Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 225

 

Harold Conner. Pop and Soul singer - one single for Recona Records (mastered at Columbia Recording Studios).

Mary Swan. Teen Sound singer from Philadelphia. Recorded for Swan (Philadelphia based label) in 1958/1959 when she was only 18.

Little Cheryl Williams. Teen Pop singer from Philadelphia, PA.

Susan Silo. Born in New York City. Actress, voice actress, singer, dancer, and pianist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Silo

Barbara Lee Mac. Born Barbara Lee McKenzie in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1938 - died 2003. Country and rockabilly singer.

Robbins & Paxton. Gil Robbins and Gary Paxton.

Ü Gil Robbins, singer and guitarist (1931 - 2011), member of The Highwaymen , arranged both tracks.

Gary Paxton, record producer, singer/songwriter, arranger (1939 - 2016), The Hollywood Argyles. ß

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 224

 

Larry Dowd & The Rock-A-Tones. Rock & Roll singer from Iowa (1940 - 2006). He had formed his own band, The Rock-A-Tones, by 1958. Apart from Dowd, the original members were 24-year old guitarist Ivan Rousseau, 22-year old drummer Ron Fiscel, 21-year old bassist Don Archer and 17-year old pianist Mickey Montgomery. Four tracks were recorded in the spring of 1959, at the Vic Blacketer Studio in Des Moines.
https://tims.blackcat.nl/messages/larry_dowd.htm

Rick Durham & The Dynamics. Rock & Roll singer from Little Rock, Arkansas. He recorded at E&M Recording studio and label from Little Rock and at Razorback Records of Newport, Arkansas.

Rusty Evans. Born Marcus Uzilevsky in New York City, in 1937 - died in 2015. Evans initially recorded in 1958 as a rockabilly singer, before performing as a Greenwich Village folk musician in the early 1960s.

In 1965 he was briefly part of The New Christy Minstrels.

In 1966, Evans assembled a group of New York musicians to record as The Deep.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Deep_(band)

Jay Fanning (& The Twilights). Rockabilly musician from Kentucky. Recorded for Acme Records (label from Brightshade, Kentucky).

Ellie Gee & The Jets. Ellie Gee was one of several pseudonyms that top Brill Building songwriter Ellie Greenwich recorded under during her early career. In the summer of 1960, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich recorded Barry's "Red Corvette", which was released as a single under the name Ellie Gee and The Jets.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 223

 

Jack Lewis & The Americans. West Coast vocal group. Jack Lewis was rockabilly singer and songwriter (1924 - 1964). Billed as "The The Singing Airline Pilot" on RPM Records as he was an American Airlines pilot (see Tcxx). In 1956 he recorded two singles (for Crest) with The Americans - flips of both singles by The Americans.

Dick Farrell. Pop and Country singer. In 1959recorded one 45 for Dot.

Troy Cory (Cori). Born Keith Alden Whitenack in 1934 in Oklahoma City. Troy started out in show business when he was in his early twenties as a singing artist and songwriter. He co-wrote songs with notables such as Sonny Bono, along with his spouse at the time Dorothy. Sonny Bono was his A&R man in the 1950s, in helping to launch his career.

The Dispoto Sisters. White trio know as The Crystalettes, from Reseda, Los Angeles, California. The trio consisted of the sisters left to right: Tina, Patty and Diana Dispoto.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 222

 

Billy Champ. Teen Sound singer - one single for ABC-Paramount.

Joie Chan. Teen Sound singer - one single for Chattahoochee Records (label from Los Angeles, California).

The Charades. Teen Doo-Wop group - one single for Warner Bros. Several other groups used this name.

Mary Nell. Pop and Country singer - recorded for Eric Records (label from Conroe, Texas).

Jimmy Clarke. Teen Sound singer, probably alias of Teddy Vann who composed and produced both tracks of the only single (Diamond Records, label from NYC).

The Dales. Pop group from California formed by Dale Fitzsimmons (songwriter and bandleader) - one single for Crest (label from Hollywood, CA).

Ray Fa(u)bus &The Strikes. Born in 1943, in Daytona, Florida - died 2014, guitarist and singer. Grew up in Iowa, played guitar in many bands in the Iowa area and taught guitar. Recorded for Soma (label from Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Bobby Elwood. Teen Rock singer - one single for Renor (label from Jacksonville, Florida).

The Fellows. Rock band from New York City - one single for Toto (label from NYC).

Patti Ferguson. Teen Pop singer - one single for Valiant Records (label formed by songwriter Barry De Vorzon), both tracks co-written by Patti.

Jeffrey Allen. Pop and Rock singer - one single  for Sound Stage 7, both tracks arranged and produced by Bill Justis.

Ann Castle. Rockabilly singer - one single for X-Power Records (small label from Millville, PA).

Eddy & The Centuries. Eddy De Silva, Teen Sound singer from Colorado, he composed both tracks of a single released on Sherry Records (indie label created by Eddie De Silva to release his sole offering).

The Bel-Aires. Rock band from New Jersey - one single for ARC Records (local label from Elizabeth, New Jersey).

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 221

 

Fred Bible. Teen Sound singer. Recorded for Alecia Record Company (label from Jacksonville, Florida) and SSI Record Productions (label from Atlanta, Georgia).

The Bush Boys. Teen harmony group, probably from California.
 

Tony Casanova.  Born Jutilio Perez in 1942, in Puerto Rico. His family moved to California in 1960. He bagan playing guitar and singing whilst still at school. He teamed with Maxica-American friend, Richard Valenzuela - the two spent hours jamming in the garage of the Perez’s family house. Later on, Richard became a legend. In 1958, Tony signed his first contract with Crest Records. Between 1959 and 1961 he recorded three singles for different labels.

In 1963 Perez changed his name to Tony Ray and recorded one single for Imperial, one more single in 1969 for Dot. At the age of 27, he ended his recording career.

Shawn Elliott. Born Shawn Elliott Santiago in 1937, in Puerto Rico (died in 2016), actor and singer. He grew up in New York City's East Harlem area.

Elliott had a #1 hit in Europe and South America with a cover of Sir Lancelot's "Shame And Scandal In The Family" in 1965. The cover failed to chart in the UK where English comedian Lance Percival's version did.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 220

 

Rick Kellis. Richard Smith Kellis, pianist, singer, songwriter, saxophonist, aka Richard "Gabriel" Kellis, member of Gabriel & The Angels (see Tc69)

Butch White aka Buddy White. Pop and Rock singer. One single in 1959 for Pop Records (label from Hollywood, California) as Butch White. Four next singles in 1960/1961 for different labels with different backing bands.

Michael Zara & The Compliments. Doo-Wop and Soul group from New York, NY. Michael Zara was replaced by Vic Donna, with the group continuing as The Compliments for later releases.

Yolanda & The Naturals. Doo-Wop and Soul group from Los Angeles, California. One single for Kimley (local label from LA).

Johnny Ferguson. Pop and Country singer, guitarist and songwriter. Born John Lambeth Ferguson III in 1937, in Nashville, Tennessee.

He started his musical career in the late 50s as a disc jockey on a variety of small stations in and around the Nashville area. As a writer, he managed to have a couple of his songs recorded by country acts Judy Lynn and Pat Kelly. In 1958 he recorded two singles for Decca in New York.

It was a demo of one of his songs that persuaded Arnold Maxin, the managing director at MGM Records, to sign him. His first single for MGM, the catchy John D. Loudermilk song ‘Angela Jones’ gave him a transatlantic Top 30 hit in 1960. Later recordings, including a version of ‘I Understand’, failed to enhance his reputation on either side of the Atlantic and he joined the ranks of one-hit-wonders. He died in 2015.
https://fromthevaults-boppinbob.blogspot.com/2015/03/johnny-ferguson-born-22-march-1937.html

Kenni Woods. Soul and Pop singer from Englewood, New Jersey, best known for the songs "Can't He Take A Hint?" and "Back With My Baby" recorded in 1963 on Philips, in association with and produced by Van McCoy.

In later years she recorded as Alice Presley, Kendra Spotswood, Sandi Sheldon.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 219

 

The Four Stars. Obscure group - one single for Cammy (small label from Philadelphia, PA). 

Joan Temple. Teen Pop singer, born in Newport News, Virginia. She sang in the local church choir after which she went to New York to further her singing career. She won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater after which she went on night club tour which was followed by her signing recording contract with Prep Records.

The Three Coquettes. Female vocal group - one single for Hope Records (Dist. NRC/Jay-Gee).

Lorie Woode aka Lori Wood. Teen Pop and Doo-Wop singer from NYC.

Terry Woodford & The Mystics. Singer and songwriter, producer, music publisher, recording engineer from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The Mystics: James "Larry" Hamby (guitar), Billy Bradford (drums) and David Hood (bass).

Ray Foster. R&B singer from NYC - one single for PJ Records (local label from NYC).

Sonny Flaharty & His Young Americans. Rock singer and the group from Dayton, Ohio. Ray Bushbaum - piano & organ, Mike Flaharty - bass, Teddy Eubanks - lead guitar, Sonny - lead vocal and rhythm guitar, Doug Porter - drums. In 1963 they released two singles, two more in 1964. Between 1958 and 1962 Sonny Flaharty released four solo singles. Between 1967 and 1983 he released numerous singles with different backing bands. 

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 218

 

Robin Montgomery. Teen Sound singer from Conroe, TX - one single for Orbit Records (local label from Conroe).

Ricky North. Teen Sound singer from NYC - one single for Versatile Records (local label from NYC).

Jonny Norwood. Soul and R&B singer from Texas - one single for Kix (label from Houston, Texas).

Betty Ann Shor. Teen Pop singer - one single for Justice Records (local label from New York, NY).

Bob Special with Buddy Greco & Orch. Pop singer - one single for Seeco Records (label from NYC).

Three "G's". Obscure vocal group from Los Angeles - one single for Rip (local label from LA).

Freddie North. Freddie B. Carpenter Jr. R&B singer (born 1939, Nashville, Tennessee - died 2025). He began his singing career IN 1957 with the vocal doo wop group The Rookies, and he embarked on a solo career in the 1960s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_North

Sheila North. June Evelyn Kuykendall, session singer, born in Oklahoma. She recorded numerous singles as a backup singer, also a couple of solo singles using different aliases: Bridget (see Ta78), Sheila North, Ricky Page (see Txx).

https://www.discogs.com/artist/633386-Rickie-Page

The Nortones. Teen Sound group formed by Steve Barri (Steven Barry Lipkin, left; see T14) and Bernie Reed. The two 18-years-olds who comprise the group, played their own guitar accompaniment as well as wrote their own material recorded for Warner Bros. and Stack (label from Los Angeles, California).
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/main-tag/nortones-c26502836
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Barri

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 217

 

Gary Kane. Teen Sound singer - one single for Amy Records

Johnny Mendell. Teen Pop singer from Philadelphia, PA - three singles for Columbia and Jamie.            

Garry Miles with The Statues. Pop and Doo-Wop singers from Nashville, Tennessee.  James "Buzz" Cason (Garry Miles) and Richard Williams first joined forces in 1955 as lead vocalist and keyboard player; respectively of the six-man Casuals, Nashville High School students all. The Band was soon one of the hottest acts of the fraternity scene and by 1957 was recording for Dot records. By that year's close Tthe Casuals had signed on as regular back-up for Brenda Lee as the Casualteens, then 12 years old. In 1960 Cason cut a version of the hotly contested british song "Look for a Star", issued by Liberty as Garry Miles. 

While that deck still rode the charts, Liberty released an update of Tony Bennett's 1951 hit "Blue Velvet" by The Statues, which reached #84 on the Hot 100 that August. The Group comprised Buzz Cason and Richard Williams from The Casuals & Casualteens plus Hugh Jarrett of The Jordanaires. They released two more singles on Liberty, Garry Miles released several solo singles on Liberty and Spar Records (label from Tennessee).

https://doo-wop.blogg.org/the-statues-a211072386

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 216

 

Don Gant. Teen Pop singer, songwriter and record producer (1942 - 1987). In 1961 he recorded a single with Norro Wilson, credited to Don & Eddie, with two songs composed by Roy Orbison, Joe Melson. Later, Don Gant produced some of Roy’s sessions at MGM and co-wrote a couple of songs for him. Don recorded numerous solo singles on Colpix and Hickory.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Gant

Lee Kane. Female singer & model from New York area.

Carl Helm. Pop and Rock singer (1941 - 2024), grew up singing in Ardmore and cut his first recordwhen he was 20 with President Records in 1961. His singing voice resembled Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole, and he signed with Canadian American Records in 1962, and recorded two singles. He was invited to be part of the groundbreaking singing staff at Philadelphia International Records and helped create the famous Sound of Philadelphia in the 1970s

Nydia Caro. Actress and singer, born in New York City to parents from Rincón, Puerto Rico, and initiated her career in the arts at a very young age while living in New York. in 1964, released a Christmas-themed single on the Roulette Records label, numerous singles and albums in later years.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 404

 

Dale Jimmerson. Teen Rock singer from California. Recorded one single for Corsair Records (label from Hollywood, California), with girl group backing, written by Beatriz Cleveland, Alex Furth.

Brends Lee (Jones). R&B singer and songwriter born 1938 (Dayton, Ohio), died 2001.

In 1956 she recorded the 1^st single for Apollo (label from NYC), credited to Brenda Lee, she composed the A-side. This single has been classified by Kreiter to Teen Sound.

In 1958 and in the 1960s she recorded numerous R&B singles as part of Dean & Jean duo or as Jean.

In 1966 she released one single on Rust (subsidiary of Laurie, NYC), as Brenda Lee Jones. B-side was a re-release, originally released in 1964 on Rust by Dean & Jean duo.

Jack Carroll. Real Name: Vincent (Vincenzo) Riccio (1921 - 2005). Pop & Jazz vocalist from Belleville, New Jersey. He was featured with Les Brown's Band of Renoun in the 1940s, also accompanied the bands of Tex Beneke and Sammy Kaye, and many more. He was night club entertainer, and singer, including commercial spots for such companies as Progresso Soup and Burger King. He also appeared in a few films.

He started recording in the late 1946.

Between 1956 and 1963 he released numerous singles for RKO Unique, Decca and Laurie, classified by Kreiter to Teen Sound.