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The Leaguers
The Leaguers (Montclair, New Jersey)
Personnel :
Sam Argote
Michael DeJesus
Ronald Bascombe
Albert Lawson
Discography :
?
...
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The Four Labels
The Four Labels (Indianapolis)
Personnel :
Craig Reynolds
Dave Dickinson
Randy Entcriain
Avie Celender
Discography :
1959 - Lookin’ / Susie (Gra Low 838G-5524)
Biography :
Vocal group from North Central high school in Indianapolis, the boys call themselves The Four Labels . The group were composed by Craig Reynolds, Dave Dickinson, Avie Celender and Randy Entcriain. The young singers were managed by Avie Celender’s mother . In 1959, Craig Reynolds composed two song "Lookin’" and "Susie". The group recorded the two songs for Gra Low Records owned by Fred Lowery. The single is released in Indianapolis and in Ohio. "
Songs :
Susie Lookin’
...
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The Teenos aka The Five Tinos aka The Esquires (3)
Melvin and Marvin Walker (3rd and 4th from left)
The Teenos (Memphis, Tenn.)
aka The Five Tinos aka The Esquires (3)
Personnel :
Luchrie Jordan
Haywood Hebron
Marvin Walker
Melvin Walker
Melvin Jones
Discography :
The Five Tinos
Single:
1955 - Don't Do That / Sitting By The Window (Sun 222)
Unreleased:
1955 - Gonna Have Let You Be
1955 - Mambo Baby
1955 - Memories
1955 - My Only Angel
1955 - Go Ahead
1955 - Rockin' Chair
The Teenos
1958 - Love Only One / Alrightee (Dub 2839)
The Esquires (3)
1956 - Only The Angels Know / One Word For This (Hi-Po 1003)
Biography :
A Memphis group, the Five Tinos comprised local college students. There were Luchrie Jordan, Haywood Hebron, Marvin Walker, Melvin Walker, and Melvin Jones. They probably went to Booker T. Washington High School in south Memphis. The Five Tinos have a session at Sun Studio 706 Union Ave Memphis Tennessee the May 26, 1955. The Tinos recorded a total of eight tracks . "Don't Do That" and "Sitting By My Window" which are coupled for release as Sun 222 released June 21. The two Walker brothers had a younger brother, William, who later joined another Memphis group, The Four kings aka the Four canes . Some reckon that they're the same group as The Teenos & The Esquires on Hi-Po. The composers credit on the Teenos single "Love Only One" is Tinos for like "Sitting By The Window" & "Don't Do That" of the Five Tinos. The Other song is credited to M.Walker (Melvin or Marvin Walker?)… Ok For the Teenos?
Songs :
The Five Tinos
Don't Do That / Sitting By The Window Gonna Have Let You Be
Mambo Baby
The Teenos
Love Only One Alrightee
The Esquires (3)
Only The Angels Know One Word For This
...
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Little Bobby Riviera & The Hemlocks
Little Bobby Riviera & The Hemlocks (Bronx, New York)
Personnel :
Bobby Rivera "Little" (Lead)
Chino "Snooky" (Bass)
Johnny Manfredonia (Baritone)
Saint Julian Jefferson (Second Tenor)
Eugene Savaghn (First Tenor)
Discography :
1957 - Cora Lee / Joys Of Love (Fury 1004)
Biography :
He was 11 going on 12 when on a cold winter day, Bobby Riviera accompanied by his friends Chino (Snooky) the bass singer, Johnny Manfredonia the baritone, Saint Julian Jefferson the second tenor and Eugene Savaghn first tenor, walked into The Beltone Recording Studio in NYC. The Hemlocks used to practice in the P.A.L. Center at 153rd street and Morris Ave in the Bronx as well as in the stairwells of the Melrose Projects. At The Beltone Recording Studio, they will only need 5 takes for recorded "Cora Lee" and "Joys Of Love". The sax player on "Cora Lee" was none other than King Curtis. The Single will be released by Fury Records owned by Bobby Robinson in 1957.
Songs :
Cora Lee Joys Of Love
...
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The Elites (4)
The Elites (4) (Detroit, MI.)
Personnel :
Patti Gilson
Pam Rushman
Dianne Norrod
Discography :
The Elites (4)
1962 - You Mean So Much To Me / Tell Him Again (Hi-Lite 106)
Patti Gilson
1963 - Pulling Petals (From A Daisy) / Don't You Tell A Lie (Golden World 6)
Biography :
The Elites from Detroit were Patti Gilson, Pam Rushman and Dianne Norrod (Patti, Pam & Ann). The girls recorded two songs in 1962 called "You Mean So Much" and "Tell Him Again". The Single was released by Hi Lite Records co-owned by Dorothy Pierce. Dorothy Pierce owned REM and Pillar Records and she was a co-owner in Hi-Lite Records. She was the A&R person snd main producer in all 3 labels.
Pam, Patti and Ann with friend
The Elites traveled The Reflections (Just Like Romeo and Juliet) and perform with the Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder and others. Patti Gilson made another record in 1963 called "Pullin Petals (from a Daisy)" b/w "Don't You Tell A Lie" released by Golden World Records owned by Ed Wingate and Joanne Bratton in Detroit.
Songs :
The Elites (4)
Tell Him Again You Mean So Much To Me
...
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The Four Steps
The Four Steps (Cerritos, CA)
Personnel :
?
Discography :
?
Biography :
Vocal group from Cerritos, CA. who cut a demo in the early 60'.
...
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The Debonaires (1) aka The Five Debonaires
The Debonaires (1) (Atlanta, GA)
aka The Five Debonaires
Personnel :
Arthur Simon
Emory Cloud
Milton Boykin
Discography :
The Debonaires (1)
1957 - Darling / Whispering Blues (Herald 509)
The Five Debonaires
1957 - Darling / Whispering Blues (Herald 509)
Biography :
Bill lowery in Atlanta produced the Debonaires, or Five Debonaires as they were called originally on "Whispering Blues" (Herald 509). The group from Atlanta Georgia and included Arthur Simon, Emory Cloud and Milton Boykin, while Wesley J. Jackson arranged and provided guitar backing. Lowery had just a smash with "Young Love", he went on to produce Tommy Roe, Joe South and Ray Stevens, so the Debonaires’ catchy doo-wop was a real anomaly for him. Released in December, 1957, the flip "Darling" became very popular among oldies fans for the tricky bass parts and nice harmonies.
Songs :
Darling Whispering Blues
…
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The Brooks Four aka The Four Winds (6) aka The Teamates (3)
The Brooks Four (Bound Brook, New Jersey)
aka The Four Winds (6) aka The Teamates (3)
(By Robert Paladino)
Personnel :
Bob Dileo (Lead & Second Tenor)
Frank Giaretta (First Tenor)
Frank Delisi (Baritone)
Bob Paladino (Lead, Bass & Baritone)
Discography :
The Brooks Four
1962 - I'm Not Good Enough For You / I'll Be Faithful (Sinclair 1007)
The Four Winds (6)
Single:
1963 - Playgirl / Jennifer (Felsted 8703 /Derby 10022)
Unreleased :
1963 - A chance To Live
The Teamates (3)
Single:
1964 - Calendar Of Love / I Say Goodbye (Lemans 006/006)
Unreleased :
1964 - Darlene (Lemans)
1964 - Sadboy (Lemans)
Biography :
The Brooks Four was formed in Bound Brook Highschool in 1960. All four members were Italian/American friends living within 6 blocks of each other, in Bound Brook, New Jersey, USA. We had 2 Franks (Frank Giaretta 1st Tenor, Frank Delisi, Baritone) and 2 Bob's (Bob Dileo, 2nd Tenor, Lead Singer, Arranger, Songwriter, myself ,Bob Paladino, Bass/Baritone, Lead Singer, Songwirter, ). Hence our name The Brooks Four! We practiced alot, realized that our voices blended well, and sang for school talent shows, private parties, etc. We were attracting adults and musicians who recognized that we could sing 4 part harmony. As teenagers we sang with big bands, (At the Rutgers University Military Ball, we performed alongside the Duke Ellington Band. We performed original songs written by local adult composers, and guest stared with my brothers band in NJ nightclubs. In 1961, we entered the battle of the groups in New York City hosted by renowned disc-jockey, "Murray The K". We placed in the top 20 finalists singing a 4 part harmony song called "It's a blue World", a vocal jazz standard, not a rock'n roll song!
Bob DiLeo and I composed "I'll Be Faithful" in 1962 and sang it for Vinny Catalano, producer for Sinclair Records. We recorded for V. Catalano, and that same night he produced "Your my Coney Island Baby", by the Excellents. They got the hit record, and we did not. However, Bob DiLeo and I arranged "I'll be faithful" with a great falsetto and harmony introduction, that was cut from the record by V. Catalano, I felt it was a major mistake on his part. In 1963 we recorded under the name "The Four Winds" for Felsted Records, Jennifer , and Playgirl (written by Mike Paladino, my brother). Playgirl received a red bulllet sure hit potential) by Billboard Magazine in early November, in about 2 weeks Pres.
Vinny Catalano
John F. Kennedy was assasinated, and "the music stopped", and when it resumed, our record was shelved! In 1964 we recorded for LeMans Records under the name The Teamates. We recorded "Calendar of Love" (on youtube) written by my brother Mike, and "I say Goodbye", written by me. We did the first live color TV broadcast from the NY Worlds Fair with the Shangrilas, Joe Williams, Ronnie Dove, etc. We then did The Clay Cole TV Show from NYC with Jimmy Clanton, Gary U.S. Bonds, etc. Shortly thereafter, we started to play instruments, and get bookings in seaside resorts. In 1965 we had an audition set up for the Lawrence Welk TV show, and despite this prospect, Bob Dileo decided to try and make it as a solo performer.
He had Bob Marcucci, Frankie Avalon & Fabians manager representing him. He had many opportunities, but to this day, he still performs in local nightclubs. 1n 1968 I wrote, produced and performed on 2 Motown type songs entitled "You don't love Me"and "Where were You" (both on youtube). The Studio owners were Tony Bongiovi (Jon Bonjovi) uncle, and Tony Camillo. Tony Camillo arranged the strings/horns for both sides, took my record to Motown, as part of his portfolio of arrangements, and became a " Grammy winner arranger/conductor" for Gladys Knight. I always hoped that The Brooks Four would reunite! In 2006, Frank Giaretta passed away!
Upper left is Bob DiLeo, Upper right is Bob Paladino
lower left is Frank Giarett and lower right is Frank Delisi
Notes :
Here are a few notes about Darlene and Sadboy unreleased demos by The Teamates, in 1964. Both songs were written by Robert Paladino and vocally arrranged by Bob DiLeo of the Teamates. The demo's were recorded in the same timeline with the released record (Calendar of Love, I Say Goodbye), using the same studio (Stea Phillips, NYC), same music arranger (Charles Calello), same Engineer (Gordon Clark). It should be noted that the exact same staff and studio were utilized by Frankie Vallie/Four Seasons for most of their long list of hit records in the 1960's. Listeners may be able to hear a similarity between the style of the Seasons and that of The Teamates on these two selections. The Teamates on many occasions would perform at Record Hops, or on Television, and would sing Calendar of Love (A Side), and encore with Darlene, instead of I Say Goodbye, which was the released B side of the record. These songs are made available through an old demo that Robert Paladino kept for the last 46 years.
A Chance To Live (Unreleased)
Song written by Tom DeCillis (US Disc Jockey) called "a chance to live". We recorded this as the Four Winds in 1964 for Nick Massi and Tom DeVito of The Four Seasons. It was for the Leukemia Foundation and was never released.
Robert Paladino
The Brooks Four
Songs :
The Brooks Four
I'll Be Faithful (My favorite Doo Wop) I'm Not Good Enough For You
The Four Winds (6)
Jennifer Playgirl A Chance To Live
The Teamates (3)
Calendar Of Love I Say Goodbye
Darlene Sad Boy
...
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The Seniors (2)
The Seniors (2) (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Personnel :
Ray "Dean" James
Harry Clifton
Keith Ross
Paul Powers
Discography :
The Seniors (2)
1956 - Evening Shadows Falling (I Think Of You) / I’ve Got Plenty Of Love (Tetra 4446)
1959 - Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life Young / Rock And Rolly (ESV 1016)
1960 - I've Lived Before / Hello, Mr. Robin (Decca 31112)
1961 - When Will I Fall In Love / Baby, Say The Word (Decca 31244)
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2) (instru. The Orbits)
1958 - If You Don't Want My Lovin' / Love Is Everything (Decca 30656)
Ronnie Neat With The Four C-Notes And The Orvits
1957 - Have Mercy On Me, Baby / Mister Rock And Roll (Four C-Notes) (Bramble 3003)
Ron Neat with The Janet Shay Trio
1960 - Ronnie / Say I'm The One (Alcar 1501/ Pelpal 1502)
Biography :
Carl Dobkins Jr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in January 1941. He was raised in a musical family. At the age of nine Carls’ mom and dad bought him a ukulele with a plastic Arthur Godfrey attachment that played chords by pushing buttons. He soon took off the attachment and learned over fifty hillbilly songs as a child. At the age of sixteen, young Carl made a demo of two songs he wrote with his backup group, The Seniors. The Seniors first met with a common interest in singing at Nast Memorial Methodist Church in Cincinnati. The group sang together for approximately eight years.
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2)
The group was formed in the early 50's in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area and consists of Paul Powers, Keith Ross, Ray James & Harry Clifton. The seniors will have several staff changes over the years, Bill Smith, Marv Lockart, Mike "Froggy" Bridges... In 1956, the group recorded "Evening Shadows Falling (I Think Of You)" b/w "I’ve Got Plenty Of Love" on Tetra. They toured the East Coast when “Evening Shadows Falling” climbed to the top of the local charts in Philadelphia.
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2) & The Orbits (Instru.)
Friends in Carls’ neighborhood introduced Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors to Gil Sheppard. In Cincinnati Gil Sheppard was a popular deejay, Gil was taken with young Dobkins Jr. and his musical ability and the demo he had recorded. Sheppard offered to become his his manager. Carl Dobkins Jr. was promoted as “The Teenage Rage.” As a result of the buzz that happened as a result of his singing at dance parties and record hops, Carl was signed up with Fraternity Records in Cincinnati. His only release with Fraternity was his 1958 single “Take Hold of My Hand” b/w “That’s Why I’m Asking.”
The Seniors (2)
Carl moved over to the Decca label for his next recording. "If You Don't Want My Lovin" was the plug side. A nice mid tempo outing, it is credited to Carl Dobkins Jr. and The Seniors. It was recorded at the King record studios in Cincinnati, and the record did well in a few markets, including Charleston West Virginia. After recording "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" at King Records studios, Sheppard sold the master recording to Decca Records. Dobkins then recorded sessions for Decca in Nashville, Tennessee, which included "My Heart is an Open Book" in 1959, which reached No. 3 on the pop chart and number 11 on the R&B chart.
The Seniors (2) Ray James (Ron Neat)
At the same time, the Seniors recorded "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life Young" and "Rock And Rolly" single for ESV and two for Decca, and signed with Decca for two records "I've Lived Before" b/w "Hello, Mr. Robin" and "When Will I Fall In Love" b/w"Baby, Say The Word". Ray Dean James, one of the Seniors recorded two singles in 1957 and 1960 under the name of Ron'nie' Neat. He also released a number of singles under his own name, did some session work as a background vocalist at the legendary King Records studios and did nightclub performances that included music and stand-up comedy at dozens of clubs in Greater Cincinnati.
Songs :
The Seniors (2)
Evening Shadows Falling I’ve Got Plenty Of Love
Hello, Mr. Robin Baby, Say The Word
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2)
If You Don't Want My Lovin' Love Is Everything
Ron Neat with The Janet Shay Trio
Ronnie
...
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The Cordovans
The Cordovans (New York)
Personnel
Irvin Cox
Alvin Grant
Alvin Hassell
Discography :
1960 - My Heart / Come On Baby (Johnson 731)
Biography :
Hiram Johnson ran a small R&B label that, in the late '50s, recorded some of the best of the Chicago's doo wop groups. Although he only had hits with the Shells' "Baby Oh Baby" and the Dubs' "Don't Ask Me to Be Lonely," reveals that Johnson Records was a haven for obscure vocal acts. Groups like the Carribians, the Arcades, Little Nate and the Chryslers, the Cameos, the Marvels, Bobby Capri and Velvet Satins, Cleo and the Crystaliers and the Cordovans show that the label had a sound -- a crude one, to be sure.
The Cordovans' "My Heart" / "Come On Baby" (#731) was first released in the Winter of 1958 on The Johnson Label now run by Jim McCarthy. The group, Which included Irvin Cox (the songs were written by Alvin grant and Alvin Hassell, also in the group), could not be located when the records was re-issued by McCarthy in the Fall of 1960.
Songs
Come On Baby My Heart
...
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