FLEETONES

 

The Fleetones (Chicago, IL)

 

Personnel :

Joseph Norfleet

Nathaniel Norfleet

Peter Norfleet

Junius Norfleet

Arthur Norfleet

George Taylor (Bass)

 

Discography :

1961 - Please Tell Me / Your Lover Man (Bandera 2511)

 

Biography :

The Fleetones were the secular incarnation of the Morfleet Brothers who recorded several gospel tracks for Bandera and its subsidiary Jericho Road. The line-up comprised Joseph, Nathaniel, Peter, Junius and Arthur Norfleet and George Taylor. Vi Muszynski, owner of Bandera Records, spotted their talent and inked them for what may well be their only recorded excursions outside the Gospel field and what fine doo whoppers they made, showing the polished harmonies they had developed over the years. Whether Vi persuades the group or whether they had always harbored desires to cross into the R&b field we will probably never know, but she also cut them on more familiar territory and issued four gospel tracks on the subsidiary Jerico Road. The Norfleet Brothers began singing on the family farm in Marion, AL. At first it was just two brothers (Peter and Arthur), but three other brothers soon joined. They could have formed a double-quintet with five additional female voices, as there were 15 Norfleet siblings on the farm (ten boys and five girls).

The Norfleet Brothers

World War II caused a forced hiatus when the older brothers were drafted, splitting up the group, though the individual brothers kept sharp by singing with other groups. The brothers finished their duty by 1946 and regrouped to burn rubber all over the South and the Midwest. They soon settled in Chicago, IL, to take advantage of better jobs and opportunities for African-Americans. They still toured the gospel circuit, but made the Christ Temple Baptist Church their religious base. Despite all the siblings, The Norfleet Brothers weren't entirely family; Willie Wilson sung with them for a while and bass singer George Taylor was a long time member.

 

   

After leaving the group, Wilson spearheaded a weekly television show in Chicago, the Jubilee Showcase, which featured The Norfleet Brothers and other local and national gospel acts. The popular group recorded their first and only album, Shadrach, in 1964 on Checker Records, the 12-song LP featured their popular rendition of "Shadrach," their beautiful arrangement of "None But the Righteous," and an original composition "Live the Life." The out-of-print delight is hard to find but well worth the search. An R&B group, Little Ben & the Cheers, a hot local group who recorded a slew of singles that didn't hit, were comprised of the offspring of the various Nortleet Brothers.

Songs :

 Please Tell Me / Your Lover Man

CAROUSELS (3)

  

The Carousels (3) (Los Angeles, CA.)

 

Personnel :

?

Discography :

1959 - I've Cried Enough / Lotsa Lotsa Lovin' (Spry 116)

1959 - Rendezvous / Drive-In Movie (Jaguar 3029/Spry 121)

Biography :

Vocal group from Los Angeles, they auditioned for Mike Gradney, owner of Spry Records . He liked them and set up a recording session at which they did  "Rendezvous", "Drive-In Movie", "I've Cried Enough" and " Lotsa Lotsa Lovin". The single  "Rendezvous" B/W "Drive-In Movie" was issued up by Jaguar Records owned George Bennett. The Jaguar label was out of Manhattan. It was actually located in the famous Brill Building.

Songs :

     

Rendezvous                   I've Cried Enough                Lotsa Lotsa Lovin'

Drive-In Movie

KNIGHT SISTERS

 
 1957 - Karen (11) , Myrna (16) and Virginia (13)

The Knight Sisters (Benton, Ill.)

Personnel :

Myrna Knight

Virginia Knight

Karen Knight.

 

Discography :

1962 - Confess / Wooden Head Willie (Tempwood V 1033)

 

Biography :

Vocal trio from Benton , included Myrna Knight, Virginia Knight, and Karen Knight. Their older sisters, Thera, assisted by helping with arrangements and accompanying them on the piano. Calling themselves "The Knight Sisters" the trio sang for many church, civic club and other gatherings since 1956.

1962 - Myrna (21), Karen (16) and Virginia (18)

Their popularity also brought them appearances on local television programs. The Girls frequently sang at political rallies in the aera. In 1961, the sisters cut a record at the Owen Bradley Studio in Nashville (Tennessee). One side of the disc features a novelty tune entitled "Wooden Head Willie". The other side of the record is "Confess" described as a slow "Tear-jerker".  The record, released in January on Tempwood V Label, has sold very well in Memphis, Dallas and other Southern cities. The girls are slated to make three more records on the Tempwood V Label. Unfortunately the girls did not register another single.

 

Songs :

Wooden Head Willie / Confess

MARGLOWS (ANDY & THE)

Andy & The Marglows (Washington, D.C)

Personnel :

Andy Huff

Terry Huff

Lamont Russell

Mickey Freeman

Discography :

1963 - Symphony / Just One Look (Liberty 55570)

1963 - Superman Lover / I'll Get By (Liberty  55623)

Biography :

Terry Huff moved to Washington, D.C., in 1959, where the Huff brothers sang on street corners and porches. In 1962, they auditioned their newly formed group for Van McCoy, who rejected them. Luck struck in 1963 when a restaurant owner sponsored their trip to New York for a recording session. As Andy and the Marglows, they recorded "Just One Look" for Liberty Records, who released it two weeks before the hit version by Doris Troy. Troy's version won that battle, as the Marglows never received any exposure.

   

 The follow-up, "I'll Get By," generated few sales despite several publicity appearances in the area. Shortly after the second flop and being dropped by Liberty, Andy and the Marglows were history. In the mid-'60s, the Huff brothers tried again to interest several producers, including Van McCoy; they were again rejected. Terry Huff finished his education and became a member of Washington, D.C.'s police force.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/39327/terry-huffs-lost-soul-hes-been-a-cop-an-rampb/page1/

Songs :

   

Symphony *****                       Just One Look

    

I'll Get By                           Superman Lover

 

PEARLETTES - PEARLETTS

 

The Pearlettes (Los Angeles, California)

aka The Pearletts

(By Hans-Joachim)

Personnel :

Sheila Galloway (Lead)

Lynda Galloway

Priscilla Kennedy

Mary Meade

Discography:

The Pearlettes

1961 - Just In Case / He’s Gone (Craig 502 / Craig 562 / Segway 1003)

1961 - Can I Get Him / Never Be Another Boy Like You (Vee Jay 422 / Go 712)

1962 - Duchess Of Earl / Everyday (Vee Jay 435)

The Pearletts

1962 - Cheated / Can This Be Love (Vault 100) 

 

Biography :

The Pearlettes were four church girls from Los Angeles. The group formed in the the late '50s while they were still attending John Muir Junior High in Los Angeles. By 1961 the group consisted of sisters Lynda and Shelia Galloway, Mary Meade, and Priscilla Kennedy. The Pearlettes first began singing together at record hops and benefits. In 1958 as The Fantasians they backed Big Dave Taylor on "Farther Up the Road." Shortly thereafter the group was renamed the Pearlettes. They were discovered by VJ chief Randall Woods, who co-produced the record with Sonny Bono. Bono would both produce and write songs for them. In 1961 the Pearlettes released "Never Be Another Boy Like You" on Bono's Go Records.

Next they released a gospel-like song for Vault Records. Their third and final single on the Vee-Jay label, was "The Duchess of Earl" was the answer to Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" and was their most successful reaching #92.   Sheila Galloway left the group shortly there after. Priscilla Kennedy went on to sing with The Watesians -along with Brenda and Patrice Holloway (Donna, 1962) , The Four J's - along with Brenda and Patrice Holloway (4-J, 1962), The Delicates - (Challenge and Soultown, 1964/66) and The Irresistables (Imperial, 1966). Priscilla also sang under the name of Eleanor Rigby.

Songs :

      

Duchess Of Earl                           He’s Gone                        Just In Case

       

                Everyday                  Can I Get Him              Never Be Another Boy Like You

Cheated / Can This Be Love

 

PYRAMIDS (3)

  
(L to R) Bobby Jones, Norm Worthy, Damon Rockland, onlooker & Vernon Williams

The Pyramids (3) (Detroit)

Personnel :

Vernon Williams (Lead)

Bobby Jones (First Tenor)

Robert Gibson (Second Tenor)

Damond Rockland (Baritone)

Norman Worthy (Bass)

 

Discography :

1962 - I'm The Playboy / Crying (Sonbert 82861/Cub 9112)

1962 - What Is Love / Shakin Fit (VeeJay 489)

 

Biography :

The Royal Holidays disbanded in the early 1960’s. But Vernon Williams (lead singer and writer of most of the Royal Holidays material) was often part of the Rayber Voices, who backed up many a solo artist for Berry Gordy's fledgling Motown operation in the late 50's and early 60's. In 1961 Vernon joined the Satintones. Vernon was on a roll, and following his tenure with the Satintones in the early 60's he went on to sing and record with yet another group, this one called the Pyramids.

     

The Pyramids recorded "Crying" and "I Am the Playboy" which was first released in 1962 on the Sonbert label, which was owned by Sonny Sanders and Robert Bateman. The label name was derived from combining parts of the first names of the two owner/producers Son-ny and Ro-bert. The song was re-issued on the more well known Cub label, also in '62. These titles were recorded in the Continental recording studios on 12th Street in Detroit. Following this release, the Pyramids found themselves recording a single for VeeJay , "Shakin' Fit" which Vernon co-wrote, backed with "What Is Love". This recording also came out in 1962. The Vernon Williams Pyramids group is not affiliated with any other Pyramids groups recording around this time. The Pyramids disbanded in early 1963 when Vernon was drafted into the service.    http://www.harmonytrain.com/Artists/Royal-Holidays-Pyramids.htm 

Songs :

     

I'm The Playboy                   Crying                             What Is Love

Shakin Fit

COLLEGIATES (1) (DICKEY LEE & THE)

  
(L to R) Dickey Lee, Allen Reynolds, Sam Cole, and David Glenn. 

Dickey Lee & The Collegiates (1) (Whitehaven, Tennessee)

 

Personnel :

Dickey Lee (Dickie Lipscomb) (Lead Vocal / Guitar)

J.L. Jerden (Vocal / Bass)

David Glenn (Vocal)

Allen Reynolds (Tenor / Guitar)

Bill Talmadge (Vocal)

Selby Barrach (Drums)

Eddie Well (Vocal / Guitar)

 

Discography :

Dickey Lee & The Collegiates (1)
1957 - Stay True Baby / Dream Boy (Tampa 131)
1957 - Good Lovin' / Memories Never Grow Old  (Sun 280)

Dickey Lee bb The Collegiates (1)
1958 -  Fool, Fool, Fool / Dreamy Nights (Sun 297) 

Biography :

Royden Dickey Lee was born on September 21, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up on his family's farm, where their two major crops were cotton and corn. Besides playing baseball, Lee started singing, playing the guitar, and songwriting. He participated in local talent contests and even auditioned for the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, to no avail. In the fall of 1957, he entered Memphis State University on a boxing scholarship.

Incidentally, he was a Golden Gloves' champion. In college, he formed the Collegiates, which included J.L. Jerden, David Glenn, Allen Reynolds, Bill Talmadge, Selby Barrach and Eddie Well . Dickey made his recording debut in 1957 with "Dream boy," a song he'd written, on the tiny Tampa label He was discovered by Memphis deejay Dewey Phillips in 1957, which led to his first record. Dewey Phillips introduced young Dickey to Sam Phillips (no relation), who signed Lee to Sun. Two singles came out in 1957-58, first "Good Lovin'"/ "Memories Never Grow Old" (Sun 280). "Good Lovin'" was a cover of the Clovers hit from 1953.

 

 The A-side of the second Sun single, "Fool, Fool, Fool" (Sun 297), could create the impression that this was another Clovers cover, but that was not the case. Though credited to Dickey Lee only (his previous two records were credited to Dickey Lee and the Collegiates), "Fool, Fool, Fool"/ "Dreamy Nights" was very much a vocal group record, reminiscent of Dion and the Belmonts. Both Sun singles were commercial flops and his contract was not renewed. While at Sun, Lee had forged a friendship with Jack Clement. When Clement moved to Beaumont, Texas in 1960, Dickey and his friend Allen Reynolds followed him.

In Beaumont they became part of a recording studio crew set up by Clement and his partner Bill Hall. In 1962 Dickey had his first taste of real success when George Jones took his song "She Thinks I Still Care" to the top of the country charts. (When Anne Murray revived the song in 1974 as "He Thinks I Still Care", it was a # 1 all over again.) In the autumn of 1962, Lee had his own hit with "Patches" (produced by Clement and Hall), which went to # 6 on the pop charts, on the Smash label. Written by Barry Mann and Larry Kolber, it was a maudlin song about teenage suicide. The follow-up to this million seller, "I Saw Linda Yesterday" was a much better record and peaked at # 14. Clearly inspired by Dion's "Runaround Sue", it was co-penned by Dickey and Allen Reynolds.

http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/dickey_lee.htm

Songs:

Dickey Lee & The Collegiates (1)

      

      

Dreamy Nights                    Fool, Fool, Fool                 Dream Boy

     

Memories Never Grow Old                Good Lovin'                  Stay True Baby

Dickey Lee

I Saw Linda Yesterday

DARCELS

 

(L to R) Joseph Caravella, Donnie LaRufa, Eddie Pardocchi & Ronnie Mathis (who replaced Frankie Caravella)

The Darcels (Brooklyn, New York)

Personnel :

Frankie Caravella (Lead)

Eddie Pardocchi  (Lead)

Donnie LaRufa (First Tenor)

Joseph Caravella (Bass)

Discography :

Unreleased :

1959 - The Wind

1959 - Wadda Doo Cha Cha

Biography:

In 1959, prior to being in the DelVons, Eddie Pardocchi sang with the Darcels at J.H.S. 214 (Pitkin Avenue and Elderts Lane). This group consisted of Eddie Pardocchi, Donnie LaRuffa, Frankie Caravella, and Joe Caravella. The Darcels recorded two unreleased sides, "The Wind" and "Wadda Doo Cha Cha."  In 1962, John Carbone left the Five Discs & Eddie Pardocchi was brought into the Five Discs as Carbones' replacement.  In 1964, original Five Discs Paul Albano and Tony Basile along with Charlie DiBella called it quits, but Joe Barsalona was determined to continue. With Eddie Pardocchi (lead), Joe Barsalona (baritone), and Darcels’ Donnie LaRuffa (first tenor) and Frank Arrione (second tenor) the group re-formed. This foursome then recorded "This Love Of Ours" and "To The Fair" which remained unreleased until 1981 when they came out on the Crystal Ball label as by the Five Discs.

Songs :

???

DELATONES

 

Ron Edgington, Noel Glenn and Larry Adair

The Delatones (Corpus Christy, TX)

 

Personnel :

Larry Adair   (Lead Singer, Songwriter, Lead guitar)

Noel Glenn  (Guitar, Singer, Writer)

Ron Edgington  (Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals

Henry Edgington (Drummer)

 

Discography :

1960 - Little Jeanie / Dream World (TNT 9027)

1960 - Teenagers Love / Ik-Heb-Je-Lief (TNT 9028)

 

Biography :

By Larry Adair

Noel Glenn and Larry Adair met in the navy in Corpus Christy TX where they were stationed in 1960.  Then They met Ron and Henry Edgington and formed the group The Delatones. They played all around Corpus Christy at different venues for a while, then they went to San Antonio TX to record some original songs at Tanner N Texas (TNT) Recording Company, owned by Bob Tanner, which they produced and arranged themselves.

Then they went back to Corpus Christy and a DJ heard the recording and got the group to open at the memorial aditorium for Fabian and other major artists.  The Delatones played around Corpus Christy trying to promote their songs and not long after that Larry Adair  got transferred to Kodiak Alaska and Noel Glenn got transferred to Florida so basicaly the Delatones broke up.

     

Come to find out they didn't know that the songs were playing all over Tx and California, Little Jeanie was #1 in Fresno and #3 in Texas, but they weren't there to promote them. When Larry got out of the navy he went to Florida where Noel was and they performed for awhile at the base and other venues and they were going to try to get the group back together again, but Noel found out he had tb and had to be in the hospital for quite awhile. So the Delatones reunion never happened.   

Fabiian & The Delatones with extra musicians.

(L to R) Ron Edgington, Noel Glenn, Sonny Mc Gee, Fabian, James Blackstock, Larry Adair and Douglass..

Larry performed for many years with other groups and by himself, When Noel was well he went on to perform with other groups and Ron & Henry went their own way. But they all have so many fond memories of those times to much to write on one page we could write a book or even make a movie.

 

Songs :

   

Teenagers Love                     Dream World

    

Ik-Heb-Je-Lief                         Little Jeanie

CASALS

  

The Casals (Bronx, NY)

 

Personnel :

Jimmy Castor

Anthony Salveggi

 

Discography :

Single:

1961 - 8 O'Clock Scene / Teacher Crush (Seville 105)

Unreleased:

1960 - Tears In My Heart

 

Biography :

Jimmy Castor began his recording career as a doo wop singer in New York. He was recording at the same time as Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers during the mid-50's. Jimmy wrote and recorded 'I Promise to Remember' b/w 'I Know The Meaning Of Love' for the Wing imprint with Jimmy Castor and the Juniors in 1956. Jimmy later replaced Frankie Lymon in the Teenagers.

    

Richard Barrett                                                                                               

Anthony Salveggi, the lead singer of the Four Cheers on End became good friends with Richard Barrett.  By the early 1960’s, Richard Barrett had left George Goldner but was still managing the Chantels, Imperials and several other acts as well as singing himself.  One of the acts Barrett was managing was the Casals, a rock & roll vocal duet consisting of Jimmy Castor and Tony Salveggi (CAStor and SALveggi). Barrett got himself signed to the Seville label (owned by Murray Sporn and Danny Kessler) and took the Casals along with him. The casals recorded “Eight O’ Clock Scene” and “Teacher Crush” for Seville.

 

Songs :

  

8 O'Clock Scene               Teacher Crush

Tears In My Heart

DAHILLS

 

The Dahills (Brooklyn, New York)

(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

 

Personnel :

Dennis Lambert (Lead)

Ed Lambert (Baritone & Arrangements)

Gordon Bayne (Second Tenor & Bass)

Joe Cenamo (First Tenor & Alternate Lead)

 

Discography :

The Dahills

1964 - Michelle / Why Do We Have To Say Goodnight (Musicor 1041)

1976 - Do You Want To Go Steady / Please Be My Girlfriend (Clifton 13)

1977 - She's My Angel / I Who Love You (Crystal Ball 107)

Dennis & The Dahills

1962 - Once Upon A Time / I Don't Believe In Fairy Tales (unreleased)

1963 - Arlene* / Janie, Please Believe Me (unreleased)

*Erroneously released on Crystal Ball 105 as by The Four Winds!

 

Biography :

The Dahills was formed in Brooklyn NY in the early 60's by a few friends who knew each other from high school (Erasmus Hall). The groups 1st tenor, Joe Cenamo was a friend they met while singing at the beach.  Joe Cenamo  sang with the Del Cades.

   

They chose the name from a street in our neighborhood, Dahill Road. This was a common way to name groups back then... Dion and The Belmonts got their name from Belmont Ave. in the Bronx.

     

They recorded all songs between 1962 and 1965. Most of the material was produced by The Tokens another very popular group from Brookyn in that era. Dennis Lambert went on to a very successful career as a world famous song writer and record producer.  He's enjoyed great success with a career spanning over 3 decades. Gordon Bayne.

http://www.ofallthethingsmovie.com/reviews-press/

 

Songs :

The Dahills

       

She's My Angel         Please Be My Girlfriend             /Michelle

       

 Why Do We Have To Say Goodnight           Do You Want To Go Steady      I Who Love You

Dennis & The Dahills

      

Once Upon A Time / I Don’t Believe In Fairy Tales       Arlene / Janie, Please Believe Me