The Delrays (Reading, Pa)
aka The Delights (1) aka The Teen-Kings
Personnel :
Walter "Buster" Lockman (Lead)
James Keith (Tenor)
Norman Keith (Tenor)
Jimmy Tindall (Baritone)
Bernie Washington (Bass)
Discography :
The Teen-Kings
1958 - That's A Teenage Love / Tell Me I You Know (Bee 1115)
The Delrays
1958 - Our Love is True / One Kiss, A Smile And A Dream (Cord 1101)
The Delights (1)
1961 - My one Desire / Please Take My Love (Nite 201 / Nite 1034)
Biography :
James and Norman Keith were performers from their pre-school day when
they would entertain they neighbors with their singing and Ukulele
playing . By the time they were attending Fitzsimmons Junior High
School, they had a quintet assembled consisting of LaVester Littles, Ron
Brown, Walter "Buster" Lockman, and themselves. They were called the
Victors, and played opening night at the Blue Horizon Club on North
broad Street in 1956. For The next two years they played regularly at
other clubs, benefits, and neighborhood gatherings, mostly in North
Philly. In 1958, Bernie Washington took over the Bass singer, and Jimmy
Tindall replaced Littles as Baritone. With "Buster" Lockman on Falsetto
lead, they quickly learned that they could get their biggest crowd
reaction bodying Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers covers.
The Name change to Teen Kings, reflected their desire to develop
their sound close to Lymon's group. Their shows also got the attention
of Ben Johnson Jr (who had managed the Re-Vels since 1954), who signed
them to a management contract, and a recording session at Virtue
Studios, in the 1600 block of North Broad Street. They recorded four
songs at Virtue, likely completed at a single session. In addition to
"That a Teenage Love" and "Tell Me If You Know", Johnson released
another single on his Cord label, credited to the Delrays. "Our Love Is
True" (Wich is virtually the same melody as "That's A Teenage Love")
and "One Kiss, A Smile And A Dream", both list Johnson as the writer.
The Teen Kings, the Keith Brothers (Facing each other) and Buster Lockman (at the microphone)
All
four sides suffered from a very muddily sound with the lead buried in a
poorly placed sigle mike. Lockman was only 13 years old when he made
this recordings. The same Lineup made one more records as the Delights
("My one Desire" / "Please Take My Love"), released in 1961. Around the
same time, the group auditioned for Richard Barrett in New York but the
deal did not materialize. Lockman continued his career as a solo artist
through the sixties, releasing one record on the Wand Label in 1967 as
Walter Wilson. Norman keith also continued in the music business as a
side man, touring with Martha & The Vandellas.
Songs :
The DelRays
Our Love is True / One Kiss, A Smile And A Dream
The Teen-Kings
Tell Me If You Know / That's A Teenage Love
The Delights (1)
Please Take My Love / My One Desire
