Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 290

 

Nicky Zann. Teen Rock singer and songwriter. In 1962 recorded one self-written single for Omega (label from NYC).

Richie. Real Name: Richard Zackarian. Country musician from Rhode Island (1923 - 2004). Inducted into the Rhode Island Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1961 recorded one single for Rhode Island, classified to Teen Sound.  In the late 1950s recorded for Columbia, as Dick Richards (see Tb13). In 1963 recorded for Rhode Island, as Cousin Richie.

The Sunsets. West Coast Surf-Rock group: Dennis McCarthy, Dick Burns, Gary Usher, Les Weiser. In 1963 they recorded three singles for Challenge, all co-written by Gary Usher.

The Vonnair Sisters. Vocal group, Sonia, Sheila and Renee Von Euer. They recorded for Walt Disney Music Company's Vista Records. They released five solo singles and one backing Anette.

Obrey Wilson. Teen Pop, Country and Soul singer, songwriter from Clarksville, Tennessee (1942 - 2016). In the 1960s and early 1970s he recorded numerous singles, some of them self-written, for Liberty; United Artists; Epic and other labels. After his music career he worked as a nurse for 43 years.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 289

 

Tom & Jerry. Teen Pop duo: Tom Layton and Jerry Darcey, really Len Chiriaka (Jerry) and Christopher Cedzick aka Chris Gantry (Tom). In 1962 and 1963 they recorded two singles, self-written in majority, released by ABC-Paramount and Ember. Not to be confused with Simon & Garfunkel's Tom & Jerry.

Tòni. Teen Pop singer from Kentucky. In 1959 recorded one single for Cherry (label from Scottsville, Kentucky), written by Mary R. Gumm.

The Tricks. Teen Pop group. In 1959 recorded one single for Jane (subsidiary of Jay-Gee), with Gator Shades & Orchestra, written by Gator Shades.

The Tremonts. Teen Pop vocal group from the Bronx, New York. Julio "Joey Dee" Decicco (lead), Dave Romano (tenor), Billy Frye (second tenor), Ronnie Lapinski (baritone). In 1961 recorded one single for Pat Riccio (label from NYC), re-released by Brunswick, credited to The Tremonts featuring Joe Dee. In 1963/1964 they backed Carlo Mastrangelo (three singles for Laurie).
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/the-tremonts-1-aka-the-privateers-a116516142

Jimmy Stevens. Jimmy Stephens, Teen Pop singer from Los Angeles, lead singer of The Safaris (first from the left). In 1963 he recorded solo single for Valiant Records, co-written by Barry De Vorzon.

Tommy Fogerty & The Blue Velvets. Early incarnation of Creedence Clearwater Revival. John Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford initially joined forces in 1959 as The Blue Velvets and later backed John's older brother, Tom, as Tommy Fogerty and the Blue Velvets. In 1961/1962 they released three singles for Orchestra Records (label from San Francisco, California). The group later changed their name to The Golliwogs and released several unsuccessful singles. In 1967, they changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty took total control of the group.

The Wonders. Pop vocal group from Akron, OH. Fred Kalail (lead), Wade Haddad (tenor), Ron Kalail (baritone) and Harvey Russell (bass). In 1957 they recorded one single for Reserve, in 1959 one single for Ember, ¾ songs written by Kalail-Haddad.

Jean Thomas. Teen Pop singer & songwriter. Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, moved to New York, sister of Don Thomas. In 1962/1963 recorded three singles for Cadence, in 1964 one for MGM. She wrote majority of her songs. Not the same as singer Jeannie Thomas.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 288

 

Jimmie Smith. Pop & Doo-Wop singer from Los Angeles, CA. In 1959 recorded one single for Flip (label from Hollywood, California), written by Ed Wells, backed by The Lockettes (see Vxx). Several other artists used this name.

Chuck Star. Teen Pop & Soul singer. In 1963 recorded one single for Atlantic.

Starlites. Pop & Doo-Wop girl group, perhaps NYC or New England based. Released one single in 1960 for Queen Records  (label from NYC, for Starlites). Several other groups used this name.

Suzy Starr. Pop & Doo-Wop singer from NYC. In 1961 recorded one single for Morgil (label from NYC), backed by male vocal group.

Sean Thomas. Teen Pop singer. In 1962 recorded one single for Cameo, with Walter Gates Orchestra.

The Tip Tops. Teen vocal girl group. In 1962 recorded one single for Parkway.

Mack Allen Smith. Musician and novelist, born in 1938, in Carroll County, Mississippi - died 2022. After his graduation in 1956, Smith joined the Kenny Minyard Band, which performed mostly in Greenwood, Mississippi. In 1956 he created his own band, The Carroll Country Rock and Roll Boys. Later, his band changed its name to Mack Allen Smith and The Flames. Mack Allen Smith and The Flames performed mostly in Durant, Kosciusko, and Greenwood. On January 1957, however, Smith joined the marines and was sent to California. During this time, he spent his weekends playing at nightclubs along the California coast. Fortunately, after his return to Carrollton in 1959, Mack Allen Smith quickly re-formed his band, Mack Allen Smith and The Flames continued to perform in Mississippi. In 1962 they recorded two singles for Vee-Eight Records (label from Nashville, Tennessee). In 1963-1965 he recorded four singles for Statue (label from Tupelo, Mississippi), backing band not credited. He continued recording in the late 1960s and 1970s - one single is listed by Kreiter.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2223330-Mack-Allen-Smith

Paul Stefen & The Royal Lancers, & The Apollos. Real Name: Paul Stefaniak. Rock & Roll and Doo-Wop singer, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1941 - died 2018. In 1962 recorded three singles, released by Citation / Cite (label from Sauk City, Wisconsin), bb The Royal Lancers and The Apollos.

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 287

 

The Candletts. Teen female vocal duo from California: Cathy Saunders (Paula Sapp aka Paula De Pores, see Tc72), Ruth Christie (Ruth Etta Stratchborneo, see Pxx). In 1958/1959 they recorded three singles for Vita Records (label from Pasadena, California), all songs self-written. One single credited to Dee Allen with The Candletts. Dee Allen is actually Dee Dee Warwick and she leads the self-written A-side of this single - it was her first recording.

The Rhode Islanders. Teen Sound vocal group, early collaboration between The 4 Seasons' producer, Bob Crewe and their arranger, Charlie Calello. In 1962 they recorded one single for Warner Bros. Both sides (new versions) later appeared on Seasons' second LP for Philips.

Gene Ross. Teen Pop singer from California. Between 1958 and 1961 recorded three singles released by independent local labels from California: Indie / Spry; Herald; Time. In majority, self-written.

The Royal Boys. Teen Pop vocal group from the East Coast. In 1960 recorded one self-written single for Tropelco (label located in Panama, pressed by Columbia's Bridgeport, CT plant).

 

Ronny & The Satellites. Pop & Doo-Wop group from Rhode Island, formed in late 1958, fronted by Ronnie Dee. The band practiced at a local Rhode Island park in an outdoor gazebo, which created a natural "echo" effect and enhanced the sound. Less than a year later, the first single was recorded at Ace Recording Studios in Boston, Mass., in May of 1959, and followed up in the fall of 1960, also recorded at Ace Recording Studios.
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/ronny-the-satellites-7-a116515552

Ronnie & The Relatives. Early pre-Spector incarnation of The Ronettes. The group consisted of the lead singer Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), her older sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley. They had sung together since they were teenagers, then known as Ronnie & The Relatives. Signed first by Colpix / May Records in 1961, they moved to Phil Spector's Philles Records in March 1963 and changed their name to The Ronettes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ronettes

The Pledges. Teen Sound group from Tucson, AZ. L-R: Reed Clements, Dick Gabriel, Clyde Battin, Bobby Verbosh, Gary Paxton. Clyde Battin & Gary S. Paxton met while attending the University of Arizona in the late 1950s. They formed The Pledges, a vocal & instrumental group, with Dick Gabriel (sax player) Bobby Verbosh (rhythm guitarist) and Reed Clements (drums). They came to Phoenix and auditioned for Rev Records and landed a recording contract.  They made two sides "Betty Jean" and "Her Bermuda Shorts". Then, Clyde Battin and Gary Paxton recorded as Gary & Clyde (see Td19) and as Skip & Flip.
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/main-tag/pledges-1-c28779770

Don Rondo. Donald T. Rondeau, Trad Pop singer from the East Coast, known for his distinctive baritone voice. He recorded numerous singles, including two Top 10 Hits. One single, recorded in 1959 for Jubilee, has been classified to Teen Sound.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Rondo

 

The Rhythm Rockets. Teen vocal trio from Los Angeles area. In 1959 they recorded one single for Faro (label from Hollywood, California).

Obscure American Artists 1956-1963, Teen 286

 

The Percells. Female quartet from Hempstead, Long Island, New York. (Clockwise from top: Joan Paulin, Betty Lloyd, Gail Jones (lead), Jean Marie Johnson. On 1963/1964 recorded four singles for ABC-Paramount.
https://doo-wop.blogg.org/search/The%20Percells/

Jerry Raines. Real Name: Rubin John Bergeron. Rock & Roll, Swamp Pop and Christian music singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Louisiana (1940 - 2020). In the early 1960s recorded for Mercury and Drew-Blan / Drew Records (label from Morgan City, L  ouisiana).

Joey Powers. Real Name: Joseph S. Ruggiero, Teen Pop singer and songwriter from Washington, Pennsylvania (1934 - 2017).
He won a wrestling scholarship to Ohio State University before returning to Pennsylvania, where he recorded three singles for the Nu-Clear and ABC labels under the name
Joey Rogers
in 1958. However, none were successful.
In 1959, Ruggiero moved to New York City. Through an introduction by family friend Perry Como, he secured a job at NBC. His singing was heard by songwriter and record producer Paul Vance, who signed him to RCA Records and changed his name to Joey Powers to avoid confusion with singer Jimmy Rodgers. Powers released several singles produced by Vance, again without success, and returned to Ohio State University to complete his degree and work as a wrestling coach.