label started in late 1960 and was still around in 1967. Some releases were distributed by Roulette and Scepter records.

Teddy & The Continentals (6)

Vincent Rago helped Teddy and the Continentals cut their first single. They had a national hit –– on the Bubbling Under chart –– with “Ev’rybody Pony,” which hit #101 in September 1961. but the flip side “Tick Tick Tock” is the side most aficionados prefer. Since the record hit the markets the boys have been making many personnel appearances included local radio stations, and radio and television stations in Philadelphia. The Continentals recorded two more records, but by 1964 the Continentals broke up and Teddy Henry recorded a final solo record on Ritchie in 1965 as Teddy Continental.

Songs :

Teddy & The Continentals (6)

Tick Tick Tock                    Everybody Pony    Do You


Tighten Up                         Crying Over You        Crossfire With My Baby

Teddy Continental


I Call It Home                                      Find Someone

...

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The Originales

Posted on May 10 2019 by dion1

Sonny Johnson, Jan Conway, Ron Bonham, Tom Smalley & Sam Dargo

The Originales (Muncie, Indiana)

Personnel :

Tom Smalley

Ron Bonhan

Sonny Johnson

Sam Dargo

Jan Conway

Discography :

1959 - Lend Me Your Ear / Bandstand Sound (Poor Boy 110)

Biography :

Ron Bonham was a basketball star at Muncie Central High School. He was named "Mr. Basketball" as the state's top player in 1960. He attended the University of Cincinnati and was a member of the 1962 NCAA champion Bearcats team. He went on to win two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. He finished his career with the ABA Indiana Pacers.

Sonny Johnson, Jan Conway, Ron Bonham, Tom Smalley & Sam Dargo

Bonham even made his mark on the world of pop music. Along with Tom Smalley , Sonny Johnson, Sam Dargo and Jan Conway formed a doo-wop group in 1959 called the Originales. Sam Dargo was the leader of the group which has been singing together for 1959. Sam composed the two songs on the records. In 1960, The Originales recorded "Lend Me Your Ear" and "That Bandstand Sound" in the King Record Studios in Cincinnati. The Record was released by Poor Boy Records.

Songs :

Lend Me Your Ear / Bandstand Sound

…

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The Marvels (3) aka The Marvells aka The Senators (3)

Posted on May 10 2019 by dion1

The Marvels (3) (Washington, DC)
aka The Marvells
aka The Senators (3)

Personnel :

Sam Gilbert (Lead)

James "Junior" Isom (Second Tenor)

Ronald Boyd (Baritone)

James Mitchell (Bass)

Discography :

The Marvels (3)
1958 - I Shed So Many Tears / So Young So Sweet (Laurie 3016)

The Marvells
1961 - For Sentimental Reasons / Come Back (Winn 1916)

The Senators (3)
1962 - Wedding Bells / I Shouldn't Care (Winn 1917)

Biography :

The Marvels emerged from the fertile Washington, D.C. doo wop scene of the 1950s. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the December 1976 issue of Yesterday's Memories, lead Sam Gilbert, second tenor James "Junior" Isom, baritone Ronald Boyd and bass James Mitchell co-founded the group in 1954 -- after honing their harmonies on local street corners, the Marvels achieved sufficient notoriety to appear on the popular local television show Milt Grant's Record Hop, but did not actively seek a record deal until 1958, traveling to New York City to audition for the Laurie label. Laurie immediately offered a deal, and that July issued the Isom-led "I Shed So Many Tears" -- when the single went nowhere, the label terminated their contract and the Marvels returned to the Washington club circuit, waiting three years for their chance to cut a follow-up.

The Marvels (3) aka The Marvells aka The Senators (3)

The Winn label issued "For Sentimental Reasons" in the fall of 1961, and when it too failed to generate much attention, the Marvels -- now facing competition from hitmakers like the Marvellos and the Marvelettes -- decided a fresh start was in order, renaming themselves the Senators in honor of the local major league baseball franchise. Winn released the Gilbert-led "Wedding Bells" in the spring of 1962, but it too fared poorly and the group soon dissolved -- Isom later resurfaced in the Gales before signing on with the Satisfactions, who in 1970 scored the R&B Top 40 hits "This Bitter Earth" and "One Light, Two Lights."

Songs :

The Marvels (3)


I Shed So Many Tears                            So Young So Sweet

The Marvells


For Sentimental Reasons                               Come Back

The Senators (3)


Wedding Bells                            Shouldn't Care

...

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The Four Flickers aka The Four Counts (4)

Posted on May 8 2019 by dion1

The Four Flickers aka The Four Counts (4)

The Four Flickers (Nashville, TN.)
aka The Four Counts (4)

Personnel :

Larry Strzelecki

Henry P. Strzelecki

Ray Snider

Johnny Campbell

Discography :

The Four Flickers
1959 - Is There A Way / Yo Yo (Lee 1002)
1959 - Aimez-Moi Love Me) / Long Tall Texan (Lee 1003)
1960 - Aimez-Moi (Love Me) / Is There A Way (Lee 1006)

The Four Counts (4)
1960 - Heavenly / Blue Eyes (Ace 597)

Biography :

Birmingham, AL-born Henry Strzelecki (sometimes credited as Henry P. Strzelecki) started out in country music in his teens, recording with songwriter Baker Knight on the Decca label out of Nashville in the mid-'50s. In 1959, he played with his brother Larry along with Ray Snider and Johnny Campbell in a group, the Four Flickers who toured the southern and border states late in the '50s.

The Four Flickers aka The Four Counts (4)

The Four Flickers recorded two singles for Lee records owned by Herb Zebley and Ed Levy and the group became the first to record “Long Tall Texan” wrote by Henry Strezlecki. “Long Tall Texan” was subsequently recorded by Jerry Woodard (1960) and by Murry Kellum (1963), who was the first to make the charts with the tune. The Beach Boys recorded it in 1964, and it became a widely loved song in the group’s repertoire. The Kingsmen also recorded it that year. The Four Flickers changed their name to the Four Counts for their last single in 1960: "Heavenly" b/w "Blue Eyes" on the Ace label.

The Four Flickers aka The Four Counts (4)

He worked with Hank Garland as a bass player in the early '60s, and subsequently worked for Chet Atkins for more than a decade, both in the studio and on tour, which helped move him to the front ranks of Nashville's session players. The list of recordings on which he has worked in the years since -- usually as bassist, but sometimes also as a singer and occasionally on mouth organ, or as a producer -- is prodigious, and encompasses the work of just about every star to come out of Nashville since the early '60s. He also founded a publishing and production company in Nashville that was very active during the 1970s and 1980s, and in 1987 was nominated for Bassman of the Year at the 23rd Academy of Country Music Awards.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Four Flickers

Is There a Way Yo Yo

Aimez- Moi (Love Me) / Long Tall Texan

The Four Counts (4)

Heavenly Blue Eyes

....

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The Gassers

Posted on May 8 2019 by dion1

The Gassers featuring Jesse Belvin on Cash Records

The Gassers (Los Angeles)

Personnel :

George Parker (First Tenor)

Howard Watson (Second Tenor)

Willie Henderson (Baritone)

Haydell Mitchell (Bass)

Discography :

The Gassers
Singles :
1956 - Hum-De-Dum / Tell Me (Cash 1035)
1957 - Dody Mighty / Doggonit (Encino 1011)
Unreleased :
1956 - Why Did You Leave Me (Cash)
1956 - My Aching Feet (Cash)
1956 - Beloved (Cash)

Jesse Belvin bb The Gassers
1957 - Beware / Dry Your Tears (Cash 1056)

Biography :

The Gassers who hail from Los Angeles recorded for Cash Records, one of the legendary Dolphins of Hollywood labels. Dolphin produced several famous records under the Recorded In Hollywood label, and eventually created other labels like Lucky Records, Cash Records, and finally, Money Records. Dolphin sold Money and its holdings to Don Pierce's Hollywood Records in 1956. The Gassers consisted of George Parker, Howard Watson, Willie Henderson and Haydell Mitchell. The name of "Gasser" is a reference to the hair straightening process many blacks went through.

The Gassers were a sort of vehicle group for Tommy "Buster" Williams, a vocalist who was championed by Jesse Belvin. Known by many as the father of LA doo wop, Jesse Belvin persuaded Dolphin to release "Hum De Dum" and its flipside, "Tell Me". On "Tell Me", Tommy "Buster" Williams singing second tenor & Jesse Belvin singing the falsetto background. Jesse Belvin sang lead on "Hum-De-Dum". The Gassers had a minor hit with “Tell Me” backed with “Hum De Dum” (Cash Records #1035) in 1956.

In 1957, the Gassers have a second single with "Dody Mighty" b/w "Doggonit" both written by Baritone' Willie Henderson. Encino Records from Hollywood released the single. The same year, the Gassers backed Jesse Belvin on the exceptional ballad, “Beware” b/w “Dry Your Tears,” a reissue of his 1954 release “Hang Your Tears Out To Dry” on Dolphin’s RIH. “Beware” charted #30 on KDAY on Jan. 3 and #18 on KFWB on Jan. 18, 1958.

Songs :

The Gassers

The Gassers (featuring Jesse Belvin)- Hum De Dum (w/session talk)


Dody Mighty                                   Doggonit


Hum-De-Dum                                      Tell Me


Why Did You Leave Me                       Hum-De-Dum / Beloved

My Aching Feet

Jesse Belvin bb The Gassers


Dry Your Tears                                     Beware

...

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Bobby Gee & The Celestials

Posted on May 6 2019 by dion1

Ed Gandolfi, Vinnie De Mauro, Gerry Tetty and Robert Gandolfi "Bobby Gee"

Bobby Gee & The Celestials (Bergen County, New Jersey) 

 Personnel : 

Robert Gandolfi "Bobby Gee" (Lead)

Ed Gandolfi

Vinnie De Mauro

Gerry Tetty

Discography :

1959 - Blue Jean / Julie Is Mine (Stacy 922)
1960 - Sealed With A Kiss / Little Miss Fantasy ( XYZ 611)

Biography :

Robert Gandolfi of Bogota and his brother Ed, 17, Vinnie De Mauro, 18, of Ridgefield Park, and 18-year-old Gerry Tetty of Fair Lawn used to get together in 1957/58 when Robert (Bobby) played the guitar. They used to do it just for kicks, but when people began asking them to appear at social events and benefits, they decided to get serious about singing." Bobby Gee & the Celestials landed a contract with Stacy Records of Chicago owned by Jim gaylord. The Bergen County boys cut "Blue Jean" /" Julie Is Mine" for Stacy. Bobby was on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was a major business leader there. As for Ed, Vinnie and Gerry, they all had vacancies.

Bobby Gee & The Celestials
Vinnie De Mauro, Ed Gandolfi, Robert Gandolfi and Gerry Tetty

"Blue Jean", a swinging rock 'n' roll number written by Bob Crewe and Frank Slay, is backed by a soft ballad, "Julie is Mine". the single played on five metropolitan radio stations, eight in Boston, and has been spinning in Chicago and Atlanta. The boys were under contract to Stacy Records since June and it was their first attempt at recording. Crewe and Slay then moved to get Bobby Gee & The group fortunes moving forward with their own XYZ label. They cut "Sealed With A Kiss" / "Little Miss Fantasy" both written by Robert Gandolfi for the label.

Songs :


Julie Is Mine                                        Blue Jean


Sealed With A Kiss                        Little Miss Fantasy

...

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The Cardells (1)

Posted on May 5 2019 by dion1

The Cardells (1)

The Cardells (1) (Los Angeles, CA)

Personnel :

William Gardner (Lead)

Charles Bearden

Sonny Mayberry

Robert Carney

Discography :

1956 - Helen (Feat.Gardner) / Lovely Girl (Feat.Bearden) (Middle-Tone 011)

Biography :

Vocal quartet from Los Angeles, The Cardells consisted of Charles Bearden (Lead), William Gardner (Lead), Sonny Mayberry and Robert Carney. 1956 This is the groups only recorded single. Issued both on a 78 and 45. In 1959, William Gardner formed another groups: The Marquis / Tabs

Songs :

Helen Lovely Girl

...

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 The Tunes (4)

Posted on May 4 2019 by dion1

 The Tunes (4)

 The Tunes (4) (Minden, louisiana)   

Personnel : 

Jerry Frasier (Lead) 

Don Holt (Lead)

Bobby Morehead 

Jeralyn Shipp 

Travis Towns 

Discography :

1959 - My Heart / Close The Door (Swade 102)
1959 - The Lie / Only Time Will Tell (Pel 101/345)

Biography :

Vocal and instrumental group from Minden, louisiana, The Tunes cut two singles. The band formed of Bobby Moorehead (gtr), Jeralyn Shipp (pno), Jerry Frasier (vcl), Don Holt (vcl, gtr, bass) and Travis Towns (dms). Don Holt had at first a solo release on Buddy 102, a record label out of Marshall, Texas,around 1956. He's backed by The Ranch Boys on " My Baby Still Loves Me" and "Let Me Love You", two song he wrote. Don Holt was also member of The Tunes, a musical combo that started at Minden High School and continued at Northwest Louisiana Tech College.

 The Tunes (4)
Jerry Frasier Don Holt

They played local events, dances, Telethon but also opened for "Shake, Rattle and Rock" movie when screened at the Louisiana Tech Theatre. The Tunes played ArkLaTex area as well as Mississippi; In May 17, 1958, they played the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport sharing the stage with Johnny Horton and Fred Carter. Later that year they were featured on a big rock and roll show set by WNOE-TV in New-Orleans sharing the stage with Jack Scott, Huelyn Duvall and Dale Hawkins just to name a few.

 The Tunes (4)

The Tunes recorded in January 1959 at Cosimo Matassa studio in New-Orleans two songs that were issued in September 1959 on Swade 102. "My Heart" was sung by Don Holt and "Close The Door" by Jerry Frasier that was also a fullback from Louisiana Tech. Their first single has no vocal accompaniment. Their second single is more in the vocal style of doo wop group of the time.

 The Tunes (4)

They recorded "Only Time Will Tell" (Don Holt) and "The Lie" (Jerry Frasier) issued around June 1959 on Pel 101. None of these records get more action than regionaly. Making it in the music business took lots of talent, the right contacts, and lots of luck. All these guys who stayed local glories belong to the Louisiana musical history and deserve to be remembered.

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim)

The Lie / Only Time Will Tell Close The Door

My Heart

...

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The Continders aka The Fabulous Six

Posted on May 3 2019 by dion1

Clifford Curry

The Continders (Knoxville, TN.)
aka The Fabulous Six

Personnel :

Clifford Curry

Lewey Guy

Dewey Guy

Bob Adams

Jerry Johnson

Wayne Cronan

Discography :

The Continders
1959 - Mr. Dee Jay / Yes I Do (Blue Sky 105)

Dewey Guy & The Fabulous Six
1959 - Rock A While / Can't Stand To Be Alone (Ridgecrest 1201)

Biography :

While The Five Pennies toured during high school, Clifford Curry & four other friends formed a group called The Bingos. That group included, Willie Earl Drummond, Veste Huddleston, Clayton Whittington and Leon “Mickey” Prater. Curry wrote his own songs and sang into his small reel-to-reel tape recorder until the group saved enough money to drive to Nashville to record one 45 on Nashboro Records.

Clifford Curry

Curry was the lead singer on both; “Don’t Say Tomorrow” and “You For Me” the later, a song Curry co-wrote with Mickey Prater. Then the owner of Nashboro Records, Ernie Young, changed their name to The Hollyhocks. The man loved flowers. The following year, he joined a band called the Contenders (Dewey Guy, his twin brother, Lewey Guy, Jerry Johnson, Wayne Cronan, and Bob Adams).

The Continders aka The Fabulous Six
Dewey Guy & the Fabulous Six

In late 1958, they recorded "Mr. Dee Jay"/"Yes I Do" for Earl Dorrance's Blue Sky Records (although the label called them the "Continders"). Then, as "Dewey Guy and the Fabulous Six," they had "Rock A While"/"Can't Stand To Be Alone" on Ralph Stevens' Ridgecrest Records in early 1959.

Songs :

The Continders

Mr. Dee Jay Yes I Do

Dewey Guy & The Fabulous Six

Rock A While Can't Stand To Be Alone

...

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The Vestelles

Posted on May 1 2019 by dion1

The Vestelles

The Vestelles (New York)

Personnel :

Darnell Jessamay (Lead)

Bunny Brown

Barbara Cochran

Barbara Fork

Gloria Jackson

Discography :

1958 - Come Home / Ditta Wa Do (Decca 30733)

Biography :

Girls vocal group from New York consisted of Darnell Jessamay (Lead), Bunny Brown, Barbara Cochran, Barbra Fork and Gloria Jackson. In 1958, The girls recorded for Decca Records "Come Home"and "Ditta Wa Do" both written by John Bowden. John Bowden was a gospel record producer, A&R and promotion man, who was very active in the 1960s and 70’s and most famously associated with HOB and Ark, two gospel labels affiliated with Scepter Records, New York. Darnell Jessamay. would later join as lead singer a group known as "Darnell & The Dreams" and record "The Day Before Yesterday" b/w ""I Had A Love" (West Side #1020) .

Songs :

Come Home Ditta Wa Do

...

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