The Flames (3) (Navy, Hawai)
Personnel :
Willie Gaines (Lead)
Pat Dilley
Lou Zippin
Jim Arnold
Discography :
Biography :
In 1957, Willie Gaines from savannah, and three mates serving on the U.S.S Kishwaukee, a naval tanker, formed a quartet. Willie Gaines and Pat Dilley, from Columbia high School, were serving office on the ship and soon discovered each liked to sing. This evolved into a quartet, the other members of which were Lou Zippin of Cincinnati and Jim Arnold of Ohio. They sang on television and began to get invitations for various engagements. They decided to ask the men on the ship to suggest names for the Quartet and the name, "The Flames" was adopted.
Then they met one Bob Bertram a radio man who had made some records as a pianist. He heard them and signed them a six-month recording contract with International Records of Honolulu. Producer Bob Bertram (of 'Susie Darlin’' by Robin Luke fame) 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. The Flames recorded "I'll Never Let You Go" b/w "Crazy" who soon won a place among the top ten in Hawaii. In early 1958 The Flames backed Tom Moffatt on "Beyond The Reef" and "Rock Along."