R. Baggett, F.Simmons,R. Allen, R.Reese & E. Simmons
The Bel-Larks (Syracuse, NY)
Personnel :
Roselind Allen (Second Lead / Soprano)
Robert Reese (Lead/First Tenor)
Eric Simmons Jr. (Lead/First & Second Tenor)
Frederick Simmons (Baritone)
Robbert Baggett (Lead/Bass)
Discography :
Singles :
1962 - A Million And One Dreams / Satisfied (Ransom 5001)
1963 - Get Married In June / A Million And One Dreams (Hammer 6313)
Unreleased :
1962 - You're Mine
1962 - I Believe
1962 - It Hurt To Be In Love
1962 - Unchain My Heart (Allen & Kemp)
Biography :
This Group formed in 1958 and consisted of Robert Reese (Lead/First
Tenor), Eric Simmons Jr. (Lead/First & Second Tenor), Frederick
Simmons (Baritone) and Robbert Baggett (Lead/Bass). They decided to call
themselves the "Bell Larks" (later shortened to "Bel-Larks"),
imagining ringing chimes and singing birds. The Bel Larks practiced in
the basements of the Simmons' Home singing such as "Only you", "Book Of
Love" and "Come Go With Me" . They Also sang few original tunes,
including "Bobby" and "Dinner at Baggett's".
E.Simmons, R. Baggett, R.Reese & F. Simmons
As the group became more polished, they started performing at local
high school dances, parties and neighborhood nursing homes. In the
summer of 1959, they asked Roselind Allen to join the group as the
Second Lead and Soprano. Roselind had been singing since the age of four
or five and at thirteen she formed a group (the Blendtones) with fellow
Madison junior high classmates Marie Smith and Geruleve Outley. The
gores sang an original song written by Roselind Allen and Marie Smith,
entitled "A Million And One Dreams". In August 1960 Robert Reese joined
the Navy.
In
1962, The Bel-Larks hooked up with David Ransom, and he became their
Manager. Ransom introduced the group to independent record producer
Scott Hilton and Together they booked a recording session for the
Bel-Larks at Riposo studios on Warren street in Syracuse. they recorded
"A Million And One Dreams" and "You're Mine". A second recording
session was set up at Riposo Studios and the Bel-Larks recorded
"Satisfied" along with their original Tune "Get Married In June", "I
Believe" and "It Hurt To Be In Love". "A Million And One Dreams" b/w "Satisfied" was released on Ransom
Records towards the latter part of 1962 and received airplay on local
radio station WNDR. Unfortunately, nothing much happened after the
release, But the Bel-Larks continue to perform in the Syracuse
Aera….Tragically, on July 29, 1963, 21-year-old David Ransom was in a
car accident that led to his death on August 7th. Shortly After Ransom's
passing, The Bel-Larks Called to Quit..
Songs :
A Million And One Dreams Satisfied Get Married In June
You're Mine I Believe It Hurts To Be In Love
