The Tempo-Tones (Hempstead, NY)
Personnel:
Richard Lanham (Lead)
Albert Lanham
Danny Lanham
Wallace Lanham
Steve Stewart
Birdie Brewster
Discography :
Richard Lanham & The Tempo-Tones
1957 - On Your Radio / Dance Of Love (Acme 712)
The Tempo-Tones
1957 - Find Yourself Another Fool / Ride And Off (Acme 702)
1957 - Get Yourself Another Fool / Ride Along (Acme 713)
1957 - In My Dreams / My Boy Sleepy Pete (Acme 715)
1957 - Come Into My Heart / Somewhere There is Someone (Acme 718)
1958 - Wishing All The Time / The Day I Met You (Acme 722)
Nancy Lee bb The Tempo-Tones
1957 - So They Say / Meet Me At The Crossroads (Acme 711)
1957 - Daddy-O Mommy-O / You Asked Me Do I Love You (Acme 716)
Biography :
In
1957, 12 year old Richard Lanham cut his first single backed by The
Tempo-Tones, consisting of his brothers Albert, Danny and Wallace and
their friends Steve Stewart and Birdie Brewster. The Tempo-tones met up
with William Henry Miller, a&r man for Hull Records and father of
the Miller Sisters. William Henry Miller wanted a young singer for one
of the songs, and Richard was recommended. The sides were released, in
October 1957, on the small Acme label (located at 419 West 44th Street),
another outfit that used Miller as an a&r man.
When
"On Your Radio" was first released the label had misspelled Radio as
Raido making the first pressing a very rare sought after item in todays
collector market. "On Your Radio" and "Get Yourself Another Fool" that
started Richard and the Tempo Tones on their tours across the USA. This
is when they made their appearances on the American Band Stand and the
Allan Freed Show in addition to their performances at the Apollo
Theatre. A neighbor of Richard's Nacy Lee, also recorded for the label
with the aid of the Tempo-Tones.
Left to Right : Albert Lanham, Birdie Brewster,Danny Lanham, Steve Stewart and Wallace Lanham
After that period, Richard Lanham worked as a background singer in
the New York area, at 16 sang at weekends while accompanied by the Miles
Davis rhythm section of the time (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul
Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb), and became a member of the Inkspots.
Songs :
Richard Lanham & The Tempo-Tones
On Your Radio Dance Of Love
The Tempo-Tones
Ride Along / Get Yourself Another Fool In My Dreams / My Boy Sleepy Pete
Come Into My Heart / Somewhere There is Someone The Day I Met You / Wishing All The Time
Nancy Lee & The Tempo-Tones
So They Say / Meet Me At The Crossroads You Asked Me Do I Love You / Daddy-O Mommy-O