Lacille Watkins & The Belltones (3) (Newark, New Jersey)
Personnel :
Lacille Watkins (Lead)
Discography :
1956 - His Hand In Mine / Maybe You'll Be There (Kapp 145)
Biography :
Born
in Newark (New Jersey) in 1923, La Cille Christine Watkins started her
musical career as a gospel and opera singer. Her long time partner in
songwriting and music was Wilbur Bell who also recorded as Johnny Bell
(Cecil and Fleetwood Records).
Together,
they recorded spirituals as by the Watkins-Bell Singers for Bandwagon
Records (and Arlington, its folk and race subisidary) in the late
forties. LaCille Watkins had also at least two releases under her own
name. The first on Jaguar Records backed by the Volumes. The second on
Kapp, backed by the Belltones.
The Von Gayles : Stacy Steel Jr., Jimmy Washington and Joe Brackenridge
The Von Gayles (Chicago)
aka The Cascades (1)
Personnel :
Joe Brackenridge (Lead)
Stacy Steel Jr. (First Tenor)
Willie Dial "Willie Wright" (Second Tenor)
Willie Daniels (Baritone)
James " Doolaby" Wright (Bass)
Discography :
The Von Gayles
1959 - Loneliness / The Twirl (USA 1221)
1960 - The Twirl / Crazy Dance (Dore 544)
The Cascades (1)
1964 - Pains In My Heart / Only One I Can Spare (Mc Cormick 105/Renee 105)
Biography :
The Von Gayles got their start around 1956. The members of the group
were lead singer Joe Brackenridge, Stacy Steele Jr., Jimmy Washington,
Willie C. Robinson and Charles Johnson. The Von Gayles eventually made
contact with Woodtate Anderson, a go-getter in the music business, and
he brought the group under the management of the Impressions'manager,
Eddie Thomas. Anderson and Thomas were instrumental in getting the group
on record, having them sign with the USA label. The label was owned by a
Milwaukee pop deejay, Lee Rothman. Following the pattern of most groups
of the era, the Von Gayles recorded four sides during their first
session, held at Universal Recording. But as it turned out, the Von
Gayles who performed on the records were more of an ad hoc group.
Charles Johnson was temporarily separated from the group due to a spat
and Jimmy Washington was working on the day of the session.
The Cascades: Charles Johnson,Henry Brackenridge, Willie C. Robinson,Stacy Steel. Front Joe Brackenridge.
So
Joe Brackenridge and Stacy Steele were joined by second tenor Willie
Dial (Willie Wright), baritone Willie Daniels, and bass James "
Doolaby" Wright. The three ad hoc members had actually been a part of an
earlier group from the near North Side, the Serenades.
USA put out only two sides, "Loneliness" and " The Twirl" around 1959.
In 1960 Dore Records, owned by Lou Bedell and headquartered in
Hollywood, California, picked up two Von Gayles sides, "The Twirl" and
"Crazy Dance," but achieved no better luck. The group played a few gigs
in Chicago and even appeared on a television show in Milwaukee — via the
Rothman connection — but their fame, such as it was, was fleeting. Joe
Brackenridge and company cooled their heels for a while before appearing
again on record. In 1964 the group, now calling themselves the Cascades
cut "Pains In My Heart" b/w "Only One I Can Spare". The group now
consisted of Joe Brackenridge, Stacy Steel Jr., Willie C. Robinson,
Henry Brackernridge and Charles Johnson.
1960 - Everybody Wants To Know / Country Boy (Rendezvous 119)
Biography :
Mixed Vocal group formed by five students in 1957. The group include
Rachel Reyes, a senior at San Bernardino High School, Anita Garcia, a
freshman at San Bernardino Valley College, Gary Faulkner, alumnus of
Banning High School, Barbara Garcia, sophomore at Santa Barbara High
School and Mary Ann Hernandez, a senior at Santa Barbara High School.
L to R : Rachel Reyes, Anita Garcia, Gary Faulkner, Barbara Garcia and
Ann Hernandez.
The group has sung together for the past three years and Gary
Faulkner & The Hightowers appeared on the March of Dimes show, as
well as on TV. The Group cut two song early 1960 . According to
Billboard (March 28, 1960) - "Rendezvous Records has acquired the master
of "Everybody" and "I"m Just A Country Boy", by Gary Faulkner and The
Hightowers originally released on the for Sutter label in California."
The
Hollywood Saxons were longtime mainstays of the Los Angeles R&B
circuit, performing under a series of names during their checkered
recording career. After woodshedding for more than a year, the
(Hollywood) Saxons finally began playing live, and in 1958 signed to the
tiny Our label for "Please Be My Love Tonight." At year's end they
signed with the Contender label, already home to a rival Saxons led by
the R&B pioneer Jesse Belvin -- producer George Motola simply
renamed his newest act the Capris for 1959's "Endless Love," issued on
his Tender subsidiary. When
the record failed to generate much excitement, the Saxons/Capris again
moved on, this time signing to Capitol for "Close to You," credited to
the Portraits. As if the waters weren't muddied enough, in September
1960 the trio of Beverly, Lewis, and Taggart convened as the Tuxedos to
cut "Trouble" for Motola's Forte label. From now on, they would [ always
be known as the "Hollywood Saxons."
1954 - Darling Dear / I Need You Always (Dot 1188)
1954 - Hot Tamales / Baby Don't You Know (Dot 1199)
1954 - My Dear My Darling / She Won't Say Yes (Dot 1210)
1954 - Waitin' Around For You / Baby I Want You (Dot 1226)
1954 - Let Me Go Lover / Wailin' Little Mama (Dot 1235)
1955 - Love And Understanding / From This Day On (Dot 1243)
1955 - I Need You Tonight / Sally Walker (Dot 1265)
1956 - To Our Love / Heartbreaker (Dot 1275)
Biography :
The
Counts were a vocal group on the periphery of the R & B explosion
that took hold across the United states in late 1954. All members
attended Crispus Attucks High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, while the
band formed. The group impressed local talent scouts and brought them to
the attention of Randy Wood and his fledgling Dot label located in
nearby Gallatin.
The
first recording by the group was issued on Dot #1188 - "Darling Dear"
and "I Need You Always". The 'A' side, the rhythmic ballad "Darling
Dear" was an immediate hit with its interesting sound that seemed to
have one foot rooted in the older blues and the other on the more
modernistic stylings of the mid fifties.
The
Counts hit the stage of the venerable Apollo Theater in New York along
with the "King" of the one nighters Buddy Johnson & his orchestra
with Ella Johnson and Nolan Lewis. In late May a second Dot recording is
released, it is #1199 - "Baby Don't You Know" and "Hot Tamale". This
time a thud is heard as it is not a successful follow up that the group
and the label hoped for.
Even so, The Counts are signed on as part of the touring revue called
"The 2nd Annual Rhythm & Blues Show" which includes Roy Hamilton,
The Drifters, Faye Adams, LaVern Baker, The Spaniels, King Pleasure, and
the Rusty Bryant band. The show will tour the South for six weeks
during the summer. The group's recording career lasted only two years, from 1954 to
1956, but gave such great sides as "Darling Dear," "My Dear My Darling,"
"To Our Love," "From This Day On," and "Let Me Go Lover". All were
recorded for the Dot label.
Abraham Quintanilla originally was with a group called the Gumdrops,
an informal group of choir members at Miller High School formed in 1957.
Los Dinos Original members were Seff Perales, Bobby Lira and Guadalupe
Barrera. Around 1958, Barrera left the group and Abraham quickly
approached the "Dinos" and asked if he can be part of their singing
group. The group decided to give Abraham a chance by practicing with
them.
Bobby Lira, Abraham Quintanilla and Seferino Perales
Abraham's wishes were granted when the Dinos crowned him as the
"third voice". During the beginning stages of the group, the Dinos were
paid thirty United States dollars in booked venues. Los Dinos cited
their musical inspirations were musical ensembles The Four Aces and
Mills Brothers. In 1959, Los Dinos released their first single "So Hard
To Tell" on the J.W. Fox label that was owned by Johnny Herrera. The
single became a classic hit on KEYS and helped the band to be booked at
personal appearances at sock hops in Corpus, Kingville and Woodsboro,
Texas.
Los Dinos
(1964)
The Dino's second single "Give Me One Chance", was composed by Teddy
Randazzo sold 150,000 copies. The single began getting extensive airplay
throughout South Texas and on KILT-FM. Los Dino's popularity prosper
after the record sales of "Give Me One Chance". The band faced racism
and discrimination due to being of Mexican decent. A club owner, who
thought the band were Italians, was captured that Los Dinos were Mexican
Americans. The club owner decided not to pay them. Los Dinos were
turned down motel rooms and other venues that were dominant White
American neighborhoods.
The bands next singles "Tiwistin' Irene" and "Lover's Holiday" sold
poorly. In October 1961, Abraham was drafted into the military . While
back, Abraham re-joined with Los Dinos and began singing American pop
and Rock and roll music.
1956 - Honey Love / Why Can‘t This Be So? (Haven 111)
Biography :
The
lead vocalist of this quartet was Joseph Apuzzo. He was a serious
musician talking vocal lessons with a coach in the area. He was
developing a promising singing career and gaining local celebrity status
as a singing waiter. The other members of the group were a pair of
brothers and a mutual friend or co-worker, the Leone brothers lived
around the corner from Joseph at the time. The final member of the group
was called Chick Ciccolallo. One song they would rehearse was "In the
Still of the Night". That song was an incredible hit and that group was a
local act as well, known as the 5 Satins. The Romans recorded their
songs in the same space as the 5 Satins.
The Five Satins (In The Still Of The Night) The Studio = Saint Bernadette Church
Incredibly, this studio was actually the basement of a local
Catholic Church (Saint Bernadette Church). A number of groups recorded
there as word got around about the availability of the work space. The
Romans was doing area T V shows and local sock hops to promote the
group. They appeared with the likes of Bobby Darin and Connie Francis on
some shows among a host of other up and comers. The Romans recorded 4
songs, but only two are released in the local label Haven.
L to R : Pierce, Russell, Santos, Ingraham, Amitrano
The Tones (2) (Oneonta, New York)
Personnel :
Paul Pierce (Lead)
Larry Santos
Sergio Amitrano
Jerry Russell
Richard Ingraham
Nathon Driggs (accompanist)
Discography :
Single :
1958 - Three Little Loves / We Belong Together (Baton 265)
Unreleased :
1958 - I'm A Lovin' You So (Baton)
1958 - It's Been So Long (Baton)
1958 - I Love The Way (Baton)
Biography :
The
Boys started as members of Willis L. Walley's crack Varsity choir at
Oneonta High Scholl, Where young Santos, Pierce, Driggs and Russel are
seniors. Walley used to encourage his students to enter talent shows at
OHS . Paul Pierce remembers how he and a few of his friends entered a
show and were sponsored by Mosca's Pizzeria. They went by the name "The
Pizzarinos." But there were other bands in competition, and eventually
three of those bands would merge into one called "The Chymes."
L to R : Pierce, Santos, Amitrano, Russell, Ingraham - Bottom : Nathon Driggs
WDOS program director Ed Hyder heard the band and asked them to
record some of their songs at Hartwick College's recording studios. It
was just about every kid's dream during the late '50s to press a demo
record, and these guys did. They got an audition through Baton's lead
producer, Sol Rabinowicz. On the spot, the Oneonta guys were signed to a
recording contract. the Boys heard that another singing group had first
claim to "The Chimes". Baton Records would not last long. It pressed
about 10,000 records by The Tones.
Although these guys never made the big charts, such as Billboard,
they got a significant amount of play and high ratings on individual
radio station charts across the Northeast and Midwestern states (such as
powerhouse WKBW in Buffalo) in 1958. The band would go on to appear on
regional TV teen dance shows for awhile. Larry Santos went on to write
songs for the Four Seasons and Dinae Renay. Through the 60's he often
collaborated with Bob Crewe. In the late 60's he began recording albums
on his own.
1958 - Love Is So Wonderful / No More Heartaches (Apt 25003)
The Chordells (2)
1959 - At Last / September Song (Jaro 77005)
Willie Howard & The Chordells (2)
1958 - Louise / Letter Of Love (Mascot 127)
Little Chips & The Chordells (2)
1961 - Amazon Girl / A Little More Love (Hull 746)
Biography :
Group From New York, fronted by Floyd S. Thomas, The Stereophonics
cut "Love Is So Wonderful" b/w "No More Heartaches" for Apt. Records in
1958. Apt Records was a sub-label from ABC-Paramount Records. The label
was started in 1958 and released only singles until it was shelved in
1966. The name was derived from ABC-Paramount's parent company, American
Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres.
The Next year, the same group cut " At Last" b/w "September Song" for
Jaro International under the name of The Chordells. Jaro was a jazz
subsidiary label of Top Rank Records established in 1959 in New York
City.
At
the same time, another group of the same name with a male lead (Little
Chip aka Willie Howard) with female backing cut two singles for Hull
& Mascot records. Mascot was a subsidiary of Hull. it is quite
possible that this is the same group with a few personnel changes and
all the Labels : Apt, Jaro, Hull and Mascot are from Manhattan...
Waiting info ...
Songs :
The Stereophonics The Chordells (2)
No More Heartaches / Love Is So Wonderful At Last / September Song
Willie Howard & The Chordells (2) Little Chips & The Chordells (2)
1959 - Triangle love / Lover’s March (JAY-MAR 164/5)
1960 - Lucille / To Be In Love With You (JAY-MAR 241/2)
Skip & The Shantons
1960 - The Christmas Song / Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (JAY-MAR 181/2)
Skip Brown & The Shantons / Skip Brown
1959 - Why Don’t You Believe Me / Jenny Lee (Pam 112)
Biography :
Skip
Jackson - whose real name was Tommy Brown learned to play piano as a
young boy on a discarded instrument in a coal bin where his father
worked as the building manager. He become so good that he was a guest
performer on a popular New York City TV Show called “The Gary Moore
Show,” billed as The Kid From Boys Town. Skip started singing in New
Jersey in the doo-wop era with his group the Shantons. The Shantons
were all neighborhood friends with Johnny and Dotty Martucci (owner of
Jay-Mar label) from Jersey City, New Jersey. They began singing
together in the basement of their homes and eventually it led to their
singing at parties and local dances.
The
original Shantons were Thomas Brown (Skipper), Michael Wells, George
Flowers and William (Billy) McCoy. They cut a few discs for John
Martucci’s Jay-Mar & one single for Pam Records. Over the years the
group had several substitute singers for one reason or another. Guys
such as Walter (Mittsy) Mays, Christopher Cole, Sonny Prince and a young
man called, Smoothie (Bobby Crawford). They all performed well
together and the Shantons appeared on many stages with well known
popular superstars.
Thanks to Michael Wells & http://www.sirshambling.com/
1959 - Searching For A New Love / Angel Of Love (Jordan 123/Pixie 6901/Nu-Tone123)
Biography :
The Majestics from Trenton started with a repertoire that included
"Church Bells May Ring" by the Willows, "Come Go With Me" by The Dell
Vikings, "Little Darlin" by the Diamonds, "Sunday Kind Of Love" and
"Life Is But A Dream" by the Harptones and "False Love" by the
Superiors. They started to get Gigs included the Chatter Box and the
Casino Ballroom in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The Majestics played
with the Plurals from Bergen and appeared with Danny & The Juniors
as well as Lee Andrex & The Hearts & the Turbans, Lenny Coco
& The Chimes & Jimmy Gallagher & the Passions.
The Majestics
The Group appeared several times in a popular record hops at a
skating Rink in Lambertville, New Jersey. The Owner of The Skating Rink
was friends with the Owner of Jordan Records. The Majestics had prepared
a demo tape of the songs Larry Steele Written, and they used the demo
for auditions at clubs and other venues. the Owner of Jordan Records
liked the demo's songs and the group signing a recording Contract.
The Belmonts
They recorded "Searching For A New Love" bw "Angel Of Love" in New
York City. They appeared at record hops in Pennsylvania as well as New
Jersey. The record did generate record sales. During 1960, Larry Steele
was approached by the Manager of the Belmonts and asked if he wanted to
sell the copyright to "Searching For A New Love". Despite his refusal
to sell, they decided to record the song anyway. It appears on Sabrina
501.
(paste-up picture) Bobby Day & The Satellites with Curtis Williams on Top
Earl Nelson & The Pelicans (2) (Watts, Los Angeles)
aka The Hollywood Flames
Personnel :
Earl Nelson (Lead)
Bobby Bird (Bass)
David Ford (Tenor)
Curlee Dinkins (Baritone)
Curtis Williams (Baritone)
Discography :
1957 - I Bow To You / Oh Gee, Oh Golly (Class 209)
Biography :
By 1957, the Flames had hooked up with Leon René's Class Records. The
group was now David Ford, Bobby Byrd, Curlee Dinkins, and Earl Nelson.
However, Leon René decided to break Bobby Byrd off from the Flames and
make a soloist out of him. The
Flames (now known as the "Satellites") continued to back up Bobby Byrd
(now known as "Bobby Day") on Class, and he kept singing with them (as
the Hollywood Flames) on Ebb. The following month, the group recorded as
"Earl Nelson & The Pelicans" for Class: "I Bow To You" (led by
Earl) and "Oh Gee, Oh Golly" (the duet lead of Earl and the returning
Curtis Williams).
1956 - Louie Louie / You Are My Sunshine (Flip 321)
1956 - Take the Key/ No Kissin' and A-Huggin' (Flip 318)
1957 - Louie Louie / Rock Rock Rock (Flip 321)
1957 - You're the Girl / You Look So Good (Flip 331)
1958 - Besame Mucho / Do I, Do I (Flip 339)
1959 - Have Love- Will Travel / No Room (Flip 349)
1960 - I'll Never Ever Love Again / Somewhere There's A Rainbow (Flip 352)
1961 - You Look So Good / You Are My Sunshine (Flip 360)
Trudy Williams bb The Pharaohs (1)
1958 - You’re My Boyfriend / A Foolish Little Girl (Flip 340)
The Cyclones (1)
1957 - My Dear / Do You Love Me (Flip 324)
The Pharaos
1960 - Heads Up, High Hopes Over You / The Tender Touch (Donna 1327)
Biography :
The Pharaohs were formed out of the Jefferson High School in Los
Angeles, in 1954 by Godoy Colbert and two friends, Robert Harris, and
Noel Collins. Richard Berry parted ways with Modern Records after
frustations over songwriter royalties. Waiting for his Modern contract
to expire, he signed with Max Feirtag's fledgling Flip label, but still
seemed hesitant about a solo career. He used the Pharaohs for his new
recordings on Flip, trying out a new, Latin influenced sound. Stacked
away on the flip of the first Flip single by Richard Berry and the
Pharaohs ("You Are My Sunshine", Flip 321) was a little ditty called
"Louie Louie", a calypso-styled song that Berry had based on "El Loca
Cha Cha" by Rene Touzet.
Richard Berry
It would be an exaggeration to say that "Louie Louie" went unnoticed
at the time of its release in March 1957. It sold well enough to be
reissued as the A-side, with "Rock Rock Rock" on the reverse, later in
1957. But his future wife Dorothy wanted an expensive wedding ring and
Berry decided to sell the rights to "Louie Louie" and three other songs
to Max Feirtag for $ 750. In 1958 Trudy Williams (of The Six Teens)
recorded “A Foolish Little Girl” and “You're My Boyfriend”, backed The
Pharaohs.
Berry's recording career petered out in the late '50s, though he
remained an active performer. In the early '60s, several Northwest bands
seized upon "Louie Louie" as cover material, scoring sizable regional
hits. But as was quite common at the time, they also assumed another
name for a record on the same label. They chose the name the Cyclones
for this release and the true identity of the group is one of the
reasons why their coupling of My Dear / Do You Love Me is highly sought
after.
Richard Berry
Finally, in 1963 the Kingsmen broke the song nationally, reaching #
2. In the decades since then, "Louie Louie" became one of the most
oft-covered rock standards of all time; there probably exist well over
1,000 versions. After the departure of Berry from the group, Colbert and
the Pharaohs cut one singles for the Donna (DelFi Subsidiary) Record
Label under the name of The Pharaos (h?) , and more performing. It was
soon after this that Colbert and the Pharaohs themselves decided to call
it quits and disband.
1958 - I'll Be True / Mashed Potatoes (Gaynote 105)
Biography :
Herman Jones, professionally known as Tony Lamar, is an american
singer-songwriter, arranger and producer. Tony's love of music
became apparent at an early age growing up in Tyler, Texas where,
encouraged by his music teacher, he began singing in music competitions.
Tony moved to Southern California at the age of nineteen where he was
introduced to the singing group, the Platters who liked his voice and
asked him to fill in for one of the members of their group.
Tony
Lamar (Herman Jones)
Shortly thereafter, Tony began singing backup with various vocal
groups in the Los Angeles area. As Tony's love for music grew, he
established himself as an r&b artist and started his first doo wop
vocal group, Herman Jones & The Kilts. He later changed his stage
name to Tony Lamar and started another group known as Tony Lamar &
The Band of Bachelors.
1959 - Darling, Be Mine / Bashful Guy (Fortune 534)
1960 - This Is Really Real / Crazy Bop (Fortune 538)
Tino Cairo & The Earthquakes
1961 - Love In Portofino / Wow Baby Sitter (Hi-Q 5020)
Armando King & The Earthquakes
1962 - Baby Only You / Look What You've Done (Fortune 549)
Unreleased :
N/A - Come Back
N/A - Mirror, Mirror
N/A - Hard Times
N/A - Uncle Jingle Bob
Biography :
The Earthquakes, a Detroit vocal group began recording in the 50's on
Fortune Records. Their first release in 1959 was "Darling Be Mine" b/w
"Bashful Guy" on Fortune 534 . The quartet consisted of three brothers
and a father. Lead vocals and guitar were handled by First Tenor lead,
Armond Abney, Second Tenor Lead, Butler Abney, Bass Butler Abney Sr. and
Cliff Lance, Second Tenor Lead. Originally the group was the Orbits,
that contained the present group with brother Melvin Gatewood, singing
bass. When Melvin joined the Armed Forces, his duties were taken over by
their father, Butler Abney Sr. The Earthquakes were Devora Brown's
replacement to her group of Nolan Strong and the Diablos. Armond's first
tenor lead is reminiscent of Nolan's tenor styling. The Earthquakes
second recording was "This is Really Real" b/w "Crazy Bop", followed by
"Look What You've Done" b/w "Baby Only".
