(Beltones/Symbols) B. Brown, R. Brown, B.Cottman, A.Pope, C.Williams
The Symbols (2) (Jamaica, Queens, New York)
aka The Beltones (1) aka The Masters (4)
Personnel :
Andrew Pope (Lead)
Clayton "Dickie" Williams（First Tenor）
Buster Cottman （Baritone）
Robert Brown（Bass）
Wilbur "Buzzy" Brown (Second Tenor)
Discography :
The Beltones (1)
1957 - I Talk To My Echo / Oof Goof (Hull 721)
The Symbols (2)
Unreleased:
1958 - Crying My Heart Out (Old Town)
1958 - Lover, Lover, Lover (Old Town)
1958 - Last Rose Of Summer (Old Town)
1958 - Country Boy (Old Town)
The Masters (4)
1961 - A Man Is Not Supposed To Cry / Look Out (End 1100)
1962 - Crying My Heart Out / I'm Searching（Le Sage 713/714)
Discography :
The Beltones were a product of the thriving Jamaica, Queens, doo wop
community that also launched the Rivileers, the Deltairs, and the Five
Sharps. According to Marv Goldberg's profile in the December 2000 issue
of Discoveries, the quartet was founded in 1954 by lead Andrew Pope,
first tenor Clayton "Dickie" Williams, baritone Herb Rooney, and bass
Robert Brown -- the latter also moonlighted in rival vocal group the
Love Larks, and when their career began taking off, Brown exited to join
their ranks full-time.
The Love Larks
With new bass Alva Martin, the Beltones eventually signed to Hull
Records, recording their debut single, "I Talk to My Echo," in the
summer of 1956. For reasons unknown Hull did not issue the disc until
the following spring, and when it predictably failed to generate much
excitement, the label parted ways with the group. By
that time, the Love Larks were no more, so Brown returned to the
Beltones, prompting Martin's exit. Brown brought with him fellow Love
Larks alum/second tenor Wilbur "Buzzy" Brown (no relation). Soon after,
Rooney resigned, and with new baritone George "Buster" Cottman, the
Beltones signed to the legendary Old Town label to cut a four-song
session in the spring of 1958.
The Masters (4) :B.Cotteman, H.Rooney, C.Williams, D.Banks, F.Turner)
While the group mulled a name change to the Symbols, Hull got wind of
the session and threatened a breach of contract suit, effectively
rendering any moves moot. Old Town shelved the tapes, and although the
Beltones continued touring the Queens live circuit for more than a year,
in 1960 Pope was called to military duty, and "Buzzy" Brown quit soon
after. The remaining trio convinced Rooney to return, adding lead David
Banks and changing their name to the Masters. This lineup recorded the
1961 End Records effort "A Man Is Not Supposed to Cry," followed a year
later by "Crying My Heart Out," originally written by Pope for the Old
Town session. In 1962 the Masters dissolved and Rooney joined their
sister group, the Masterettes, which as the Exciters later recorded the
classic smash "Tell Him."
Songs :
The Beltones (1)
I Talk To My Echo / Oof Goof
The Symbols (2)
Last Rose Of Summer / Crying My Heart Out Lover, Lover, Lover / Country Boy
The Masters (4)
A Man Is Not Supposed To Cry / Look Out Crying My Heart Out / I'm Searching