THE TEMPTATIONS aka THE VAN DYKES aka THE CHARMERS

Above Temptations /The Van Dykes with Mike Cruz on lead.

Hispanic group from New York City consisted of Mike Cruz(Lead),Benny Ortiz(1st Tenor),Tommy Riveria(2nd Tenor),John"Junior"Garcia(Baritone) and Ray"Bang Bang"Martinez(Bass). they were know as The Temptations and recorded for King Records in February 1958 one single_Standing Alone/Roach's Rock. LISTEN... The second Release of the group on November 1958 _The Bells Are Ringing/Meaning Of Love.was under the name of The Van Dykes by legal name problems of King Records with The Temptation's of Savoy Records(see in this blog).this single was re-released in July 1959 by Deluxe Records.

The Group moved to Spring Records where recorded one single_Gift Of Love/Guardian Angel.the A Side is a_Sixteen Candles.Soundalike tune very popular in the local radio shows,this disc was re-released in 1960 by Donna Records. LISTEN... Finally in 1959 they moved to Felsted Records and recorded the latin Pop Song_Dame tu Corazon. with th B side_Once Upon A Dream. To Listen or Download please visit; http://www.box.net/shared/uxmgahvdeq

Above The Temptations with Efrain Rivera on lead in 1955.

In 1962 Mike Cruz, Tony Rivera and Benny Ortiz organized another group, they added two Hispanic singers, Cesar and Julio (last names unknown) and a new lead voice by a girl Inez Williams who chose the name of this new group, The Charmers. because she was known as "The Charming Latina from Brooklyn".

This formation recorded....

THE CHARMERS.

-My Kind Of Love / Johnny. Laurie records-1962.

-I Cried / Shy Guy. Laurie records-1963.

-Sweet Talk / Work It Out. Laurie records-1963.

-Looking For Trouble / After You Walk Me Home. Pip records-1964.

-Where's The Boy / It's A Funny Way We Met. Louis records-1965.