aka Roger & The Travelers (4) aka The Frontiers (2)
Personnel :
Roger Koob (Lead)
Billy Koob
Gus Delcos
Frank Polimus
Discography :
The Premiers (5)
Singles :
1958 - Jolene / Oh Theresa (Alert 706)
1960 - Pigtails Eyes of Blue / I Pray (Fury 1029)
1961 - Falling Star / She Gives Me Fever (Rust 5032)
Unreleased :
1958 - I'll Wait For You
1959 - In The Still Of The Night (acap)
1959 - When You Dance (acap)
1960- I Needed Love
1958 - Linda
1959 - P.S. I Love You (practice session - acap)
1959 - The Glory of Love
1960 - To Be My Love
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Roger & The Travelers (4)
Singles :
1961 - You're Daddy's Little Girl / Just Gotta Be That Way (Ember 1079)
Unreleased :
1961 - Little Boy
1961 - You Are An Angel
1961 - Smile
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Johnny Maestro bb Roger & The Travelers (4)
Singles :
1961 - I. O. U. / The Way You Look Tonight (Coed 557 )
1961 - Besame Baby / It Must Be Love (Coed 562 )
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The Frontiers (2)
Singles :
1963 - I Only Have Eyes For You / Don't Come Cryin' (Philips 40113)
1964 - I Just Want You / I'm Still Loving You (Philips 40148)
1967 - When I See You / You (Only You) (MGM 13722)
Unreleased :
1966 - The 10 Commandments of Love
1967 - Run to Me Baby
Biography :
On November 19, 1956, from New Haven, came Lead singer Roger Koob and
the Premiers. Brother Billy, Frank Polimus and Gus Delros took their
name from "Premier Theater", a top T.V. Show at the time. Brothers Roger
and Billy Koob students at Amity High in Woodbridge. The group
performed locally and gained a loyal following. Roger was writing
original songs for the group "Oh Theresa", "Linda", "I'll Wait For You".
It was at the last moment before an audition with Leo Rogers that he
penned the novelty tune "Jolene".
(1957) - (L to R) : G. Delcos, R. Koob, F.Polimus and Billy Koob (front)
It
was this tune that began the groups recording career on the Alert
label, a subsidiary of ABC Records. New Haven-area radio stations played
the record regularly, and "Jolene"reached the Top 10 on WAVZ's "Giant
13" survey in January 1959. This record's success led the Premiers to an
Alan Freed show and an extensive tour through the East Coast, as well a
"Star of 59 Show" all through Canada.
Personnel and label changes followed with Joe Vence and Gordy
Corvtmanche coming into the group and eventually Johnny Roddi replacing
Gordy as they moved to Fury. After a mildly successful release on Fury
in 1960 ("Pigtails Eyes of Blue"), The Premiers had their biggest hit
and most successful year in 1961 with their recording of "She Gives Me
Fever".
The disc topped the charts in the East, including a stint at the
number one position on the "Fabulous 40" survey of WNHC in New Haven in
May, 1961. A tour with Dick Clark and an appearance on "American
Bandstand" also increased their popularity. Many Commitments and
engagements kept the group busy. They were now being managed by Jim
Gribble who would suddenly die of a heart attack. Their next single was
due to be released on the Ember label when they were informed that
another group had the name the Premiers and they had to change theirs.
So
was born Roger & The Travellers, in 1961. Before Gribbles death he
had Roger and the group contracted to sing background on four songs for
Johnny Maestro who had just broke with the Crests. In 1962, Roger teamed
up with Bill Baker (Who formally sang with the Five Satins and the
Chestnuts) recording as the Buddies.
Soon
the group would find a new label as well as a new name "The Frontiers".
Roger's brother, Billy had left the group to serve in the military and
was replaced by Charlie of the Academics (Another local Connecticut
group). Now at Philips records working with Van McCoy, Roger and grouper
told to style themselves much like the popular Four Seasons of Vee Jay
Records. After two releases, Philips signed the Four Seasons and the
Frontiers were sent packing although they would have one last release in
1967 . At this time, with Roger Singing lead, the frontiers consisted
of Jerry Warner Jr., Phil Vallie, Skip Bianco, Fred Maffeo and Andy
Smith.
