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 :
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
