The Carnations (4) (Bridgeport, Connecticut) aka The Teardrops (6)
Personnel :
Carl Hatton (Lead)
Matthew Moales (Lead)
Harvey Arrington
Edward Kennedy
Tommy Blackwell (Bass)
Discography :
The Carnations (4) 1961 - Long Tall Girl / Is There Such A World (Lescay 3002)
Bo Diddley bb The Teardrops (6) (Uncredited) LP : 1959 - Go Bo Diddley (Checker 1436) I'm Sorry / Crackin' Up / Don't Let It Go
Bigraphy :
The Carnations formed in 1954 at Watersville (elementary) school in Bridgeport, Connecticut (they were all 13 years old). Leads Carl Hatton and Matthew Morales, Harvey Arrington, Alan Mason, and Arthur Blackwell called themselves The Startones at first. Service stints broke them up for awhile, but they reformed as The Teardrops with Matthew, Carl, Harvey, Edward Kennedy, and Arthur's younger brother, Tommy Blackwell, taking over as bass. in 1959 as the Teardrops they backed Bo Diddley on "I'm Sorry", " Don't Let It Go" and "Crackin' Up". While searching for a recording contract at 1650 Broadway (along with the Brill Building, ground zero for New York's indie labels), the quintet took a break to harmonize in the men's room. Beltone A&R man Joe Rene overheard their blend and invited them back to his office. The group had a couple of originals penned by Junius McKeithen: "Long Tall Girl" (bandleader Rene shared writer's credit) and the ballad "Is There Such A World". The riffing trumpet and Blackwell's bopping bass make for an unusual intro on "Long Tall Girl" (Hatton sang lead), cut March 2, 1961 but not out on Lescay until October under a new name: The Carnations. Like his brother before him, Tommy Blackwell joined the military, and the short-lived Carnations splintered. Beltone never bothered with an encore. Other members of the group at various points in time were Major McCoy, Curtis Wade & Count Kearney.
Spingarn high school spring festival held on may 1, 1959 and features "the nobles" singing group which included from left to right Alvin Lloyd (formerly of the Spaniels), Chester Manley (formerly of the Dippers), Walter Thomas (the lowest bass voice of the time), Chester Woodard (First Tenor) and without the guitar, Jerry Wheeler (Baritone), and Russel Johnson (guitar).
1960 - I Pledge My Love / Flat Foot Charlie (Renee 1040)
Biography :
Around 1954, in grade school, Eddie Sullivan meet the futures members of the Four Gents, Sullivan was with these individuals through high school. After being together all those years and practicing for so long, they finally recorded a disc. "On Bended Knee". Around 1958, the Four Gents split in half. Louis Pritchett and Waymon Bryant joined Matthew Perkins and Calvin Baron to form the Twi-lites and Eddie Sullivan and John Staples joined with Willie Crowley, and brothers Jerry and Kenneth Brown to form the Belvederes. Eddie Sullivan on lead and the Belvederes recorded "Let's Get Married" b/w "Wow Wow Mary Mary" on Trend Records, a subsidiary of Kapp Records owned by Fred Kaplan.
The latter group lasted one year before breaking up. A few years later, in 1963, Eddie Sullivan recorded another record as a member of the Desideros. With a tongue-twisting moniker like the Desideros, these Chicago natives had little chance for success. The association of Joe Manuel (lead), Robert Goley (lead), Albert "Eddie" Sullivan (tenor), Marshal Thompson (baritone), Del Brown (tenor), and Creadel "Red" Jones (bass) had one record release on Renee Records in 1960 that went nowhere. The lineup wavered between quintet and quartet. Two members, Thompson and Jones joined Eugene Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson of the The Chaunteurs to form the Hi-lites. Noting that the name Hi-lites was already in use, and wishing to add a tribute to their home town of Chicago, they changed their name to "Marshall and the Chi-Lites" in 1964. Johnson left later that year, and their name was subsequently shortened to The Chi-Lites.
The Five Chestnuts (New Haven, Conn.) aka The Chestnuts (2) aka The El-Lanos
Personnel
Ruby Whittaker (Lead)
Lyman Hopkins (First tenor)
Frank Hopkins (Second Tenor)
Jimmy Curtis (Baritone)
Reuben White (Bass)
Discography :
The Chestnuts (2) Singles : 1957 - It's You I Love / Love Is True (Davis 447) 1957 - Forever I Vow / Brother Ben (Davis 452) 1957 - Who Knows Better Than I? / Mary, Hear Those Love Bells (Standord 100) 1957 - Who Knows Better Than I? / I'm So Blue (Eldorado 511) Unreleased : 1957 - Tilly, Take Your Time (Standord)
Bill Baker & The Chestnuts (2) 1959 - Won't You Tell Me My Heart / Tell Me Little Darling (Elgin 007/008) 1959 - Wonderful Girl / Chit Chat (Elgin 013/014)
Marvin Baskerville & The Five Chestnuts 1958 - Chi-Chi / Chapel In The Moonlight (Drum 001/002)
The Five Chestnuts Singles : 1959 - My kind Of Baby / Chi Chi (Elgin 002/003) Unreleased : 1958 - I’m So Glad (Drum)
Marvin Baskerville / Hayes Baskerville & The Five Chestnuts 1958 - Chi-Chi / Billy (My Kind Of Baby) (Drum 003/004)
Hayes Baskerville / Norven Baskerville & The Five Chestnuts 1958 - Billy (My Kind Of Baby) / My One And Only Love (Drum 003/004)
Vicki Lee bb The Five Chestnuts 1959 - Crying My Heart Out / With All My Heart (Drum 017/018)
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The El-Lanos 1989 - I Wonder Why / In Mexico (Crescent 200)
Biography :
The Chestnuts were named for their home state, Connecticut. They were from New Haven and the original members of the group were Leroy Griffin (lead, but not the lead singer of another New Haven group, The Nutmegs), Lymon Hopkins (first tenor ), Frank Hopkins (second tenor), Jimmy Curtis (baritone), and Reuben White (bass) . When they thought they were ready for a shot at recording, they made the rounds of a number of independent record companies in New York City without much success. The group thought about their status and felt that if they featured a female lead singer, they would have a more unique sound and have a better chance for a recording contract.
At this time they contacted someone whom they thought would be the perfect addition to the group, and so Ruby Whitaker became the lead voice of the group (When Ruby came in, Leroy went out). Now the Chestnuts were set and they were put in contact with long time record producer and company owner Joe Davis. He had previously went out on his own with the Beacon label, and then Jay-Dee Records, and had good sellers with The Mellows and Dean Barlow and The Crickets.
The Chestnuts were set to record on another label, this one called Davis Records. In June of 1956 Davis # 447 is released featuring The Chestnuts on "It's You I Love" and "Love Is True". The 'A' side "Love Is True" gets good airplay in New York and Philadelphia, especially from Herman Amis and Doctor Jive in the Big Apple, and Jocko in Philadelphia. Although the song is an excellent group ballad featuring Whitaker's lead, sales do not dent the top hit charts and Joe Davis readies another try for the group. n September of the year, The Chestnuts record "Brother Ben" and "Forever I Vow" on Davis # 452. Unfortunately, not enough record buyers followed through on this great song and Davis dropped the group from the label.
IIn February of 1957, the group signed on with a Connecticut outfit called National Enterprises which featured a record label called Standord Records located in the group's home town of New Haven. Standord would become famous as the original label for The Five Satins epic hit "In The Still Of The Night". Martin Kugell, the head of Standord Records, promotes the Chestnuts recording of "Who Knows Better Than I" b/w "Mary Hear Those Love Bells". By May Standord # 7701 featured "Who Knows Better Than I?" as by Ruby Whitaker & The Chestnuts, and the new flip side was "Mary Hear Those Love Bells" as by Lymon Hopkins & The Chestnuts. The song "Who Knows Better Than I?" was also released on Eldorado Records on # 511 with "I m So Blue" on the flip side.
In early 1959, Ruby Whitaker had left the group, but the Chestnuts carried on with a lineup of Lymon Hopkins, Frank Hopkins, a third brother Arthur Hopkins, Reuben White, and new lead singer Bill Baker who had spent some time in New Haven's Five Satins. A Connecticut record producer named Clarence Drum began two local labels in 1958, Elgin and Drum Records. He signed The Chestnuts to his label and in February of the year Elgin # 007 is released featuring "Won't You Tell Me My Heart" and the flip side is listed as by Bill Baker & The Chestnuts on the song "Tell Me Little Darling".
Bill Baker & The Chestnuts (2)Bill Baker & The Chestnuts (2)
During May of the year Elgin Records releases "Chit Chat" and a version of The Five Satins song "Wonderful Girl" listed as by Bill Baker & The Chestnuts on # 021. Neither of the Elgin releases did much for the group or the label. Further sides for the labels by the group with new members Marvin and Hayes Baskerville included "Chapel In The Moonlight" by Marvin Baskerville & The Five Chestnuts, and "Billy My Kind Of Baby" by Hayes Baskerville & The Five Chestnuts both on the Drum label. Thanks to Marv Goldberg
The Intervals (4) (Saint Louis, Missouri) aka The Vocals aka The Indexes
Personnel :
Lamont McLemore
Richard Trulove
Paul Grady
Ron Townson
Fritz Baskett
Discography :
John Golden / Blanton McFarlin & The Indexes 1962 - Take A Chance / You Changed My Mind (Douglas 101)
The Intervals (4) Single : 1962 - Here's That Rainy Day / Wish I Could Change My Mind (Class 304) Unreleased : 1962 - You Are My Only Love (Class) 1962 - Funny How Time Goes By (Class) Practice session 1962 - Here's That Rainy Day (Class 304 / bootleg)
The Vocals 1964 - Lonesome Mood / Look Out For Love (Tangerine 938)
Margie Hendrix & The Vocals 1964 - Let No One Hold You / A Lover's Blues (Tangerine 940)
Biography :
Lamont McLemore began harmonizing under the streetlamps of St. Louis with a bunch of guys. He sang the bass, and a guy they called Johnny Gold sang lead. They called him Johnny Gold, but his real name was John Golden. One night they were outside a club where Redd Foxx was performing. Because it was so hot inside, the doors were left open, and Foxx stepped outside for a moment after his set. Lamont McLemore asked if he could please let us do one number on stage. He was understandably hesitant at first, but when he overheard them practicing he gave them a shot.
(L to R) The Vocals - L. McLemore, M. McCoo, Fr. Baskett, Rex Middleton (Arranger), Ray Charles, H. Elston & L. Summers.
They were eager to find a studio to record them. While in the Los Angeles area on a Sunday when everything is usually closed up, they found a studio where a guy was sweeping up. They offered to do his sweeping if he would let them have a few minutes to record a couple of songs they had written. After much begging and pleading, he called the owners of the studio and they were told to come back in a couple of days.” The result was a release as by John Golden and the Indexes on the Douglas label (#101). The record got a lot of airplay for the first couple of days after it was released, but then disappeared. Lamont McLemore formed the Intervals, The group had a brief recording stint with Leon Rene in late 1961. the result was the two sided "Here's That Rainy Day" / "Wish I Could Change My Mind" (Class 304) plus two a cappella tracks, "You Are My only Love" and "Funny How Time Goes By" Which were unissed. The Group consisted of Lamont McLemore, Richard Trulove, Paul Grady, Ron Townson & Fritz Baskett.
The Fifth Dimension
Then Lamont joined the Hi-Fis. A short time later, McLemore began assembling another group, which consisted of Hi-Fis Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Harry Elston and Lawrence Summers. The Hi-Fis became the Vocals and In 1963, they sang at local clubs while taking lessons from a vocal coach. In 1964, they came to the attention of Ray Charles, who took them on tour with him the following year. Eventually, the group changed their name to the Vocals and recorded for Charles’ Tangerine label. When none of their singles charted, the group went their separate ways. Lamont McLemore, Ron Townson and Marilyn McCoo went on to a career with the Fifth Dimension.
Vocal group from New Jersey that happened around 1957/1958 and will record a single at this time ... But which one? They are not The Belvederes on Hudson, not those of Trend and Jopz...
1959 - Just For A Little While / I Love You So (Ducky 713)
Biography :
Vocal group from Brentwood , Long Island, NY. composed by Alex Fermaint (Lead), John Jackson, Frank Ortiz (Second Tenor) and Charlie Mercado. The Tender Tones recorded "Just For A Little While" and "I Love You So", both composed by Miller & the group. Composer and producer Bill Miller is William H. Miller who was all over the New York R&B/pop scene in the '50s and early '60s. He was the father of The Miller Sisters but is probably best known for his A&R work at Hull Records (Heartbeats, Shep & The Limelites). Miller Songkraft Publishing (BMI) was his firm and he was also involved with Glodis/Glodus Music. The single was released in 1959 by Ducky Records, 2800 Watson Blvd. Endicott, NY.
Vocal group formed in Williamsburg Brooklyn in 1956, originally calling themselves the Shadows and composed by composed by Ivan Lincoln "Fig" Figueroa, Steve Aspromonti, Manuel Banuchi, John Giglioni and Edward Cruz. At the time of their first recording session, their manager changed their name to Lincoln Fig and the Dates. Their one release on Worthy was not very successful.
Ron Treodway, Rich Kenny, Frankie Adams & Mike Grim
The Emperors (3) (Columbus, OH) aka The Emporers
Personnel :
Frankie Adams (Lead)
Mike Grim
Ron Treodway
Rich Kenny
Discography :
The Emperors (3) 1963 - Steve Allen / Darlin' In The Moonlight (Olimpic 245)
Lattie Moore bb The Emporers 1962 - Skinnie Minnie Shimmy / You Got Me Woundering (Olimpic 4980)
Caleb & The Playboys (7) bb The Emporers 1963 - I'm Yours / See About Me (Olimpic 4575)
Biography :
Olimpic records was formed by Nick Kurlas and Phil Gary for releasing records by himself and his group, the Catalinas. Kay-Gee was a 'subsidiary' label of Olimpic. Olimpic assembled a studio group called The Emperors for backing solo artist consisted of Mike Grim, Ron Treodway and Rich Kenny. They back up in 1962 country singer Lattie Moore on their Olympic's as The Emporers.
Mike Grim, Frankie Adams, Ron Treodway and Rich Kenny
They Joined recording artist Frankie Adams who wrote The "Steve Allen" song and make up the dance to it, everyone knew these talented boys had their own unique style of singing and dancing. (Note on the Olimpic 245)
The Classics (4) 1960 - Close Your Eyes / Funny Thing (Starr 508)
Lou Christie & The Classics (4) 1966 - Close Your Eyes / Funny Thing (Alcar 207) 1966 - Tomorrow Will Come / You're With It (Alcar 208)
Biography :
Lou Christie was born as Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in Glen Willard, PA in 1943. He studied music and voice at Moon Township High School., where he was the student conductor of the choir. At age 15 Lugee, as a member of the singing group the Crewnecks with future Lions’ Bill Fabec , auditioned for pianist Twyla Herbert. She offered the Crewnecks a place to rehearse. He sang solos with the choir at the holiday concerts. His teacher and mentor Frank Cummings wanted him to pursue a career in classical music, but Lugee wanted to cut a record to get on American Bandstand.
Twyla Herbert, Kay, Lou, Shirley and Kenny
He performed with several vocal groups, worked as a session singer, and recorded songs on small Pittsburgh labels between 1959 and 1962. In 1960, Lou Christie with Kenny Krease, Kay Chick & Shirley Herbert (Twyla Herbert's daughter) recorded four sides as the Classics and later re-issued on the Alcar label, in-house label of Rite Records. Almost certainly recorded by Fee Bee Records owner Joe Averbach in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1960. Two were issued on the Starr label, one of the Fee Bee Records subsidiary label. The two others are likely from the same session(s) and were not issued at the time.
Twyla Herbert & Lou Christie
Twyla Herbert was the song writing partner of Lou Christie for 30 years and wrote the four songs. Together they wrote hundreds of songs yielding a dozen hits including the no 1 song "Lightin' Strikes" and the hits "The Gypsy Cried", Two Faces of I", and "Rhapsody in the Rain," and "She Sold Me Magic. Lou Christie call her a genious. Herbert and Christie also composed songs for the girl group the Tammys, including the single "Egyptian Shumba,".In 1961, with Kay Chick, his sister Amy Sacco, and Bill Fabec , he released "The Jury" as "Lugee & The Lions" on Robbee with local airplay and sales.
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