1955 - Sing To Me / I Swear By All The Stars Above (Mercury 70558)
1955 - Bad Little Girl / Scheming (Mercury 70650)
1956 - Forever More / Leave It To Me (Wing 90067)
1956 - Why Must You Go / My Baby's Gone (Mercury 70913)
The Warblers
1973 - Is This The Real Thing / It’s Wrong (The Ontarios) (Baron 101)
1973 - Love Me Baby (The Ontarios) / Scheming (Baron 106)
1974 - She's Too Tall For Love / Lonesome Again (The Serenaders) (Outhouse 102)
Marie Knight (bb The Griffins (1)) (not credited)
1956 - As Long As I Love / Tell Me Why (Wing 90069)
Biography :
Lawrence Tate and William Ross joined the Griffins in 1953 from the
RCA Heartbreakers, who had disbanded in 1953.The Griffins were
previously known as the Warblers. The tunes shown below as by the
Griffins on Mercury, Entitled "Scheming", was earlier cut by the
Warblers.In February of 1955 Mercury Records signs The Griffins to their
label.
Marie
Knight
The Griffins (1)
In less than a month Mercury # 70558 is released featuring the
group's versions of the songs "I Swear By All The Stars Above" and
"Swing To Me".In July "Bad Little Girl" and "Scheming" on # 70650. In
March of 1956 The Griffins are moved to the Wing label from Mercury . In
April "Forevermore" and "Leave It To Me" are released on Wing # 90067.
In August The Griffins are back on Mercury with "Why Must You Go" and
"My baby's Gone" on # 70913.
1958 - Love Is Love / All The Tears Is Gone (Fraternity 811)
Biography :
A notable St. Louis vocal group, the doo-wop oriented El Torros was
Formed by singer Lloyd Lockett in 1951, the group signed to a record
contract with Duke/Peacock Records company in 1956. El Torros made
several discs but had no hits and went through many changes. At the same
time, there was another El Torros group, that had a single record on
the Fraternity label, out of Cincinnati, Ohio. The quintet from
Alliance, Ohio, Akron-Canton area, consisted of Chester D. Boone, Lonnie
McLeod writer of "Love Is Love ", Richard Franklin, Virgil Banks and
Fred Terrell, writer of "All The Tears Is Gone".
The El Torros signed a recording contract with Fraternity Records.
Fraternity Records was a small record label based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
It was started by Harry Carlson and silent partner Dr. Ashton Welsh in
1954. Fraternity's biggest-selling hit was Lonnie Mack's 1963 guitar
instrumental, "Memphis", which rose to #5 on Billboard′s Pop chart and
#4 on Billboard′s R&B chart. The El Torros recorded at Fraternity
Records a Syd Nathan King Records division. Mr. Johnny Otis had worked
with them while producing for Mr. Nathan they'd hit harder.
1956 - Evening Shadows Falling (I Think Of You) / I’ve Got Plenty Of Love (Tetra 4446)
1959 - Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life Young / Rock And Rolly (ESV 1016)
1960 - I've Lived Before / Hello, Mr. Robin (Decca 31112)
1961 - When Will I Fall In Love / Baby, Say The Word (Decca 31244)
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2) (instru. The Orbits)
1958 - If You Don't Want My Lovin' / Love Is Everything (Decca 30656)
Ronnie Neat With The Four C-Notes And The Orvits
1957 - Have Mercy On Me, Baby / Mister Rock And Roll (Four C-Notes) (Bramble 3003)
Ron Neat with The Janet Shay Trio
1960 - Ronnie / Say I'm The One (Alcar 1501/ Pelpal 1502)
Biography :
Carl
Dobkins Jr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in January 1941. He was
raised in a musical family. At the age of nine Carls’ mom and dad bought
him a ukulele with a plastic Arthur Godfrey attachment that played
chords by pushing buttons. He soon took off the attachment and learned
over fifty hillbilly songs as a child. At the age of sixteen, young Carl
made a demo of two songs he wrote with his backup group, The Seniors.
The Seniors first met with a common interest in singing at Nast Memorial
Methodist Church in Cincinnati. The group sang together for
approximately eight years.
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2)
The
group was formed in the early 50's in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati
area and consists of Paul Powers, Keith Ross, Ray James & Harry
Clifton. The seniors will have several staff changes over the years,
Bill Smith, Marv Lockart, Mike "Froggy" Bridges... In 1956, the group
recorded "Evening Shadows Falling (I Think Of You)" b/w "I’ve Got Plenty
Of Love" on Tetra. They toured the East Coast when “Evening Shadows
Falling” climbed to the top of the local charts in Philadelphia.
Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors (2) & The Orbits (Instru.)
Friends
in Carls’ neighborhood introduced Carl Dobkins, Jr. & The Seniors
to Gil Sheppard. In Cincinnati Gil Sheppard was a popular deejay, Gil
was taken with young Dobkins Jr. and his musical ability and the demo he
had recorded. Sheppard offered to become his his manager. Carl Dobkins
Jr. was promoted as “The Teenage Rage.” As a result of the buzz that
happened as a result of his singing at dance parties and record hops,
Carl was signed up with Fraternity Records in Cincinnati. His only
release with Fraternity was his 1958 single “Take Hold of My Hand” b/w
“That’s Why I’m Asking.”
The Seniors (2)
Carl
moved over to the Decca label for his next recording. "If You Don't
Want My Lovin" was the plug side. A nice mid tempo outing, it is
credited to Carl Dobkins Jr. and The Seniors. It was recorded at the
King record studios in Cincinnati, and the record did well in a few
markets, including Charleston West Virginia. After recording "If You
Don't Want My Lovin'" at King Records studios, Sheppard sold the master
recording to Decca Records. Dobkins then recorded sessions for Decca in
Nashville, Tennessee, which included "My Heart is an Open Book" in 1959,
which reached No. 3 on the pop chart and number 11 on the R&B
chart.
The Seniors (2) Ray James (Ron Neat)
At
the same time, the Seniors recorded "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life Young"
and "Rock And Rolly" single for ESV and two for Decca, and signed with
Decca for two records "I've Lived Before" b/w "Hello, Mr. Robin" and
"When Will I Fall In Love" b/w"Baby, Say The Word". Ray Dean James, one
of the Seniors recorded two singles in 1957 and 1960 under the name of
Ron'nie' Neat. He also released a number of singles under his own name,
did some session work as a background vocalist at the legendary King
Records studios and did nightclub performances that included music and
stand-up comedy at dozens of clubs in Greater Cincinnati.
1959 - From Someone Who Loves You / Gotta Pretty Little Baby (Sandy 1025)
The Embraceables
1962 - My Foolish Pride / Don't Call For Me (Cy 1004)
1962 - Sam (The 8th Of May) / (There's A) Wall Between Us (Dover 4100)
1962 - Destiny / Come Back (Dover 4101)
The Implacables
1962 - My Foolish Pride / Don't Call For Me (Kain 1004)
Lorenza Bracy bb The Embraceables
1961 - Miss You Gallion / These Things You Do To Me (Sandy 1038)
Biography :
After an approximate two year stint with the Drifters in 1959 &
'60, John Lee "Johnny" Williams went back home to Mobile, Alabama. In
1961 he joined the Embraceables with Herman Bracey and Lorenza Bracy who
have recorded in 1959 (feat. Herman Bracey) “From Someone Who Loves
You” and “Gotta Pretty Little Baby“ on Sandy Records 1025. The group
backed Lorenza (male) Bracy on “These Things You Do To Me” and ”Miss You
Gallion”on Sandy Records 1038. With John Lee "Johnny" Williams on lead,
the Embraceables, recording two sides for CY Records "My Foolish Pride"
and "Don't Call For Me". Around that time, it was also issued as Kain
1004, credited to the Implacables. From 1962 on Dover Records, Johnny
Williams leads the Embraceables for their two singles.
Songs :
The Embraceables Featuring Herman Bracey
From Someone Who Loves You / Gotta Pretty Little Baby
The Embraceables
Don't Call For Me / My Foolish Pride (There's A) Wall Between Us
1962 - That Lucky Old Sun / A Time For Love (Amy 853)
Biography :
The Ecstasies are from Philadelphia and were originally formed in the
mid 50’s. They were composed by Donnie Ermold on lead, Bobby Cutillo,
Joe Leone, Joe Grimaldi And Jimmy Evans on bass. Their first recording,
"That Lucky Old Sun" and "A Time For Love" was released in 1962 on the
Amy label. "That Lucky Old Sun" is a 1949 popular song with music by
Beasley Smith and words by Haven Gillespie. It wasn’t until the late
70’s that The Ecstasies started recording again with original lead and
baritone, Donnie Ermold and Joe Grimaldi, rejuvenated, they recorded
45’s for both the U.G.H.A. and Clinton labels
1959 - Cry Baby Cry / Someone Up There (Johnson 318)
Biography :
Led by tenor Nathaniel 'Little Nate' Bouknight, the Shells
hailed from Brooklyn and displayed the classic New York street corner
sound on their haunting debut "Baby Oh Baby". In 1958, The Shells "Baby
Oh Baby" moved on to Goldner's End logo for 1958's "Sippin' Soda" b/w
"Pretty Little Girl" and "Shooma Dom Dom" b/w "Whispering Wings" the
next year. Bouknight split to form Little Nate and The Chryslers with
Iva Hoyt, Jay McKnight, Kirk Harris and Leon Riley. Little Nate &
The Chryslers waxed "Someone Up There" and "Cry Baby Cry" for Johnson
in 1959. Kirk Harris & Jay McKnight later sang & recorded with
Richard Blandon & The Dubs.
1961 - Irene / You Can Make It If You Try (Dolly 5577)
Biography :
Inspired
by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, four teenagers from the Outwaithe
Housing Projects in Cleveland, OH, formed a group similar to the New
York sensations. Al Banks (tenor), Leroy McQueen (baritone), Garfield
Jackson (bass), and 13-year-old William Burrell (lead), and christened
themselves the Crescents. Al, Leroy, and Garfield were 18 years old and
had graduated from school, while Burrell, who sung under the stage name
of Billy Wells, still attended Kennard Jr. High. The group was making a
name for themselves in the greater Cleveland area when Al Banks got the
ear of Sid Friedman, who owned and ran All-Star Theatrical Agency. Sid
had them audition for Henry George, who quickly signed them to Reserve
Records, with Sid becoming their manager and booking agent. From the
studio came "Julie," written by member Garfield "Buddy" Jackson, and the
flip, "I Love Only You," composed by Billy Wells. Reserve had a unique
way of promoting its recordings, they gave the Crescents a few boxes of
records and told them to drive to different R&B concerts, at which
Friedman had booked them, to promote "Julie." Their recording had gotten
airplay in the North and the South.
Lawyer
"Henry" Curtis (tenor) replaced Wells and they continued to dazzle
audiences. This version of the group do the background vocals for Clark
Vaden's 45 release, "Irene," and "You Can Make It If You Try," on Dolly
Records. Other members left for various reasons which left an opening
for Arthur Blakey to join in 1963. Arthur Blakey did most of the
Crescents' leads in his readily identifiable, boisterous, shouting,
country preacher style. Other artists were amazed that the Crescents
could do with four voices what some groups had difficulty achieving with
five. Once again they approached Sid Friedman, their previous manager
and booking agent, who after hearing their exciting sound, signed them
to contracts and proceeded to launch them in a new direction. The motive
was to cash in on the Beatles, the latest rage, who were coming to
America. To be different, they decided to jettison the Crescents and
renamed themselves the Wigs, after the Whig Political Party.
Detroit vocal group with Harry Gates, Norman Hurst, Tommy Martin, and
Charles Poole. Harry had been the lead singer of The Caravelles, who
had sung “Pink Lips” and “Angry Angel” in late 1961, for Carmen Murphy’s
Star Maker Records. She was the owner of House Of Beauty Records, who
also owned Detroit’s original Soul Records (whose name was bought from
her by Berry Gordy for his new label) . Gates was also lead singer for
Detroit’s original Dramatics, who recorded “Toy Soldier” for Joe Hunter
(then moonlighting from his Motown job (in late 1963), and he recorded
as a solo act for Enterprise Records, and may have been a member of
Enterprise’s Casual-Aires (although not lead singer). Harry Gates had a
rich, very distinctive voice. He is also likely to have been the lead
singer of Motown's Equadors - Miracle Records "Someone To Call My
Own"/"You're My Desire".
1962 - Walkin Through The Jungle / The Hitch Hiker (Golden Leaf 108)
Biography :
vocal
group from Cleveland fronted by Paul Pestello. The V Cashmeres
recorded "Walkin Through The Jungle" b/w "The Hitch Hiker" released by
Golden Leaf Records owned by Gerry Lee.
Tommy Tucker & The Lullabyes (1) (Staten Island, NY)
Personnel :
Tommy Tucker (Lead)
Kenny Jones (Baritone)
Dennis Raney (First Tenor)
Discography :
1961 - You Belong To Me / Do What You Did (Embassy 204)
1975 - Oh, Baby! (Don't Keep Chasing After Me) / That Lucky Old Sun (Kelway 111/112)
Biography :
Tommy Tucker & The Lullabyes were all from Staten Island, New
York (Tommy from South Beach and the other from Oakwood). They recorded
"You Belong To Me" b/w "Do What You Did" in October 1960 at Allegro
Sound Studios which was in 1650 Broadway in Manhattan. The recording was
released in the late spring of 1961, but failed to get any promotion.
Actually Tommy Tucker & The Lullabyes came out with this record just
before the Duprees came out with their version. The Duprees version
came out in 1962. It was a better production and became a big hit. Once
the Duprees record came out, they never heard the Lullabyes’ version one
played again. In 1975, Kelway Records from Staten Island released "Oh
Baby ! Don't Keep Chasing After Me" b/w "That Lucky Old Sun" by Tommy
Tucker & The Lullabyes, both song arranged by Tommy.
(1957) L ro R: Johnny Woodson, John Jennings, Darrell Johnson, Jennell & Gaines Steele
The Kuf-Linx (Los Angeles)
aka Johnny Woodson & The Crescendos (4)
Personnel :
John Jennings (Lead Tenor)
Johnny Woodson (Tenor)
Gaines Steele (Tenor)
George "Biggy" McFadden (Bass)
Leo Z. Manley
Darrell Johnson
Gwen Johnson
Discography :
The Kuf-Linx
1957 - So Tough / What'cha Gonna Do (Challenge 1013/59102)
1958 - Eyeballin' / Service With A Smile (Challenge 59004)
1958 - Climb Love's Mountain / All That's Good (Challenge 59015)
Johnny Woodson & The Crescendos (4)
1957 - Dreamer From My Heart / All That's Good (Spry 108)
Biography :
The
Kuf-Linx are not an easy group to follow. Nor is the song So Tough,
especially since there were at least three different group that sang the
song, and close spellings of the same group. The Kuf-Linx consisted of
John Jennings (lead tenor), Johnny Woodson (tenor), Gaines Steele
(tenor), George (Biggie) McFadden (bass), Leo Z. Manley, Darrell
Johnson, and Gwen Johnson. Jennings and McFadden had been in the
Jubalaires in the mid-40s. L.Z. Manley was a well-known gospel lead
singer, who had been with the Heavenly Gospel Singers and the Stars Of
Harmony.
Gaines Steele, younger brother of gospel great Silas Steele, sang
with Detroit-area gospel groups and a West Coast Ink Spots group (with
Clifford Givens); in the mid-60s, he was a member of the 4 Tunes. Gwen
Johnson was a Los Angeles session backup singer. This basic group
consisting of a whopping seven members, likely recording as John Woodson
and the Crescendos on the Spry label. John Jennings was lead singer of
the group. They signed to Challenge Records, a Los Angeles label, and
recorded several songs including "So Tough" with backup band The Champs
who recorded pop hit "Tequila" at the same recording session.
The Kuf-Linx version of "So Tough" was released soon after another
version of the song was released by The Casuals (later renamed Original
Casuals). The song versions duked it out on the charts. On March 17,
1958, Billboard listed "So Tough" as tied for Number 76 on "Top 100
Sides for Survey Week Ending March 8". The Kuf-Linx only recorded three
records in two sessions for Challenge, They disbanded in 1958, and later
some of the members went on to other bands.
1957 - Let's Go For A Ride / Heavenly Night (X-Tra 108)
1958 - Zoom, Zoom, Zoom / On Your Merry Way (Winley 224)
1962 - Oh I Need Your Love / Tonite Oh Tonite (Winley 261)
Lp :
Zoom
Zoom Zoom / Oh I Need Your Love / Oh Tonight Tonight / Right Around the
Corner / On Your Merry Way / Let's Go for a Ride / He Will Break Your
Heart / Teenie Weenie Little Bit / Rockin' Time
Biography :
The Collegians formed in the early 50s in the Sugar Hill section of
Harlem, NY. Group’s members were Roger Hayes, Harlan Jackson, Vernon
Riley, Henry Brown, and William Tarkenton. They’re early recordings
were issued on the X-Tra (1957) labels. They were eventually signed by
record producer Paul Winley for his pioneering New York City label
Winley Records. Winley Records was founded by Paul Winley in 1956 and
went out of business in 1962, releasing some forty singles in between.
This small, New York independent label released some doo-wop favorites
from The Paragons and Jesters.
In 1958 the Collegians recorded they’re signature tune ”Zoom Zoom
Zoom”, Winley #224, which Paul Winley co-wrote along with group members
Jackson and Hayes. Other Collegians' charted hits include "Right Around
The Corner," "The One You Love," "Hold Back the Night," and "Let's Go
For a Ride." The Marcels later used the intro to "Zoom Zoom Zoom" as
the intro to their 1961 smash hit "Blue Moon."
