Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 20

 

Freddie Houston. R&B and Soul singer. Born 1938; Winston Salem, North Carolina - died 2014. Freddie typified NYC soul of the early 60s and is best known for his big beat ballads. Between 1961 and 1964 he recorded seven singles: two for Carlton, one for Toto, one for Captain and two for Old Town. Two of these singles entered Cash Box Looking Ahead chart (see NL12). He was also a very popular artist on the Popcorn scene with his Carlton and Captain releases. In the late 1950s he recorded two singles for End, as Johnny Eager (see R18).

India White. Obscure R&B singer. One single in 1958 for Juanita (obscure small label, loc?).

Mel Bocci. Obscure Pop singer. One single in 1959 for Manhattan Records (label from Cleveland, Ohio), with Kathy and Charlene (unidentified girl duo). Bocci composed both tracks.

Tiny Topsy. Real Name: Otha Lee Moore Hall (1930 – 1964). R&B singer from Chicago. Tiny's first recording session was held in Cincinnati on July 9, 1957 and resulted in the bouncy "Aw! Shucks Baby" (Federal 12302), with a great tenor solo by Ray Felder. The label credit reads "Tiny Topsy With The Five Chances". The flip was a cover of "Miss You So", a Top 10 R&B hit for Lillian Offitt (Excello 2104, also # 66 pop). A third track from this session, "A Woman's Intuition", remained unissued until 1988. Her next two singles - both solid rockers - "Come On, Come On, Come On" (Federal 12309) and "You Shocked Me" (Federal 12315) both saw a UK release on the Parlophone label.
Tiny Topsy's fourth Federal single is a very interesting one. Written by the aforementioned Bernice Williams, it is called "Western Rock 'n' Roll" and incorporates snippets of then-current hits (Lollipop, At the Hop, Get a Job, Short Shorts). It opens with gunshots and probably for that reason, Dave Penny (yes, the same one) calls it a "Western Movies pastiche" in his 1988 liner notes for the LP "Aw! Shucks Baby". However, the recording date of "Western Rock 'n' Roll" (March 19, 1958) predates the release date of the Olympics hit by some three months. So it looks like the sound effects on "Western Movies" were inspired by "Western Rock 'n' Roll" instead of the other way round.
Tiny Topsy certainly was a trendsetter, because her next single (and her last one for Federal) was the original of what has become a classic : "Just A Little Bit". Rosco Gordon had a # 2 R&B hit with his version in 1960 and the song has been covered by countless people, including Jerry Lee Lewis on his "Southern Roots" album.
After leaving Federal, Tiny had only one further single released, "Working On Me Baby", coupled with "How You Changed" (Argo 5383). In the UK, "How You Changed" was retitled "After Marriage Blues" (Pye International N 25104).
"Aw! Shucks Baby" was re-released by King in 1963, not long before her untimely death at the age of only 34. She never scored a hit, but her small legacy is thoroughly enjoyable.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129807139/otha-lee-hall

Zabethe Wilde. Real Name: Elizabeth Dickerson. Ex-shake dancer China Doll Dickerson who changed her name to Zabeth Wild when she became a singer. She recorded four songs for Capitol Records in 1961. She starred in well-known musical in Chicago in 1961 "Kicks and Co." with Burgess Meredith.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/3003623-Zabethe-Wilde

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 19

 

Bobby Dunn. Soul, R&B songwriter and singer Robert Lee Dunn active in New York, NY. Member of

The Empires aka The Prestos

(several singles between 1954 -1957).

Four solo singles between 1958 – 1963, for different labels, self-penned in majority.

One conceptual (all-twist) album in 1962 with Les Cooper & His Twisters.

A couple of singles in the late 1960s.

Richi Wallace. Pop/R&B singer/songwriter. In 1963/1964, at the age of 23, recorded two singles for Federal - all four songs co-written with

Ü Johnny Otis

who presumably produced both records.

Al Smith. Bassist, songwriter and producer from Chicago. He started his career in the mid-1940s. Worked with Jimmy Reed, ran his own label Blues On Blues and produced many records for Bluesway.

In 1954/1956 recorded two singles for Vee Jay, credited to Al Smith Combo.

More singles in the late 1950s for Falcon and Abner (Chicago labels).

Al Smith Orchestra also recorded several singles as the accompanying band (The Falcons, Larry Birdsong, Little Junior Parker and others).

A couple of other artist active 1956-1963 used this name.

Johnny Wells. Pop vocalist (resemblance to Perry Como). He recorded two singles in 1959/1960 for Astor (label from Lodi, New Jersey) with Orchestra conducted by Siravo, the first (1959) single (Lonely Moon) entered Cash Box Looking Ahead chart (see NL26). This is the same guy who was Johnny Kay of budget label fame (many Christmas, Hymn and Italian albums).

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 18

 

Dave Day aka Davey Day(e) aka Sonny Daye. Born David Vladimir Fatalsky. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area recording artist was a multi-talented performer. An excellent guitarist with « varied musical tastes. In April 1956, Dave, along with The Red Coats (The Comets), cut two sides for the Kapp label, Calpyso Rock /  Blue. The record received very little air play and virtually went unnoticed. Joe Averbach, also the Kapp distributor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as operator of the Fee Bee label was approached by Dave with some original material that he and his partner Tony Ray had written. Shortly thereafter, Dave inked a Fee Bee recording contract. His biggest hit on Fee Bee was Blue Moon Baby, a rocker with an oriental touch, was released in the spring of 1957 and shortly leased to Mercury. One other side of Dave Day’s varied musical tastes was that he also recorded polka music. His most popular ethnic recording was South Side Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, released on Epic in 1965, credited to Davey Daye. He also recorded as Sonny Day (see P04).
https://thatsallritemama.blogspot.com/2011/07/sonny-dave-daye-muffins-on-ring-o.html

Buddy Landon. Obscure pop singer. One record in 1959 for Donna (label from Hollywood, CA).

Buck Rogers. Swamp pop, R&B artist, the stage name for Lawrence Maxine Rodriguez. Two singles for Montel (label from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, owned by Sam Montel). in 1959/1960, the first single as Buck Rogers & His Jets.

Don Rogers. RR& artist based in Seattle, Washington. One single in 1959 for ASI (label affiliated with Don Rogers), A-side credited to Don Rogers, Ann Tanner & The Extroverts, B-side credited to Don Rogers & The Extroverts.

Jimmy Wallace. Soul and R&B singer/songwriter. Two singles in 1961/1962 for on-El Records (R&B soul label from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, owned by Donald White). In 1964-1966 Jimmy Wallace recorded for Alpha (another Philadelphia label).

Don Durant. Born Donald Allison Durae in 1932, died in 2005. Actor and singer, best known for his role, as the sherrif, in the CBS western series, Johnny Ringo. Recorded two singles for Fábor (1958) and RCA Victor (1960).

The Soul-Mates. Soul duo, an early incarnation of Brenda Holloway and Robert Jackson. One single in 1963 for Era, both track composed by Hal Davis, Robert D. Jackson.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 17

 

Rosemary (King). Obscure R&B and Pop vocalist. In 1960 she recorded one single for Robbee (label founded in 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Rosemary King was possibly the wife (or a close relative) of Chicago guitarist Bobby King who played second guitar on some of Freddy King's Federal sides. In 1962 she recorded two singles for Federal. All four tracks come from a Nov 21 1961 Bobby King session in Cincinnati with Sonny Thompson which included Bobby King's ‘Thank You Mr. Postman’. Two tracks from the session were issued as by Bobby & Rosemary.
https://www.45cat.com/record/4512447

Eddie Williams. Obscure R&B singer -  one single in 1959 for Todd (label from New York City). Several other artist active in the 1950/1960s used this name. Presumably the same artist (45cat) recorded one single in 1960 for Roulette, with Joe Reisman's Orchestra & Chorus.

Chuck Wright. Soul performer, songwriter. Three singles in 1962/1963, two more in 1964, all for Ember.

Jerry Thomas. R&B and Rock singer, raised and graduated high school in Jacksonville, Florida. He sang in the church choir and local singing groups. Has been on his own since moving to New York (1960). In 1960/1961 Jerry recorded two singles for Orchid Records (label from Bronx, New York). Several other artist active in the 1950/1960s used this name.

Cathy Ryan. Born: circa 1928 in Belfast, Ireland. Died: 2009 in San Diego. Pop vocalist who moved to the US in the late 1940s. In the early 1950s, she sang on the East Coast, in the lounges of New York and New Jersey, where she was spotted by Art Mooney's manager. She sang with Mooney in 1952–1953 before signing with MGM Records as a solo artist.
In the mid-50s she recorded for King Records, with Lucky Millinder and The Admirals. Milt Stavin was her personal manager at the time.
In the mid-50s, Ryan married Las Vegas saxophonist Rod Cradit. In the mid-1960s, they were performing with a revue called "Cathy Ryan and the Gents." The group continued to perform at least until 1970. Together they also formed a group called The Cradit Union which toured mostly on the West Coast, at least until the early 1990s.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2151810-Cathy-Ryan

Stevie Temple Jr. Mysterious artist, presumably pseudonym of

Jeff Barry

who composed and produced both (novelty style) tracks of Steve Temple only single released in 1961 for Dot.

 

 

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 16

 

Bill Kope. R&B singer. Two singles in the late 1950s. One for Kudo Recording (R&B label from Detroit), credited to Billy Kope & The Quardells. The second for Harvard (obscure label, distributed by United Telefilm Inc).

Wally Pate. One single in 1959 in world-folk style, recorded with Fred Norman & His Orchestra for Carlton (label founded by former RCA Victor A&R executive Joe Carlton).

Saxie Russell. Real Name: Vernon Taplin. R&B and Soul artist. One single in 1963 for Ran-Dee (label from Chicago).

Johnny Parker & The Zirkons. One R&B single in 1962 for CT Records (label from New York City). Johnny Parker was sax player.

Melvin Smith. R & B singer, born Atlanta, Georgia, 1936. Smith first recorded for RCA Victor in 1952, with further sessions for the same company in 1953-1954, with later records following for smaller labels – three singles with The Night (Nite) Riders.

He also recorded with Big John Greer, and Blow Top Lynn.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/685136-Melvin-Smith

The Nite Riders were: James "Doc" Starkes: bass /trombone; Melvin Smith: vocals / baritone saxophone; Harry Van Walls: piano; Harry Crafton: guitar / vocals; Joe Sewell: tenor saxophone; Jimmy Johnson: drums.

Buddy Skipper. R&B singer, songwriter from Raleigh, NC. In the early 1960s released some 7"s on New York labels (Fling; Fury Records).

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 15

 

Renfro & Jackson. Jesse Sailes & Chuck Hamilton. In 1963 recorded one single for G.S.P. Records (label from Hollywood, California, founded by Gary Paxton), novelty tune divided into two parts, composed by Paul Nuckles better known as a Hollywood stuntman.
https://www.45cat.com/record/45gsp2304

Bob Ridgley. Real Name: Robert Ritterbusch. One novelty single in 1961 for Del-Fi, Ritterbusch composed both tracks. More singles as Bob Ritterbusch (see Texx).
Lester Robertson. Rhythm & blues singer and guitarist, who was first recorded by Jay Miller in 1959 (not released at the time). Sessions followed for Montel (label from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, owned by Sam Montel) in 1959 and 1960, producing three 45s, the first credited to Lester Robertson & The Upsetters.
He was also featured vocalist with Joe Hudson & His Rockin' Dukes in two titles, recorded in 1957, released on Excello.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2629729-Lester-Robertson-2

Sammy & The Five Notes. Sam Perrone, born in Chicago, in 1935, He had many releases under various names on labels owned by Lenny LaCour. Names include Sammy Surf, Sammy & The Five Notes, Dino & The Suspicions, Dino Perrone, Sammy Holiday, The Soul Senders, The Suspicions. Labels include 620, NuSound, Lucky Four, Busy Bee, Score, Dynamic, Magic Touch, Acquarius, and American.
Two singles credited to Sammy & The Five Notes were released in 1961/1962 on Lucky Four (label from Chicago, owned by Lennie LaCour).

Albert Scott. Rhythm & blues singer and guitarist, who recorded two singles for Ace/Vin in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1957 and 1958.

Irene Reid (Reed). Jazz and R&B singer (1930 – 2008). Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. She sang in church and in high school, moved to New York City in 1947. Toward the end of 1947, she tried out for an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and won the competition for five straight weeks. Soon after she was offered a slot as the featured vocalist with Dick Vance at the Savoy Ballroom, which she held from 1948 to 1950.
In 1959 she recorded one single for Laurel, in 1962 one single for Roulette with Count Basie's Orchestra – both singles credited to Irene Reed.
In 1963 she recorded an album for M-G-M, two singles promoted that album.

In later years Reid recorded for Verve Records, performed in a Broadway production of the musical The Wiz. Additionally, she sang with Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Reid

Robert Portee. Obscure pop singer, one single in 1963 for Diamond. Presumably an incarnation of
Teddy Vann (renown songwriter and producer),
who produced the record and composed both tracks.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 14

 

Sue Rose. Obscure Soul-Pop singer. One single in 1963 for Brent (label from New York City).

Alonzo Tucker. (1915 – 1977). Guitarist, arranger and songwriter, was a member of The Royals, worked also with Jackie Wilson. In 1962/1963 recorded two singles for Cub (subsidiary of MGM) and Fono-Graf Records (label from New York City).

In 1972 released one single as Mister "T".

Johnny Prophet. Real Name: John Profeta. Born 1925 in Rochester, New York, died 2012 in Palm Desert. Actor, Soul-Blues-Pop singer. Johnny studied at Eastman School of Music. Between 1956 and 1963, he recorded several singles, for different labels, and one album for Reprise. The orchestral accompaniament for this album was written and conducted by Axel Stordahl. In later years, Johnny recorded a couple of albums.
https://people-vs-drchilledair.blogspot.com/2008/05/singer-johnny-prophet.html

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Pop 13

Skip Poulsen & The Beach Continentals. Obscure rock artists. One single in 1962 for Deauville (1960s label from Miami Beach, Florida), one song divided into two parts, composed by Max C. Freedman (prolific songwriter, most famous for co-writing 'Rock Around The Clock').

The Regal-Airs. Obscure rock artists. One single in 1958 for Star-X (label from Detroit, Michigan), B-side credited to Johnny Frazer & The Regal-Airs.

The Rendell's / The Karol's. Obscure groups. One single in 1963 for Carmax (obscure label from Downey, California),  both titles to be classified in exotica RnR genre.

Jackie Riggs. R&B artist. Two singles in 1956 for Media Records (Philadelphia-based label active in 1955/1956).

Johnny Oliver . R&B performer. A protege of Billy Ward, Johnny Oliver sang lead for

The Dominoes

on some of their Federal releases before recording under his own name for MGM (1954-1956).

In later years (1958-1961) he recorded for Carlton (one 45), Josie (one 45), Mercury (two 45s) and Liberty (one 45).

 

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 240

 

Jerry Howard. Rock & Roll singer and guitarist from California. Recorded for Ditto Records (label from Los Angeles, California) and Imperial.

Bobby James. Teen Pop singer - one single for Indigo Records (label from Hollywood, California). Several other artists used this name.

Emmett Lord. Pop and Soul singer from East Coast - three singles for different labels.

Susan & Teri. Doo-Wop vocal duo probably from Arkansas. One single for Alley Records - label from Jonesboro, Arkansas, who produced the single.

Jeril Deane & The Choraleers. Pop vocalist from California. Jeril Deane, who was of Mexican-Italian descent, was in fact Gerri Garcia, the niece of Marie Mancusco. Gerri’s mother apparently was a famous opera singer.

In 1956/1957 she recorded three singles for local labels from Hollywood (RRC, Solo), the last one with The Leaders.

In 1959 she recorded one more single, for Dot.

Bobby Jameson. Singer and songwriter (1945 - 2015). He was briefly promoted as a major star in the early 1960s and later attracted a cult following with his 1965 album Songs of Protest and Anti-Protest, issued under the name Chris Lucey. Starting his career in 1963, as Bobby James, for the next five years he released eleven singles across eight different American and British record labels.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 239

 

Lee Craig. Rockabilly singer - one single for Josie (subsidiary of Jubilee Records in New York).

Jerry Davis. Rock/pop producer, singer and songwriter. Born in 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska - died in 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Gino James. Teen Pop singer - one single for Epic (label from New York, NY), both tracks composed by Harry Nivens, aka Gary Randy (arranger and conductor from Detroit). 

Dale Houston. Pop singer from Missisipi (1940 - 2007), best known for his partnership with Grace Broussard in Dale & Grace vocal duo. Recorded three solo singles for local labels from Louisiana (Montel and Rocko Records).

Kelly Gordon. Teen Pop singer, songwriter and record producer, born 1932 - died 1981. 

After recording some unsuccessful solo singles for Mercury Records, Gordon was employed by Capitol Records as a staff producer. One of his first productions was Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe". His success with Gentry led to Gordon being given the chance to record his own album for Capitol.

Johnny Ray Gomez & The U-Neeks. Rock band from Omaha, Nebrasca with Johnny Ray Gomez on vocals and accordion. They recorded for Applause Records (local label from Omaha).

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 238

 

Johnny Meyers. Herbert John Meyers, Teen Pop singer from New Orleans. Recorded for Spinett and Instant Records (labels from New Orleans, Louisiana).

Suzie Clark. Teen Pop singer from Hollywood, California. Recorded for Rendezvous Records (label from Los Angeles), JAF Records and Crusader Records (labels from Hollywood, California).

Betty Jean. Betty Jean Revaz, Teen Pop singer from Detroit, Michigan. Recorded for JR Records Corporation (local label from Detroit).

June & Joy. Teen Pop duo from Southern California. One single recorded for Dot, both songs composed by George Motola & June Page – presumably they are June & Joy.

Nancy Steele. Pop singer, songwriter probably from New York, NY. One single for Celebrity (label from New York City, associated with producer Joe Davis).

Pat Tolland aka Jest Pat. Rock singer from Pennsylvania. Recorded for Al-Stan Records (label from Reading, Pennsylvania).

 

Kenny Tomerlin. Teen Sound singer and guitarist from Texas - one single for Teen Ager Records (label from Fort Worth, Texas).