Obscure American Artists 1956-1963 (discog-s) CB Looking Ahead & MV Hit Records 1959-1963

The turn of the 1950s and 1960s was a breaking point in the history of pop music, golden age of rockabilly, teen pop and doo wop. In 1959, Billboard BU has been launched and extended the number of chart entries, Cash Box, Music Vendor and Regional Charts (Gavin, Breakout, Territorial) added many other entries. Nevertheless, many “good” Artists from American music scene didn’t enter any chart and they are worth to be saved from obscurity. Discographies of Artists that recorded between 1956 (beginning of RnR) and 1963 (year preceding British Invasion) one/few singles*, create Parts divided into five categories

·         Rock(abilly) and C&W
·         Instrumental
·        Black Doo-Wop
·        Teen Sound (see below)
·        Popcorn (see below)

and denoted as Xnn:  X=R,Q,V,T,P. For many Artists, categorization is fuzzy!!!
* If discography spans beyond this period, then selected earlier/later recordings can be taken into account as suplement

Popcorn category has been extracted. This style, established in Belgium in the 1970s,  includes a wide variety of American obscure Blues, Soul and Trad. Pop recorded in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Singles of obscure Artists are hard to find. Missing available on Internet Marketplace below, Seller in the right column:

 Missing 

Sound quality is essential = digital rips only*

Having a pleasure in listening obscure records in good sound quality is more important than collecting poor rips. Sound quality of majority of YouTube rips also many tracks from bootleg CD compilations is very poor and such copies are disregarded. Making a good rip is very simple, modern (produced in the XXI century) turntable and Audacity (freeware) is all that you need. I have prepared  Vinyl-to-PC (Tutorial) - please follow the guidelines.

* every single track is professionally remastered and tagged (99% of CD tracks are improperly tagged)  see Project Description, Terms of Participation (old projects)

Each discography has been carefully researched, booklets with biographies are attached. Primary references: Discogs, 45cat and

http://rcs-discography.com (Rockin’ Country Style)
http://doo-wop.blogg.org
http://rocky-52.net

https://www.rocknroll-schallplatten-forum.de

Teen Collectors Record Guide 

This Guide lists singles from Kreiter’s collection and can’t be considered as  a database of Teen Sound discographies, rather as a comprehensive list of Teen Sound Artists. 

Numerous errors have been rectified, omissions added*.

Kreiter's Preface: 

"Before 1956 the Teen Sound and even Rock and  Roll were practically non-existent. Shortly after the British Invasion, in 1964 the Teen Sound was gone.”

Therefore, recordings made after 1963 are taken into account only exceptionally. Other exclusions:

1. Non-American Artists (UK, Canada, Australia, etc.)

2. Popular Artists who entered chart(s) - only recordings made for label(s) listed in Kreiter

 3. Artists not confirmed on Discogs/45cat and/or records with release year not confirmed

4. Budget labels 

* Incomplete discographies of Artists listed by Kreiter are completed (denoted by K’). Artists not listed by Kreiter but present on popular Teen Sound CD compilations are added (denoted by K-). Some Artists listed by Kreiter and included in the sheet evidently can't be classified to Teen Sound - they belong to other genres (Soul, R&B, Country, Black Doo-Wop, Trad. Pop).

T01  T02  T03  T04  T05  T06  T07  T08  T09  T10  T11  T12  T13  T14  T15  T16  T17  T18  T19  T20  T21

T22  T23  T24  T25  T26  T27  T28  T29  T30  T31  T32  T33  T34  T35  T36  T37  T38  T39  T40  T41  T42

T43  T44  T45  T46  T47  T48  T49  T50  T51  T52  T53  T54  T55  T56  T57  T58  T59  T60  T61  T62  T63

T64  T65  T66  T67  T68  T69  T70  T71  T72  T73  T74  T75  T76  T77  T78  T79  T80  T81  T82  T83  T84

T85  T86  T87  T88  T89  T90  T91  T92  T93  T94  T95  T96  T97  T98  T99  Ta00

Ta01  Ta02  Ta03  Ta04  Ta05  Ta06  Ta07  Ta08  Ta09  Ta10  Ta11  Ta12  Ta13  Ta14  Ta15  Ta16  Ta17  Ta18

Ta19  Ta20  Ta21  Ta22  Ta23  Ta24  Ta25  Ta26  Ta27  Ta28  Ta29  Ta30  Ta31  Ta32  Ta33  Ta34  Ta35  Ta36

Ta37  Ta38  Ta39  Ta40  Ta41  Ta42  Ta43  Ta44  Ta45  Ta46  Ta47  Ta48  Ta49  Ta50  Ta51  Ta52  Ta53  Ta54

Ta55  Ta56  Ta57  Ta58 Ta59  Ta60  Ta61  Ta62  Ta63  Ta64  Ta65  Ta66  Ta67  Ta68  Ta69  Ta70  Ta71

P01  P02  P03  P04  P05  P06  P07  P08  P09  P10  P11  P12  P33

R01  R02  R03  R04  R05  R06  R07  R08  R09  R10  R11  R12  R13  R14  R15  R16  R17  R18  R19  R20

R21  R22  R23  R24  R25  R26  R27  R28  R29  R30  R31  R32  R33  R34  R35  R36  R37  R38  R39  R40

Q01  Q02  Q03  Q04  Q05  Q06  Q07  Q08  Q09  Q10  Q11  Q12  Q13  Q14  Q15  Q16  Q17  Q18  Q19

Q20  Q21  Q22  Q23  Q24  Q25  Q26  Q27  Q28  Q29  Q30  Q31  Q32  Q33  Q34  Q35  Q36  Q37  Q38

Q39  Q40  Q41  Q42  Q43  Q44  Q45  Q46  Q47  Q48  Q49  Q50  Q51  Q52  Q53  Q54  Q55  Q56  Q57

Q58  Q59  Q60  Q61  Q62  Q63  Q64  Q65  Q66  Q67  Q68  Q69  Q70  Q71

V01

Access to passes only for collectors who actively participate in the project! Please read comment to T404

Please read carefuly the below  Project Description

Obscure American Artists project has been launched to create a library of music recorded by forgotten artists, from 1956 to 1963. To

save obscure artists 1956-63 from oblivion,

in another words. Their recordings are available only on original 45’s. This project is profit free project, created by passionate collectors of old music who decided to contribute their collections. I’m the main contributor, list of 45’s in my collection below:

My collection of 45's updated 30.06.26

I would like to thank all contributors of rips from original 45’s: Frank, Roy, Darrell, Gyro, Russ, Glen, George and many others sharing rips with John (Richard Sibello,...), who shares next with me. 

There is also a group of contributors who do not have their own collection of 45’s and shared individual tracks found on the Internet (Jerry, Dean, David, ...). I would like to say thank you for help so far, please only rips from original 45’s in the future. Occasionally, very good YouTube copies are used, each is professionally remastered. Overall, big thank you to all YouTubers who post good rips of rare 45's 1956-1963, from own collection.

Extensive research on biographies is an essential component in Obscure Artists 1956-1963 project. Biographical data are

• included in booklets attached to each part, in pdf format. Also, they are texted by each post/part to make them accessible for Google (or other browser) AI search engine.
• collected from the Internet resources also provided by collectors who contribute to the project.

Previously posted files (detailed track-lists) can be found below this post Observations after five years

CASH BOX LOOKING AHEAD 1959-1963

non-Billboard (all charts); non-Breakout Hits; non- Music Vendor; non-Gavin Report
no re-entries and re-issues, single edits only
392 singles ≈ ¼ of all singles that entered Looking Ahead 1959-1963.

As & Bs - no missing tracks!

NL01  NL02  NL03  NL04  NL05  NL06  NL07  

NL08  NL09  NL10  NL11  NL12  NL13  NL14

NL15  NL16  NL17  NL18  NL19  NL20  NL21

NL22  NL23  NL24  NL25  NL26

Track-list LA

Looking Ahead chart started on October 3, 1959 (with 20 positions) and grew up to 50 positions by April 29, 1961.

MV HIT RECORDS 101-150 1959-1963

non-Billboard (all charts); non-Breakout Hits; non-Gavin Report, non-CB (incl. LA)*

≈ 750 45's (SP or EP) ≈ 70% of all 45's that entered MV 100+ 1959-1963, In majority, from the original 45's (from my record collection). Mono single edits only. 

One 45 (Dennis Day) missing (denoted on the sheet)

Every track is professionally remastered and tagged (see Project Description}. Data are collected from original charts, as printed in Music Vendor = numerous omissions and errors present in Whitburn’s book are rectified.

Links to H01-H50 below.

 

Non-Bill... Hit Records

* On February 23, 1959, Music Vendor magazine introduced “Beat Of The Week - Heading For The Top 100” chart (5-35 entries). This was 15 weeks prior to Billboard introducing its “Bubbling Under” chart. In September of 1962, Music Vendor’s "Heading  For The Top 100" chart grew to 50 positions and changed its name to “Looking Up”. In April of 1964**, Music Vendor became Record World and this chart was retitled “Singles Coming Up”.

H01  H02  H03  H04  H05  H06  H07  H08  H09  H10  H11  H12  H13  H14  H15  H16  H17  H18  H19  H20

H21  H22  H23  H24  H25  H26  H27  H28  H29  H30  H31  H32  H33  H34  H35  H36  H37  H38  H39  H40

H41  H42  H43  H44  H45  H46  H47  H48  H49  H50  H51  H52  H53  H54  H55

** The last issue of Music Vendor was released on the 11^th of April 1964. Track-list for 15 weeks of 1964 below, links to corresponding files (H51-H55) above (no missing tracks).

Non Bill… Hit Records 64

Tracks US Charts 59-63

you can download and sort by charts (column F): Bill, Bill R&B (B), Bill Country (C), Gavin (NG), Breakout Hits (NB), Music Vendor (NV) and Cash Box (N and NL)

Links to already posted non-Billboard Cash Box, Music Vendor, Gavin Report can be found in
non-Bill CB, MV & GR

Links to Territorial and Breakout Hits can be found in

T & BH

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. In 1959 he recorded one single as Dick Melari (see P10).

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 (2nd left) 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, 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.