Jess Du Boy & The Hitch-Hikers (Richmond, Virginia)
Personnel :
Jess Du Boy (Lead)
John Kelly
Kay Sanderson
Dick McCray
Discography :
Jess Du Boy & The Hitch-Hikers
1957 - Beautiful Love / Angels Don't Live On Earth (ABC 9848)
Jess DuBoy
1959 - Echos / Puppy Love (Colonial 7002)
1960 - Achin' Breakin' Heart / The Only One I Love (Brooke 121)
1964 - Silhouettes / That's When Your Heartaches Begin (Brunswick 55270)
Biography :
In
1957, Jess Du Boy called up WRVA announcer Stutz, a successful
songwriter who had scored a No. 1 pop hit with “Little Things Mean a
Lot” by Kitty Kallen, and boldly asked if he would listen to his doo-wop
vocal group, Jess Du Boy and the Hitch-Hikers. Stutz ended up hiring
Duboy's band to make demos of his new song copyrights. One of these,
“Beautiful Love,” eventually was released on the national ABC-Paramount
label in 1957 and scored as a big regional hit. Jess and the
Hitch-Hikers embarked on an unusual tour to support the disc, thumbing
to gigs across America.
In 1959 he was the lead singer of in the the Rock-A-Teens, a
Richmond, Virginia band. They had a couple of hits, and one of them,
“Woo Hoo,” has been covered countless times over the years, appearing in
numerous films and advertisements. Though it’s considered an
instrumental, the song features vocals (“woo hoo, woo hoo hoo…”) by Jess
Du Boy. He and the Rock-A-Teens recorded the song in Don McGraw’s
studio, in Roanoke County. The song was put out in 1959 (first on
McGraw’s label, Doran, but later by Roulette). The song peaked at #16
on the Billboard pop charts.
Jess recorded some single on Colonial, Brooke and Brunswick. He
served as a DJ on WEZL while in college. He then went to WEET, where he
developed what is thought by broadcasters to be the first or among the
first station identification jingles in the country. Mr. Duboy was
program manager and the afternoon DJ at WLEE when he approached J.
Sargeant Reynolds, who owned some media, to purchase a radio station for
Mr. Duboy to run.
1958 - She's Gone With The Wind / The Voice（Klik 7905）
Biography :
Fred Parris of 24 Sperry Street in New Haven, Connecticut, was
expelled in 1953 from a vocal group known as the Canaries. The avid ball
player (he once had a tryout with the Boston Braves) decided to form
his own group and labeled them the Scarlets. The quintet of Hillhouse
High School students included Sylvester Hopkins (first tenor), Nathaniel
Mosely, Jr. (second tenor), Albert Denby (baritone), and William L.
Powers (bass).
Since Fred wrote the songs the guys made him lead singer. The
rehearsed under the influence of THE 5 ROYALES, THE CLOVERS, THE
DOMINOES, and THE FIVE CROWNS. Fred was a particular fan of the Velvets
and THE FOUR FRESHMEN. As the group’s leader, Parris was saddled with
the responsibility of finding them a record label, but the 17-year-old
had little idea how to go about it. He traveled to New York without so
much as a tape in hopes of finding Red Robin Records (home of the
Velvets), which was operated out of a record shop at 301 West 125th
Street in Harlem.
First
he encountered Bob Shad, a record shop owner who also owned the Jax
label (Bobby Hall and the Kings). Shad sent Fred down the block where he
met Red Robin proprietor Bobby Robinson. When the Scarlets lead told
Robinson of his group he got the same response elicited from Shad, which
in effect was “go home and bring me a demo tape.” When Fred did return
with a tape of the self penned “Dear One,” Robinson still wasn’t
impressed, but his brother and partner Dan did like the group and
convinced Robinson to record them.
In early spring of 1954 the Scarlets were
given 15 minutes to cut “Dear One” and another ballad called “I’ve
Lost.” “Dear One” had a classic rhythm and blues harmony sound. Fred’s
Plaintive lead, shifting to falsetto riffing while the baritone and bass
took over, helped make the record a New York hit in the spring of 1954.
The flip, “I've Lost,” was another solid ballad with more than a hint
of the melody line from the 1948 Benny Goodman tune “Beyond the Sea.”
The group got better with each release as December’s “Love Doll” and
the later “True Love” demonstrated. Even though “True Love” was almost a
clone of “Dear One,” the harmonies had a more confident sound. Parris
had his first hit as a writer with the B side but not via the Scarlets.
The rocker, “Cry Baby,” was cut a year later by three moonlighting
nurses from Bellevue Hospital called THE BONNIE SISTERS, reaching a
healthy number 18 on the Pop charts. The New Haven quintet was called by
Uncle Sam in 1955 with the promise that they could stay together. Thus
assured, the Scarlets foresaw a great time entertaining troops and
officers. Instead, one member wound up in Alaska, One in Texas, and
other in Korea, and so on. After basic training in Texas the group
returned to New York on leave and cut one farewell single for Red Robin
called “Kiss Me.”
Fred was then stationed in Philadelphia and was able to return to New
Haven for weekends. He formed a new group that included Lou Peebles
(tenor), Ed Martin (baritone), Stanley Dortch (tenor), and Jim Freeman
(bass). Fred wanted a new name since none of these new members had been
in the Scarlets. He liked the idea of something soft and red like the
Velvets and the Scarlets. The result: the Five Satins.
J. Ricci, Aqueleno, Dore Riccuiti (Pat D'Amato not on the photo)
The Crystals (4) (Philadelphia, Pa)
Personnel :
J. Ricci
Dore Riccuiti
Pat D'Amato
Aqueleno
Discography :
The Crystals (4)
1959 - Mary Ellen / Blind Date (Felsted 8566)
Johnny Stevens bb The Crystals (4)
1959 - Hm-Mm-Baby-Hm-Mm / Apple Taffy (Parkway 805)
Bobby Rydell bb The Crystals (4)
1959 - All I Want Is You / For You, For You (Cameo 164)
Biography :
Vocal group from Philadelphia composed by J. Ricci, Dore Riccuiti,
Pat D'Amato and Aqueleno. In 1959, The crystals make a train trip to New
York's Bell Sound Studios to make the recording. The group recorded two
songs "Mary Ellen" and "Blind Date". Felsted Records released the
single in Mars 1959. Bobby Rydell who played in several bands in the
Philadelphia area and after three unsuccessful singles for small
companies, he signed a recording contract with Cameo Records. In May
1959, The Crystals are contacted by Cameo who needs a vocal group to
doing backgrounds behind Bobby. Bobby Rydell and the Crystals recorded
"For You, For You" released on Cameo 164.
Bobby Rydell
The Crystals also made a recording at Cameo which was an answer to
the hit "Short Shorts" but was never released. The Crystals wrote "Apple
Taffy" who was recorded by a young man named Johnny Stevens, who was
Disc Jockey Joe Niagara's brother. It was released on Parkway Records
(P-805). The group also do background on the other side "Hmm-mm Baby
Hmm-mm". The Crystals also wrote three of Fabian's recordings, "Stop
Thief!", "I'm Sincere" and "Hold Me (In Your Arms)".
The Astra-Lites / The Exotics : Gene Novell, Jerry Abramson, Lenny Melnick & Art Gatti
The Astra-Lites (Queens, New York)
Personnel :
Gene Novel (Lead)
Jerry Abramson (Second Tenor)
Art Gatti (First Tenor/Falsetto)
Stu Abramson (Bass)
Discography :
Singles :
1961 - Space Hop / It Was A Bomb (Tribute 101)
Unreleased:
1961 - Let's Have A Doo Wop Christmas
1961 - Happy Holidays
Biography :
In 1959, From Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village, Lenny
Melnick & Art Gatti are part of Nicky and the Bell Flairs, with
Curtis James and the lead, Nick Angelili. The following year the group
consists of Lenny Melnick (Baritone/Bass), Art Gatti (First
Tenor/Falsetto), Jerry Abramson (Second Tenor) and Gene Novell (Lead).
With two new members the group changes name : The Exotics.
Nicky & the Bell Flairs : Curtis James, Lenny Melnick, Art Gatti & Nick Angelili
The
Exotics sang in churches, parks, building basements, subway arcades,
subway station platforms and subway trains and begin to occur
proffessionally. At this time, Lenny Melnick is replaced by Stu Abramson
and the group changes name again, The Astra-Lites. The group have the
same manager that Paul Simon had way back then. hey recorded "Space Hop"
and "It Was A Bomb" in Feb 1961 at The Brill Building in 1961. "Space
Hop" features legendary guitarist Charlie Byrd on guitar and Art Gatti
on vocals.
The Astra-Lites / The Exotics
The
Record was released by Tribute records owned by Eddie Heller on West
53d Street, NYC. They Astra-Lites recorded two others songs : "Let's
Have A Doo Wop Christmas" and "Happy Holidays". The Group recorded under
other names and backed up on numerous hit records. Group was featured
on Dick clark's American bandstand.
Charlie Byrd The Astra-Lites
The Brill Building, in the early ‘60s, contained everything needed by
a young talented singer or songwriter. There you could write a song or
make the rounds of publishers until someone bought it. Then you could go
to another floor and get a quick arrangement and lead sheet for $10;
get some copies made at the duplication office; book an hour at a demo
studio; hire some of the musicians and singers that hung around; and
finally cut a demo of the song. Then you could take it around the
building to the record companies, publishers, artists’ managers or even
the artists themselves. If you made a deal, there were radio promoters
available to sell the record- all this under one roof.
1958 - What Will I Tell My Heart / If You Can’t Rock Me (Not Them) (APT 25027)
Biography :
Curtis Campbell, Parnell Shaw, Donald Taylor and Willie Jones on Lead
formed a singing group called the Blenders when they were in 7th or 8th
grade. At that time, the Blenders were singing songs like the Dells’
“Why Did You Have to Go,” and “Oh What A Night,” the Danderleers’ “Chop
Chop Boom,” the El Dorados’ “At My Front Door,” “There In The Night” and
“A Rose For My Darling,” the Spaniels’ “Peace Of Mind,” the Robins’
“Smokey Joe’s Café” as well as tunes by the Moroccos. The Blenders had
been together for two or three years when troubles within the group
started to surface. Willie Jones was a guy who was always in trouble and
just kind of self-destructed. James “Zeke“ Brown, a member of the
Calvaes who cut two records for Cobra in 1956 & 57 replaced Willie
Jones on Lead.
Donald Taylor
The
Blenders put together two songs to record, “Two Loves” and “Soda Shop.”
They recorded the two songs at Univeral Studios, down on East Walton
Street. Zeke Brown sang lead on “Two Loves” and Donald Taylor led on
“Soda Shop.” The record was released on the Aladdin label out of
California. The Blenders association with Jim Lounsbury led to their
second recording. Lounsbury was married to singer Reba Jeanette Smith
who’d previously recorded as Penny Smith and was now using the stage
name Debbie Stevens. In December 1958, Stevens was scheduled to record
for the ABC- Paramount subsidiary, APT. The blenders backed Debbie
Stevens on “What Will I Tell My Heart“. Uncredited on the Debbie Stevens
record and not invited to sing with Buddy Holly and Richie Valens, the
Blenders broke up sometime later.
1962 - The Night / That Old Black Magic (Barry 108)
Nickie & The Nacks
1977 - Linda / The ABC's Of Love (Crystal Ball 103)
Lps:
1963 - Night Train Special (Private Press 100?)
Linda
1975 - The Best Of Acapella (Vol 3) (Relic LP 103)
Love Is A Many Splendid Thing (acapella) / A lovely Way To Spend An Evening (acapella)
1975 - The Best Of Acapella (Vol 4) (Relic LP 104)
White Cliffs Of Dover (acapella)
1975 - The Best Of Acapella (Vol 5) (Relic LP 105)
Good Good-Bye (acapella)
Biography :
Wantagh, Long Island group started in 1961 as Nicky & The
Chord-Lords; Nick Sudano (Lead), Phil De Angelo (1st Tenor), Frank
Fink(2nd Tenor), Johnny Conte (Baritone) and Bruce Burger(Bass). They
have soon a local popularity and soon they decided to try for a
professional career with Ron Schubert as manager.
Left to right. Bill Hennessy, Roy Hitcznko, Nicholas Sudano, Dennis Regan, Jack Connelly.
In
1964 Nick Sudano composed "The Night", The Chord-Lords soon recorded
along with an arrangement of the classic "The Old Black Magic" as B side
this demo was given to some companies but in this time by internal
conflicts the group broke up almost Sudano formed yet another group Nick
& The Nacks. When the group manager know that the demo of the
Chord-Lords soon were released in the Old Town subsidiary label Barry
Records he ask this be credited to Nick & The Nacks.
The
real first release of the group were with the inclusion on WGLI DJ Lou
Dean's "Night Train Special" LP of one side they have recorded as a demo
"Linda". (with_ABC's Of Love as B side) this have to Mark Russo as
bassman. Finally in the mid-60's the group providing 7-8 acappella sides
for the Eddie Grier’s "Best Of Acappella" Lp's.
At
Jefferson Davis High School, though, Young Kenny Rogers began to
develop his childhood interest in music. He put together his first band,
a four–part harmony group called the Scholars. Through his friendship
with 17–year–old Houston DJ Larry Kane, Lelan (His brother and manager)
was able to ditch it all and get a job promoting and distributing
records first for the local label Cue, then for Decca Records where he
specialized in rhythm 'n' blues music.
The Scholars played the hits of the day, the pop, rhythm 'n' blues
and especially vocal–harmony stuff that Kenny and his three bandmates
enjoyed. Kenny sang the high parts, and played stand–up bass. The
Scholars cut a couple of singles that sold around Houston, and
subsequently the ante was upped via a one–shot deal with Dot Records. In
1956, Dot released "Rocky Road" b/w "Spin The Wheel" and "If You Listen
With Your Heart" b/w "Poor Little Doggie". The Scholars appeared on
Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
After a long, hot drive,
with Kenny's bass strapped to the roof of the car, the Scholars recorded
four sides in a Los Angeles studio "Beloved," with a song called
"Kangewah" on the B–side. Improbaby, "Kan-Gu-Wa" had been composed by
Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons; the Scholars reasoned that
she'd plug their record on her radio show and wammo, instant hit. The
Scholars disbanded after Kenny Rogers moved on to a solo career. In
1957 Kenny recorded "Crazy Feeling " released by Carlton records. The
Song went to N° 1 in Houston.
The
Isley Brothers originally came from Cincinnati, Ohio, and were raised
at the city's Lincoln Heights suburb, eventually settling at the
satellite town of Blue Ash when they were teenagers. Their father,
O'Kelly Isley, Sr., a former United States Navy sailor and vaudeville
performer from Durham, North Carolina, and Georgia-reared mother Sallye,
guided the elder four Isley boys in their singing while at church.
Patterning themselves after groups such as Billy Ward and his Dominoes
and the Dixie Hummingbirds, the brothers began performing together in
1954. Eventually they landed a spot on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour where
they won the competition, winning a watch. With Vernon on lead vocals,
the quartet soon began touring all over the eastern US regions
performing in a variety of churches. When Vernon was thirteen, he was
killed after a car struck him as he was riding his bike in his
neighborhood. Devastated, the remaining trio disbanded.
Eventually convinced to regroup, the brothers decided to record
popular music and left Cincinnati for New York in 1957 with their
parents' blessings. With Ronnie assuming the lead vocal position in the
group, the group got into contact with Richard Barrett, who soon had the
group in contact with a variety of New York record producers. They
eventually had their first records produced by George Goldner, who
recorded the group's first songs, including "Angels Cried" and "The Cow
Jumped Over the Moon" for the Teenage, Cindy and Mark X imprints
Vocal group from Brooklyn consisting of five guys. Formed in 1957,
the Monograms were Joey, Jessie, Ron, Johnny and Jackie. In 1958, the
Monograms recorded "Old Rock And Roll" written by the group, which was
an acapella group. The record was recorded at Bell Sound Studio in New
York City.
The Five Trojans (Hollywood, CA) aka The Trojans (5)
Personnel :
Henry Dunson
Ron Ellington
Freddie Flamer
Mitchell Perker
James Thompson
Discography :
The Trojans (5)
1958 - Alone In This World / Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely (Tender 516)
Nicky St. Clair & The Five Trojans
1959 - I Hear Those Bells / Creator Of Love (Edison International 410)
The Five Trojans
1958 - Alone In This World / Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely (Tender 516)
1959 - Little Doll / Lola Lee (Edison International 412)
Biography :
Vocal
group from Hollywood, CA composed by Henry Dunson, Ron Ellington,
Freddie Flamer, Mitchell Perker and James Thompson. The group the group
signs a recording contract with Imogene Fadely owner of Tender Records.
"Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely" b/w "Alone In This World " was released in
September 1958 on Tender 516 as the five Trojans and a second pressing
the same month with label credit to the Trojans.
The Five Trojans had two other releases in 1959, on Edison
International owned by Jack Ames. On the first they backed Nicky St.
Clair on "I Hear Those Bells" and "Creator Of Love", and a second from
the same session with "Little Doll" and "Lola Lee".
1962 (At the Apollo) Jerome Butler, Green McLaurin, Wallace Sampson, Leonard Caston Jr. and Maurice McAlister
The Radiants (3) (Chicago, Illinois)
(The Early Years)
Personnel :
Maurice McAlister (Lead)
Wallace Sampson (Baritone)
Jerome Brooks (Second Tenor)
Elzie Butler (Bass)
Charles Washington (First Tenor)
Discography :
The Radiants (3)
1962 - Father Knows Best / One Day I'll Show You (Chess 1832)
1963 - Heartbreak Society / Please Don't Leave Me (Chess 1849)
Maurice McAlister & The Radiants (3)
1963 - Shy Guy / I'm In Love (Chess 1872)
Biography :
(From Doo Wop To Soul) - The story of the Radiants began in 1960,
when Maurice McAlister distilled a vocal group from the members of the
Greater Harvest Baptist Church youth choir. He sang the lead and first
tenor, and rounded out the group with Wallace Sampson (baritone), Jerome
Brooks (second tenor), Elzie Butler (bass), and Charles Washington
(first tenor). The group sang gospel and toured the local churches, but
the singers were also working on secular material. After a few months,
Green McLauren, also a member of the youth choir replaced Washington.
By 1961, the Radiants had given up gospel completely and had recorded
a demo of McAlister- written songs. They sent it to a number of
recording companies, including Chess and Motown, but none expressed
interest. "We had been trying, walking up and down Michigan Avenue,
which was Record Row then, going to companies. They went to Chess four
or five times, but they never did have the time for The group.
Fortunately, Lee Jackson, their manager, knew Leonard Chess. Lee was a
supervisor for a meat-packing company, and he used to go to Chess
Records and talk to Leonard. A lot of time he would bring him a thing of
bologna or salami, so they got pretty tight. Then he introduced The
Radiants to Leonard by the way of the demo. They signed the group who
recorded their first session in May of 1962. They had a release out in
August of the same year, "One Day I'll Show You" and "Father Knows Best"
The Radiants' first release, though no blockbuster, was a solid
double-sided hit. "Father Knows Best," which the company deemed the A
side, was essentially a Miracles-styled variation of the group's big
hit, "Shop Around," but several steps down from the original. It did
well in Chicago and a few other locales. "One Day I'll Show You" was a
medium-tempo cross between doowop and soul, with McAlister's forceful
lead strongly supported by full-bodied chorusing. The song ranks with
the Radiants' best and is McAlister's all-time favorite. In February
1963 the Radiants followed up with "Heartbreak Society." The song was
first-rank Radiants' material, but the record failed to make an impact
in the market. McAlister's arresting timbre, plus a great hook of a
refrain, in which the rest of the guys riffed behind his chanting of
"heart...breeaaak," combined to make the record a richly rewarding
listening experience. "Shy Guy," a fast rocking tune, was the group's
next release, in October 1963.
In Chicago, it made the top-forty radio stations and became a hit in
the city's dance halls. "Shy Guy" introduced a new member of the group,
Frank McCollum, a replacement for McLauren, who entered the Army in the
latter part of 1963. In 1964 the Radiants began experiencing internal
difficulties, fell into disarray, and broke up. Only McAlister and
Sampson were left to continue the group. At that time, however, a fellow
choir member and organist at the Greater Harvest Church, Leonard
Caston, Jr., had just gotten out of the Army. The three got together and
formed a new Radiants ensemble...
Doctor Ross "The Harmonica Boss" & Tony Valla & The Alamos
1960 - Sugar Mama / I'd Rather Be An Old (with the Disciples) (Fortune 538)
Tony Valla & The Alamos
1961 - La Bomba / Jane, Why Did You Do It (Fortune 858)
1961 - Love, Boy (Made A Fool Out Of You) / Maria Christina (Fortune 859)
1963 - Donkey Walk / Pork Chops (HI-Q 5030)
Nolan Strong and The Diablos (bb Tony Valla & The Alamos)
1964 - Are You Making A Fool Out Of Me / You're My Happiness (Fortune 564)
Biography :
Tony Maldonado "Valla" arrived in Detroit in 1955 fronting Los Tres
Cavalleros. Going on to form The Orbits who provided backing
instrumental for Doctor Ross "The Harmonica Boss". They signing a
contract with Fortune Records in 1960. Eventually landing as leader of
The Alamos, alongside his brother Jesse on drums recording hits "La
Bomba" and "Maria Christina."
The
Group cut three singles for Fortune Records and subsidiary (Hi-Q
Records). in 1964, They provided backing instrumental again, for Nolan
Strong and The Diablos.
Songs :
La Bomba Jane, Why Did You Do It
Love, Boy (Made A Fool Out Of You) Maria Christina
From top : Kenny Vance, Howie Kane, Sandy Yaguda and Jay Traynor.
Jay & The Americans (New York)
(The Early Years)
Personnel :
John "Jay" Traynor (Lead)
Howard "Kane" Kirschenbau"
Kenny "Vance" Rosenberg
Sandy "Deanne" Yaguda
Discography :
Singles :
1961 - Tonight / The Other Girls (United Artists 353)
1962 - Tonight / She Cried (United Artists 1603)
1962 - She Cried / Dawning (United Artists 415)
1962 - This Is It / It's My Turn To Cry (United Artists 479)
LPs :
1962 - She Cried (UAL-3222 Mono/UAS-6222 Stereo)
Drums
/ Kansas City / My Clair De Lune / Save The Last Dance For Me / Dawning
/ She Cried / Yes / Stand By Me / Moon River / Tonight / The Other
Girls / Spanish Harlem
Biography :
Six high school classmates from the Belle Harbor neighborhood on Long Island formed the Harbor Lites,
named after their neighborhood, in 1959. Among the six were Kenny Vance
(nee Rosenberg, December 9, 1943), Sandy Yaguda (born January 30, 1943)
and Sydell Sherman. Also living in the neighborhood was Irving Feldman,
owner of Ivy Records. They sought out Feldman for an audition, but were
turned away after being told they needed more practice. At that time
the other three members left. After a few months of practice, they
auditioned for Feldman again and were signed.
L to R Mike Stoller, Jay Traynor, Howie Kane, Kenny Vance,Jerry Leiber, Danny Kessler (first manager) & Sandy Deanne.
In April 1960, their first single "Is it To Much To Ask" was
released. It might have come out on Ivy, but was soon purchased by Jaro a
small label run by the J. Arthur Rank Organization, a huge British
entertainment complex. With help from New York deejay Cousin Brucie it
became a minor hit locally. Rank soon closed Jaro to concentrate on
releases by its Top Rank subsidiary and the Harbor Lites were
dropped. In 1960, the groups other single "Tick-a Tick-a Toc," which
may have been released briefly by Jaro, came out on Mala label, a
struggling, medium size New York company.
Sandy Yaguda, Howie Kane, Kenny Vance, and Jay Traynor.
Jay
Traynor picked up a manager in Jim Gribble. Gribble had handled several
groups in the area, including the Classics, the Fiestas, the Passions, a
young Paul Simon as well as the Mystics.. The Mystics had a big hit
with "Hushabye" in the summer of 1959. Their lead singer, Phil
Cracolici, was forced to drop out and Jay Traynor was brought in. He
joined with some guys from Queens to form the Ab-Tones. The Traynors
moved to the Baybridge section of Brooklyn after being introduced to Jim
Gribble. At a Clay Cole Record hop, Traynor met Vance. and Yaguda in
Gribble's office and the three decided to form their own group. An old
friend from Flatbush, Howard Kane (nee Kirschenbaum) was added.
In 1960, the group auditioned for Terry Phillips, a Belle Harbor
songwriter and producer for Golden Records. With his connections,
Phillips got them an audition with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Leiber
and Stoller decided to sign the group, had second thoughts and didn't.
Upon learning that the group wasn't being signed Vance's mother ordered
her son to go back, give Leiber and Stoller a piece of his mind and tell
them they must live up to their agreement. Shocked, but pleasantly
surprised they signed the boys to a contract. Leiber and Stoller built
on the group's natural doo wop ability attempted to broaden their appeal
by emphasizing Traynor's lead and the pop flavor of the sound. United
Artists decided to rename the group Binky Jones and the Americans. A
compromise changed it to Jay and the Americans.
The big movie at the time was Westside Story, in which United Artists
had a stake. The record division needed some artists to record songs
from the film and Jay and the Americans were given "Tonight." In the
late summer of 1961, the group cut "Tonight" at its first United Artist
recording session. At the same time two other U.A. acts, Ralph Marterie
and Ferante and Teicher, also recorded "Tonight." Though most of the
promotion money was spent on the two better known acts, the single sold
40,00 copies in the New York area.
Kenny Vance, Jay Traynor, Dick Clark, Howie Kane and Sandy Yaguda
The second single "She Cried" headed straight up the charts and
reached #5 in the spring and early summer of 1962. The next single "This
Is It" charted but was not the hit that everyone expected. At this time
Traynor decided to leave to pursue a solo career that began in 1963
with Coral Records. His first single "How Sweet It Is" was a minor hit
in Japan. His last last single "The Merry Go Round Is Slowing Down"
recorded three years later for ABC-Paramount Records was a Northern Soul
hit in the UK.
Meanwhile, David Blatt (who called himself David Black, born November
2, 1938) and Marty Sanders (Born February 28, 1941) were also trying to
record on the Ivy label. They recorded :Forgive Me" on the Atlantic
label as the Two Chaps. Then in the spring of 1962, they sang with the
Empires from Tilden High in Brooklyn, on the Epic label release of "Time
and a Place." Marty was also playing guitar for Jay and the American
sessions. While working on their album he asked to become a member.
Songs :
Tonight The Other Girls She Cried
Dawning This Is It It's My Turn To Cry
Tomorrow Yes Drums
Kansas City My Clair De Lune Save The Last Dance For Me
