1959 - The Naturals (1) : Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson & Jack Greenbach
The Naturals (1) (Berkeley, Calif)
aka The Three Honeydrops aka Jerry & Mel
Personnel :
Jerry Marcellino
Mel Larson
Jack Greenbach replaced Lani Woodd Three Honeydrops)
Discography :
The Three Honeydrops
Singles :
1957 - Honey Drop / In The Summer (Music City 813)
1957 - You're The One For Me / Rockin Satellite (Music City 814)
Unreleased:
1957 - Chickaboom (Music City)
The Naturals (1)
1959 - Don't Send Me Away / The Mummy (Era 1089)
Jerry & Mel
1961 - Once Upon A Time / Cannibal Stew (Boss-Sound 301)
1961 - Confessions Of A North Beach Poet / Double Whammy (WB 5195)
Biography :
Jerry
Marcellino born in Bekerley, California, and graduated from San Lorenzo
Hi-School in 1955 as a music major. Lani Woodd, born in the Hawaiian
Island and graduated from San Lorenzo Hi-School in 1955 being a soloist
in the Hi-School choir. Mel Larson, born in San Francisco and graduated
from Hayward Hi-School in 1955 as a music major. The Three versatile young men, Jerry, Mal and Lani organized their group "The Three Honeydrops " while still in High School and have been together since singing and playing everything from rock'n roll to Jazz. They write and play their songs and made appearances at Record Hops and Dances around the area.
Jerry Marcellino Mel Larson Lani Woodd
They will present their compositions at Music City Records. Music City Records, of Berkeley, California is most closely associated with vocal groups. Ray Dobard’s venerable imprint, in operation for a quarter century from the early 50s on, had its greatest success with records such as ‘WPLJ’ and ‘Ichi Bon Tami Dachi’. Music city release two singles by the group.
Jerry Marcellino Lani Woodd Mel Larson
After the departure of Lani Woodd,
musician and composer Jack Greenbach was hired to replace him in the
group. Changing people causes a change in name, it is now The Naturals.
As the Naturals, they recorded one single on Era Records. Era was an
independent American record label located in Hollywood, California. It
was founded by Herb Newman and Lou Bedell in 1955 as a pop, country and
western and jazz label. Despite the failure of the single, Jerry
Marcellino and Mel Larson continue to write and compose songs and in
1961, they cut two singles as Jerry & Mel.
Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson
For the next twelve years, Jerry played in clubs in North Beach, San
Francisco, and San Mateo. All the while, he and his partner, Mel Larson,
were writing songs. It was then Jerry experienced his first songwriting
successes. First, a hit record for Trini Lopez called Sad Tomorrows on
Reprise Records. Then another for Martin Denny on Liberty Records called
Strawberry Tree, and another on the hit album Figurines by The
Fleetwoods. But Jerry wasn’t satisfied.
1965 - Jack Greenbach , Jerry Marcellino & Mel Larson
Jerry
Marcellino and Mel Larson went on to become one of the most successful
creative forces in the music industry: producing for The Jackson 5,
Diana Ross, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Al Jarreau, Lionel Richie,
and countless others. His music has sold over 50 million albums
worldwide, including 25 Gold and Platinum records.
Ronnie Vare & The Inspirators (2) (Springfield, MA)
aka The Inspirations (2)
Personnel :
Ronnie "Vare" Oliviero
Chuck Bentley
Dave Petronino
Ed Bentley
Harry Gagne
Discography :
Ronnie Vare & The Inspirators (2)
1957 - Let Me Be Your Love / Don't Ask Me (Glo 5201)
Ronnie Vare & The Inspirations (2)
1959 - Let's Rock Little Girl / Love Just For Two (Dell 5023)
Biography :
Vocal
and Instrumental group from Springfield, MA. consisted of Ronnie "Vare"
Oliviero, Chuck Bentley, Dave Petronino, Ed Bentley and Harry Gagne.
The Insprations started singing in 1957 and recorded "Let Me Be Your
Love" b/w "Don't Ask Me" for Glo Records. The single will be released
under the name of Ronnie Vare & The Inspirators.
After a change of manager, and style, the group recorded "Let's Rock
Little Girl" b/w "Love Just For Two" for Dell records .The two titles
are more like a rockabilly band than a Vocal Group. In 1960 the group
had broken up.
1958 - Johnny's Little Lamb / Wait A Little While (Class 222)
1958 - My Love Is Gone / My Baby Twist (Pam Mar 601/602)
1958 - Clap Your Hands / Get Your Kicks (Pam Mar 607/608)
The Greats
1958 - Marching Elvis / Fiddler's Rock (Ebb 145)
Biography :
The
Sputniks were originally The Four Doves of North Richmond, California
who flowered briefly during the late Fifties. The group included Curtis
Stanton, first tenor and lead, George Peeples, tenor, Robert Beale, lead
tenor, and Lawrence Wydermayer, bass. Two years would pass before they
made a record, Nathan "The Magnificent" Montague getting them signed to
Class records in Los Angeles. In the Meantime Wesley Mitchell had
replaced Peeples and they made the long trip to L.A for their sole Class
recording session.
Nathan
"The Magnificent"
Montague
Four sides were cut and such was the label’s confidence
that it took a national trad ad to promote "Hey Maryann" in early 1958.
Montague thought it was a good gimmick to change the group’s name,
given the current media coverage of the Russian Sputnik satellite. Bur
despite this and Montague’s heavy airplay of a very infectious and
commercial record, it called to sell. Even so, Class already put out the
other sides in the can in February "Johnny's Little Lamb" b/w "Wait A
Little While". The Sputniks cut a session at Ebb Records, "Marching
Elvis" b/w "Fiddler's Rock" released in April 1958 as The Greats .
Shortly before The Sputniks disbanded they cut some songs at Sierra
Sound in Berkeley for the L.A.-based Pam Mar record company. When the
Sputniks (1) decided to call it quits, Stanton signed up for barber
school. Beale took up typewriter repair, Mitchell got a job at Chevron,
and Wydermayer ended up working for the BART subway system.
1958 - Du-Whop / I Live For You (MiraSonic 1002 & MiraSonic 1868)
The Preludes (4)
1961 - Don’t You Know Love / Starlight (Pik 230/231)
The Preludes Five
1961 - Don’t You Know Love / Starlight (Pik 230/231)
Biography :
Whoever Leroy R. Bates was he was on a roll in 1961, for not only was
he writer of the Preludes Five's hit "Starlight", he was also the
writer of the Crystals "There's No Other (like My Baby)" with hit the
charts soon after. In those days the only people making money were the
writers and publishers : those who 'merely' recorded their work rarely,
if ever, saw anything from a record's sale.The Preludes Fives, if they
were still together, would ge nothing which is probably what they got in
1961. Surprisingly for a hit record, both the group and their record
label are clouded in obscurity.
Pik Records may have been based on the east coast, an assumption
based on the record (Pik 230 "Don’t You Know Love" was the flip)
breaking out in New York area June 1961. August 20 it had entered the
Billboard hot 100 at 96, subsequently rising to 89 and 86. September
10th and 17th it was No80 and then it disappeared. The first pressing of
the record was billed as by the Preludes, subsequent pressings adding
the Five, presumably out of the group's concern that at least one other
group with the same name could steal their bookings.Remarkably there was
no follow-up and it seems the group immediatly disbanded. The quintet
were lead by Floyd Lark and were the same group as the Chessman who
recorded for Safari in 1958 and the Chessmen on Mirasonic the same year.
Kelly Troy & The Three Jays (1) (Georgia, Atlanta )
aka The Jays (3)
Personnel :
James Leggat "Kelly Troy" (Lead)
Marty Jay
Marlyn Jay
Stan Jay
Discography :
The Three Jays (1)
1956 - The Memory Of You/ Caught, Caught, Ring-A-Leevio (RCA Victor 6692)
1959 - Rosa / Because Of You (Vee Jay 311)
Kelly Troy
1960 - Hairlooms / Remember When (Corvette CV 100)
Kelly Troy & The Three Jays (1)
1961 - You’re Lucky In Love / In The Still Of The Night (Tad 101)
Kelly Troy & The Three Jays (1) (Uncredited)
1961 - You're Lucky In Love / Rockaway Playland (Tad 102)
Kelly Troy & The Jays (3)
1961 - You’re Lucky In Love / In The Still Of The Night (Harvey 102)
Biography :
According youtube through members families, James Leggat under the
stage name of Kelly Troy was a Elvis Era rocker (part of the ‘Stars of
Tomorrow’ Tour with Brenda Lee and Neil Sedaka) with slicked back hair,
killer clothes, ever with one eye on the ladies and the other seeking
out the nearest mirror. Songs under his stage name Kelly Troy “In the
Still of the Night” and “Lucky In Love” among others. Originally from
London, the eldest son of a Scot carpenter from the Highlands and his
wife, a housewife from County Carlo, Ireland, James’ Father (and his
siblings) was among the last W.W.I.I. refugees processed at Ellis
Island. James Leggat saw America as the land of Opportunity. Though
getting radio play and other industry notice, the Army, via the draft,
brought James Sr. to Georgia where he met his wife, sister to one of his
barrack buddies.
James Leggat
The
Three jays was Marty Jay, Marlyn Jay and Stan Jay, who were billed as
the Jays on the Harvey label . In 1956, the 13 year-old Marty Jay and
his 10 and 11 year-old Siblings Stan and Marilyn Jay have a first single
with "The Memory Of You (Legend Of James Dean)" b/w "Caught, Caught,
Ring-A-Leevio (One, Two, Three)" on Rca Victor. Three Years later
another disc is released by Vee-Jay Records; "Rosa" b/w "Because Of
You", Unfortunately I don't know if it's the same group.
1959 - That's Where I Belong / Better Come Back To Me (Metro 20026)
1960 - Watching You / Oh, My You (Cub 9064) Dee-jay copy
1959 - I've Got My Reasons / Big John Grundy (Metro)
Unreleased
1959- The Beauty & the Beast (Cub)
Biography :
The Original Crystals came from Columbus High School. They are Joe
Patriarca, Richie Sozzi, ,Joe Garcia, John Angelillo and Joe Premonts. .
The Group changed their name to the Delmonicos and recorded a demo
Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter in 1957/1958. Premont and Sozzi were soon
replaced by Joe "Bassi" Carillo and Don Cruz respectively. John's
brother Louis "Chubby" became the group's co-manager along with Louis
Carbonetti. Chubby Angelillo got the group an audition with Moe Gale .
Moe Gale changed the group's name to the Metro's and they recorded 2
sides released by Just Record "All of My Life" b/w "Lookin'" .
The Delmonicos The Original Crystals
Moe then formed his own agency (Moe Gale Agency) and took the guys to
see Ray Ellis (yes, the band leader) at MGM where they auditioned for
him. Some acetate demo 78s were done and sent to different publishing
agencies. Ray wanted to record them, but only if they changed their
name. The group got together and chose the name Crystals (back then,
there were no well- known groups with this name, although hard-core
followers of early rhythm and blues know there were several earlier
groups with this name).
with Frank Beltran of the Young
Tones
They then were signed by Ray for the Metro label (subsidiary of
MGM) a 3 years contract releasing 2 45's on Metro and Cub both MGM
subsidiaries. On the local strengh of these 45's the group would appear
on Alan Freed's Big Beat TV show, Jack Spectors Rhode Island TV show,
plus performing at many functions and venues including West Point.
1961 - Show Them You Can Dance / It's Been So Long (Beacon 559)
1965 - She Is Your Girl / Make It Last (Groove 0056)
1965 - Are You Ever Coming Home / I'm A Victim (RCA 8601)
Biography :
John
Flores and bandmates Barbara Reeves, Leroy Bronson and Melvin Riley
were contracted to producer, publisher and record label owner Joe Davis
for half a year beginning in October of 1963. One week after signing the
deal, the Pageants came up with the four songs that were specified as
the minimum number of recordings to be cut.Davis' first choice for a
single was a pairing of the goading "Show Them You Can Dance" with the
impatient "It's Been So Long." Musically there can be no fault found
with the backup on these sides, a combo that features session ace
guitarist Lawrence Lucie as well as a bassist known for his work with
Elmore James, Bob Bushnell. They also recorded on the Groove & RCA
Label.
1962 - Dance Dance / These Empty Arms (Herald 573)
Unreleased :
1962 - Crying In The Chapel (Herald)
1962 - Out Of Sight Out Of Mind (Herald)
The Blue Sonnets
1963 - Thank You Mr. Moon / It's Never Too Late (To Fall In Love) (Columbia 42793)
Ricky Reynolds(Eric Nathanson)
1959 - Let's Leave It That Way / Get The Message (Mohawk 201)
Biography :
Louis Fasanaro, Eric Nathanson, Joseph Piazza and Robert Kutner were from Bensonhurst. Eric Nathanson originally sang with Lonnie & the Carollons
of Mohawk fame. Eric Nathanson recorded a solo single under the name of
Ricky Reynolds before joining The Vocal-Airs. The Vocal-Airs recorded
for Herald records "Dance Dance" b/w "These Empty Arms" in 1962. "Dance Dance" have a little airplay in September 1962. From the same
session, they recorded "Crying In The Chapel" and "Out Of Sight Out Of
Mind", unfortunately the two songs were never released.
In 1963, Vinnie Fiacco replaced Bob Kutner and the group evolved into the Blue Sonnets and recorded "Thank You Mr. Moon" b/w "It's Never Too Late" on Columbia Records. "Thank You Mr. Moon" was credited by M. Saunders and D. Blatt. D.
Blatt is also known as Jay Black. M. Saunders is Marty Saunders
(Sanders). They were members of Jay and the Americans. Bob Kutner also
sang in the Boptones on Ember, The Four Romans on Wynne and with the Accents after their recording of "Rag To Riches".
1959 - Who's Love But Yours / Going To The Moon (Casino 106)
The Incinerators
1961 - You Think You're Cute / I Want To Know (Sound Dex 100)
Biography :
Members of The Quills were Rick Berry, Fred Cox, Otis Freeman, Gus
Rainey, & Tim Speed. The group started singing in their early teens.
After a few years they got quite good t it became the first group in
Chester to start using dance choreography in their act. They sang live
on the two most popular radio stations in Philadelphia. and although
they sang Rhythm and Blues, or Rock and Roll as some people called it,
they also sang in church on one occasion.
They even sang at the Apollo Theatre in New York city on the Famous
Wednesday night talent show. They also happened to make their first
professional recording in New York City. The record never made any money
for them, but the Quills had fun doing and promoting it. About two
years later, the band will record two new songs, this time in
Philadelphia. "You Think You're Cute" and "I Want To Know" will be
released under the strange name of Incinerators on the Sound-Dex label.
1960 - What Would I Do Without You / Is That Too Much To Ask (Jaro 77020)
The Harbor Lights
1960 - Angel Of Love / Tick A Tick A Tock (Mala 422)
Anastasia bb The Harbor Lights
1960 - Time Bomb / That's My Kind Of Love (Laurie 3066)
Biography :
In 1959, Kenny Vance and Sandy Yaguda were part of a vocal group
called the Harbor lites; so called because they lived in Belle Harbor,
New York. The other members were Sydell Sherman, Gail Sherman, Linda
Kahn and Richie Graff. They all attended the same school. One of the
owners of IVY Records, Stan Feldman, also lived in that neighborhood and
the Harbor lites went to his home to audition for his label. He
thought that the group was terrible and told them to go home and do a
lot of practicing. Linda, Gail and Richie left the group at this point
and the three remaining members practiced constantly : Sandy Yaguda,
Sidell Sherman and Kenny Vance .
When they thought that they were good enough they went back to his
office to audition again. This time they were signed to a contract and
their first record was "Is That Too Much To Ask"- originally on Ivy but
Jaro Records purchased the master. Jaro stood for The J. Arthur Rank
Organization. In 1960, the groups other single "Tick-a Tick-a Toc,"
which may have been released briefly by Jaro, came out on Mala label, a
struggling, medium size New York company.The group backed Anastasia (aka
Dean Parrish) on his first single for Laurie Records. Kenny Vance
& Sandy Yaguda then formed another group with Howie Kane and Jay
Traynor. The new group auditioned for Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who
signed them to United Artists Records, and named the group Jay and the Americans.
Songs :
The Harbor Lites
What Would I Do Without You Is That Too Much To Ask
The Teen-Clefs met around 1957, Tracey Brost, Mickey, Loretta, Janie
and Shirley Bryant-Ford all attended the same Burger Jr. High School (PS
139 ) in the Bronx, New York. They were discovered and originally
managed by Morris Bailey (former postal worker and actor), he lived in
the Bronx and also managed the Fascinations. Bailey than put The
Teen-Clefs in touch with Zell Sanders (J&S records) and she
later took over group from Mr. Bailey.
Zell Sanders The Clickettes with Shirley Bryant-Ford
The Teen-Clefs performed at dances in Harlem, they made the song
Sputnik during that time. The group wrote most of their songs. ZelL
Sanders managed The Clickettes from Harlem & Shirley Bryant-Ford was
an alternate for the group when an original member was not available to
perform. Shirley had to fill in for the Clickettes when they performed
at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Clickettes left the Dice label in 1960 but the record company
continued to release singles by the Clickettes even when they were sang
by other groups. ‘Tonight And Forever’ was credited to the Clickettes
but it was likely sung by the Teen Clefs. The The Teen-Clefs broke up
around 1960. Shirley Bryant-Ford with sisters Willie Bryant and another
girl cut one single as the Avalons. The Two sisters cut another single
as Shirley & Willie.
1961 - Now, Ain't That A Shame / Judy, My Love (Judy Mi Amor) (Swami 553/554)
Biography :
Interracial hispanic group from Brooklyn
first know as The Mello-Tones and composed by Pablo Rosario (Lead) John
Zervos, James Mingo, Raul Echevarria and Paul Ward. In 1961, They
recorded "Now, Ain't That A Shame" b/w "Judy, My Love (Judy Mi Amor)"
released by Swami Record, 551 Rogers Ave. in Brooklyn.
Nothing is known about this group, except that they went into studio
in 1962 and cut some sides For Don Ames, head of Sinclair Records, along
with Hal Weiss & Vinnie Catalano.
The Three Kays were a vocal trio composed by Kathy, Kay and Karen
Arnold. In MarCh/April 1961, Vickie Spencer was living in Florence
Kentucky when she met the Arnolds while attending Boone County High
School. A day, she hear girls sing their harmony, Their voice quality
is the same so upper and lower notes blend perfectly in a natural
harmony. Vickie called their dad Verne Arnold and asked permission to
coach them. Vickie Spencer brought them along to sing background music
for tunes she was recording for Fraternity Records in Cincenatti. Some
months later, at the age of 16 Vicki Spencer leaves for Hollywood and
appeared as a featured performer in not one but two motion pictures with
Dion and Chubby Checker. Those were Teenage Millionaire (with Jimmy
Clanton) and Twist Around The Clock (with Clay Cole). The teen-age
Arnolds (they range from 14 to 17) will continue to perform locally as
The Three Kays, but it will be necessary to wait until 1964 for the
girls to record two songs, "Jelly Bean" and Angel Laughter" released
under two different labels... as well as under two different names: The
Arnold Sisters and The Three K's.
