From left to right are Dick Donahue, Jim Bruhn, Lorenzo, Ron Russel and David Ellman,
Lorenzo & The Four Stars (4) (Indianapolis, In.)
ref : The Five Stars (2)
Personnel :
Lorenzo Conyers (Lead)
Jim Bruhn (First Tenor & Guitar)
Dave Ellman (Trumpet & Piano)
Dick Donahue (Bass & Vocal)
Ron Russell (Lead Vocal & Drums)
Discography :
1961 - A Man / First Things First (Kapp 381)
Biography :
From the Indianapolis Indiana area, this vocal and Instrumental group
from Indianapol is composed of Jim Bruhn (First Tenor & Guitar),
Dave Ellman (Trumpet & Piano), Dick Donahue (Bass & Vocal) and
Ron Russell (Lead Vocal & Drums). Jim Bruhn and Ron Russell were
part of the Five Stars from 1957 to 1959. The Five Stars recorded
several singles during this period . In middle 1960, the Four Stars
completed an eight-week engagement at the Turf Club in Indianapolis,
where their act was seen by Lorenzo Conyers and they were asked to join
him in New York for several engagements.
Lorenzo Conyers
Lorenzo
Conyers, who appeared on popular recordings of "If I Didnt Care" and
"We Three" with the "Ink Spots", had been doing a solo act since the
death of one of the members of the original group.The Four Stars
appeared with Lorenzo Conners in New York for several weeks and recorded
two fine song for Kapp; "A Man" and "First Things First". Kapp Records
was an independent record label started in 1953 by David Kapp in New
York City.
1959 - Am I Wasting My Time / Gambling Man (Note 10031)
Unreleased :
1958 - Sweet Names (Note)
Dottie Fergerson & The Five Stars (2)
1958 - Slow Burn / You And Me And Love (Kernel 31957/Mercury 71129)
Ronnie Haig bb The Five Stars (2)
1958 - Traveler Of Love / Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby (Note 10016/ABC 9912/10209 )
Biography :
From the Indianapolis Indiana area, this group of Five Stars had
several records on different labels. The Five Stars consisted of: Lead,
Ron Russel, First Tenor Jim Bruhn, 2nd Tenor Larry Huffman, Baritone
Bill Campbell, and on Bass Bruce Miller (later replaced by Popcorn
Johnson) . Their first record was on the Kentucky based Kernal label.
Using a somewhat popular theme at the time, "Atom Bomb Baby" b/w "You
Sweet Little Thing" on the flip. The record made enough noise for Dot
records to pick it up and distribute for the entire USA. It didn't meet
the expectations of Dot, but it certainly got the Five Stars name in
circulation.
The
next sequential release on the Kernal label was Dottie Fergerson backed
with the Five Stars. "Slow Burn" made enough local noise that Mercury
actually picked it up for their label. On the flip was "You And Me And
Love." Dottie Fergerson went on to have a couple additional issues for
Mercury. These sides were cut at the same session as the previous Five
Stars release on Kernal.
Ronnie Haig
The Five Stars signing a recording contract on the Indianapolis label
called Note a cut three singles. The First "Pickin On The Wrong
Chicken" was getting the play at local radio stations. Released in March
of 1958, it never made any national charts, but certainly scored high
on the local and regional sheets. On The Same Session Ronnie hag cut his
first record, "Traveler Of Love" b/w "Don't You Hear Me Calling Baby"
and The Five Stars provided vocal group back up on both sides.
The
Five Stars made several appearances on 'American Bandstand.' In early
summer of 1958 Note released "My Paradise" b/w "Friction". "My
Paradise" had all the elements to become a hit, except for sales. The
last release for was called "Am I Wasting My Time" backed with "Gambling
Man." In 1960 Jim Bruhn and Ron Russell reformed a vocal and
instrumental group called The Four Stars. The group backed Lorenzo Conyers of the Ink Spots.
