1960 - You Left Me Here To Cry Alone / Ocean Of Tears (Hush 102)
Biography :
Joe Simon (born September 2, 1943, Simmesport, Louisiana) is a
chart-topping, Grammy Award winning, soul and R&B artist. Like many
other African-American artists from the era, Simon began singing in his
father's Baptist church. He pursued his vocal abilities full-time once
the family moved to Richmond (near Oakland, California) in the late
1950s. There Simon joined the Golden West Gospel Singers and became
influenced by Sam Cooke and Arthur Prysock.
The Golden West Gospel Singers Joe Simon
In 1959, Golden West Bass Bill Johnson persuaded Joe Simon to quit
gospel singing and try his hand at R&B. Johnson offered Simon a
place in his son's secular quartet the Echo Tones. The Echo Tones were
then composed of James Spells, Lynn Foster, Lawrence Thomson & Bill
johnson Jr.
The Golden Tones The Golden Tones
The ensemble changed their name to the Golden Tones in 1959,
releasing "Little Island Girl" b/w "Doreetha", which was followed by the
single "You Left Me Here To Cry Alone" b/w "Ocean Of Tears". Following
the release, Hush Records owners, Gary and Carla Thompson, urged Joe to
take on a solo career, which he pursued with the Veejay imprint
releasing 'My Adorable One' in 1964. He later had a successful career as
a soul singer in the 60's and '70s
1959 - Northern Star / In The Little Chapel (Abel 225)
Unreleased :
1959 - Six long Month
1959 - Some Day
Biography :
Vocal group from Staten Island composed by Bill "William" Jessup,
Mike Luciano, Mike Mancini and Paul Marinelli. The Group recorded four
songs for Abel Records from Buffalo, New York. Only "Northern Star" and
"In The Little Chapel" were released in 1959.
1956 - Be Fair / Let Me Give You Money (Dootone 388)
1956 - You Are An Angel / I Love The Life I Live (Dootone 401)
1958 - So Long / Baby Please Don't Go (Jacy 001/002)
Biography :
Oakland, CA-based R&B combo the Pipes formed on the grounds of
the city's McClymonds High School in 1953. According to Marv Goldberg's
profile in the April 1979 issue of Goldmine, the original group -- lead
tenor Louis Candys, tenors Irving Swanigan and Harold Foreman, baritone
Huey Roundtree, bass Leevern Ball, and pianist Ed Kelly -- first
performed as the Cool Tones; after Swanigan's exit, the remaining
quintet traveled to Los Angeles in search of a recording deal, but were
summarily dismissed due to their youth.
After graduating in 1955, the group returned to L.A. and signed with
Dootone. At that point, they dropped the Cool Tones moniker in favor of
the Pipes, inspired by the "Danny Boy" lyric "The pipes, the pipes are
calling." Dootone owner Dootsie Williams nevertheless hedged his bets by
announcing to the trade press the signing of two new groups: the Cool
Tones and the Pipes. The latter name won out by the time their debut
single, "Be Fair," hit retail in early 1956.
Though a local hit, the Pipes never traveled beyond the California
circuit and the single stalled. "You Are an Angel" followed that summer.
Hampered by minimal marketing effort, it quickly disappeared and when
their Dootone contract expired, the Pipes opted against renewal,
returning to Oakland and contenting themselves with the occasional
weekend gig. In 1958 they founded their own label, Jacy, to release a
rare single titled "So Long." A year later, the Pipes returned to
Dootone to record one final session that Williams shelved. The group
dissolved for good soon after. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
1961- Dawn Is Almost Here / Keep An Eye (7 Arts 707)
Biography :
Vocal group from the South Bronx composed by Frank Giminez, Jerome
Louis Jackson, Nicky Lopez, Bernard Newman and Tito Gonzalez. The
Cordials would eventually record "Dawn Is Almost Here" backed by "Keep
An Eye " for the 7 Arts label (#707) in 1961. The original lead singer
of the Cordials was Jerome Jackson." Jerome Louis Jackson was born in
Brooklyn but grew up in the Bronx. In 1966, long after leaving the
Cordials he would gain fame as the solo singer, J.J. Jackson, with the
song "But It's Alright".
1961 - Write Me A Letter / Come Back Baby, Come Back (Brand X 7)
Biography :
In May 1960, Five Pacific High School students have recorded for the
Pal Studio under the Management of George Babcock, Popular radio disc
Jockey. Jerry Jackson sophomore at PHS, is the head of the group called
"Jerry Lee & The Jesters". Also in the group are Leonard Siders,
Steve Parker, Gilbert Chavez and Bill Bridges, all students PHS.
Jerry Lee & The Jesters
Jerry Jackson lived in Kentucky for 16 years before coming to
California. He had lived one month when he meet Siders, and they began
to sing together. In 1961, they started at PHS they met the rest of the
group know as "Jerry Lee and the Jesters." In January 1961, their record
"Write Me A Letter" b/w "Come Back Baby, Come Back" was released.
Jerry Jackson wrote both songs and also plays his own music. When the
disc was released, "Jerry Lee & The Jesters" no longer existed,
George Babcock had renamed the group The Du-Vons.
1959 - Why Do I Dream? / Cha Wailey Routa (Felco 104)
1959 - Flossie Mae / Hi-Oom (Kick 100)
1964 - Hello Darling / Giggle Goo (Lynne 101)
Unreleased :
1959 - Hey Girl
1959 - Time Gives Me Plasure
1959 - Who Took My Girl
1959 - Old Mother Hubbard
1959 - Please Understand
1959 - Debbie Lee
1959 - Darling
1959 - Mighty Mighty Man
1959 - This Feeling Is Killing Me
1959 - Please Come Back To Me
1959 - Love You Baby
1959 - Come Back To Me
1959 - My Love My Love (Eddy McCall bb The Saucers)
The Velvetones (5)
Singles :
1959 - Come Back / Penalty Of Love (D 1049)
1959 - Worried Over You / Space Man (D 1072)
Biography :
Compsed by Jimmy Beacham, Leonard Allen, Charles Beacham, Verdie Lee
Thomas and James Stanley, the Saucers were on of the few doo wop groups
from Texas, a blues and R&B stronghold. They are a really good Black
quintet with strong, beautiful lead vocals and harmonizing on ballads,
uptempo and novelty tunes.
Jimmy Beacham, Leonard Allen, Charles Beacham, Verdie Lee Thomas and James Stanley
Native
vocal groups were not very popular in texas during the 50s and the
style came to the state rather late in the decade after being extremely
popular along the east and west coasts. Despite the late arrival, those
few groups that did emerge in Texas learned their lesson well. Of these,
the Saucers are the Velvetones, who recorded on Dee records under this
name, were the Best and certainly equal to many to the more popular
groups on either coast.
1960 - Once In Awhile / Summer Night (Tag 444 / Musictone 1101)
1961 - I'm In The Mood For Love / Only Love (Tag 445)
1961 - Let's Fall In Love / Dream Girl (Tag 447)
1963 - Once In Awhile / My Love (Oldies 45)
1963 - Who's Heart Are You Breaking Now? / Baby's Comming Home (Laurie 3211)
Lenny And The Chimes (5)
1962 - Paradise / My Love (Tag 450)
1964 - Two Times Two / Only Forever (Vee Jay 605)
The Videls [The Chimes (5)]
1963 - We Belong Together / It's All Over (Musicnote 117)
Biography :
A Brooklyn street corner group formed in 1957, they originally called
themselves the Capris until they found out that friends of theirs from
Rockaway Beach in Long Island were already using that name. So Lenny
Cocco and company renamed themselves The Chimes. The original Brooklyn
quintet's lead singer Lenny Cocco (leader and originator of the group),
was into standards at an early age since his father was a professional
accordion player. Lenny's father, Leonard, thought Tommy Dorsey's 1937
number one hit "Once In Awhile" would work well in a vocal quintet
arrangement, so the group began practicing in a local pool hall that had
a piano.
In
1960 the group went into the studio and recorded a demo of "Once In A
while", attracting the interest of the engineer. While The Chimes were
in the studio the engineer called a friend at Tag Records and within an
hour Andy Leonetti was there listening to the group's first recording.
By the fall of 1960 "Once In Awhile", was hitting the Billboards’
national charts. It finished one spot shy of the top 10, spent 18 weeks
on the charts, and sold over one million copies. Although they had a
white doo-wop sound by today's standards, in 1960 The Chimes were
thought by many to be a black group.
Their first major booking were thus in
black theatres such as the Howard in Washington, the Regal in Chicago,
and the Apollo in New York. Their second single was "I'm In The Mood For
Love" another standard (Little Jack Little, 1935). Recorded in a
similar style to "Once In Awhile" it charted on March 27th and rose to
number 38 nationally. By spring, the group was on its third standard in
three tries, the Eddy Duchin number one smash "Lets Fall In Love" , but
apparently radio stations weren't buying it (perhaps due to a deviation
in vocal arrangement from the first two hits- "Lets Fall In Love" had
the group up front singing the lead).
The group tried a Lenny Cocco original "Paradise" in 1962, and then
moved over to Metro Records for one 1963 release, "Who's Heart Are You
Breaking Now". At this point, the group was now a quartet: bass singer
Pat McGuire had died in a car accident. To this date in memory of Pat,
Lenny has kept the group a quartet without another bass singer. In
November of that year, Laurie Records picked up the Metro recordings but
released them with no success.
In 1964 The Chimes wound up on Vee-Jay
Records but again with not much success as Vee-Jay records was putting
all their energy into releases by the Beatles and The Four Seasons. With
that kind of competition, the Chimes release of "Two Times Two" was
virtually ignored. By 1965, the group had separated only to reunite for
some rock and roll revival shows in the early 1970's.
1959 - A Rose To Remember You By / I Love You More (Capitol 4130)
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You / I Want To Fall In Love (Capitol 4281)
Ep :
1959 - Introducing Larry Hovis (Capitol Pro 1162/63)
My Heart Belongs To Only You / 'Deed I Do / Nice To Be In Love / Exactly Like You
Lp :
1959 - My Heart Belongs To Only You
My
Heart Belongs To Only You / 'Deed I Do / But Beautiful / Love-Wise /
Just In Time / Nice To Be In Love / Then I'll Be Tired Of You / I Want
To Fall In Love / S'posin' / Polka Dots And Moonbeams / Exactly Like
You
Biography :
Not
really a Doo Wop or Rhythm & blues and not to be confused with the
Mascots that will become the famous O'Jays, this is an early pop vocal
group from Houston, Texas. The Mascots were composed by Jerry Lloyd,
Harry Bell, Larry Hovis and Joe Toland. the group formed 1952/53 in
Reagan High School in Houston and called itself the Four Spades. They
won a talent contest which guaranteed the group a trip to New York City
and an appearance on the television show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.
The
Four Spades were convinced by Arthur Godfrey to change their name in
order for radio stations to play their music in the 1950's. A contest
was held on a Texas radio station for fans to pick out a new name for
the group and Mascots was chosen (The O'Jays were once called The
Mascots as well). The Mascots, appeared on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent
Scouts” in 1956. The Mascots became the house band for The Continental
Club in 1955. This was the year that Morin Scott open The Continental
Club as a private supper club.
Joe Toland, Larry Hovis, Harry Bell & Jerry Lloyd
Rusty
Weir's mother, Iona, was the one who hired The Mascots to provide
entertainment for the supper & dance crowd. Tenor Larry Hovis was
signed to Capitol Records in November, 1957, after having penned a song
recorded by Joel Grey, "Everytime I Ask My Heart". He recorded a few
singles and released his only album, My Heart Belongs to Only You. His
biggest song was "We Could Have Lots of Fun".
During
his time at Capitol, in March 1959, CARLTON Records released an lp by
The Bill Gannon Trio, of which Larry was also a member. On there, he
sang and also played drums. Larry Hovis became much more famous after
The Four Spades and the Mascots, thanks to a singing, dancing, comedy
& acting career that took him to Hollywood and Hogan's Heroes!
1962 - Blue Birds Over The Mountain / Timberlands (Mermaid 107)
1963 - Once Upon A Love / Hey Little Angel (Blast 206)
Biography :
The Mascots were a vocal and instrumental group from the Wakefield
section of the Bronx (NY) and were composed by Tommy Addonizio, Albert
Albanese, Dennis Adinolfi and Johnny Fanelli. Ray Allen (real name Ray
Albanese) was the father of Albert Albanese. Ray Allen was part of The
Ray Allen Trio, The Gum Drops, The Upbeats, The Classmates and The Four
Classmates. The Mascots were another of the groups managed by writer,
arranger, producer and singer Vinny Catalano. The group records on the
Vinny's New York based label Mermaid Owned by Vincent Catalano and Don
Ames. “Blue Birds Over The Mountain”, a cover of Ersel Hickeys, and
“Timberlands” written by Ray Allen was released in April 1962.
Some
months later, the Mascots recorded "Once Upon A Love" and "Hey Little
Angel" both co-written by Ray Allen released by Blast Records, another
label Owned by Vincent Catalano and Don Ames. The Mascots, besides
singing, were also instrumentalists. In fact, they (along with one
studio musician) were the band that backed the Excellents on their Blast
release (# 205): "You Baby You” b/w “Coney Island Baby.”
1962 - There Must Be A Way / Times Is Tough (Saxony 1002)
Tommy Liss & The Matadors
1963 - Just In Make Believe / Times Is Tough (Saxony 1005)
Biography :
The Cabarets were a classic street corner singing group comprised of
Tommy (Liss) Lysaght, Kenny Cochran, Gene Gay and Ray Voss. In 1962 they
signed for Saxony, a new Cincinnati label, owned by Paul Trefzger and
Bud Reneau. They recorded "There Must Be A Way" and "Times Is Tough"
(Composed by Tommy) with the instrumental accompaniment of the Matadors.
The Matadors often appeared behind Saxony Record vocalists. and
consisted of Saxony's owner Bud Reneau, with Bud on guitar, Warren Hauck
on bass, Tom Dooley on Piano and David Listerman on drums. In 1963,
Without his vocal group the Cabarets but with the Matadors, Tommy
Lysaght once again recorded "Times Is Tough" and "Just In Make Believe"
on the other side backed by a girl group, maybe the Saxony's Teardrops.
The single will be released as Tommy Liss & The Matadors.
The Matadors
American singer and songwriter, Thomas Michael Lysaght (Alias Tommy
Liss, Tommy Sears) sang in clubs around Cincinnati for many years and
was well known in Nashville where he recorded demos for different
studios. He had several regional releases. His most successful song was
called “Walk On The Outside”, which was released in 1969 using the name
"Tommy Sears" and was recorded in Nashville. He used the name "Tommy
Sears" in some of his recordings in honor of a singer and friend of his
J.T. Sears, who died driving home from a singing gig. Additional bands
he may have been involved in include: The Ice, aka The Raspberry Ice,
and The Satins.
1961 - Oh Sweet Baby / I Tried To Make You Understand (Fifo 109)
Rosie And Ron
1961 - Bring Me Happiness / So Dearly (Donna 1338)
Biograhy :
Out of Chino, California, Lucy Duran (who sang with the Velveteens)
would join up with Ruben Pando & Frankie Gonzales to form the
Triangles. They recorded "My Oh My" and "Really I Do" released in 1961
by Fifo Records. Lucy Duran would record for Fifo as a solo artist. "Oh
Sweet Baby" and "I Tried To Make You Understand" would also be released
in 1961. The same year, Lucy and Ralph Valdez of Hawthorne were billed
as Rosie & Ron by Del-Fi/Donna label owner Bob Keane. He wanted to
capitalize on the popularity of Rosie & The Originals & Ronnie
& The Pomona Casuals who also had hits at the time. Two ballads "So
Dearly" and "Bring Me Happiness" both penned by Ruben Pando were
recorded in 1961 with the Velveteens backing and released on the Donna
label (Donna 1338). The record became a number 1 seller in the Los
Angeles area. It was released with two different label variations.
https://wwwyoufoundthateastsidesoundcom.blogspot.com
1957 - Little Girl Next Door / Teenage Rock (End 1002/End 1025)
1958 - Lonely Boy / My Baby Crys (End 1014)
Biography :
Ronnie Jones & The Classmates all hailed from North Philadelphia.
The Group was originally known as the Regionaires. The Group appearing
in & winning contests including at the Apollo in New York . Group
members were brothers Ronnie & James Jones, Alfred Brown, Bernard
Courtney, Charles Phillips and Jessie Cone on Guitar.Between 1954 and
1958, they were local Hero's and the biggest group in Philly during this
era singing at the Uptown Theater, the Apollo Theater and appearances
on American Band Stand, and many other venues, The group also traveled
and shared the stages with such late greats like Jackie Wilson, Sam
Cooke, Frankie Lymon, Etc...
Sometime in early 1957, George Goldner formed the End and Gone labels
and recorded the group. Ronnie Jones & The Classmates cut four
sides for End: "Little Girl Next Door", "Teenage Rock", "Lonely Boy"
& "My Baby Crys" . "Little Girl Next Door" and "Teenage Rock" was
released again in 1962/1963 on End 1125. Ronnie Jones went on to record
on the I & D and Philly Groove record labels with the group Broadway
Express (Philly Soul) in the 1970's.
Richard DiTuccio, Clayton “Butch” Oelkuct, John Nicolini, Unknown
The Aladdins (2) (Hartford, Connecticut)
Personnel :
John Nicolini
Russel Stanavage
Butch Oelkuct
Richard DiTuccio
Discography :
1958 - Dot My Love / My Charlene (Frankie 6)
Biography :
Early in November 1958 , four youths from Bulkeley High School in
Hartford named the "Aladdins" made their debut on the Kathy Godfrey
Show. The Aladdins, whose manager is Frank Drury, president of the
Police Athletic League are John Nicolini, Russel Stanavage, Butch
Oelkuct and Richard DiTuccio. The group recorded two songs: "Dot My
Love" and "My Charlene" released by Frankie Records.
Frankie Records was one of the many Indies labels in Connecticut in
the late 1950's and 1960's. Founded by Jimmy and Johnny Mastrio. " Dot
My Love" ranks in the top 40 locally. At the end of 1958 The Aladdins
received an invitation to appear on Ted Mack's Amateur Show but had to
refuse since the group was now classed as professionals.
Vocal group from Chattanooga, TN. . They Recorded "Oh Baby" "A Lovely
One" released by a new firm named "Monte Carlo". The Speidels also
played a lot of clubs in Chattanooga.
L to R: Charles Barbour Jr, Mary Evans, Ronnie West, Bonnie Johnson, “Red” George
Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue (Lexington KY)
Personnel :
Bonnie Johnson
Robert Taylor “Red” George
Ronnie West
Charles Barbour Jr
Mary Evans
Discography :
Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue
1960 - You'd Better Run / Those Bells (Nikko 611)
Bruce Marvello
1960 - Teen-Age Broken Heart / You've Got To Love Me Too (Nikko 610)
Biography :
Bonnie and the Little Boys Blue were students and friends from
Lexington’s original Paul Laurence Dunbar and Frederick Douglass High
Schools. Robert Taylor “Red” George teamed with Ronnie West and tenor
Charles Barbour Jr . A couple young ladies, Bonnie Johnson and Mary
Evans complete the group. “Red” George, Bonnie and another friend
(Emmett Brown) had experience singing on street corners downtown, which
preceded the true formation of the group.
Bruce Marvello
Also, at least two future Blue Boys had prior recording experience
backing Bruce Marvello on label owner Tom Birch’s original composition
“Teen-Age Broken Heart.” Clearly their voices made an impression on
Birch and he approached the quintet with an offer of a recording
contract. Bonnie & The Little Boys Blue was delivered to an unknown
studio on Division Street in Nashville, Tennessee. With a group of
seasoned studio musicians, The group recorded "You'd Better Run" b/w
"Those Bells" released on the Tom Birsh's label "Nikko". The single
helped launch the group into the Lexington market and shows followed at
the predominantly black music clubs .
1958 - Miss You My Dear / Early One Morning (Vee Jay 297)
1959 - High School Diploma / Candy Store Blues (Vee Jay 315)
Mickey Tillman bb The Capers
1958 - Dear Mom And Dad / I Have Chosen You (Vee Jay 296)
The Caper Brothers
1965 - There Goes My Heart Again / I Ain't Gonna Write You (Roulette 4597)
1965 - Give Me Soul / Ain't Got The Nerve (Roulette 4637)
Biography :
The Capers were a New York family of Teen-Agers who were uncovered by
Frank Sands of Circle Artists. Ranging in age from 9 to 14, they are
composed by Elise Capers, Marie Capers, Arnold and Leroy Capers all
siblings.️️️️ In 1958, The young group recorded "Miss You My Dear" and
"Early One Morning", both written by their older brother Johnny Capers
Jr. The single will be released at the end of the year on the Vee-Jay
label. Vee-Jay would release another single the following year with
"High School Diploma" b/w "Candy Store Blues". Several years later, in
1965, Arnold and Johnny Capers Jr with another brother Alfie will have
two records on the Roulette label as The Caper Brothers.
