Group from Syracuse,New York consisted of Carl Irvine, Jimmy Foran, Chuck Roberts and Terry Golden.
The Madison's first release was in 1961 as...
Billy Kid & The Madisons with Chuck Roberts on Lead as Billy Kid.
-First Time/If You Only Cared. Madison Records.
LISTEN...
Followed in 1964 by...
-The Wind And The Rain/Can You Imagine It. waxed on NYC'S Lawn Records in 1964 Produced by "Dandy" Dan Leonard and Larry Santos.
In this recording Johnny"Velvet" Whipple aka Johnny Curtis replaced to Chuck Roberts.
LISTEN...
and in 1965 by...
-Cheryl Anne/Looking For A True Love. MGM Records.(the A Side was a local hit also popular in New England,Boston,Springfield Mass,Vermont and Canada).
-Valerie/I'll Be Around (flip by The Monterays). Twin Hit Records.
LISTEN...
Finally also in 1965 they recorded one more single...
-Only A Fool/Stagger. Jomada Records.
LISTEN...
Read a brief biography of the group...
This group of Westsiders was originally known as "The Impressions' and consisted of Chuck Roberts (lead singer), Jimmy Foran, Paul Hall and Doug Jones (formerly with The Dialtones). They changed their name and ventured to New York City and recorded the hit "First Time" for Madison Records in March 1961 as Billy Kidd and The Madisons. Jones & Hall departed and were replaced by Terry Golden (Centurys) & Carl Irving (Jan & the Radiants). Chuck Roberts married and left being replaced by Johnny Velvet (Whipple). Whipple a Central High alumnus and local early 1960's backup singer switched and sang lead releasing demo recordings with Johnny Velvet & The Revelation ("The D.T.) and Johnny Velvet & The Capitols ("I Really Love You" & Slide By") between 1960-61. The Capitols at this time included Chuck Sgroi, Frank Sgroi, Tony Licameli, John Latocha and others. Whipple then auditioned with Billy Kidd & The Madisons who just had a national single release "First Time" for the Madison Record label.
With departure of singer Chuck Roberts "The Madisons" reformed under guidance from WNDR Radio DJ "Dandy Dan" Leonard. With a new name and a new lineup that included Carl Irvine, Jimmy Foran, Terry Golden (all three Vocational High alumnis) & Johnny Whipple "The Madisons" were ready for more national attention. And they did. This lineup ventured to New York City to record two songs written by Larry Santos and arranged by Charles Collela of the Four Seasons staff "Looking For A True Love " b/w "Cheryl Ann" that would be released by MGM Records (1965). This recording was selected by Cash Box Magazine as its "Best Bet".
It received heavy air-play in Philadelphia, Buffalo, Boston, Rochester, Providence, DesMoines, Iowa Flint, Michigan, Syracuse and throughout the Northeast. The Madisons made over a dozen TV appearances including the Clay Cole Show in New York City, featured on WKBW TV in Buffalo, and Syracuse WNYS TV-9's (now WSYR TV-9) March of Dimes charity broadcast in 1965 about the same time "Looking For A True Love" was topping the charts. The Madisons also appeared live at the famed 3 Rivers Inn (March 12-17, 1965) and weekly at the Little Brown Jug in downtown Syracuse being backed by Don Barber and The Dukes (Barber, Joe Sawmiller & Fred Winston) or The Dimensions between March- July 1965.
The Madisons had three more regional single releases- "Only A Fool" b/w "The Stagger" (both written by Larry Santos) on Jomada Records produced by WNDR's "Dandy Dan" Leonard and John Periales. They followed by signing a three-year contract with Swan Records out of Philadelphia. With Swan Records came "The Wind and The Rain" b/w "Can You Imagine It" released in June 1964. They appeared on the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars Tour that made a stop at the Syracuse War Memorial on July 9, 1964. Acts included Gene Pitney, The Shirelles, Brian Hyland, The Supremes, The Crystals, Coasters, Major Lance, Round Robin, Rip Chords and others.
Their final 45 rpm single would be "Valarie" issued on Twin Hits label (July 1966). They were backed instrumentally by Don Barber and The Dukes along with keyboard sensation Kal Dee. The Madison's then toured the Northeast and New England with national recording artists Bobby Vee, Ad-Lids (Boy from New York City) and the Exciters (Tell Him). During this time frame they were backed many times by hugely popular Syracuse band (later to be Hall of Famers) "The Monterays", who appeared on the flip side of the Twin Hits single with their first hit "I'll Be Around."
This group recorded in 1961 for Adelphi Records_Trees / Sunday kind of love. and consisted of; Bob Burmeister (Lead),Chris "Duke" Fonns (First Tenor),Ken Besheer (Second Tenor),Bill Modrich (Baritone) and John Castellano (Bass). If anyone have more information about this group or have these two songs please write me.
New Haven, CT. group consisted of Kneeling in front;Johnny Luth.first Row;Jimmy Colwell,Artie DeNicholas.second Row;Johnny Kunz and Tommy Juliano.
Tommy and Artie recorded with The Van Dykes(see in this blog) and Jimmy with The Avalons(see in this blog).
They recorded a 45 rpm for Little Records in 1958_Castle Of Love/Give Me Your Love.(written By Tommy and John) later re-released as by The Buddies on Okeh Records (see in this blog)
LISTEN...
In 1973 Jayne Records realase some 45 rpm with unreleased songs of The Catalinas as_Why do fools Fall In Love/I'm So Tired/Stars Tonight/I Love You/Until Next Year/Litterburg/Blue Angel/Back In My Arms.
THE GROUP.
Mixed group from California and was composed by Darlene Lucas, Elaine Lloyd, Tommy Starr, Joe Paskel & Norman Schwartz. The Ideals have only one single on Stars Of Hollywood Record in 1959 "Please Jan / Always Yours", Stars Of Hollywood was a division of Mobile Fidelity Recording Co., Burbank, California Owned by Brad Miller.
THEIR RECORD.
-Please Jan / Always Yours. Star of Hollywood Records-1959.
THE SONG.
the Ideals appropriated_Please Believe Me. of The Elegant's (see in this blog) and reworked it into_Please Jean.
THE TOPIX The Topix was formed in circa 1963 by combining members of 2 other groups. They mainly performed at parties and dances in Greenpoint. They could often be heard on the street corners or in Winthrop Park drawing a crowd of listeners. The group consisted of Frank (The Monk) Dmuchowski (first tenor/lead); Stan (Goofy) Altyn (second tenor/lead); Tom Orbanski (baritone/lead); Mike (Ox) Urban (bass).
In 1960 Al Hazan(born Albert Hazan,Los Angeles 1934) returned from his military obligation on Fort Amador in the canal zone of Panama and contacted with Capitol Records for obtainng a recording contract but in this time the label was interested in the vocal group sound and ask to Al if he have a group. Al had no group ready but with two female friends Pat and Judy form a vocal trio know as The Galaxies.
They auditioned with Capitol and the label signed the group. Al wrote the popish songs_The Big Triangle/Until The Next Time. Released on Capitol this same year of 1960.the A Side was a “tangled” side with the two girls singing counterpoint.
LISTEN...
By a name dispute with Guaranted Records(who have a group with the name Galaxie’s) Capitol changed their name to The Royal Galaxies and released in late 1960 the doo wop ballad_Over And Done With. And the rockin side_Trouble On A Double Date.
LISTEN...
The group toured around the country,appear on TV and have life perfomances but without any success with their two recordings disbanded soon.Al continue in the music bussines recording as Al Anthony or Dudley Duncan.
In 1954 eight members of diverse high school chorus in the Queens area stay together and harmonize Rock & Roll songs these fellas were Mario"Skippy"Scarpa,Artie Ripp,Stu Silverman,Joe Tedesco,Jimmy Merchant(later of the Teenagers) and three members of The Dubs.they disbanded soon but Artie decided to form a new vocal group with some others of his local neighborhood friends they signed in 1957 with ABC Records as back up group for ABC solo artists they backed to Paul Anka on their ABC hit_Diana. and broke up.
After their first group broke up Artie contacted again with their chorus friends Mario,Stu and Joe and The Four Temptations were born,they write their own songs and auditioned for ABC the label liked the group and signed a contract.
Their first release_Cathy(written by Mario & Artie)/Rock & Roll Baby(Mario,Artie,Stu). was released in 1958. The A side was a tune named after Mario's niece who was just born.
LISTEN...
B Side...
The recording have a big acceptacion and the record company give to the group more songs_My Kingdom Of Love/My Girl Chop Chop/Rosella/Sorry. (this last tune later a hit by the Impalas). but the group rejected these tunes electing to continue with their own material.
The company dischanted never recorded again to the group and this soon disbanded.once again Artie formed a new vocal group The Temptations who recorded for Goldisc Records(see in this blog) and later owened the Kama Sutra label.
1951 in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh Tony Bertoni and Sam Juliano have a vocal group know as The Sonny Boys they singing in the streets and participe in the Wilkens Amateur Hour,remained together for a brief time and broke up.
About 1956 Tony and Sam formed another group know as The Five Playboys formed by Mickey Sands(Lead),Tony Bertoni(1st Tenor),Eddie Lucente(2nd Tenor),Joe Fabry(Baritone) and Sam Juliano(Bass).In early 1957 auditioned for Joe Averbach’s Fee Bee label (in this auddition they singing a song_One Summer Night. later recorded for The Danleers) who signed the group and send this to one recording session at George Heid’s recording studio at the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh,in June of 1957 Fee Bee released the sides_Pages Of My Scrapbook/Love Me Right.
LISTEN...
The A Side was very popular in Pittsburgh and the tri-state area and the label re-released the recording with another B side_When We Were Young. and leased the disc to Dot Records for his national exposure,with the sucsess the group apeared at record hops with the most important Pittburgs DJ’s and have a life perfomance at the Syria Mosque Theater.
LISTEN...
In February of 1958 the Five Playboys recorded at the Universal international Studios in Chicago the sides_Time Will Allow/Why Be A Fool. Released by Mercury Records without any success.
In late 1958 Fee Bee Records released_Angel Mine/She’s My Baby. The A Side have a Chuck Jackson of The Del Vikings singing the falsetto part ,in the summer of 1959 Joe Averbach releaseed on his Petite label another side of the group_Mr. Echo. with the know B Side_She’s My Baby. But with a limited distribution of the recording only to the Pittsburgh area this dead soon and finally the group broke up in 1960 without made another recording.
Group from Washington Heights,Manhattan,NYC. started in 1959 by Dennis Minogue(Lead),Frank Williams(1st Tenor),Marty Trautman(2nd Tenor),Gary Giordan(Baritone) and Al Conde(Bass).
Al was a member of The Spirals who recorded the sides_Little Girl/School Bells. for Gone Records.
They recorded in 1959/1961 for Brent/Time Records owened by Bob Shad and in 1960 have a hit with their side_Lullabye. LISTEN...
This side was very popular and the group appeared on a few of TV shows incluiding the famous American Bandstand.
In 1961 they recorded a LP called_Sing-Along Rock & Roll. consisted of covers of Rock & Roll/Doo Wop songs arranged in sing-a-long format.some of they as The Dell Viking's tune_Come Go With Me. was released as single by Time Records.
LISTEN...
By the end of 1961 the group was broke up.Al Conde form part of The Holidays who recorded two sides for the Sabrina label owened by Angelo D'Aleo and Fred Milano of The Belmonts.
Dennis Minogue continue in the music bussines as Terry Cashman.
Top(Left to Right); Earl Viney and Dick Johns.
Center; George Winesburgh.
Bottom(Left to Right); Jimmy Shoup and Donnie Fuchs.
In 1957 Dick Johns,Donnie Fuchs,Sammy Ruta and George Winesburgh from the Shadland avenue distict in the north side of Pittsburgh formed one vocal group know as The Four Sharps.they auditioned for RCA but the label no was interested in the group and this disbanded.
Dick Johns and Donnie Fuchs with Kenny Korvall,Philip Wagner and Earl Viney formed another vocal group called The Dynamics they singing for a brief time,after Kenny and Philip leave the group and were replaced by other two guys,now The Dynamics consisted of Donnie Fuchs(Bass),Jimmy Shoup(1st Tenor),Earl Viney(2nd Tenor),Dick Johns(Baritone) and George Winesburgh(Lead).
In 1957 win a talent contest sponsored by DJ Jay Michael and obtaining a contract with the New York based label Cindy Records where the group recorded the sides_When The Saints Come Marching In/Gone Is My Love. The B Side was very popular in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,Ohio and West Wirginia.
LISTEN...
In 1958 the group put up the money for another release,on May 4,1958 moved to Nashville,TN. for a recording session at Bradley Film Recording Studios where recorded four sides_Someone/Moonlight/Wedding Bells/Newey Weds. The two first sides were released on his/George Bodner label Impala Records(later re-released on the Secco label).
LISTEN...
Without sucess Earl Viney soon leave the group and were replaced by Johnson Korman in this time Jules Kruspir was contracted as his new manager but by internal problems soon John Korman and George Winesbourgh leave the group ,this now as a trio added for a short period to Dick Knauss(later member of The Marcels).
2nd Dynamic's group from left to right;Ronnie Barnett,Donnie Fuchs,Dick Spracier and Dick Johns.
In 1960 Dick Johns and Donnie Fuchs with Ron Barnett and Dick Spracier reformed the group and in 1961 signed with Jake Plush owener of LaVere Records where recorded_Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams/I Can’t Give You Anything But Love. Followed in 1962 by_Christmas Plea/Dream Girl. on the Dynamic label.
LISTEN...
These recordings went complety unnoticied and after several more personal changes the groupo disbanded around 1963-64.
In 1990 Crystal Ball Records release three unreleased acappella tunes of the group_Too Young/Moonlight/Pigeon Prance. Also in 1993 Record-Rama Sound released_Wedding Bells. an uncompleted demo restaured by the label.
LISTEN_Wedding Bells.
Finally another unreleased tune of the group was enclosed recently on one doo wop CD_Going To The Zoo.
When Dino & The Dukes(see in this blog) broke up Frank Lafaro and Bob Croce with other friends as Anthony Mauro and Harry Bedrosian from Philadelphia formed Frankie & The fashions.
In 1964 they recorded _Funny Girl.for Mercury Records but the group broke up soon by the dead of Anthony on a motorcycle accident and the song never was released.
In 1992, 49th St. records released the song "Funny Girl" with a nice picture sleeve & bio insert.
This group from Asbury Park,NJ. started in 1958 as The Ebb Chords by Ray Dahrouge (Lead),Tonny Julian (Falsetto),Louie Scalpati(Tenor),Sal Capalungo(2nd Tenor),Denny Testa(Baritone) and Sam Siciliano(Bass).
They did a couple of shows at The Carlton Theatre in red bank,at the 8th Ave pavillon in Asbury and of course in school dances.in 1960 the group changed their name to Ray & The Darchaes(name took from a meat packing company in Asbury park called Marcel Darche) and finally recorded...
-Jocko Sent Me/Nationwide Stamps. Aljon Records-1962. as Ben White & The Darchaes. -Carol/Little Girl So Fine.Aljon Records-1962. -Darling Forever/There Will Always Be.Buzzy Records-1962.
LISTEN...
About 1963 Ray leave the group and was replaced by Nicky Addeo with their new lead the group recorded as Nicky Addeo & The Darchaes(see in this blog). also they were involved with Barbaroso & The Historians(see in this blog).
After this recording with Nicky the group have through the months many personal changes with many singer in and out of the group,finally the line up of the new Darchae's group consisted of new black member Barry Rufus Edwards with Ray Dahrouge, Louie Scalpati, and Sam Siciliano unafortunely this new formation never recorded.
Below The Darchaes with black member Rufus Edwards(first fron right) the other black guy in the center is a DJ.
the music files presented are posted for purposes of musical enlightenment only.The intention is to raise awareness of underappreciated artists/songs. If you like what you hear, seek these artists out on CD or get out there and find some of this old vinyl for yourself... If you are the copyright holder and wish any files to be removed, I will do so immediately upon request.
