FIVE GENTS (1)

 

1957 - left to right : Donald Dixon, Joe Lamando, Jimmy and Bobby Bunch (brothers), Dave Bensky.

The Five Gents (1) (Montrose, NY)

 

Personnel :

Joseph Lomando

Jimmy Bunch

Robert Bunch

Donald Dixon

David Bensky (Contra Bass)

 

Discography :

1958 - Rock With Me Marie / I Never Told You  (Crest 516)

 

Biography :

The Five Gents group on the Crest Label all attended Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, New York which is about forty miles north of New York City on the Hudson River. The members of the group were Joseph Lomando, J. Bunch, Robert Bunch, Donald Dixon, and David Bensky. The group were a mixed group 3 black and 2 white. Lamando and Bensky were white.  

They all grew up and lived in the surrounding area and knew each other from school. They appeared up and down the Hudson Valley area, a West Point Graduation, won first place in a talent contest and recorded one single (both sides) at a studio in Long Island. The song "Rock With Me Marie" was written by Joe Lamando.  He had a crush (liked) on a girl named Mary.

"Rock With Me Marie" b/w "I Never Told You" is the only record that they made. It was sold in the school and at record shops in the neighboring towns, but was never widely distributed. If you have a copy it is one of about 2000. The group all graduated from high school between 1957 and 1959 and went their separate ways.

Songs :

   

Rock With Me Marie                         I Never Told You

FOUR COUNTS (2)

 

The Four Counts (2) (New York)

 

Personnel :

Mickey Marlow (Lead)

Ronnie Raven (Lead)

Ronald Adesse

Michael DeNardis

Discography :

Singles :

1958 - I Love You With All My Heart / Rock & Roll Is Good For The Soul (Cham 003)

1958 - Yum-Mee Yum-Mee / Cuckoo (Josie 840 /Go 103)

Unreleased :

1958 - Love Letters Straight From Your Heart

1958 - Since You've Gone Away

1958 - Blue Moon

1958 - Carachi

1958 - Shook Up "Cuckoo" (Demo)

1958 - Jeannie The Go Go Girl

1958 - Love That Girl

 

Biography :

In 1958 the 4 boys from New York, Mickey Marlow, Ronnie Raven, Ronald Adesse and Michael DeNardis joined together and founded the group "The Four Counts". The group recorded  "Rock'n'Roll Is Good For The Soul" b/w "I Love You With All My Heart " for Cham records in new York. The first recording was followed by "Chuckoo" and "Yum-Mee Yum-Mee" in 1959 for Josie Records, subsidiary of Jubilee Records in New York. Shortly after the band broke up.

Songs :

   
I Love You With All My Heart        Rock & Roll Is Good For The Soul

Yum-Mee Yum-Mee / Cuckoo

      

Love Letters Straight From Your Heart       Since You've Gone Away           Blue Moon       

      

 Carachi                        Jeannie The Go Go Girl            Love That Girl

SPECTRES ( BRENT & THE)

 

 Brent & The Spectres (Chelmsford, Massachusetts)

Personnel :

Paul Brent  (Vocals/Sax/Blues Harp)

Ray Tuck (Drums)

Jeff Thompson (Lead Guitar)

Harry Boisvert (Rhythm Guitar)

George Shepherd (Bass)

Discography :

1964 - Patricia / Oh Darlin' (Spectres 106427/8)

Biography :

Brent and the Spectres were a teen band from Chelmsford, Massachusetts in existence from 1962 - 1966. They were one of the earliest performing groups in the area, influencing many local bands to follow. They ran their own Friday night record hops and won several battle of the bands culminating in the finals at the old Boston Garden (now the TD Garden). They released one 45 on their own label, “Oh, Darlin’” b/w “Patricia”, the flip, but most popular side. These were both originals.

  

 The band comprised Brent Paul – vocals, sax, and blues harp; Ray Tuck – drums; Jeff Thompson – lead guitar; Harry Boisvert – rhythm guitar; and George Shepherd – bass. Brent and Ray are still (separately) performing regularly in the New England area, and remain close friends.

Songs :

   

Patricia                                           Oh Darlin'

 

HI-LITERS (2) - HAMILTONES - STEREOS (4)

 

The Hi-Liters

The Hi-Liters (2) (Portland, OR)

aka The Hamiltones  aka  The Stereos (4) 

Personnel :

George Vereen (First Tenor)

Wiseman Moon (First Tenor)

Calvin Williams (Baritone)

Furman Haynes (Second Tenor)

Claude Chandler (Bass)

Discography :

The Hi-Liters (2)

Singles :

1956 - Ain't Givin' Up Nothing / Undecided Now (Celeste 3005)

1956 - Hello Dear / Bobby Sox Baby (Vee Jay 184)

1958 - Let Me Be True To You / In The Night (Hico 2432)

1958 - Over The Rainbow / Baby Please Be True (Hico 2433)

Unreleased :

1956 - Feeling Alright (Vee jay)

1956 - Duncan's Box  (Vee jay)

Johnny Hamilton / Al Hickey   & The Hi-Liters (2)

1958 - Sabada / Later Baby (Hico 2434)

George Vereen / Wiseman Moon & The Hamiltones (Hi-Liters)

1958 - You Are My Lovely One / Rock A Billy Hop (Hico 2435)

The Stereos (4)

Singles :

1962 - You Left Me Forsaken /  My Heart (Robin Nest 101)

1962 - Don't Cry Darling / Run Sinner Run (Robin Nest 1588)

Lps :

1962 - The Stereos - Our Most Requested Songs (Robin Nest 2013)

Across The Alley From The Alamo / My Shy Violet / Cab Driver / San Antonio Rose / We Three / Dry Bones / SnapYour Fingers/  Green Green Grass Of Home / Swing Down Swing Chariot / Oh Lonesome Me / My Night To Howl / Always

 

Biography :

In 1948, Furman Haynes formed the Deep Tones, with George Vereen, Calvin Williams, Carroll Dean  and Ivy Floyd. They sang spirituals and then added  secular songs, such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Castle Rock, and The Night You Said Goodbye. Decca signed The Deep Tones to its Coral label, calling them The Four Deep Tones, even though there were five. 

Deep Tones (Top row- LtoR): Calvin Williams, Carroll Dean, Furman Haynes (Bottom row- LtoR) George Vereen, Ivy Floyd

They cut four songs for Coral, and although they never had the kind of hit that would catapult them to stardom, they all built solid careers in music. In the early 1950s Haynes met Katie Williams, and when the pair married they moved to the West Coast and settled in Portland, Ore.

The Hi-Liters

The Deep Tones had changed their name to the Hi-Liters when they recorded for the Celeste label in 1956 the sides "Ain't Giving Up Nothing" / "Undecided Now". Celeste was one of the many short-lived (A little more than one year in duration) record label which specialized in R&b and headquartered in New York City during  the middle fifties heyday of Rock'n Roll.

The Hi-Liters

The Hi-Liters recorded in New York City in Beltone Studios, on November 10, 1955 for Vee-Jay four sides : "Hello Dear", "Bobby Sox Baby", "Feeling Alright" and "Duncan's Box" At this time, The Hi-Liters consisted of George W. Vereen (first tenor), Wiseman Moon (first tenor), Furman Hayes (second tenor), Ivey E. Floyd (baritone), and Calvin Williams (baritone). Vereen had previously sung with the Four Knights, Moon had led the Victorians , Haynes had been with Brook Benton in the Sandmen.

The Hi-Liters

The Hi-Liters started their own record label HICO (Hi-Liters Company = HiCo) and their group now consisted of George Vereen, Wiseman Moon, Calvin Williams, Furman Haynes and Claude Chandler.  Claude Chandler had been with the Cabineers. In 1958 the Hi-Liters recorded and released four singles for their HiCo label . Each side of Hico #2435 lists a Hi-Liters member and the Hamiltones.  Calvin Williams confirms that the group on both sides is the Hi-Liters and not the Hamiltones. The Hamiltones must be the band.

The Stereos (L to R) : C. Williams, E. Williams, Harry Kenney, Wisemen Moon and George Vereen

In the 1960's the Hi-Liters would evolve into the Stereos (Robin Nest label) and cut two singles and one Lp : "Our Most Requested Songs" . The Stereos consisted of Hi-Liters' George W. Vereen (first tenor), Wiseman Moon (first tenor),  Calvin Williams (baritone) with nem member's Eddie Williams and his big bass violin and Harry Kenney on Piano.  Calvin Williams would also spend 14 years in Europe singing with the Golden Gate Quartet.

http://www.vocalgroupharmony.com/ROWNEW/CastleRk.htm

http://www.classicurbanharmony.net/hico_label.htm

Songs :

The Hi-Liters (2)

 

      

Undecided                               Hello Dear                  Bobby Sox Baby

   

          

 Let Me Be True To You                 In The Night                   Over The Rainbow  

      

Baby Please Be True                   Feeling Alright                Ain't Givin' Up Nothing

George Vereen  / Wiseman Moon  & The Hamiltones

    

You Are My Lovely One / Rock A Billy Hop

The Stereos (4)

      

              My Heart              Don't Cry Darling / Run Sinner Run        You Left Me Forsaken

SUEDES (2)

 

Top row (L to R): R. Aglialoro, B.Shupman, J Oswald. Bottom Row (L to R): J. Inzirillo, P.Leone & L.Mandracchia

The Suedes (2) (Brooklyn NY)

 

Personnel :

Joey Inzirillo (Lead)

Louie Mandracchia (First Tenor)

Billy Shupman (Second Tenor)

John Oswald (Baritone)

Russ Aglialoro (Bass)

Phil Leone (Drummer)

 

Discography :

Unreleased :

1959 - My Prayer To Heaven

1959 - Girl To Love

1959 - You Are My Only Love

1959 - Bunny

1959 - Ding-A-Long (Our Wedding Day)

 

Biography :

Vocal group from Canarsie in Brooklyn, formed in 1959, The Suedes is formed by some friends in the area and consists of Joey Inzirillo (Lead), Louie Mandracchia (First Tenor), Billy Shupman (Second Tenor), John Oswald (Baritone), Russ Aglialoro (Bass) and Phil Leone (Drummer). The group will be some personnel changes over time.

They have made numerous appearances at various gatherings around the area and recorded several demos : "My Prayer To Heaven" , "Girl To Love", "You Are My Only Love," "Bunny" and "Ding-A-Long  (Our Wedding Day)". Unfortunately no record company will release their songs… The group disbanded in 1961.

  

Two of the original members of The Suedes, John Oswald and Joe Inzirillo, along with Lou Caporusso who was an original member of The Vivids from Ozone Park Queens created a group in the 80's which many say was the continuation of The Suedes work under a new name. That group was The Revivals. They re-recorded "My Prayer To Heaven" and "Oh Please" on Avenue D. Records.

Songs :

       

      

My Prayer To Heaven         Ding-A-Long (Our Wedding Day)                 Bunny         

Girl To Love

VIBRA-TONES (1) - HI-NOTES (1)

 

 Sabby Lewis & The Vibra-Tones (1) (Boston, Massachusetts)

aka The Hi-Notes (1)

Personnel :

Tommy Frederick (Lead)

Discography :

Sabby Lewis & The Vibra-Tones (1)

1956 - Forgive Me My Love / Regretting (ABC 9687)

Tommy Frederick & The Hi-Notes (1)

1958 -  The Prince Of Players / I'm Not Pretending (Carlton 450/London 8555)

Tommy Frederick & Group

1960 - Sundown / ‘Where’d Ja Go (Coral 62170)

Biography :

Sabby Lewis started taking piano lessons when he was 5, and organized his first band in Boston in 1936. He later performed on Broadway and in ballrooms and clubs in Manhattan. He performed with Dinah Washington and Billy Eckstine. During World War II, Lewis' orchestra included long-time Ellington tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, and drummer Alan Dawson spent much of the 1950s in the band. In 1956, he performed in the Boston Area, and recorded with a local vocal group, the Vibra-tones,  « Forgive Me My Love » b/w « Regretting » for ABC.

   

Sabby Lewis                                                                             

Two years later, The Vibra-Tones changed their name to the Hi-Tones. The Carlton Record Corporation began in October, 1957, in New York, when the late Joe Carlton, a former A&R chief at RCA, set up offices at 157 W. 57th Street. The label started with a single by Tommy Fredericks & His Hi-Notes, "The Prince of Players"/"I'm Not Pretending" [Carlton 450]. 

    

Who are they ???                                                                                              

In 1961, a different Vibra-Tones’ vocal group recorded for ABC as backup singers For Evelyn Dell . This white Group from Brooklyn & Queens is composed by John Sescila, Sandy Anzalone, John Anzalone and Vinny Lombardy.  (Sonny, Darryl, Charlie Weils...) According to notes from "Rare 1950's Boston Doo Wop" this unknown group backed Tommy Fredericks on his Coral single in 1960 on "Sundown" and ‘Where’d Ja Go" 

Songs :

Sabby Lewis And The Vibra-Tones (1)

     

  Regretting                          Forgive Me My Love

Tommy Frederick & The Hi-Notes (1)

  

   

The Prince Of Players                         I'm Not Pretending

Tommy Frederick & Group

  

   

  Sundown                                     ‘Where’d Ja Go

FOUR DIRECTIONS

 

The Four Directions (Wantagh, New York)

Personnel :

Tony Presto (Lead)

Dominick Montiglio (First Tenor)

Joe Riccobene (Baritone)

Chuck Rothberg (Second Tenor)

Discography :

1965 - Tonight We Love / (Doin'The) Arthur (Coral 62456)

Biography :

This four-member vocal group from Wantagh consisted of lead singer Tony Presto, First Tenor Dominick Montiglio, Baritone Joe Riccobene and Second Tenor Chuck Rothberg. Tony Presto also sang lead with another group called the Themes who recorded "Marnie (I Love You)" b/w "There's No Moon Out Tonight"  for the Stork label in 1964

   

                                                                                                  Dee Dee Warwick (back up singer)

The Four Directions recorded "Tonight We Love" b/w  "(Doin'The) Arthur" on the Coral label. "Tonight We Love" was recorded in 1964 at Decca with a 23 piece orchestra, plus three female back up singers, one of whom was Dione Warwick's  sister, Dee Dee Warwick. Henry Jerome was the A&R guy & Horace Ott was the conductor/arranger.

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

 

   

Tonight We Love                               (Doin'The) Arthur

 

MYSTICS (2) - CHAMPS (2)

 

The Champs (2) (New York)

aka The  Mystics (2)

Personnel :

?

 

Discography :

The Mystics (2)


1959 - Teenage Sweetheart / Rockin' Yodel (Chatam 350/351)

The Champs (2)

1958 - Teenage Sweetheart / Rockin' Yodel (Chatam 350/351)

Biography :

Vocal group from New York, the Mystics cut "Teenage Sweetheart" b/w "Rockin' Yodel" for Chatam records, 164 East 56th Street in New York. Perhaps because there’s the Mystics from Brooklyn, their "Hushabye" was released in May of 1959 and spent nine weeks of that spring and summer on the charts, rising to number 20, "Teenage Sweetheart" b/w "Rockin' Yodel" was Reissued using same label name and number, but credited to the Champs.

Songs

  

Teenage Sweetheart /  Rockin' Yodel

 

SILVERTONES

 
Paste-up Picture - Top : Donald  J. Nitz & Kenneth Marhevka - Bottom : Richard Allen Barbieri & Peter Gerosa 

The Silvertones (1) (Wallingford Connecticut)

 

Personnel :

Kenneth "Kenny" Marhevka

Peter "Pete" Gerosa

Donald  "Dino" J. Nitz

Richard Allen "Dick" Barbieri

Lin Ken

 

Discography :

1959 - My Only Love (Feat. Lin-Ken) / Hey Good Looking (Elgin 005/006)

Biography :

Vocal quintet from Wallingford Connecticut fronted by Kenneth "Kenny" Marhevka with Peter "Pete" Gerosa, Donald  "Dino" J. Nitz, Richard Allen "Dick" Barbieri and Lin Ken. They all went to Lyman Hall High School. In 1959, they signing a recording contract with Elgin record, a subsidiary of Drum Owned by Clarence Drum. The  Silvertones cut "My Only Love" b/w "Hey Good Looking". Bod Distasio, an original Silvertones member and also a Lyman Hall graduate sang on the single.

    

The enterprising Clarence Drum formed the aforementioned Drum and Elgin labels in 1958, signing several artists, including The Chestnuts and singer Bill Baker, who eventually joined the former group, switching his allegiance from bread to nuts, so to speak. Drum made some money when several of his releases were licensed to other labels, but not enough to keep the companies afloat past 1961.

 

Songs :

   

  My Only Love                                         Hey Good Looking

GEORGETTES (1) - PAGE SISTERS - AUSTIN SISTERS - MAJORETTES (1) - TRIANGLES (3) (JOANNE & THE) - MOTOR SCOOTERS (BEVERLY & THE) - LOLLIPOPS (2) (BECKY & THE) - BERMUDAS - CINDERS (3)

 
Rickie Page

Rickie Page & Groups (Los Angeles, Ca)

aka The Georgettes (1) (Ricki)

aka The Page Sisters (Ricki & Sonya)

aka The Austin Sisters (Ricki & Sonya)

aka The Majorettes (1) (Sheila, Joanna, Susie and Rebecca)

aka Joanne & The Triangles (3) (Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca)

aka Beverly & The Motor Scooters (Ricki, Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca)

aka Becky & The Lollipops (2) (Joanna,Rebecca)

aka The Bermudas (Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca)

aka The Cinders (3) (Ricki, Sheila, Joanna,Rebecca)

Personnel:

Ricki Page

Rebecca Page

Joanna Page

Sheilah Page

 

Discography :

The Georgettes (1)

1957 - Love Like A Fool / Oh Tonight (Ebb 125)

1959 - Dizzy Over You / Oh Oh Yes (Jackpot 48001)

1960 - Down By The River / Pair Of Eyes (Fleet 1111/UA 237)

1963 - The Story / Little Boy (Troy 1001)

The Page Sisters

1957 - Sweet Sweetheart / All My Love Belongs To You (Zephyr 70-012)

1958 - Dream Boy / If They Only Knew (Liberty 55133)

The Austin Sisters

It Happened At The Hop / Love Can Do Most Anything (Edison International 401)

The Majorettes (1)

1962 - Stretch Sensation / Dance With Me (Regency 8000)   

1962 - White Levi's / Please Come Back (Troy 1000)

1963 - Let's Do the Kangaroo / Dance With Me (Troy 1004)

   

Joanne & The Triangles (3)

1963 - After The Showers Come Flowers / Don't Be A Cry Baby (Vip 25003)

Beverly & The Motor Scooters

1964 -  He's My Boy / I Had To Walk Home Myself (Epic 9654)

Becky & The Lollipops (2)

1964 - I Don't Care (What They Say) / Come On Home (Troy 6493)

1964 - I Don't Care (What They Say) / My Boyfriend (Epic 9736)

The Bermudas

1964 - Donnie / Chu Sen Ling (Era 3125)

1964 - Blue Dreamer / Seing is Believing (Era 3133)

The Cinders (3)

1964 - I'll Follow You    / The Story (Original Sound 43)   

 

Biography :

Rickie Page was born June Evelyn Kuykendall in tiny Lindsay, Oklahoma on 7 November 1929. June became a recording star with releases on Liberty, Dot, Zephyr, and Rendezvous. Sometimes recording with her sister Sonya (The Page Sisters and The Austin Sisters) and Sometimes with some combination of her three daughters Joanna, Sheila, and Becky (Rebecca) Page and their friend Susan Kuykendall.

The Georgettes

She also put records out on Con, Landa, Decca, Epic, Era, Fleet, Hit, Landa, Spar, United Artists, and VIP, using a huge variety of artist names, including The Georgettes.   The Georgettes was fronted by Rickie Page in 1957 and were named after her husband/co-writer/producer George Motola. Rickie Page was the only vocalist for the group. The Georgettes appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in January, 1958.

The Majorettes :  Sheila, Joanna, Susie and Rebecca

They hired a little Philipino girl, Rosalie, to be the other half and they did the Dick Clark show. The Bermudas, the Majorettes, the Georgettes, Becky & Lollipops, Joanne & the Triangles and Beverly & the Motorscooters – these are just some of the recording names used by  Rickie Page and the female members of her musical family. The Majorettes first released "Stretch Sensation" b/w Dance With Me" which is very much inspired by the recordings of Little Eva and Dee Dee Sharp – in 1962 on the Regency International label.

  
The Bermudas : Joanna, Sheilah & Rebecca                                                                                                           

They then released “White Levis” on George Motola’s Troy label later that year. “Let’s Do The Kangaroo” followed in 1963 with “Dance With Me” resurrected for the flipside. Rickie Page and George Motola were active in the music business in the late 50s and 60s. They wrote “Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie” for Eddie Cochran, “Donnie” for the Bermudas and “Borealis” for the Markets among other achievements. George wrote “Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)” with John Marascalco.

Videos

The Bermudas

Donnie

 

Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

The Georgettes (1)        

     

     Oh Tonight                     Love Like A Fool                      Oh Oh Yes

       

Dizzy Over You                             Pair Of Eyes                    Down By The River

The Story / Little Boy

The Page Sisters

Sweet Sweetheart

The Austin Sisters

  
   It Happened At The Hop                   Love Can Do Most Anything

The Majorettes (1)

  
 White Levi's                                     Please Come Back

  
       Dance with Me                        Let's Do the Kangaroo

Joanne & The Triangles (3)


After The Showers Come Flowers / Don't Be A Cry Baby


Beverly & The Motor Scooters

  
              He's my boy                                I Don't Care (What They Say)

Becky & The Lollipops (2)

     
I Don't Care (What They Say)              My Boyfriend                      Come On Home        

The Bermudas

  

Chu Sen Ling                        Seing is Believing

   

Blue Dreamer                       Donnie

The Cinders (3)

  
   The Story                                           I'll Follow You

GAYDEN SISTERS

  

The Gayden Sisters (Chicago)

 

Personnel :

Lujuana Gayden (First Soprano)

Lucretia Gayden (Alto)

Ragina Gayden (Second Soprano)

 

Discography :

1956 - How Can You Not Believe / Honestly Honestly (Bally 1003)

 

Biography :

The Gayden Sisters, a south side trio from Chicago made a casual appearance on a Dave Garroway’s TV program from Olivet Baptist church. Following the show, they were deluged with telegrams, letter, and telephone calls- one was a hurried call to appear on Arthur Godfrey's CBS- TV show.

After their appearance on Arthur Godfrey's CBS- TV show, agents, recording companies and producers are trying to place the girls under contract. January 28 1956, the new Bally label signed its second recording act—. Bally Records was an independent record label formed in Chicago in December, 1955. It was active during 1956 and 1957. It was a subsidiary of Bally Manufacturing Company and was headquartered at 203 N. Wabash Avenue in Chicago.

The Gayden sisters, Lujuana,19; Ragina, 17 and Lucretia 15, had no serious plans for singing careers. Lujuana was married, Ragina, a graduate of Morgan Park High School, is a freshman at Roosevelt university. Lucretia, is attending Morgan Park and plans to enter college.

Lujuana  began singing when she was 14. When Ragina reached her 13th birthday, they formed a duet, and when Lucretia became 10, they started the Trio. The Trio’s first TV appearance was made about a year ago on the Sachs Amateur hour. The girls sang mainly for small south side socials. With a repertorie made up of spirituals, they also sang at church services.

Songs : 

???

FOUR UNIQUES

 

The "4" Uniques  (Chicago) 

Personnel :

Ken Riccardo

Drew Rezula

Lonnie Wiel

Mike Brando

Discography :

The "4" Uniques

1961 - Looking For A Love / Too Young (Adam 9002)

1961 - She's The Only Girl for Me / Twistin Around (Adam 9004)

1961 - Good Luck Charm / Island Of Love (Deer 3002)

1964 - Endlessly / Maybe The Next Summer (USA753)

Jerry Vinar & The "4" Uniques

1961 - Your Love Is Just for Me / Please Tell (Variety 1028)

 

Biography :

Vocal quartet from the Northwest side of Chicago composed by Ken Riccardo, Lonnie Wiel, Drew Rezula and Mike Brando. the band signed a record contract with Adam in Chicago and recorded four pieces. Two singles will be published, " Looking For A Love " b/w " Too Young " and " She's The Only Girl for Me " b/w " Twistin Around " with the local well-known instrumental group The Mus-twangs. The Mus-twangs were Jerry Urban, growlin' sax, Paul Cotton, lead guitar and later, member of POCO, Buddy Riley, rhythm guitar, Guy (Frenchy) Germany, drums, and Keith Anderson, Bass.  The Mus-twangs appeared at Poppel's Under 21 Club, Riverdale, Ill and at numerous Jim Lounsbury Record Hops throughout the Chicago, Ill area 1961-1964.  The " 4 " Uniques  did many gigs and played at various festivals in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.

The Mus-twangs

In November 1961, before more than 2,000 spectators,  they served as the opening act for well-know singer Bobby Rydell’ in Madison (Wisconsin). In April, 61 Jack Barthel, personal promo man, heads a newly formed record company Deer Records,  and in July, inked the Four Uniques to a recording contract. The group released " Good Luck Charm " b/w " Island Of Love " the same month… Finally in 1963, USA Records released " Endlessly " b/w " Maybe The Next Summer ". USA Records was a Chicago based record label founded in 1960 by record distributor Jim Golden. The label's office was located across from Chess Records and Golden's Allstate Distributors was Chess' regional distributor.

Songs :

(updated by Hans-Joachim   

      

             Looking For A Love                 Twistin Around             Good Luck Charm / Island Of Love 

   

   

                         Endlessly                      She's The Only Girl for Me            

   

 Too Young                          Maybe Next Summer

 

FABULOUS WINDS (JOE BOOT & THE)

 

Joe Boot & The Fabulous Winds  (Seattle, Washington)

Personnel :

 

Joe Boot (Lead)

Robert Ayers

Rogers Wright

Discography :

1958 - Rock And Roll Radio / That's Tough  (Celestial 111)

Biography :

Originally formed in the early 1950s as the Southwinds, this 5-man vocal group began by performing strictly gospel-oriented music. Strictly, that is, until they crossed paths with a red-hot fireball of a rockin’ rhythm and blues singer named Joe Boot. From that point on, group members would ever be torn between spirituals and R&B. A compromise was struck and they added Boot, renamed themselves the Fabulous Winds, and proceeded to work up a mixed repertoire of tunes.  While retaining some of their devout members, the Winds worked out vocal arrangements for pop standards and eventually some of Boot’s originals.

   

                                                                                                Floyd Standifer Orchestra

By 1957 the Winds found themselves at one of Seattle’s pioneering recording studios, Dimensional Sound. Numerous sessions were held there with instrumental backing by the Floyd Standifer Orchestra. Boot seemed to know all of the top African-American stars who passed through town and on one occasion in the fall of ’57 none other than Little Richard Penniman stopped by a session at Dimensional and announced that he had just given up rock ‘n’ roll and returned to religion. Furthermore, having just abandoned his international rock tour, Penniman said that he as going to appear down the street at the Moore Theater to spread the Good Word at a revival show. After a quick prayer with Penniman, the Winds agreed to appear at that show. But, unlike his sold-out dates in previous visits to Seattle – including a blistering matinee show at the Eagles Auditorium that very summer – Penniman’s Moore show was, reportedly, very poorly attended. Joe Boot and the Fabulous Winds, however, went on to cut what was most probably the very first rock ‘n’ roll record ever produced in the Pacific Northwest. Issued by Dimensional’s in-house label, Celestial Records, “Rock and Roll Radio” b/w “That’s Tough,” remains an ultra-rare, but remains an ultra-rare, but essential, regional classic.

Songs :

Rock And Roll Radio / That's Tough