THE PHAROAHS aka THE FOUR IMPERIALS aka THE TWO-TONES

Four guys from Higland Park in Detroit started harmonizing on the street corners in the mid 50's they were Lyn Best (Lead), Frank Amodeo (Bass), Bob Manzagol (Baritone) and Laroy Casey (tenor) they called themselves The Pharaohs and recorded for Fascination Records in 1957_Walking Sad/Come On Baby.

In 1958 Leroy left the group and the rest adde Jim Hartrick and changed their name to The Four Imperials and recorded in the Detroit label Lorelei_Lazy Bonnie/Let's Make A Scene.this record became popular and the group make many personal appearances.

The group soon snapped up by Fox Records manager George Braxton and they recorded_My Girl/Teenage Fool (this last side written by Paul Simon) and Valley Of Tears/Time Out. For George labels Chant and Dial Records and backed Pee Wee Crayton for Fox on_Give Me One More Chance.as The Four Temps(see in this blog).


The last recording of the group were for Twirl Records in 1959_Seven lonely Nights/Santa's Got A Coupe DeVille.when the boys seemed to go in different direction Lynn recorded with The Seminoles for Golden World Records but these sides never released and Frank joined up with Byron Taylor and recorded as The Two-Tones the sides_Lonesome/My Broken Heart's Broken Again.

Ken in 1958 recorded with The Dappers(see in this blog).


Listen or Download The Pharoahs_Come on Baby. please visit;
http://www.box.net/shared/ox3zsjud2i

Listen or Download The Four Imperials_My Girl.please visit;
http://www.box.net/shared/t1gi19o9sa

Listen to the Two-Tones...

THE GALES_Tommy/Around The Clock (With You)

Paulette Costa (Seated)-(L to R) Shirley Machler, Madlyn Peters and Carol Fedor.

Girl group from Scranton, Pennsylvania consisting of Paulette Costa (Lead), Shirley Machler (Tenor), Carol Fedor (Harmony Bass) and Madlyn Peters (Bass).

Misses Costa, Fedor and Machler reside in West Scranton. Miss Peters hails from the Pine Brook section. Paulette Costa is a graduate of West Scranton High School, as Carol Fedor. Shirley Machler will be a senior at West-Scranton High School in September. Madlyn Peters graduated from Technical High School. The girls range in age from 16 (Machler) to 19 (Peters). Paulette Costa is 18 and Carol Fedor, 17.

The first recording of her was in 1961 as vocal support for the singer Tommy Genova (see in this blog) in his song "I Loved And I Lost".

  Miss Costa, leader of the Wales, wrote one of the tunes that appears on the 45 rpm "Tommy". The flip side is "Around the Clock With You" recorded in 1963 for the New York City label, Debra records, the group that helped them vocally on the B-side was The Magics (see in this blog), the group was active for about two years

 LISTEN...

 

THE LOCOMOTIONS_Little Eva/Adios My Love

The Locomotions: Jack Kunz,Mike Phillips,Butch Poverono,Paul Petruccelli and Fred Wessel. from Long Island,NY.

They Recorded...

-Little Eva/Adios My Love.Gone Records-1962.

Above The Locomotions live perfomance at Palisades Amusement Park.May 1963.

For more information and songs please visit:www.venturemusicgroup.com/pmp/chs.htm

LISTEN...

THE CLAREMONTS aka THE TONETTES aka VINCE CASTRO with THE TONETTES

Girl group from the Bronx in New York city consisted of sisters Diana and Sylvia Sanchez with Josephine Allen.
For the complete informacion about this group with nice pictures and good songs visit;
http://www.colorradio.com/Tonettes.htm

They recorded as...

The Claremonts:
-Why keep me dreaming/Angel of romance.Apollo Records-1957.

The Tonettes.
-Oh what a baby/Howie.Doe/ABC Records-1958
-Uh-Oh/He loves me not, he loves me.Doe Records-1958
-Rockabye baby.Unreleased

LISTEN...

The Claremonts_Why Keep Me Dreaming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1359iLC8II

The Tonettes-Uh Oh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzohmi2XLas

In 1958 this group backed to Vince Castro in the following recording...

-Too Proud to Cry/Cause I love You.Apt Records-1958.
-Bong Bong / You're my girl.Doe/Apt Records-1958.
Last single reissued in 1960 as...
-You're my girl/Bongo Twist.Apt Records.


LISTEN...

Vince Castro with The Tonettes-Bong Bong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg0rpQw1L2A

THE ENCOUNTERS_Don't Stop

THE ENCOUNTERS originated in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn in 1963 and consisted of from left to right on the above picture .. Charlie DiComo, Peter Milazzo, Steve Matisi, and Tony DiGiovanni. By the end of the year they had a recording contract with SWAN RECORDS and recorded an original_Don't Stop(With Eddie on Lead). written by Joe Venneri (Tokens) & Billy Carlucci (Billy & The Essentials) with the B side_A Place In Your Heart(with Pete on Lead).also written by Joe Venneri.

To Listen or Download please visit;http://www.box.net/shared/o4xfg8vvxt

L to R;Charlie,Pette,Eddie and Steve The Original Encounters live at the RKO Madisson Theater, Brooklyn, New York .

Eddie also sang with The Delorients(see in this blog).

For more information about this group visit;http://www.theencounters.com/

THE REDWOODS/FLAIRS/SPARTANS and THE JETS(The Jeff Barry Vocal Groups)

The Redwoods/Flairs/Spartans and The Jets were Jeff Barry "vocal groups"...

Songwriter,singer and record producer Jeff Barry begin his relation with the vocal group sound in his Eramus High School in New York where with other three schoolmates,Scott Gilman,Freddy Barnet and Johnny Devereau have a vocal group named THE TARRYTONES but unafortunelly they never made a record and disbanded after their graduation.




In 1961-62 Jeff overdubed his voice and recorded three singles for Epic records under the group name of The Reedwoods...

-Shake Shake Sherry/The Memory Lingers On.Epic Records-1961.
-Never Take It Away/Unemployment Insurance.Epic Records-1961.
-Please Mr Scientist/Where You Used To Be.Epic Records-1962.

Actually for studio & live appearances he have the help of the Dedications on Card Records (see in this blog).

--- His first single was re-leased by the label under the group name of THE FLAIRS.

LISTEN...




In May 1961 Jeff recorded for Madison Records with his wife Ellie Greenwich and an unknow girl back up group as ELLIE GEE & THE JETS the sides...

-I Go, You Go/Red Corvette.

The A Side.. have a decent vocal group sound...

LISTEN...






The Spartan's were the other "group" name of Jeff with this he recorded in 1962 one single for Web Records with the vocal side_Can You Waddle.(B Side same song but instrumental).

LISTEN...




Finally Jeff form part of the studio group The Raindrops(see in this blog) who recorded for Jubilee Records.(see below picture).


Additional note...

Later_Shake Shake Sherry. was recorded by the balck group The Edsels in 1962.

THE REFLECTIONS_Rocket To The Moon

THE REFLECTIONS

Alfred "Al" Innella,Jerry "Speedo"Frulio,Joey Orlando,Dennis Harrington and Bob Zelenka.

As in many neighborhoods at the time, singing groups were formed, dissolved and reformed with singers moving about to find the right combination of sound and dedication. Alfred, Jerry, Joey, Dennis and Bob had all been members of other groups and they came together to form the REFLECTIONS.

Echo, electricity, heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer - Rosedale Station was the perfect place to sing. This was the place the REFLECTIONS practiced on a regular basis. Practice paid off - with releases on Crossroads Records.

They released two 45rpms - 'Maybe Tomorrow' b/w 'I Really Must Know'in 1961 and 'Because of You' b/w 'Rocket to the Moon'in 1962.

The records received some air play and the group made personal appearances, catching the attention of a New York disc jockey who wanted to promote the group REFLECTIONS. Management and the disc jockey could not come to terms and so the group became disenchanted and broke up a short time later.

LISTEN...

THE SEMINOLES_I Can't Stand It

Early-'50s and -'60s Detroit blue-eyed soul vocal groups usually had great first tenor leads, and the Seminoles were no exception. These smooth harmonizers, led by Joey Finazzo and consisting of members Andy,Al and Paul (last names unknown), debuted with "Open Your Eyes" b/w "True Love" in 1961 on local hopeful Go Gee Records. The record got their name known around town, and local disc jockeys gave it a few spins, but it was nothing special.

When Roquel "Billy" Davis left Anna Records to form Checkmate Records, he gave the Seminoles a shot. "It Takes a Lot/I Can't Stand It," released May 1962, was starting to do something when Roquel closed Checkmate to take an A&R position with Chess Records (who distributed Anna and Checkmate), leaving the Seminoles in a lurch. Not for long, though -- Hi-Lite Records picked up the song and managed to get an area hit for their troubles. Hi Lite release, "Trouble in Mind" b/w "Have You Got Love,",Meant To Be/Cheating Heart. bombed. They were The embers for one release on Act IV Records, "Forever" b/w "You Can Lump It"; when Act IV failed to do anything, the Seminoles took the master to Midtown Records who re-released the sides as the Seminoles. It didn't matter, the single still failed to ignite and the Seminoles disbanded.

LISTEN...

THE FOUR FIFTHS ( Hudson Records)

Group from Beth Page,LI. consisted of Nick"Cardell"Cardella,Bruce Carter,Reid Carter and Jeff Kanew.in 1963 they recorded on the New Jersey Hudson Records...

-Come On Girl (Be Mine) / After Graduation.


Above; top left,Nick Cardell Top right,Reid Carter,Middle,Jeff Kanew,Bottom Bruce Carter.

LISTEN...





The group was managed by Buddy Greco's daughter,Jo.

Additional notes...

In 1963-64 Nick sang as a solo artist for Liberty Records(see in this blog).

Nick was also in 1962 the First Tenor of Jay Walker & The Pedestrians on Amy Records.

LISTEN...

REVIVAL YEARS...The Blue Moons

THE BLUE MOONS.

-A Sunday Kind Of Love / Peace Of Mind. Jaguar Records-70's.

LISTEN...

THE EXPRESSIONS STORY

Nicky Addeo With The Darchaes and The Uniques

When Darchae's Lead Ray Dahrouge leave the group the rest add Nicky Addeo as their new lead.

In the picture Nicky (kneeling). From left to right: Sam Siciliano, Dennis Testa, Tony Juliano, Lou Scalpati, Sal Capolongo.

This New Jersey group recorded as Nicky Addeo & The Darchaes...

-Gloria/Bring Back Your Heart.Savoy/Earls Records-1963.
-Where There Is Love/You Can Depend On Me.Melody Records-1964.

And As The Uniques featuring Nickie Addeo...
-Over The Rainbow/Fool#2.Selsom Records-1965.

See in this blog Ray & The Darchaes and Barbaroso & The Historians.

Go to Nicky Addeo Website; http://www.nickyaddeo.com/

LISTEN...

THE MONARCHS_Over The Mountain

Louisville,KY Group/Band.consisted of Mike Gibson(Lead),Jim Smith(Tenor),Bob Lange (Baritone) and Louis Lange(Bass) and the band members Don Leffler (lead guitar), Dusty Miller (rhythm guitar), Marty Williams (bass), Nick Druga (tenor), and Paul Schuler (drums).

They recorded...

-Over The Mountain/Guess Who.Regal Records-1962.
-This Old Heart/Til I Hear It For You.Jam Records-1963.
-Look Homeward Angel/What Made You Change Your Mind.Sound Stage Records-1964.
-Climb Every Mountain/Take Me Home.Sound Stage Records-1964.

Also see in this blog THE ORIGINAL GROUP.

Visit Monarch's web site at; http://www.themonarchs.com/index-1.html

LISTEN...

The Four Cal-Quettes (capitol Records)

Girl group consisted of;Judi Hersh ,Carol McConkey ,Muffy Cohan and Mary Anne Lucas.
They recorded as The Four Calquettes...
-Star Bright/Billy My Billy.Capitol Records-1961.
-I'm Gonna Love Him Anyway/Most Of All.Capitol Records-1961.
-I'll Never Come Back/Again.Capitol Records-1962.
-Movie Magazines/I Cried.Liberty Records-1963.

For more information and pictures of this group visit;
http://www.unihi61.com/FourCalquettes.htm


This group recorded as The Four Coquettes(see in this blog).

LISTEN...

CLASSIC HIGH SCHOOL GROUP...THE EPICS

Group/band THE EPICS from Athenton High School in Louisville,KY. consisted of (top row) Wayne Glore, Tommy Johnson, Art Mengel, Larry Walentachik, Bill Majors and Chick Becker; (bottom) Lynn Cline, Lindy Best Gruneisen, Jane Moss Williams, Pam Bertoli Boyd, Bobby McDonald.

In 1959 Lynn Cline was so impressed with The Sultans, he wanted his own group and The Epics were formed. The members were originally all males coming from Atherton High School. The Epics first record, "Diamonds and Pearls", was recorded on their own label in 1960.


In 1962 the Epics added girl singers, one of the first Louisville groups to do so. The Epics were soon signed by the Joni Ageney, a Louisville booking ageney owned and operated by Gene and Vi Snyder. In 1963 the first release on the newly formed Joni label was The Epics recording of "We Belong Together/Baltimore." Both sides of the record received airplay. "We Belong Together" went to number 2 on WAKY radio and number 1 on WKLO radio. It was only the third Louisville record to reach the number one spot.

LISTEN...



The group's follow-up record, "Theme For Janet", went to number 9 on WKLO. The Epics toured regionally and appeared with such national groups as the Beach Boys and the Lettermen and remained together until late 1965.

Complete info about this group at; at;http://www.epicsband.com/music.htm

THE THUNDERBOLTS_Blending

Band from Plattsburgh, NY. consisted of; Marshall Blaise: rhythm guitar Bruce Danville: lead guitar; bass in the studio. Karl Costin: drums Fred Tusa: lead guitar Al Roberts: organ Dean Fesette: drums and John LaPlante: saxophone.



In 1961 recorded for Rondack Records the Doo-Wop tune_Blending.with the instrumental side_I'm Sorry. released with a picture sleeve....

LISTEN...

Acappella Time With...THE FIVE FASHIONS

Acappella group from Stamford,Conn. Starting at top center and going clockwise..

Richy Maleski ( 2nd tenor)... Tony Matylinski (Falsetto)... Frank Arrico (baritone)...
Bruce Bundock (lead)...Richy Baur (1st tenor)... Bob Waters (bass).

In 1965-1966 they recorded for catamount Records the following sides...

1964 - Pennies from heaven / Ten Commandments of love.
1965 - Over the Rainbow / Solitaire.
1965 - My Girl / Kiss Kiss Kiss.
1966 - I'll be Home for Christmas.



Complete bio with songs about this group at;http://www.beaudaddy.com/fivefashions/index.html

LISTEN...

THE RAN-DELLS_Martian Hop

Trio from Villas, New Jersey; Brothers Steven and Robert Rappaport with cousin John Spirit.


They recorded;
-Sound of the sun/Come on and love me to.Charmain Records-1963.
-The Martian Hop/Forgive me darling.Charmain Records-1964.
-Beyound the stars/Wintertime.RSVP Records-1964.


For more information visit Ran-dells websites:
http://www.tsimon.com/ran-dell.htm
http://members.fortunecity.com/mindzwarped/links.htm


In August 1963 they charted #16 in the Billboard list with_Martian Hop.

LISTEN...

THE DELICATES_Little Girl Of Mine

Trio from California consisted of;Denise Ferri ,Peggy Santiglia and Arleen Lanzotti.

They recorded;

-The Johnny Bunny / My First Date.Tender Records-1959.
-Black and White Thunderbird / Ronnie is My Lover.Unart Records-1959.
-Meusurry / Ring A Ding.Unart Records-1959.
-Flip Flip / Your Happiest Years.United Artists Records-1960.
-Too Young To Date / The Kiss.United Artists Records-1960.
-Little Ship / Not Tomorrow.Roulette Records-1961.
-Little Boy Of Mine / Dickie Went And Did It.Roulette Records-1961.
-I Don't Know Why (I Just Do) / Strange Love.Roulette Records-1961.

For more information visit Delicate's web site at;http://www.jerseygirlssing.com/delicates.html

LISTEN...

Chick Carlton & The Majestics

Poppy R&R Group from The Complete Book Of Doo Wop...

Chick Carlton & The Majestics_So You Want A Rock/I Want Be A (TV Cowboy).Faro Records-1959.


See in this blog;The Atlantics.

LISTEN...