Personnel :
Henry "Hawk" Hall (Lead)
John Hall (First Tenor)
Elijah "Prez" McKinney (Baritone)
James "Rock" Jenkins (Second Tenor)
Lewis Clayton (Bass )
Discography :
Biography :
Henry "Hawk" Hall, usual lead singer, his cousin John (First Tenor), Elijah "Prez" McKinney (Baritone), James "Rock" Jenkins (Second Tenor), and Lewis Clayton (Bass ) called their group The Five Marvel Tones when they started in 1954. They Changed their name to the 5 Bell Aires (Inspired by the plethora of Car-named groups) . They even won amateur night at the Apollo in Harlem two weeks in a row. Their loyal fans and members of other vocal groups who caught their act wondered why they didn't have a record out.
The 5 Bell Aires recorded 6 songs, they were first sung as rough demos in 1957, then recorded as finished masters probably in 1960 in Soyka's Somers, Ct studio. Their Manager, John Rys almost consummated a deal with Hy Weiss at Old Town Records, but nothing finally happened… The Bell Aires did back Larry Lee (Larry Harper) Lead singer of The Embers, on "Can I Be In Love"/ "Stolen Love" on the Local MZ label in the Fall of '59 (Henry Hall had been drafted, so they became the Four Bel-aires for MZ)
The Bell Aire's Elijah "Prez" McKinney with George Cruz (from the Fluorescents), Richard Reedy and Billy Surmolian Backed Larry Lee as The Serenaders, they cut demos in Hartford and in N.Y.C
John Hall & The Five Bell Aires