Personnel:
Jennell Hawkins
Mary Ann Miles
Dora Lee Pickett
Darlene Powell
Discography :
Singles :
Discography :
A student at Jefferson and Freemont High Schools, Jennell gained her first singing experience with Ray Brewster, Bill Piper and Marc Gordon in the Fidelitones. (The group never recorded, but Gordon eventually became a successful producer of acts like the Fifth Dimension.) While at school, Jennell met Richard Berry (of 'Louie, Louie' fame). One day early in 1954 Berry told Jennell he was going to the studio and asked her if she wanted to accompany him. They met [arranger] Maxwell Davis and ended up recording that same afternoon. The result was 'Each Step', which was released by Flair Records under the monicker Ricky & Jennell.
The experience of making a record helped Jennell establish herself in local music circles. A reluctant vocalist, she preferred playing the piano and organ, so when Berry asked her to join Fanita Barrett, Gloria Jones and Annette Williams in the Dreamers, the group with which he regularly recorded, she initially declined. Her piano, however, was heard on 'My Aching Heart', a 1955 release on Flip Records by the Flippers. Jennell subsequently joined the Dreamers on the same label for 'Since You've Been Gone', on which she sang lead. Also during 1955-56, she teamed with Mary Ann Miles, Dora Lee Pickett and Darlene Powell in the Combo-Netts, who recorded three singles for Jake Porter's Combo label, including their best-known side, 'Hi Diddle Diddle'.
Clemons Penix & The Combonets