Otha Sonnie, Freddie Jackson, Hugo Winterhalter (RCA musical director), Frankie Anderson, Eddie Adams and Kenny Loftman
The Interludes (1) (Boston, MA)
Personnel :
Frankie Anderson (Lead)
Otha Sonnie (First Tenor)
Kenny Loftman (Second Tenor)
Eddie Adams (Baritone)
Freddie Jackson (Bass)
Discography:
Single :
1958 - I Shed A Million Tears / Oo-Wee (RCA 7281)
Unreleased :
1958 - In The Night (RCA)
1958 - The Wadda-Do (RCA)
Biography :
The original members of the group were Frankie Anderson who sang lead
tenor; Kenny Loftman, second tenor; Eddie Adams, baritone; Freddie
Jackson, bass, and Otha Sonnie who sang first tenor. Actually, the
group was formed as a result of a number of different local groups
breaking up. Frankie and Otha had been singing together with a group
called the Del-Rays who later changed their name to the Four Legends.
Both groups had the same personnel: Frankie, Otha, George Adams, who
sang baritone and a second tenor named Paul Francis. When the Four
Legends disbanded, Frankie and Otha stayed in touch and decided to try
again. Frankie contacted Eddie Adams who suggested asking Kenny
Loftman, who was a schoolmate, to join.
The first time They got
together, the four of them knew they had a good sound. Their initial
intent was to keep the group to only four. However, there was
something noticeably missing when Eddie had to double on bass and
baritone on some songs. That when they decided to add a bass singer
and it was Freddie. In 1957, WBZ, and its affiliated stations, sponsored
a nationwide talentt hunt. They ente red the contest and won the local
and regional competition here in Boston. The national finals were held
in New York where other groups from all over the country were brought
in. First prize was a RCA recording contract and an appearance on Patti
Page's Record Show. There were six judges, one of whom was Hugo
Winterhalter. They tied with a female group called the Deb-Tones from
Oregon. Since the judges couldn't break the tie, they awarded both
groups contracts. They cut their only 45 rpm for that label on May 28,
1958. Several tunes were recorded at this session but only one was
released. The record failed to attract a lot of attention. The group
broke up soon after recording because of discord between members.
Certain individuals would not come to practice sessions. If they came at
all, they were late. Or they would totally miss performances.
1963 - She's Gone / An Eye For An Eye (Goldisc G3)
Demo :
1958 - She's Gone
1958 - All my Love
1958 - Way Over There
Biography :
The
Star-Drifts started singing in a hallway on 24th street between Mermaid
Ave. and Surf Ave. in December of 1958. Billy Reo, Howie Tyll and Teddy
Grable started to sing and listen for the harmonies bouncing off the
walls of this huge...apt.Building.
Later
on They were joined by others who sang with the group. They recorded
their first professional recording in June 1963 for Goldisc records, A
George Goldner Production. Panama Francis was on drums that night, along
with some other very Talented studio guys. 27 takes on "She's Gone" and
28 takes on "An Eye For An Eye". In 1964 Teddy Grable join Mike Lewis when he decided to reform The
Concords. The new formation recorded for Epic Records in 1964 "Should I
Cry" b/w "It's Our Wedding Day". Many of these Brooklyn groups were
friends and were sometimes like interchangable parts.
In 1954, A handful of aspiring teenage (14 and 15 years of age) high
school vocalists, influenced by the Four Freshmen and The Hi-Los, formed
a quartet called the Blenders. This fivesome from the Manchester
Ditrict of Pittsburgh, consisted of Eddie Howard (Lead), Walt Maddox
(First and Second Tenor), Charles Watson (Tenor), Larry Edmond
(Baritone) and James Moody (Bass). Moody remained with the group for a
little over a Year, his departure brought on Melvin Glover. The Group
won a Contest and were proclaimed "The Best Vocal Group in Pittsburgh".
(L to R) Charles Watson, Walt Maddox, Larry Edmond, Eddie Howard & Melvin Glover
Their Win drew the attention of prominent Pittsburgh Disk Jokey Barry
Kaye (WAMP). Soon the Blenders became a featured attraction at Kaye's
record hops. Kaye Will become their manager. being a very influential
record spinner in Pittsburgh highly enhanced the Blenders likelihood to
cut a record. the group auditioned in Pittsburgh and being signed by
Bobby Shad to the Smash Label as The Blanders not the Blender who was
currently being used.
Eddie Howard led on both up tempo sides "Jitterbug" and "Desert
Sands". Even Though the Blenders record didn't experience very much
success, Pittsburgh and area appearances were plentiful. The Blanders
shared the stage with the moonglows, Del Vikings, Turbans, Diamonds
along with local talents. By Mid 1959, the Blanders had drifted apart.
Except Maddox, after some discs, it will become a member of the
legendary Marcels.
Twins Vic (Left) and Val Crowston stand behind Rick Turnley
The Impressions (3) (Federal Way, Washington)
Personnel :
Val Crowston
Vic Crowston
Rick Turnley
Discography :
1959 - Meanwhile, Back In My Heart / All Through The Night (20th Fox 45-172)
Biography :
In 1960, Three young men of Federal Way who are known in the
entertainment field as The Impressions have recorded for 20th Fox. The
group were composed by twins Vic, Val Crowston and Rick Turnley. The
Impressions covers both sides of the disc with two songs by Art and Toni
Mineo, Tacoma musicians and composers. The titles are “All Through the
Night” and “Meanwhile, Back in My Heart." All three of the vocalists, 21
year old, were graduated from Federal Way High School .Following their
graduation from High School in 1956 the twins joined by Rick Turnley
formed the Impressions. From 1957, they have played the “amateur
circuit” - Lodges, Clus, Benefits, Hospitals, Talent shows .
Vocal group from Cleveland, the Viscounts were composed by Bob
Thompson, James Mendola, Joe Annotico, Ron Annotico and Pete Bene. On
February 19, 1957, the group entered the studio. That day, Pete Bene who
was an officer in the Navy at the time was absent and the group now a
quartet recorded "Raindrop" and "My Girl" accompanied by Gil George
(Piano), Don Speroff (Bass), Dick Harrison (Saxophone) andJoe Zavadnic
(Drums).
1956 - Why Should We Break Up / Please Won't You Call Me (Herald 477)
1958 - Angel Of My Dreams / Oh, Judy (Lane 501)
Biography :
The Sonnets were a vocal group from Baltimore, Maryland, featured
members Guy "Doc" Bragg, Maxwell Chatman, Billy Nixon, Michael Monroe,
Gordon Koger, and Marvin ?. The Sonnets were brought to Al Silver's
Herald Records by Bill Buchanan and Dickie Goodman of "Flying Saucer"
fame in May of 1956. "Why Should We Break Up?" b/w "Please Won't You
Call Me" was Herald 477. Most groups made a single and disappeared from
the musical landscape, not the Sonnets...
.
Guy
"Doc" Bragg Gordon Koger
Two years later they
recorded "Angel of My Dreams" and "Oh Judy" for Lane Records. Lane
Records was formed with president Angelo Vinci, secretary Peter Forlini,
treasurer Ralph Parla, and promotion man Nick Bellarosa. The Sonnets
& Marty DeRose were the only artists signed by the label.
1957 - There Goes My Girl / Tell Me You Love Me (Port 5000)
The Five Chancellors
1957 - There Goes My Girl / Tell Me You Love Me (Port 5000)
Biography :
The Chancellors were a Five-man, mixed racial group consisting of
three white and two black members, who came from Port Washington, Long
Island. The two black members, Donald Fields (Baritone) and Rowland
Pinkney were from Mineola High School and the remaining three guys,
Edward Palatella (Lead), John Hopper and Peter Rocco (Second Tenor)
were from Port Washington.
Jerry Blaine, owner of Jubilee Records send The group to an
appearance on the Apollo theatre’s amateur night on February 20, 1957
with other 24 Rock & Roll acts. They became the first mixed racial
group to perform at the Apollo Theatre. The group recorded "There Goes
My Girl" b/w "Tell Me You Love Me" at the Belltone studios in New York.
Edward Palatella John Hopper Peter Rocco Donald Fields
Somehow, the review of this record in the May 27, 1957 issue of
Billboard mistakenly says, "A lively, typical teen-age group side by
seven kids from Port Washington, N.Y., High." Due to a threatened
lawsuit by another Chancellors group, they quickly changed their name to
the Five Chancellors and then vanished into the mists of doo wop soon
after.
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. ohn 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.
Vinny
Catalano
JWe 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.
(L to R) : Steve Barnhart, Junie Green, Bobby Kline, Sandy Holly and Larry Holly
The Melo Gents (Newark NJ.)
Personnel :
Bobby Kline (Lead)
Sandy Holly (Tenor)
Larry Holly (Second Tenor)
Steve Barnhart (Bass)
Junie Green (Baritone)
Discography :
1959 - Baby Be Mine / Git Off My Back (Warner Bros. 5056)
Biography :
The Melo Gents all hailed from Orange and East Orange, New Jersey.
Larry and Sandy lived on State Street East Orange, Steve Barnhart lived
on Snyder St., Orange, NJ Junnie green lived on Park St., Orange, NJ and
Bobby Kleine lived on Park Street as well just off of Springdale
Avenue. The Group recorded "Git Off My Back" and "Baby Be Mine" written
by group members Bobby Kline and Steve Barnhardt. The single was
recorded by Warner Bros). The Melo Gents also recorded many other songs
but they were unreleased. Their manager's name was Joe Seneca, he was in
the music industry pretty much at that time but he never paid is $.10.
The Melo Gents travel to Canada all over the New York in the New England
states different provinces around Canada with the 5 Satins and the late
Bill Baker.
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.
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.
Katie Blue (Watkins) & The Peppermints (1) 1959 – Doing All Right / Don’t Take, Give (Hob 114)
The Peppermints (1)
Single : 1959 – Teenage Idol / Believe Me (Hob 1/2)
Unreleased :
1959 – Willow Weep For Me (Hob) 1959 – I've Been Hurt (Hob)
Jack Sucrell & The Contours (1) bb The Peppermints (1) 1959 - I’m So Glad / Yours Is My Heart Alone (Hob 116)
The Barons (4) 1959 - I've Been Hurt / Willow Weep For Me (Spartan 400) 1961 - Money Don't Grow On Trees / I Miss You So (Spartan 402) 1961 - Dog Eat Dog / Money Don't Grow On Trees (Soul 837) 1961 - Who's In The Shack / While The Cats Away (Soul 838)
Biography :
The Barons were an early-'60s Detroit group more famous for its members -- Roger Craton aka Lee Rogers, Tyrone Douglas, and Jesse Greer -- than any accomplishment on their own whose records, due to limited pressings, are rare. As the Peppermints, they cut three for Carla Murphy's H.O.B. Records (House of Beauty Records). The House of Beauty, a hair boutique/candy shop, was a female hangout frequented by Raynoma Liles-Gordy (Berry Gordy's second wife). H.O.B. issued "Doing All Right" with the flip "Don't Take, Give" credited to Katie Blue & the Peppermints. A second offering "I'm So Glad" b/w "Yours Is My Heart Alone" (1959) was issued as Jack Sucrell & the Contours (not the Motown group); a final single in 1960 featured two sides credited as the Peppermints: "Teenage Idol" b/w "Believe Me." The flashy, well respected group was going nowhere with H.O.B. so they signed with Soul Records (not the Motown label) for two more stiffs credited this time to the Barons: "Money Don't Grow on Trees" b/w "Dog Eat Dog" and "While the Cats Away" b/w "Who's in the Shack," both in 1961.
Roger Craton (Lee Rogers)
Not wasting a moment they cut two final releases in 1961 on Spartan Records: "I've Been Hurt" b/w "Willow Weep for Me" and "I Miss You So" b/w "Money Don't Grow on Trees." Nothing sold and Craton became Lee Rogers on Mike Hanks' labels but only could muster small hits like "Sad Affair" and "I Want You to Have Everything." Jesse Greer delved into songwriting for Correctone Records and other entities with little success. Tyrone Douglas' career was the busiest and most fruitful, but nobody knows him cause he sang with groups who members weren't well known. Douglas sang with the Magictones then Eight Day on Holland, Dozier & Holland's Invictus label; he joined the Undisputed Truth in 1973 and recorded with them on Motown and Whitfield Records reuniting with Magictones' Tyrone Berkeley, Virginia McDonald, and Calvin Stevens; McDonald also sang with Douglas in Eight Day.
