1963 - Someone Like You / Going My Way (Lesley 1928)
Eddie Morris bb The Tempests (2)
1964 - The Chimes Of My Heart / I Do For You (Disc Master 2101)
Biography :
Eddy Morris started singing while still attending Waggoner High
School. His professional career began with the Sultans in 1959. Eddy
left to pursue a solo career prior to the Sultan’s recordings. In 1963
Eddy and his group, the Tempests, recorded Louisvillian Charles
Woodring’s song “Someone Like You” on the Lesley label. This single hit
number 2 on WKLO’s charts.
Eddie Morris Allen Purdy Eddie Wardle Stan Tucker
Both
sides of Eddy’s second record, “The Chimes Of My Heart/I Do For You”,
were written by his lead guitar player, Jerry Woods. The Single was
released by Disc Masters in September 1964 only credited to Eddie
Morris.
Eddie Morris, Allen Purdy, Eddie Wardle and Stan Tucker
In 1967, Eddy recorded and reeased “Come-On” on the Look label, a
Subsidiary of Starday Records. This single achieved regional success
throughout the South East. Eddy has appeared with national entertainers
including the Drifters, Peter and Gordon, Mel Carter and Jackie
DeShannon.
1964 - Never Gonna Cry / A Crush On You (Dave 911)
Biography :
Vocal group from Baltimore, The Cineemas were Sandra Chambers (lead),
Carol Speight (second Lead) , Jackie and Estelle doing background
vocal. “The Cineemas” cut a 45 record called, “Never Gonna Cry” b/w
"A Crush On You". It was a very rare track on a seldom seen record
label, Dave Glascoe.
1963 - I Remember / Oh Nancy (The Ambassadors) (Bay 210)
1963 - Come Along / Just One Of Those Things (Tyrone & The Newports) (Wax Trax 501)
Unreleased :
1963 - In The Still Of The Night
1964 - Dear Lady Twist
1964 - Can't Tell Her
1964 - Everytime
1964 - Why Must You Treat A Girl So Bad
1964 - Just A Little Girl
Biography :
Gerry & The Gems (Steve Feldman aka Gerry Stevens, Phil Aron,
Barry Fettner & Steve Dworkin) were from Little Neck, New York,
which is northeastern Queens. They all lived within a few blocks of each
other & were in the same grade in school. Steve Feldman had been
playing piano & writing songs since he was in grade school. Although
the group sang the standard doo wop songs, They also did original
material that Steve wrote.In
1963, They went into a studio in Brooklyn, NY & recorded 3 tunes, 2
originals written by Steve, "I Remember" & "Come Along", and an
uptempo version of "In The Still Of The Night".
1964 - Steve Dworkin, Phil Aron, Steve Feldman, Betsy Flehner
The group was supposed to record for M-G-M, with Teacho Wiltshire
producing & arranging, but that didn't happen. Barry eventually left
the group and Betsy Flehner, also from the neighborhood, joined. Having
a female gave the group a different sound. they did shows with Betsy,
but never recorded with her. Steve, Phil & Steve went on as a trio
& recorded 2 songs at Belltone Studios in NY, "Can't Tell Her" &
"Everytime", both written by Steve F. All the top studio musicians
played on the record but it was never released. The group recorded lots
of demos and did some singing with Joey Levine (of Ohio Express fame),
who Steve sometimes wrote with & a teenage Bernadette Peters. The
group eventually went their separate ways, but remain friends to this
day.
Thanks to Steve Feldman
Songs :
I Remember Can't Tell Her Why Must You Treat A Girl So Bad
In The Still Of The Night Just A Little Girl Dear Lady Twist
Come Along
Complement :
In
1970, Steve Dworkin was producing and had to put a group together for a
recording of Da Doo Ron Ron, so he called in Phil & Steve Feldman.
He called the group Quicksand & it was released on Mercury Records
(it is on Youtube). Phil Aron left music and opened his own business. He
now lives in upstate New York. Barry Fettner, who also left singing,
passed away a few years ago.
1963 - 2007 : Steve Dworkin, Steve Feldman, Phil Aron, Barry Fettner on bottom.
Steve Dworkin formed a
writing/producing partnership with Gary Willet of The Ovations and was a
staff writer/producer for Super K Productions. He produced albums for
The Queens Nectarine Machine & The Boarding House on ABC, &
singles for The Charles E. Funk Rebellion on White Whale, The Flying
Giraffe on Bell, Quicksand on Mercury and later on Her produced the High
School Reunion album for The Ovations on Crystal Ball Records & The
Emotions on Crystal Ball.
1964 - 2007 : Steve Dworkin, Phil Aron, Steve Feldman, Betsy Flehner
He is a recording engineer in
mid-town Manhattan & still lives in New York. Steve Feldman
continued writing and had some success with "We're Acting Like Lovers"
by The Spellbinders on Columbia, Don't You Ever Give Up On Me by Dee Dee
Warwick, Determination by Dean Parish, Sweeter Than Suger & Mercy
by The Ohio Express, Porcupine by Nature Zone, he co-produced the "Let
It Be Written, Let It Be Sung" album by Ellie Greenwich & had a solo
album on Evolution Records. A single from it "Let Me Be Forever" went
top 5 in South America. He also worked as a studio musician and a jingle
singer. As a favor to Steve Dworkin, he put his lead vocal on "Lovin'
Cup'" & "Candy Cane", by The Charles E Funk Rebellion. Steve lives
in New Jersey.
1956 - While I Dream / I Love My Baby (the Tokens) (Melba 104)
Unreleased :
1956 - Don't Go (Melba)
Biography :
In 1955, Neil Sedaka was sitting in his math class at Lincoln High
School when he heard Jay Siegel singing Falsetto. They decided to form a
group and recruited three members of Mrs. Eisen's Choral (Hank Medress,
Cynthia Zolotin and Eddie Rabkin), the Linc-Tones Was Born. Piano
prodigy Sedaka decided The Tokens sounded better as a name; Rabkin left
the following year and was replaced by Siegel. Cynthia's family had
connections in the city at the Brill Building, which opened doors for
her and Neil.
The quartet auditioned for Morty Craft, owner of the Willows' label,
Melba, and recorded "I Love My Baby" (with a lead vocal by Rabkin)
backed with "While I Dream" (lead by Sedaka), both written by Neil and
another Lincoln High student, Howard Greenfield. This led to an
appearance on Ted Steele's Teen Bandstand show on WOR-TV, though the
single didn't catch on outside the N.Y. area. The group gradually
separated and in '58 Hank and Jay ventured forth with Warren Schwartz
and Fred Kalkstein as the oddly-named Darrell and the Oxfords; two 1959
singles on Roulette included the ballad "Picture in My Wallet."
Late
in the year another shake-up occurred when Hank and Jay began singing
with younger Lincoln High student Phil Margo, who played piano, and his
12-year-old brother Mitch. They came up with another strange name, Those
Guys, then in 1960 Joe Venneri joined and the group functioned as a
quintet for several years. Craft signed them again, this time for the
Warwick label, insisting they ditch that "Those Guys" misnomer. Reviving
the Tokens name, they hit the top 20 in the spring of '61 with a catchy
'doo-be-doo-be-dum...' tune penned by Margo and Medress, "Tonight I
Fell in Love."
1962 - That's Why I Pray / The City (Pop-Line 0208)
Biography :
Bessie
White (Banks) sung with a quartet called Three Guys and a Doll, who
subsequently became the Four Fellows without her; while a member of the
group, she met bass/baritone singer Larry Banks, who was the de facto
leader of the group, and married him on stage at the Royal Theatre in
Baltimore. Larry Banks was a New York-born baritone/bass singer (and
songwriter) who helped organize and lead the quartet. They survived well
enough, even making some television appearances, and scored a hit with
"Soldier Boy".
Albert Williams, Milton Bennet, Pringle Sims & Larry Banks
Larry and most of the original members had left and Larry &
Bessie next turned up on the Brooks label in 1959, singing as the
Companions. Larry's sister Harriette joined the couple in the group and
close friend and soon to be writing partner Milton Bennett, his cousin
Al Williams and Pringle Sims who has just left The Strangers. Larry
wrote both sides of the single 'Why Oh Why Baby' / 'I Didn't Know (You
Got Married)'. It was then picked up by Federal for national release in
1960.
Bessie Banks
The
group have another record on the Dove Label. In 1960, Milton Bennett,
Albert Williams Jr, Pringle Sims and Larry Banks perform on the Ted Mack
Amateur Hour as the Companions. In 1962, the same four guys cut "That's
Why I Pray" b/w "The City" on the Pop-Line Label under their new name
or old name : The Four Fellows…
1962 - There Goes My Heart Again / My Love Is Real (ABC 10295)
Unreleased :
1959 - Your Way
1959 - The Glory of Love
1959 - I Was Such A Fool
1962 - I'm Confessin'
1959 - Come Go With Me
1959 - Each Step I take
1960 - Tick Tock
1961 - Melissa
1962 - Apple Blossom Time
Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays (4)
1963 - Time To Dream (Brahms Lullaby) / My Love Is Real (Sabina 506)
1963 - That Background Sound / Now It's All Over (Sabina 510)
Biography :
In the late '50's a group from Manhattan know as the Spirals got
their chance to record. The Financial backers were there to choose one
of the two groups sharing studio time. The Second Group, Little
Anthony's group won and the rest is history.
The Spirals The Vibratones
Larry Loeb (First Tenor) and Larry Rizzo (Baritone) would now join
Harry Jay who was just released from the Army. Harry have been singing
with the Vibratones. Harry discovered lead singer Tony Castro and along
with bass Fred "Duke" Hodgkinson (formally of the Versatiles), Tony
& The Holidays were born.
The Holidays
After much practice the group recorded their first demo "Melissa" and
"Tick Tock". This soon led to a release on ABC Records, "There Goes My
Heart Again" b/w "My Love Is Real".
The Holidays
By the end of 1962 the group moved to Sabina Records and recorded
several sides for the Belmonts and Jerry Granaham, under the new name
Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays, "Time To Dream", "My Love Is Real",
"Now It's All Over" and "That Background Sound" to mention a few. The
latter also had Freddie & Angelo of the Belmonts in the Background.
The Holidays
Tony Castro would soon leave the group being replaced by lead singer
Richie Tsonos. Along with new lead singer came a group name change. Now the Standards would have two releases on the Magna Label with two sides being picked up and nationally distributed by Chess records.
The Holidays
Throughout their recording years the group or group members lent
their talents on the Backgrounds of many '45's, the most important being
Larry & The Legends on Atlantic Records backing Larry Santos.
Songs :
Tony & The Holidays (4)
The Glory of Love / Apple Blossom Time
My Love Is Real There Goes My Heart Again
Buddy Sheppard & The Holidays (4)
My Love Is Real / Time To Dream Now It's All Over/That Background Sound
Top : Lenny LaMonica & Tom Nigra - Below : "Little" Johnny Schilling andTony Valastro
Johnny Schilling & The Sherwoods (4) (Chester, NY.)
Personnel :
"Little" Johnny Schilling (Guitar/Vocals)
Tom Nigra (Bass/Vocals)
Tony Valastro (Tenor Sax/Vocals)
Lenny LaMonica (Drums)
Discography :
1964 - Marcelle / King of the World (C&A 507)
Biography :
Little Johnny Schillingand the Sherwoods was a vocal &
instrumental group from Chester, NY. Little John on guitar and vocals,
Tom Nigra on bass and vocals, Tony Valastro on tenor sax and vocals and
Lenny LaMonica on drums. The band was formed in 1962 and played steadily
all over New York state and Jersey.
Johnny
Schilling & The Sherwoods recorded two fabulous Doo Wop
"Marcelle" and "King of the World" for C&A Records producer, Vinnie
Catalano in New York City in 1964. They played together until 1968.
Little John Schilling is still working as a musician in Central Florida
with Nightly Blues, a blues, jazz and r&b group. Little John and the
Sherwoods are not to be confused with another band called the Sherwoods
from Connecticut.
Please Wait / Too Much Dreamin's No Good / Blizzard / Dance The Wiggle Wobble
1964 - The GI's (Festival FX 1368)
When Does It Get To Be Love / Lucy / Indian Surf / Surf No. 1 (Surfin' Little Girl)
Doug Van Beck Trio
Singles :
1964 - Surfin' Little Girl / A Workin' Man's Day Is Never Done (Fargo 1064)
1964 - A Whole Lot Of Surfin' / A Workin (Judy 6500)
Biography :
This
vocal group, made up from three US Army soldiers. They met during their
military service in France. They sing mostly in American military camps
for armed theater. Following an appearance at the french TV, they got a
contract with the French's Festival label and cut eight songs.
When they returned to the United States after their military service,
they recorded two singles as Doug Van Beck Trio. Doug Morris later
wrote "Sweet Talkin' Guy" for The Chiffons and produced many Laurie
label acts.
1956 - Moments Like This / New Love (Teenage 1000)
1956 - Tears In My Eyes / Joe's Calypso (Teenage 1002)
Biography :
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, The Val-Tones were discovered by
Henry Stone, DeLuxe A&R man while they were working a club in
Miami, Florida. The members Were Percy Cosby (Lead), William Kennedy,
Thomas Smith, And Joseph Wiggins. The Act has been together for about
three years and have been touring the country from border to border and
coast to coast. The Quartet cut "Tender Darling" b/w "Siam Sam" for the
Deluxe Label.
The Val-tones change their name to the Baltineers and recorded four
sides for The Teenage Label owned by Bill "Bass" Gordon and Ben Smith .
Bill "Bass" Gordon, recorded with the Colonials
for the Gee label in 1954. He began the Teenage label in New York in
1955. The label, Black-owned and operated, was one of the rarities among
the independant labels in the mid-1950s.
Anthony Gourdine started out singing legit pop songs on the "Startime
Studio Shows" but by his mid-teens wanted to be doing what other teens
in Boys High School were doing: singing with a group. Anthony put
together a quartet with William (Doc) Dockerty (tenor), William Delk (
baritone), and William Bracy in 1954.
Anthony's
group performed at local shows that offered $5 prizes to the winners
and on one such show ran up against a young Harlem group named Frankie
Lymon & the Tennagers. At that point Anthony's quartet was called
the DuPonts, having seen a sign for DuPont textiles. Doc Dockerty's dad
knew a writer/producer named Paul Winley (who had written for The
Clovers and Joe Turner and was the brother of the Clovers' Hal Winley).
Alan Freed Show at the New York Paramount with the the Duponts, February 1957.
After hearing the DuPonts he committed to record them for his own
Winley label — which didn't even exist until after he recorded the
group. He put out their first single "You" in August 1955 . Promotion by
the fledgling label was insufficient and the DuPonts' first single
never got a shot. Once again Doc's dad took things in hand and
introduced the boys to songwriter Otis Blackwell, who brought them to
Alan Freed's manager Jack Hook.
Jack signed them to Royal Roost Records in February 1957 and by March
"Prove It Tonight," a pop/R&B rocker, hit the streets and stayed
there. Hook then arranged for the DuPonts to do Alan Freed's Easter Show
at the New York Paramount, and the group became the opening act for The
Cleftones, Ruth Brown, The Platters... Three days into the show Anthony
came down with laryngitis, so the group covered his parts. When the
Paramount shows ended so did the DuPonts. They did re-form in 1958
without Anthony for one single on Roulette called "Screamin' Ball at
Dracula Hall". During 1957 Anthony connected with a neighborhood
foursome looking for a lead singer. The new quintet became the Chesters.
Jay Warner (American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today)
1959 - Picture In My Wallet / Roses And Red (Roulette 4174)
1960 - Can't You Tell ? / But Your Mother She Said No (Roulette 4230)
Biography :
In 1955, Neil Sedaka was sitting in his math class at Lincoln High
School when he heard Jay Siegel singing Falsetto. They decided to form a
group and recruited three members of Mrs. Eisen's Choral (Hank Medress,
Cynthia Zolotin and Eddie Rabkin), the Linc-Tones was Born. Piano
prodigy Sedaka decided The Tokens sounded better as a name; Rabkin left
the following year and was replaced by Siegel. Cynthia's family had
connections in the city at the Brill Building, which opened doors for
her and Neil.
The
quartet auditioned for Morty Craft, owner of the Willows' label, Melba,
and recorded "I Love My Baby" (with a lead vocal by Rabkin) backed with
"While I Dream" (lead by Sedaka), both written by Neil and another
Lincoln High student, Howard Greenfield. This led to an appearance on
Ted Steele's Teen Bandstand show on WOR-TV, though the single didn't
catch on outside the N.Y. area. The group gradually separated and in '58
Hank and Jay ventured forth with Warren Schwartz and Fred Kalkstein as
the oddly-named Darrell and the Oxfords; two 1959 singles on Roulette
included the ballad "Picture in My Wallet."
Late in the year another shake-up occurred when Hank and Jay began
singing with younger Lincoln High student Phil Margo, who played piano,
and his 12-year-old brother Mitch. They came up with another strange
name, Those Guys, then in 1960 Joe Venneri joined and the group
functioned as a quintet for several years. Craft signed them again, this
time for the Warwick label, insisting they ditch that "Those Guys"
misnomer. Reviving the Tokens name, they hit the top 20 in the spring of
'61 with a catchy 'doo-be-doo-be-dum...' tune penned by Margo and
Medress, "Tonight I Fell in Love."
1954 - My Heart's Got The Blues / Goody, Goody (United 180)
Unreleased :
1954 - There's No Tomorrow (United)
1954 - I Long For You (United)
1954 - Only By You I Want To Be Loved (United)
1954 - Going My Way (United)
Biography :
Gary, IN-based R&B vocal group the Five C's formed in 1951 --
according to Marv Goldberg's profile on his R&B Notebooks website,
founders Clarence Anderson (lead tenor), Curtis Nevils (tenor), and
Carlos Patterson (bass) originally adopted the name Three C's, and
performed as a trio while finishing their careers at Gary's Froebel High
School. After graduation, the group expanded with the additions of
baritone Melvin Carr and high tenor Harvey Honey, nicknaming the latter
"Clyde" solely for the purposes of accuracy in renaming themselves the
Five C's.
Because all five members worked in the Gary mills, they were forced
to restrict their live appearances to weekends, but by late 1953 they'd
earned enough to enter Chicago's Universal Recording Studio to cut their
debut single, "Tell Me." Issued in early 1954 on the local United
label, the disc was a minor local hit, and the Five C's reentered the
studio in May to cut their sophomore effort, "My Heart's Got the Blues,"
backed by saxophonist Eddie Chamblee's orchestra. The record made less
of an impact than its predecessor, and a third United session remains
unreleased.
Eddie Chamblee The Five C's
Carr quit the group soon after to join the military, and with new
baritone Leroy "Clifford" Hicks, the Five C's continued intermittently
for over a decade, never again recording but playing the occasional
Froebel High alumni gathering and the like. In the late '60s, they even
shared a bill with another Gary quintet: an up-and-coming sibling group
called the Jackson 5.
