The Personalities (Bronx, New-York)
Personnel :
Ralph Molina (Lead)
Larry Gilbert (First Tenor)
Billy Johnson (Second Tenor)
Bobby Schneider (Baritone)
Arthur Slaughter (Bass)
Discography :
Singles :
1957 - Woe Woe Baby / Yours To Command (Safari 1002)
Unreleased :
1957 - Little Girl I Want You (Safari)
Biography :
This
group Started in the Morrisania section of the Bronx in New York in
1954. They would get together in the basement of the apartment house in
which Arthur Slaughter lived, imitating the groups with the popular
songs of the day. While Slaughter was at Morris High School in 1957, he
started cutting classes and handing out in the halls in order to sing
harmony. He Began assembling a vocal group. When finally structured, the
group members were all fifteen years old except the lead - twelve Year
old Ralph Molina - And they integrated as well.
They performed at school functions and other benefits until they felt
ready to seek out a recording deal. In 1959, they called on Old Town
Records, where they were redirected to the offices of Safari Records.
Safari management liked them and their high tenor lead songs but told
them to go home and write some original tunes and then return. They did
just that and returned weeks later for a recording session at Bell
Sound. For "Woe Woe Baby" and "Yours To Command", the Safari Label
showed "The Personalities-Featuring Ralph Molina", deciding to spotlight
the Lead Singer. They received no payment for the session, no
royalties, and nothing for live appearances. Yet Safari management
stated that the tune did well. This was a relatively later group from
the Morrisania section of the Bronx.
Mitch Rosalsky "Encyclopedia of Rhythm and Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups"
Songs :
Woe Woe Baby Yours To Command Little Girl I Want You