OPENER
Platters (BCG) - Only You (And You Alone) - Recorded May 20, 1954; Released November 1955 Federal 12244 ($200) [Last played 3/12/20; at Request of Johnny L]
b/w "You Made Me Cry." Although recorded earlier, this Federal version of "Only You" was not released until the later Mercury version began to sell.
Members of the Los Angeles (CA) group on this recording - Alex Hodge (Baritone), David Lynch (2nd Tenor), Herbert "Herb" Reed (Bass), Zola Lynn Taylor (Soprano) & Tony Williams (Lead Tenor; 1st Tenor).
This was the 7th of the group's 9 singles on Federal - 1 in 1953, 5 in 1954, 2 in 1955 & 1 in 1956.
The Platters on Federal were an R&B group. They made some excellent recordings while at Federal. ("Only You" is considered by most to be the "poorest" of their Federal recordings.)
After Federal, they moved to Mercury where they achieved great commercial success (with more pop-flavored recordings.) They had 50 singles (not including reissues) released on Mercury - 2 in 1955, 4 in 1956, 4 in 1957, 4 in 1958, 5 in 1959, 4 in 1960, 8 in 1961, 8 in 1962, 8 in 1963 & 3 in 1964.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DAVE
Drifters - I'll Take You Home August 1963 Atlantic 2201 ($8) Last Played 04-25-2013 DJ Billy F First 06-21-2012
August 1963 Atlantic 2201 ($8) Last Played 04-25-2013 DJ Billy F First 06-21-2012 - $248
B/W "I Feel Good All Over." The Group On This Recording Consisted Of - Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Gene Pearson, Abdul Samad, Johnny Terry, & Charlie Thomas. The Lead Was Sung By Johnny Moore. From Harlem in NYC.
The complete Drifters Story can be found on Marv Goldberg’s web site - https - //www.uncamarvy.com/DriftersLate/drifterslate.html
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ BILLY F
Planets (BMG) – Never Again – Released April, 1957 – Era 1038
B/W Stand There, Mountain Jamaica Queens NY - Never Played Before - $40
R&B harmony group the Rhythm Aces formed in 1950 comprising first tenor Billy Steward, second tenor Chuck Rowan, baritone Clyde Rhymes, and bass Vince House; all were members of the U.S. Army's Special Services division stationed in Germany at the time of the quartet's formation, ultimately winning the "All-Army Soldier Singing Contest" and landing an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as a result.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ GEORGE W
Quin-Tones (BCG) - What Am I To Do - 1958 Hunt 322 ($20) Last Played 02-11-2021 Cape May Lou
b/w "There'll Be No Sorrow." Members of the York (PA) group - Phyllis A. Carr (Soprano), Georgjean Augusta "Jeannie" Crist (2nd Soprano), Roberta Haymon (Lead), Carolyn Holmes (Alto) & Kenny Sexton (Bass).
The group had 2 releases on Hunt; both in 1958. This was their 2nd on the label. The 1st was the National hit, "Down The Aisle Of Love" (which was a re-release of their 1st Red Top release.
They also had 2 releases on Red Top (in 1958), 1 on Chess (in 1958) & 1 on Goldisc (a 1979 re-release of their 1st Red Top release).
On some releases, the group's name was spelled Quin-Tones and on others, Quintones. The numbers above make no distinction in the spelling of their name.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY JOHN M
Monotones (BMG) – Fools Will Be Fools – Recorded June 4, 1959 – Released July, 1959 – Argo 5339 - $175
B/W Tell It To The Judge Last Played 05-14-2015 Donna
Personnel - Warren Davis, George Malone, Charles Patrick, John Ryans, Warren Ryans, Frank Smith
Master was PURCHASED FROM THE HULL/MASCOT RECORD COMPANY ON JUNE 8, 1959. The group only recorded for Hull/Mascot. All their releases on Argo and Chess were purchased from Hull.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ LOU
Dukays (BCG) – I Never Knew – Released September, 1962 – Vee-Jay 460 ($15)
B/W I Feel Good All Over Last Played 05-30-2024 Savannah Ray
Personnel - Ben Broyles, Charles Davis, Earl Edwards, James Lowe, Margaret Stone, Eugene Dixon " Gene Chandler" (Lead) Gene Chandler was born Eugene Drake Dixon in Chicago, Illinois, on July 6, 1937. He attended Englewood High School on Chicago's south side.[1] He began performing during the early 1950s with the band The Gaytones. In 1957, he joined The Dukays, with James Lowe, Shirley Jones, Earl Edwards and Ben Broyles (the unforgettable bass on "Duke of Earl) , soon becoming their lead singer. After his draft into the U.S. Army he returned to Chicago in 1960 and rejoined the Dukays.
They were showstoppers live - everything about them was exciting, especially Shirley Jones (Dixon's cousin), who stepped and blew notes right along with the fellows, almost a funky edition of The Platters. In December of 1961, Nat released their third single, "The Duke of Earl" b/w "Kissin' in the Kitchen," and all hell broke loose. Meanwhile, Davis and Sheppard shopped the "Duke of Earl" recording to Vee-Jay Records company, which released it in 1962 by Dixon as a solo artist with the name "Gene Chandler"(he adopted the surname from actor Jeff Chandler and people always shortened his first name anyway). The Dukays felt slighted, abused, and mistreated. Vee Jay didn't re-record the song, but simply slapped their label on new pressings on the Nat acetate.
Group members - Eugene Dixon " Gene Chandler" (Lead), Shirley Jones (Tenor/Soprano), James Lowe (Second Tenor), Earl Edwards (Baritone), Ben Broyles (Bass)
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY JOE S
Five Keys (BMG) – With A Broken Heart – Recorded March 22, 1951 – Released April, 1951 – Aladdin 8035 Q
B/W Too Late Last Played 07-18-2019 Angelo
Personnel - Ripley Ingram, Maryland W. Pierce, Dickie Smith, Bernard L. West, Rudolph West
This was the 1st of the Five Keys' 17 releases on the Aladdin label (not including later pressings of previously unreleased recordings) - 3 in 1951, 5 in 1952 (+1 scheduled for release and given a record number, but not issued), 5 in 1953, 2 in 1954, 1 in 1955, & 1 in 1956.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ SAL
Four Mints (WMG) – You Belong To My Heart – Released October, 1958 – NRC 011
B/W Wolf - Never Played Before - $20
Personnel - Roz Stevens, Al Warr, Gene Warr, James Wilson
The Four Mints (also known simply as the Mints) were a true oddity, a respected white vocal group in the midst of the early rock & roll era, capable of doing convincing R&B. James Wilson (lead), Gene Warr (first tenor), Aubie McSwain (second tenor), and Al Warr (bass) had known each other since childhood and sung together for years, throughout the '40s. Their main influence was gospel music, and they'd sung in churches for most of their lives.
The quartet had sung locally around Center, TX, mostly at local events and church functions. They took on the name the Four Mints and crossed over into popular music and R&B in 1954-1955. They'd always listened to the black R&B vocal groups of the period and proved good -- even inspired -- students - unlike, say, the Crew Cuts, the Four Mints didn't "bleach" out the sounds that they learned to create, but kept them intact even as they made them their own.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY ART & CATHY
Murfreesboro (BMG) – Oh My Love – Released 1959 – Champion 1007 ($300)
B/W Real Good Man Last Played 11-17-2022 Barb
Personnel - Al Garner, rest are unknown
One-record group from Tennessee. This Champion label was based in Nashville (TN).
The only known group member is the Lead Singer, Al Garner. Garner was born in Murfreesboro (TN).
Olympics (BMG) – Stay Where You Are – Released May, 1961 – Arvee 5031(DJ $40; Stock $30)
B/W Dooley Last Played 11-03-2022 DJ Lou
Personnel - Charles Patrick Fizer, Melvin King, Eddie Frank Lewis, Walter Ward
This was the 6th of the group's 11 singles on the Arvee label - 1 in 1959, 3 in 1960, 3 in 1961, 2 in 1962, 1 in 1964 & 1 in 1965.
They also had singles released on Melatone (as Walter Ward & the Challengers), Demon, Titan, Tri Disc, Marc (as the Specials), Duo Disc, Loma, Mirwood, Parkway, Jubilee, Warner Brothers, Pride, MGM, Little Star, California Gold & Mac Winn. The group recorded into the early 1980s.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY BOB BELNIAK
Four Kings (BMG) - Early In The Morning – Released January 1, 1964 – M.O,C.655
B/W I Want To Be There Never Played Before - $6
Personnel - Donald Bryant, James Bryant, Elvin Lee Jones, William Walker
1942, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. A significant songwriter for Joe Cuoghi"s (and then Willie Mitchell"s) Hi Records, especially for (and sometimes with) his wife, Ann Peebles, Bryant was also a superb soul stylist, although most of his own recordings for Hi were cut long before Al Green, in particular, gave the label the commercial soul base it needed for continued survival. One of 10 children, Bryant"s father (Donald Snr.) featured in the gospel quartet the Four Stars Of Harmony, and in 1955, Don Jr. and four of his brothers formed their own gospel group, the Five Bryant Brothers, which soon became "secularized" as the doo-wopping Quails.
At Booker T. Washington High School, Bryant joined a group variously called the Canes and the Four Canes, named after their "manager", local Radio WLOK DJ, D. Cane Cole. on their live gigs the Canes dressed in striped jackets and straw hats and carried walking canes. Don"s brother James was also in the group, along with Lee Jones and William Walker, reputed to be the later Goldwax, Checker and Pawn soulman, (Wee) Willie Walker.
Eventually, Bryant split from Cole and changed the group"s name to the Four Kings. The new quartet became Willie Mitchell"s singing group at the band leader"s live gigs at Memphis clubs. Bryant himself was still underage, and, to enable him to work, Mitchell became his legal guardian. Mitchell was also producer for the Home of The Blues label, whose featured artists included the ex-King group the Five Royales.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY BARB L
Scarlets (BMG) - Love Doll - 1954 Red Robin 133 ($300) Last Played 09-09-2021 Barb
b/w "Darling I'm Yours." Members of the New Haven (CT) group - Albert Denby (Baritone), Sylvester Hopkins (Bass), Nathaniel Mosley or Mosely, Jr. (Tenor), Frederick L. Parris (Lead) & William L. Powers (Bass).
This was the 2nd of group's 4 on Red Robin - 1 in 1953, 1 in 1954 & 2 in 1955. (The Scarlets, shortly thereafter, evolved into the Five Satins.)
A variation of the group had a release as by Fred Parris & the Scarlets on the Klik label (# 7905) in 1958 - "She's Gone" b/w "The Voice." In 1960, another variation of the group had a release on the Fury label (as the Scarlets).
Cosmic Rays (BMG) - Bye Bye - Circa 1960 Saturn 222 ($2,000)Last Played 11-02-2023 Barb
b/w Saturn # 223 - "Somebody's In Love." Known members of the Chicago (IL) group - Calvin Barron, Matt Swift, Lonnie Talbert & ? Orio. Matt Swift sang the lead.
The group had 2 releases. Both were on Saturn in 1960. Based solely on the record numbers of the 2 releases, this would appear to be the 1st. However, this is questionable as the label did not use the same numbering system on both releases This record was in the 200 series; the other in the 400 series.
The Saturn label was owned by Sun Ra, whose "Arkestra" backed the Cosmic Rays.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DAN & AUDREY
Charades (IMG) - Please Be My Love Tonight - Recorded November 20, 1963; Released December 1963 Ava 154 ($50) [Last Played 05-18-2023 Dan & Audrey
b/w "Turn Him Down." Los Angeles (CA) group consisting of Ray Baradat (Baritone), Syl Grigsby (Tenor; Falsetto Lead), Johnny T. "Buddy" Johnson (Lead Tenor. Baritone) & Alex Pilkinton (Baritone; Bass).
This was their only release on the Ava label. They also had 1 release on Northridge (in 1964) 1 on Original Sound (in 1963).
The Ava label was owned by Fred Astaire; he named the label after his daughter, Ava.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ JEFF
Vocaltones (BMG) - Three Kinds Of People - Recorded December 22, 1955; Released April 1956 Apollo 492 ($200) Last Played 02-15-2024 – DJ Jeff
b/w "Darling (You Know I Love You)." Members of the NYC group on this recording - Tommy Grate (Bass), Roland Martinez (Tenor), Wyndham "Corky" Porter (Baritone), Eddie Quinones (Tenor; Guitar) & Bobby Robinson aka Bobby Johnson (Tenor). The lead was sung by Bobby Robinson.
This was the 2nd of the group's 3 releases on Apollo. All were in 1956. They also had a release on Cindy in 1957.
The group was related to the Dovers/Miriam Grate & the Dovers; Miriam was Tommy Grate's sister.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY ART NJ
Falcons (BMG) – You're So Fine – Released January, 1959 – Flick 001 ($200)
B/W Goddess Of Angels Last Played 01-25-2018 Ruby
Reissued on Unart (# 2013) in March 1959, on United Artists (# 2013) in 1959, and on United Artists (# 420) on January 18, 1962. The National "hit" was the Unart pressing.
Members of the Detroit (MI) group on this recording - Lance Finnie, Eddie Floyd, Mack Rice, Willie Schofield, & Joseph Stubbs. The lead was sung by Joseph Stubbs.
Marbles (BMG) – Golden Girl – Released April, 1954 – Lucky 002
B/W Big Wig Walk Last Played 07-20-2023 Art NJ - $50
Only 5 copies of the 45 RPM are known to exist. Members of the San Bernardino (CA) group - James Brown (Bass), Dee Hawkins (Tenor), Rudy Jackson (2nd Tenor) & Johnny Torrence (Lead; 2nd Tenor). The lead was sung by Rudy Jackson.
While they had just this one release as the Marbles, they also recorded as the Jewels. As the Jewels, they had 3 releases on the R And B label (all in 1954), 4 on Imperial (2 in 1955 & 2 in 1956), 1 on Original Sound (in 1963) & 1 on RPM (in 1956).
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ DI
Chanters (BMG) – I Make This Pledge (To You) – Recorded August 4, 1958 – Released May, 1961 – DeLuxe 6191
B/W No, No, No Last Played 02-01-2024 DJ Di - $25
This is the flip side of the 1961 re-release of the group's best-known recording, "No, No, No." (Originally released in October 1958 on De Luxe # 6177).
Members of the Queens (NY) group - Elliot Green (Baritone), Bud Johnson, Jr. (2nd Tenor; 1st Tenor), Fred Paige (1st Tenor; 2nd Tenor), Larry Pendergrass (Lead Tenor) & Bobby Thompson (Bass). The lead was sung by Larry Pendergrass.
This was the 5th of the Chanters' 8 releases. All were on the De Luxe label - 4 in 1958, 2 in 1961 & 2 in 1963. (All the 1960s releases resulted from the demand for the group's recordings coming from collectors at Times Square Records.)
In 1959, the group, with a single change in personnel (Fred Johnson replaced Fred Paige who went into the military) recorded for Morty Craft as the Voices Five. Under that name, they had a few recordings on the Craft & Stere-O-Craft labels.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY LENNY
Dreamlovers - For The First Time - 1960 - b/w Take It From A Fool (Len 1006) – Never Played Before - $425
The Dreamlovers were formed in 1956 in Philadelphia by Conrad "Clifton" Dunn , his brother James, William Johnson, Tommy Ricks and Cleveland Hammock. Originally using the name the Romancers, they recorded a demo for Cameo/Parkway before changing their name to the Midnighters. In 1958, while still under that name, they went into the studio to back Chubby Checker on his original recording of The Twist.
After lead William Johnson was killed in a street fight, the group brought in Morris Gardner and a sixth member, Don Hogan, changing their name to The Dreamlovers. After a short time with Len and V-Tone Records in 1960 and early 1961, they signed with Heritage who released their biggest hit, When We Get Married, which peaked at number 10. After a couple of non-charting singles, they move to End Records who released their only other Hot 100 song, If I Should Lose You (1962 / #62).
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY NAY NASSAR
A. Debbie (BMGFL) - Here Is My Heart - 1965 J-Rude 1401 ($275) Last Played 01-07-2016 Doc Phil
b/w "Baby Darling." The uncredited group is believed to be the Informers. The Informers on the J-Rude label were from Philadelphia (PA) and consisted of Timothy Jenkins (Baritone), James Marshall (2nd Tenor), Henry Eugene "Smitty" Smith (Bass, Lead), Daniel Todd (1st Tenor, Lead Tenor) & Roy Walker (Lead Tenor).
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY ART CT
Clyde McPhatter & Drifters (BMG) - Honey Love - Recorded February 4, 1954; Released May 1954 Atlantic 1029 (Red Wax $750; Black Wax $50)
b/w "Warm Your Heart." Only 3 copies of the Red Wax pressing are known to exist. Last Played 04-30-2020 Tony Watson
Members of the NYC group on this recording - Clyde McPhatter (Lead), Jimmy Oliver (Guitarist), William "Bill" Pinkney (Bass; Baritone), Andrew "Bubba" Thrasher (2nd Tenor) & Gerhart "Gay" Thrasher (Baritone).
This was the 3rd of the "early" (or "original") Drifters (billed as the Drifters or Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters) 25 releases on the Atlantic label - 1 in 1953, 6 in 1954, 3 in 1955, 3 in 1956, 3 in 1957, 1 in 1958, 2 in 1959, 4 in 1960 & 2 in 1961.
(On post-1959 releases, they were either the uncredited group backing Clyde McPhatter, or their recordings were used as "B" sides to recordings by the later ("There Goes My Baby") Drifters. On a 1956 release, they were the uncredited group backing Ruth Brown.)
Vibrations (BMG) – Feel So Bad – Recorded May, 1960 – Released September, 1960 – Checker 961
B/W Cave Man Last Played 06-23-2011 ???? - $5
Personnel - Dan Bradley, Carlton Fisher, David Govan, James E. Johnson, Richard E. Owens
Nothing else is known about this group
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ MIKE G
Counts (BMG) – I Need You Always – Recorded 1953 – Released January, 1954 – Dot 1188
B/W Darling Dear Last Played 11-23-2023 DJ Mike G - $75
Members of the Indianapolis (IN) group - Chester Brown (Lead Tenor), James Lee (Bass), Robert Penick (2nd Tenor), Robert Wesley (1st Tenor) & Robert Young (Baritone). The lead was sung by Chester Brown.
This was the 1st of the group's 8 releases. All were on the Dot label - 5 in 1954, 2 in 1955 & 1 in 1956. This was their 2nd. (Dot also reissued 3 of their singles in the early 1960s.)
Gallahads – Gone – 1960 - Nite Owl 20 - 11-1959 Reissued Rendezvous 1961 – GMH – b/w So Long - Bobby Dixon, Clifton Jones, James Pipkin, Ernie Rouse, Tony Smith
Last Played 07-02-15 Bull - $375
The Gallahads -- led by Jimmy Pipkin -- are best remembered for "Lonely Guy," an enormous smash hit in 1960. Lead vocalist Pipkin, Bobby Dixon (first tenor and lead), "Tiny" Tony Smith (second tenor), and bass man Ernie Rouse formed this vocal group in Seattle, WA, in 1952, while they were still in junior high. At first they called themselves the Echoes, but by the time they traveled to L.A. to record for Del-Fi Records and the Donna subsidiary, they were calling themselves the Gallahads. The group had only few releases , but each had enormous impact. Their first single, "Lonely Guy," was released on both the Del-Fi and Donna labels, almost simultaneously. It proved to become an enormous smash, charting between June and September of 1960 and peaking at number nine in the Top Ten. In Los Angeles, it spent ten weeks at number one on the KFWB Fabulous Forty, the number one station in town. It also charted at number 111 on the national pop charts.
Pipkin's final Gallahads single failed to earn them airplay as well and the original group soon split up.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY TIM
Ballards (BMG) - I Hope I Never Fall In Love - Circa 1961 Veltone 1738 ($200)
b/w "Do It Now." Members on this recording - Lesley La Palma, Bobby Meade, Nathan Robertson (Tenor) & Rico Thompson (Lead). Last Played 12-16-2021 Tim
It is reported that this was the 1st 45 by the group which evolved from the Fabulous Flames (Bay-Tone) who were the "2nd" set of "Flames" to perform with James Brown.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY BULL
Spaniels (Bmg) - All The Places I've Been - Classic Artists 138 July 1995 ($5)
B/W "Sloppy Drunk." Members Of The One-Record, Reformed Group - Thornton James "Pookie" Hudson, Sonny Pate, George Spann, Moe Warren. The Lead Was Sung By Pookie Hudson. Last Played 03-26-2015 Brad
This Was The Last Single Release By The Spaniels; It Was Also The Last Release On Dave Antrell's Classic Artists Label.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DENNY T
Saucers (BMG) - Please Understand - Recorded Circa 1959; Released 1989 Gulf Coast LP 103 ("Presenting The Saucers") Last Played 11-02-2023 Denny
$7 Members of the Dallas (TX) group - Leonard Allen, Charles Beacham, Jim Beacham, James Stanley & Verdie Lee Thomas.
The Saucers had singles released as follows - 1 on Felco (in 1959 credited to Frank Johnson & Saucers), 1 on Kick (in 1958) & 1 on Lynne (in 1964).
They were closely related (4 common members) to the Velvetones ("Penalty Of Love") on the "D" label.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY JACK
Five Dapps (aka The Five Dapps) - Do Whop A Do - b/w 1958 - You're So Unfaithful - 1957 Brax 207 – Last Played Never Played Before - $550
Celebrated as the "Godmother of Detroit Soul," Johnnie Mae Matthews was born December 31, 1922, in Bessemer, AL. When she was 12 the family relocated to New Jersey, and in 1947 Matthews alone moved to Detroit, where she married and raised a family, largely limiting her musical aspirations to singing and playing piano at home. In 1957 she joined a local quintet called the Five Dapps and eventually recorded her first 45 in 1958. It was released on the Brax label, a short lived enterprise funded by local realtor George Braxton.
Songwriter James Bennett sang lead on Do Wop A Do - a Chuck Berry styled Rock n' Roll number complete with guitar breaks. Johnnie Mae took over on the slower flip side, a jazzy-blues song titled You're So Unfaithful. The other three Dapps were George Wooden, guitarist Emry Franklin and Albert Williams, who had the sobriquet, "Fruit". Later in 1958, Matthews formed her own record label, dubbed the Northern Recording Company, so named in honor of the popular brand of toilet tissue. Headquartered in an office at 2608 Blaine, just a few blocks from her home, she launched the imprint on just $85 borrowed from her husband's paycheck from the Ford Motor Company, in the process becoming one of the very first African-American women to own and operate her own label.
With sessions typically recorded at either nearby Special Studio or radio station WCHB, Northern launched largely as a vehicle for Matthews' own performing career. Its premiere release, 1959's "Dreamer," was credited to Johnnie Mae Matthews & the Dapps, while the follow-up, "Mr. Fine," featured as its flip side "Someday," a solo turn by local singer Chet Oliver. She went on to manage the "The Distants" who were later renamed "The Temptations", Northern Recording Company later issued their debut single "Come On".
Moonglows (BMG) - Whistle My Love - Recorded September 27, 1953; Released October 1953 Chance 1147 ($3,000) Last Played 10-20-2022 Jack
b/w "Baby Please." Members on this recording - Prentiss Barnes (Bass), Robert Lester Dallas aka Bobby Lester (1st Tenor), Harvey Fuqua (Lead Tenor), Billy Johnson (Guitarist) & Alexander Walton aka Alexander "Pete" Graves (2nd Tenor). The lead was sung by Bobby Lester. The group was from Cleveland (OH) with its roots in Louisville (KY).
This was the 1st of the Moonglows' 5 releases on the Chance label - 2 in 1953 & 3 in 1954. Before Chance, they had 1 release on the Champagne label (in March 1953).
After Chance, they had 20 singles released on Chess (1 in 1954, 4 in 1955, 4 in 1956, 4 in 1957, 1 in 1958, 3 in 1959, 1 in 1950, 1 in 1961 & 1 early 1960s with the exact date not known), 3 on Checker (1 in 1954 & 1 in 1955 as the Moonlighters and 1 in 1955 uncredited backing Bo Diddley), 1 on Big P (in 1972) & 2 on RCA Victor (in 1972).
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY SAVANNAH RAY
Majors - A Wonderful Dream - May 14, 1962 Imperial 5855 ($8)
This Was Recorded For Utopia Records Which Sold The Master To Imperial. The Majors Were - Ricky Cordo, Ronald Gathers, Eugene Glass, Idella Morris, & Frank Troutt. The Group Previously Recorded As The Versatiles - Lundee Dundee On Ro-Cal, # 1002, In September 1960. Last Played 08-30-2012 Donna
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY PHIL J
Laddins (BMG) - I'll Kiss Your Teardrops Away - September 1962 Angie (No #) ($20) Last Played 02-18-2021 Joe K
b/w "If You Need Me I'll Be There." There was a 2nd pressing on October 30, 1962 on Angie (# 1790).
The Harlem (NYC) group on this recording was - David "Pinky" Coleman (Tenor), Ernest "Micky" Goody (1st Tenor), Earl "E. J." Marcus (2nd Tenor) & John Marcus (Baritone). (Bass singer Bobby Jay, who many associate with the Laddins, was not in the group on this recording.)
This was their only release on the Angie label. They also had 1 on Bardell (in 1963), 1 on Butane (in 1963), 1 on Central (in 1958), 1 on Folly (in 1960), 1 on Grey Cliff (in 1959), 1 on Groove (in 1962), 1 on Isle (a 1960 re-release of their Folly release), 1 on Theatre (in 1961) & 1 on Times Sq. (a 1962 re-release of their Central release).
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY NANCY
Quails (BMG) - My Love - September 1962 Harvey 116 ($25) Last Played 07-14-2022 Bull
b/w "Never Felt Like This Before." Harvey Fuqua owned the label and produced the record. He was not a member of the Quails.
Members of the Cleveland (OH) group on this recording - Art Kirkpatrick (Baritone, Bass), Curtis Robinson (Bass), Jimmy Spencer (2nd Tenor), William "Billy" Strawbridge (1st Tenor) & Harold Sudberry (Lead Tenor).
This was the 2nd of the group’s 3 releases. All were on the Harvey label - 2 in 1962 & 1 in 1963. The 1st was released twice in 1962; first as the Five Quails and then as the Quails.
Art Kirkpatrick & William "Billy" Strawbridge were previously members of another Five Quails group (that had a 1957 release on Mercury).
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY VIC
Danny & Juniors (WMG) - Dottie - April 1958 ABC-Paramount 9926 ($20) b/w "In The Meantime." Last Played 04-25-2024 Dave - Recorded for Singular Records whose owner, Artie Singer, sold the masters to ABC-Paramount. (He did the same thing with the group's biggest seller, "At The Hop.") Members of the Philadelphia (PA) group on this recording - Frank Maffei (2nd Tenor), Danny Rapp (Lead) & Joseph Terranova aka Joe Terry.
The group was originally known as the Juvenairs. After their name change to Danny & the Juniors, they became one of the first White groups to have National success with R&B flavored Vocal Group Harmony recordings.
Delco's (BMG) - Arabia - October 1962 Ebony 01 ($75) Last Played 08-17-2023 Freddie
b/w Ebony # 02 - "These Three Little Words." Reissued on Showcase (# 2501) in February 1963. Members of the South Bend (IN) group on this recording - Richard Greene (2nd Tenor), Glenn Madison (1st Tenor; Baritone), Otis Smith (Bass), Peter Woodard (Tenor) & Ralph Woods (Tenor; Baritone; Bass). The lead was sung by Peter Woodard.
Their only other single was released in November 1963 on Sound Stage 7 (# 2515) - "Just Ask." In 2001, Ed Engel released a CD of their previously unreleased material - Crystal Ball # 1035 - “The Delcos - Boy Could They Sing.”
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY FREDDIE (SACKIE)
Avalons (BMG) - Love Me Now Or Let Me Go - Recorded Circa 1955; Released 1988 Relic Apollo LP 5075 ("The Apollo Acappella Audition Album") Last Played 11-30-2023 Freddie
There were a few different groups who used the name "Avalons.”
On this Relic LP, there are 3 recordings credited to the Avalons - "Baby Looka Here," "Love Me Now Or Let Me Go" & "Do Something For Me."
Who the Avalons were on these recordings is a mystery. The only thing known with complete certainty is that they are NOT the (“Heart’s Desire”) Avalons from Newport News (VA). (They are NOT the Gentlemen as some have speculated.)
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY PATRICK
Paramounts (BMG) - Take My Heart - April 1959 Combo 156 ($150) Last Played 07-27-2023 DJ Lou b/w "Thunderbird Baby." Members - Robert Baker (Lead Tenor; 2nd Tenor), John Blalock (1st Tenor), Ernest "Jahmal" L. Hamilton (2nd Tenor) & James Lanier (Baritone). The lead was sung by Bobby Baker. They were from the Watts section of Los Angeles (CA).
While this was their only release as the Paramounts, Robert Baker, Ernest "Jahmal" L. Hamilton & James Lanier also were the Sevilles on Galaxy # 717. They were related to the Thor-Ables on Titanic (2 common members.)
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY LORI D
Opals (BMG) – Come To Me Darling – Released June, 1954 – Luna 5001
B/W Squeeze Me Baby Last Played Never Played Before - $125
Personnel - Martin Brown, Johnny Hopson, Earl Wade, Teddy Williams
In June of 1954 Luna Records issues #10-101, its very first recording by a group called The Crystals. The songs are "Come To Me Darling" and "Squeeze Me Baby". Soon after its release they find another group called The Crystals exists and they record for the DeLuxe label.
Six weeks after its initial release the record is re-issued as Luna 5001 by The Opals and the label is now identified as a subsidiary of Apollo Records. In October of that year The Opals record again, this time for the parent label Apollo and #462 is released - "Ooh But She Did" and "My Hearts Desire". That seems to be the entire history of The Opals on record. Later, Wade joined The Cadillacs. Earlier, Williams had been with The Vocaleers.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ MIKE SHALAWAY
Preludes (IMG) - Vanishing Angel - Recorded February 18, 1958; Released May 26, 1958 Cub 9005 ($125) Last Played 11-30-2023 DJ Mike Shalaway
b/w "Kingdom Of Love." This was the group's only release. The pressing of this 45 on Acme (# 730) is a counterfeit.
Known members of the Bronx (NY) group - Sonny Aaron, Fred Cohen & Bobby Miano (Lead), rest are unknown.
Bobby Miano went on to be well-known as a character actor, appearing in over 100 feature films and television programs. He is known for repeatedly playing "mobster" characters.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY LARRY D
Flairs (BMG) - I’d Climb The Hills And Mountains - April 1957 Antler 4005 ($60) Last Played 05-25-2023 Larry D b/w "Swing Pretty Mama." Members of the Los Angeles (CA) group on this recording - Kenneth Byle (1st Tenor), Cornelius Gunter (2nd Tenor), George Hollis (Bass) & Thomas Miller (Baritone). The lead was sung by Kenneth Byle.
This was this group of Flairs' only release on the Antler label. They also had 2 on releases on ABC-Paramount (in 1956).
The group was put together by Cornel Gunter after the original Flairs disbanded. Only Cornel had any connection to the original group (that recorded for the Flair label).
Carians (WMG) - She's Gone - December 1961 Indigo 136 ($75) Last Played 06-01-2023 Patrick b/w "Snooty Friends." This remake of the Chantels' classic is every bit as good as (and some say better than) the original version.
Members of the Columbus (OH) group - Pug Pepper, Paul Perry, Dave Rathburn, Ron Rieser & Phil Stobart. The lead was sung by Ron Rieser.
This was the Carians' only release on the Indigo label. They also had a 1961 release on the Magenta label (# 04) - "Only A Dream." The group (the exact same line-up) also had a 1960 release as the Cordials on the Cordial label (# 1001) - "I'm Ashamed."
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ PAUL
Illusions (WMG) - Better Late Than Never - 1957 Axtel 101 ($100) First 01-30-2014 Nancy
b/w "Rock And Roll Train." Axtel # 101 was re-released in October 1960. Members of the Philadelphia (PA) group on this recording - Freddie Faulkner (Lead; 2nd Tenor; Baritone; 1st Tenor), Jack Fox (Baritone; Bass) & Freddie Jones (1st Tenor; Falsetto), Al Lancellotti aka Al Lance (Lead) & Pete Siciliano (Bass).
This was the group's only release on the Axtel label. After it, the group disbanded for a few years. In 1962, it reformed (with a slight variation in personnel) and went on to have a 1962 release on Mali ("Hey Boy") & a 1964 release on Little Debbie.
(Their best-known recording, "Hey Boy" was also released in 1962 on Northeast, in 1962 on Sheraton & in 1963 on Relic.)
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY PF CITY
Arabians (BMG) – (Please) Take A Chance On Me – Released September, 1964 – Le-Mans LM-004-B B/W You Upset Me Baby Last Played Never Played Before - $276
Personnel - George Goodman, Edward Hamilton, Charles Laird, Clarence McClain, Robert Tut Rare 60s Northern Soul double-sider which doesn’t turn up very often, a sought after record for quality deejays & collectors.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY WOODY S
Harptones (BCG) - Cry Like I Cried - Recorded October 7, 1957; Released October 1957 Gee 1045 ($40) Last Played 05-25-2023 Nancy
b/w "So Good, So Fine." Personnel of the Harptones varied on their recordings; there were at least 15 different variations of the group. Members of the NYC group on this recording - Curtis Cherebin (Bass; Baritone), Claude "Nicky" Clark (Tenor), William Dempsey James (2nd Tenor), William "Dicey" Galloway (Baritone), Harriet "Toni" Williams & Willie "Lee" Winfield, Jr. (Lead Tenor).
This was the 3rd of the group’s 3 releases on the Gee label - 1 in 1956 (as the Royal Cita Chorus) & 2 in 1957. (On the 1st of the 2, 1957 releases, they were the uncredited group backing Carol Blades.)
They also had 8 singles released on the Bruce label (1 in 1953, 5 in 1954, 1 in 1955 & 1 in 1961), 1 on Essex in 1954 (sharing label credit with Bunny Paul), 1 on "X" in 1954 (they were the uncredited group backing the Woodside Sisters), 2 on Paradise in 1955, 5 on Rama (3 in 1956 (with the 2nd of the 3 as the Royal Cita Chorus backing Mabel King), 1 in 1957 & a 1975 counterfeit pressing of 2 a cappella recordings), 1 on Andrea in 1956), 1 on Tip Top in 1956, 1 on Old Town in 1956 (they were the uncredited group backing Ruth McFadden), 1 on Rapid in 1957 (a bootleg as the Rapidtones), 1 on Domme in 1957 (they were the uncredited group backing Valli Hilton), 3 on Warwick (2 in 1959 & 1 in 1960), 1 on Coed in 1960, 2 on Companion in 1961, 1 on Cub in 1961, 1 on KT in 1964 & 1 on Port in 1964 (as the Soothers).
Anthony & Sophom*ores (WMG) - Clap Your Hands - February 26, 1963 Mercury 72103 (Promo $50; Stock $30) Last Played 01-18-2018 Woody
b/w "Play Those Oldies Mr. Dee Jay." Members of the Philadelphia (PA) group on his recording - John Donato, Ernest Funaro, Jr., Anthony Maresco, & Anthony Perri. The group's Lead was Anthony Maresco.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY RIC IN PHILLY
Shep & Limelites~Steal Away (With Your Baby) / For You My Love (Hull 759) 1963 - James "Shep" Sheppard (Lead) - $20 - Last Played 04-25-2024 Ric
Shep & the Limelites' name will forever be etched in rock & roll history for recording the endearing "Daddy's Home," a tender ballad about returning from war that soared to number two on the pop charts in May 1961. James Sheppard's career began with the Heartbeats, a band from Jamaica, Queens, NY. (They were the Hearts until a female group from Harlem with the same name scored a minor hit called "Lonely Nights" in early 1955.) When not rehearsing, they competed with wannabes in parks and under street corner lamps. During one encounter they battled a group led by James Sheppard; impressed, the Hearts asked Sheppard to be their new lead.
The acquisition of Sheppard helped the Hearts twofold - not only could he blow, he also wrote gorgeous ballads. Shortly after he joined the Hearts, they became the Heartbeat Quintet and jazz saxophonist Illinois Jacquet befriended them and let them rehearse in his basem*nt.
Jacquet's brother arranged their first recording opportunity. "Tormented," a ballad written by Sheppard, was released on Network Records in Philadelphia, but lack of promotion killed any chance of success. After shortening their name to the Heartbeats, they came to the attention of William Miller, who worked for Hull Records. He introduced the quintet to owner Bea Caslin, who was impressed by their tight harmonies and Sheppard's songwriting skills; the group was soon signed to the label. Three initial releases sold well, particularly the magnificent "Your Way"; all were ballads written by Sheppard.
Sheppard reunited with the Limelites in 1970 to perform on the oldie revival circuit, but this quickly ended when Sheppard was found on January 24, 1970, shot to death in his car on the Long Island expressway.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY TOM CARTER
Lou Ragland & Bandmasters (BMG) – Never Let Me Go – Released 1964 – Way Out # - ($600) B/W Party At Lester's Last Played 10-19-2017 Bull
Personnel - Jimmy Ragland, Lou Ragland, rest are unknown
Metronomes (BMG) – I Love My Girl – Released March, 1957 – Cadence 1310
B/W I'm Gonna Get Me A Girl Somehow Last Played 09-22-2022 Phil J - ($60)
Members of the NYC group - Al Avant, John Coleman, Bobby Vaughn (Bass) & Harold "Sonny" Wright (Lead Tenor).
Sonny Wright, was also a member of the Diamonds on Atlantic. The Bass, Bobby Vaughn, was also a member of the Pearls.
This was the 1st of the group's 2 releases; both were on the Cadence label. The 2nd, "Dear Don," was released in October 1957 on Cadence # 1339.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY ANGELO POMPEO
Carnations (BMG) – The Angels Sent You To Me – Recorded August 3, 1955 – Released September, 1955 – Savoy 1172 A - $100
B/W Night Time Is The Right Time Last Played 04-11-2019 Art NJ
Only known member is the Lead Singer, Louis Van Dyke.
The group had one other release, 4 years later (September 1959) on Enrica; Some report that they are related to the Carnations on the Derby label.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DR. BILL (AUSTRALIA)
Mills Brothers (BMG) - My Gal Sal - Recorded March 18,1940; Released June, 1940 Decca 3225 (78 RPM) - Last Played 09-01-2021 Dr Bill
b/w "Just A Dream Of You, Dear." This is the 2nd version of “My Gal Sal” released by Decca. The 1st was recorded and released in September 1934 (Decca # 165). This version was also included as part of a 10-record album set titled "The Mills Brothers Famous Barber Shop Ballads", Decca # A-476, released July 24, 1946.
(Another version would be recorded on June 9, 1949 and released on a 45 EP on August 3, 1953 (Decca # 9-2762). It was also included in at least 4 later LPs.)
On this recording, the "Brothers" were Herbert Bowles Mills (2nd Tenor; Simulated 2nd Trumpet), John Hutchinson aka "John, Sr." Mills (Bass; Simulated Tuba), Donald F. Mills (1st Tenor; Lead; Simulated Trombone) & Harry Flood Mills (Baritone; Simulated Trumpet). (The group was accompanied by Guitarist Norman Brown.)
Thy were originally from Piqua (OH); with their earliest work in the Cincinnati area.
This was the 31st of their 142 released Decca singles (not including re-releases) - 6 in 1934, 3 in 1935, 2 in 1936, 6 in 1937, 5 in 1938, 5 in 1939, 10 in 1940, 8 in 1941, 5 in 1942, 1 in 1944, 1 in 1945, 6 in 1946, 6 in 1947, 6 in 1948, 13 in 1949, 14 in 1950, 8 in 1951, 7 in 1952, 6 in 1953, 5 in 1954, 8 in 1955, 5 in 1956, 3 in 1957, 1 in 1958 & 2 in 1961.
On 9 of these 142 releases, they shared label credit (on both sides of these releases) with other singers - 5 with Louis Armstrong (1 in 1937, 1 in 1938, 2 in 1940 & 1 in 1953), 2 with Ella Fitzgerald (1 in 1937 & 1 in 1939), 1 with Al Jolson (in 1948) & 1 with Peggy Lee (in 1954).
Prior to recording for Decca, they had 20 singles on the Brunswick label - 1 in 1931, 10 in 1932, 5 in 1933, 3 in 1934 & a reissue in 1947.
They also had hundreds of releases (singles, EPs and LPs) on many other labels including Banner, Conqueror, Dot, Everest, 51 West, Gennett, Harmony, Melotone, Oriole, Perfect, Romeo, V-Disc & Vocalion.
Their recordings also appeared on dozens of transcription discs and on numerous later compilation LPs & CDs. In total, they made well over 2,000 recordings and sold over 50 million records.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ BRAD
Virgil Johnson & Velvets (BMG) – Time And Again – Released January, 1961 – Monument 435 - $25
B/W That Lucky Old Sun – Last Played 12-14-2023 Savannah Ray
Members of the Odessa (TX) group - Virgil Johnson (Lead), Mark Prince (Bass), Clarence Rigsby (Tenor), William Solomon (Baritone) & Robert Thursby (1st Tenor).
This was the 1st of the group's 15 singles released on Monument - 3 in 1961, 2 in 1962, 3 in 1963 (2 of which were reissues), 2 in 1964, 1 in 1966, 2 reissues in 1972, a reissue in 1976 & a reissue in 1982.
REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY DJ NAN
Vocaleers (BMG) – How Soon – Released 1953 – Red Robin 119
B/W I Walk Alone – Last Played 07-06-2023 Barb - $250
Members of the NYC (142 Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem) group on this recording - Lamar Cooper (Bass), Herman P. Dunham aka Herman Curtis (Lead Tenor, 1st Tenor), Joseph Duncan Martinez aka Joe Duncan (Tenor), William "Red" Walker (1st Tenor, Bass), Melvin Walton (Baritone, Bass). The lead was sung by Joseph Duncan Martinez.
This was the 3rd of their 5 releases on the Red Robin label - 1 in 1952, 2 in 1953 & 2 in 1954. The Red Robin Vocaleers are referred to as the "Original" Vocaleers. Later Vocallers group (that generally contained 2 members of the original group) had 1 release on Paradise (in 1959), 1 on Old Town (in 1960), 1 on Vest (in 1960), 1 on Twisttime (in 1962) & 1 on Classic Artists (in 1992). A related group (2 common members), the Stylists, had a 1960 release on the Rose label.
CLOSER
Five Diamonds (BMG) – Ten Commandments Of Love – Released 1955 – Treat 501 - $850
B/W I Cried And Cried – Last Played 09-08-2022 A&C
Delaware group's only release. Members - Coleman Griffin, Leonard Griffin, Chick Lloyd, William Loper & James Smith.
