Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 175

 

Tony Bellus. Born Anthony J. Bellusci in 1936, in Chicago. He was a musician and vocalist.

His claim to fame was a self-composed tune he recorded in Chicago in 1959, called "Robbin' The Cradle". It reached a peaking point on the top charts of 25 for 26 weeks.

Considered to be a one-hit wonder, his style combined a unique mix of country and rockabilly with some Italian elements with his accordion stylings.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Bellus was a singing sensation throughout the Chicago area nightclub scene. He was a mainstay performer appearing nightly at Fritzel's restaurant at the corner of State and Lake Streets in downtown Chicago. Fritzel's was a personal favorite of local and visiting celebrities and dignitaries.

Bellus resided in Florida with his wife Tammy, also a songwriter, died in 2025.

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

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 174

 

Lanny Duncan. Rock and roll singer, songwriter. Most notable for co-writing the surf-classic hit 'Let's Go (Pony). Recorded at Candix Records and Silver Streak Records of Los Angeles, California.

Mauricio N. David, teen rock and roll singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Both song are selfcomposed.

Gloria May. Teen pop singer from Massachusetts or possibly Connecticut?

Shirlee May. Teen pop singer from North Carolina (born in 1934) and her real name is Shirley Ellis. She apparently recorded only one session for Mercury in Nashville with Orchestra Conducted by Jerry Kennedy & The Merry Melody Singers. Personnel on this session was: Jerry Kennedy, g/leader; Grady Martin, lead-g; Floyd Cramer, pno; Ray Stevens; kbds; Boots Randolph, t-sax; Bill Justis, t-sax; Charlie Mac Coy, hca; Bob Moore, bs; Buddy Harman, dms.
https://www.45cat.com/record/71969

Jerry Shane. Real name Alan Lamoreaux, from Richfield, Utah, half of Johnny & Jerry (bottom).

 

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 173

 

Two Don's.  Rock and roll duo:
Don Cole, born Wardell Donald Cole in 1942 in Phoenix, Arizona,  deceased in 1977 (see Td??) and
Donnie Owens, singer, guitarist, producer and composer, born in 1938 in Pennsylvania, deceased in 1994 (see Td??).

Darlene & Darla: Vocal duo from Brooklyn, NY. Perhaps they were also The Landan Sisters (see Ta99).

Tony Mitchell. Born Anthony Passalacqua, Teen Sound singer from Brooklyn, NY.

After his stint in The Fascinators (1958 - 1959) as a lead singer, he changed his name to Tony Richards and between 1960 and 1962 he recorded three singles (see Tb05).

In 1962 - 1963 he recorded three singles for Canadian American, as Tony Mitchell.

In 1966 he recorded one more single, as Tony Pass.

 

Nick & The Nacks. Wantagh, Long Island group started in 1961 as Nicky & The Chord-Lords. They were led by Nick Sudano. In 1962 The Chord-Lords recorded a demo single, "The Night" that Sudano composed, backed with an arrangement of the classic "That Old Black Magic." It took two years to get it released – the single was credited to Nick & The Nacks.
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/main-tag/nacks-nick-the-c26503138
 

The Nighthawks. One of the earliest rock & roll bands out of Amarillo, Texas: Eddie Reeves (rhythm guitar & vocals); Bob Venable (lead guitar); John Thompson (bass); Mike Hinton (drums). In the summer of 1958 recorded the only single - Norman Petty production. In 1962 the band recorded one more single, as The Hysterical Society Boys (see Ta45).

Eddie Reeves has other singles as a solo artist (see T36).

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 172

Milan. Born Milan Radenkovic in 1941 in Belgrade (died 1971 in NYC), Serbian-American Pop singer. Also known as The Leather Boy.

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

 

Wade Cooper. East Coast Soul singer.

Valli. Obscure female singer signed to Scepter Records where she recorded two singles. The Shirelles were the major group at Scepter at that time, so they used The Shirelles hit "Soldier Boy" as a background for Valli’s song. She also is singing over The Shirelles "Boys" on Spokane (sub-label of Scepter).

The Two-Notes. Female vocal duo: Redda Robbins and Jeanette Harris. They recorded as by The Classics on Top Rank the following year (1960).

Sonny Till. Born Earlington Carl Tilghman in 1928, died 1981. He was part of the vocal group of The Orioles as first tenor vocalist from 1947 to 1954. After 1954 changed the name (and some members) of the group in Sonny Til & The Orioles.

Also, recorded three tracks as Sonny Till, for Roulette in 1958 and for Dade in 1963. B-side of Dade single was credited to Sonny & Virgil. The label should have read Sonny & Virgie (Virgie was Sonny’s girlfriend).

https://www.discogs.com/artist/315970-Sonny-Til

Bob Moline. Teen Sound singer and composer whose career kept him active primarily in television and film. He sang, wrote and produced music for Honda, Wyler’s Lemonade, C&H Sugar, just to name a few.

https://watchfiremusic.com/profile/bob-moline