Concerts like
this occur only rarely in a lifetime! Yet, this concert on October 4,
2008 was the fourth such extraordinary concert that Mark del Costello
produced. 2008 marked the 25th Anniversary of the legendary 1983
Burlington concert. Classic Urban Harmony LLC played a key role in
making this year's concert a reality. We were also invited guests at
some of the rehearsals at the Bordentown Ramada Inn on Friday, October 3rd.
Charlie Horner and Todd Baptista were asked to do video interviews with some
of the performers for Mark’s Black Swan Productions. The video interviews
will help preserve the history of R&B vocal harmony, a goal Mark del Costello
is pursuing in connection with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and Museum (more
on that later). While we waited for the technicians to set up the video
equipment, we were mesmerized by the groups rehearsing. We watched in awe as
Morris Wade ran through flawless renditions of “Is It Too Late” and “Give Me
Your Love” with The Bravados subbing for the Columbus Pharaohs. We witnessed
the practice sessions of the Calvaes' James “Zeke” Brown singing “Born With
Rhythm” and the dynamic Lord Luther (Luther McDaniels) leading the Sheps in “WPLJ”.
Chicago's Kool Gents harmonized to "This Is The Night" and "Mother's Son".
Danny Zipfel and all the original Bay Bops ran through "Follow The Rock". The
Hal Keshner band as expected, did a stellar job both at rehearsals and later
at the concert. We were thrilled to be there with so many wonderful
performers, most of whom we'd never expected to meet, let alone hear perform.
The much anticipated event was at long last taking shape.
Morris Wade & his New
Columbus Pharaohs (The Bravados)
Morris Wade rehearsing with
Hal Keshner's Band
Cicero Blake leads the Kool
Gents in "This Is The Night"
Lord Luther teaching the
Sheps the choreography to "WPLJ"
Mark del Costello (right)
looks on as Calvaes' James Brown
and the Sheps sing "Born With Rhythm"
Danny Zipfel & original Bay
Bops "Follow The Rock"
The Sheps
Here are some more photos
from the rehearsals. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to the Gallery.
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Morris Wade
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The Kool Gents
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Morris Wade & The Bravados
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Lord Luther
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James "Zeke" Brown of the Calvaes
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James Brown & Calvaes
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Music Historian Seamus McGarvey & Mark del Costello
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Morris Wade & Zeke Brown
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Todd Baptista & Charlie
preparing to interview the Kool Gents
Charlie and Todd Baptista
first interviewed the Kool Gents (Cicero Blake, Howard McClain, John Carter,
Doug Brown and Thomas Williams). The group started as the Goldentones in
Chicago's Marshall High School in 1952. Cicero Blake, Howard McClain and
John Carter were all in the Goldentones, along with James Harper and Teddy
Long. Cicero was the original lead singer, but left to join the air
force around 1955. Howard McLain and James Harper also left at that
time. Their replacements were Dee Clark, John McCall and Doug Brown.
The Goldentones became
associated with WGES radio dee jay, Herb Kent, "The Kool Gent". Kent got
the group a contract with Vee Jay records. There they recorded "This Is
The Night" and "I Just Can't Help Myself". They also recorded "The
Convention" and "Mother's Son" as the Delegates. Dee Clark went on to
become a solo artist. (Remember "Raindrops"?) His first two
records. "Gloria" and "When I Call On You" were actually recoreded by the Kool
Gents.
Member of the Kool Gents
went on to back Perkel Lee Moses as the second group of El Dorados. They
recorded songs like "There In The Night". The newest member of the Kool
Gents is Thomas Williams, who'd previously recorded with the Turks on the DJO
label, who recorded "You Turn Me On" and "The Bad Brought The Good".
The Kool Gents with Charlie
& Pam
Next Charlie and Todd
interviewed Millard Edwards, last surviving member of the Sheppards.
Millard began singing with the Chicago group, the Belaires who recorded "My
Yearbook" with Decca Records. When the first group of Sheppards
("Mozelle," "Sherry") broke up, manager Bill Sheppard put together a new
Sheppards group made up of original Sheppard, Dennis Isaac, Millard Edwards
and his step-brother James Allen from the Belaires, and Murrie Eskridge, O. C.
Perkins and Kermit Chandler from the Ballads.
This second Sheppards
group scored right away with "Island Of Love." Subsequent hits included
"Feel Like Lovin'" and "Tragic". After the Sheppards, Millard Edwards
was the bass of the soul group, the Esquires who recorded "Get On Up".
Todd Baptista, Charlie &
Sheppards' Millard Edwards
Pam, Millard Edwards and
Charlie
Finally, Charlie
interviewed the Columbus Pharaohs' Morris Wade. Morris formed the
Columbus Pharaohs in Columbus, Ohio, in 1955. The original group
consisted of Morris Wade, Bernard Wilson, Ronald Wilson and Bobby Taylor.
Bobby Taylor later went on to record songs like "Does Your Mother Know About
Me" as Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers.
The Columbus Pharaohs'
first recording was "Give Me Your Love" on Eve Dodd's Esta label.
The also recorded as the Four Pharaohs ("Pray For Me"), as Morris Wade and the
Manhattans {"Is It Too Late" b/w "It Was A Night Like This") and the Egyptian
Pharaohs ("Give Me Your Love"). Morris told us captivating stories about
everyone from Little Willie John to Hank Ballard. Watch this website for
the complete Morris Wade story (coming soon).
Morris Wade & Charlie
We spent the rest of
Friday talking to many of the singers. We ran into the Castelles' George
Grant in the hotel lobby. Charlie and he have been friends for more than
38 years. We met Zeke Brown of the Calvaes, Lord Luther of the Four
Deuces and Barney Zarzana of the Bay Bops. We also talked with our
friends Leon McClain of the Quinns, Warren Tesaro of the Bravados, Frank
Chille, Lou Rallo, Steve & Carol Applebaum, Bob Diskin and Seamus McGarvey who
arrived from overseas for the concert.
Pam and Leon McClain of the
Quinns
Castelles' lead George
Grant with Pam & Charlie
Four Deuces' Lord Luther &
Charlie
Pam & the Calvaes' Zeke
Brown
The Bay Bops' Barney Zarzana
& Charlie
Click on the following
photo's to enlarge.
Then use the Back Button to return to this Page.
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Castelles' George Grant & Charlie
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Kool Gents with Todd & Mark
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Charlie & Quinn's Leon McClain
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Pam & Sheppards' Millard Edwards
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Charlie, Millard Edwards, Todd Baptista
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Pam & 4 Deuces' Lord Luther
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Charlie & Calvaes' Zeke Brown
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Bay Bop's Barney Zarzana & Pam
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The Concert
The next day, when we arrived early at
the Mayo Theatre at The College of New Jersey. The College of New Jersey
has a beautiful suburban campus in Ewing NJ and the Mayo Theater is a modern
300+ seat theater housed in the music building. After saying hello to a
few friends we entered the theater to find the Castells/Dreams on the
stage doing a sound check. Down front we ran into our friend Weldon
McDougal who introduced us to the
very personable Terry Johnson of the Flamingos. Excitement was building
everywhere that this would be quite an event! As people filed in and
took their seats, we recognized many of the faces. The audience was composed of staunch
supporters of vocal group harmony. They sat as if mesmerized, quietly
listening. Yet once the concert started, there were more standing ovations
than we could count.
Castelles/Dreams doing a
pre-concert sound check
Charlie, Pam & Flamingos'
Terry Johnson
Flamingoes' Terry Johnson
& Weldon McDougal of Philly's Larks
Del Lark's Sammy Campbell
outside the Theatre
(Photo courtesy of Ron Taylor)
Because of our early
support for the concert, our seats were on the first row near the center.
Seated next to us was Terry Stewart, President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame and Museum (see our Link page for their
website). Nearby we saw Tim Hauser of Manhattan Transfer (check out
their website from our Links page) and
farther down the row was Val Shively.
Pam and R&R Hall of Fame
President Terry Stewart
Manhattan Transfer's Tim
Hauser & Charlie
The show began with a few words from
Mark del Costello. He thanked his associate producers Richard Murray, Bobby Diskin, Frank Chille
and Todd Baptista. He also gave thanks to his supporters
who made the show possible, calling them up on stage. They were Bobby Diskin, The Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame and Museum and our own Classic Urban Harmony LLC. We believed in Mark
right from the start. He accomplished what he set out to do and it was
superb.
Mark del Costello
From top to Bottom: Charlie Horner, Pamela
Horner, Mark del Costello, Terry Stewart
(Photo courtesy of Ron Taylor)
Charlie, Pam, Mark &
Terry
(Photo courtesy of Ron Taylor)
Mark and Terry Stewart
talked about their desire to start an archive within the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame to house much of the research and memorabilia collected over the years on
vocal group harmony. To start the archives out, Mark donated to Terry
and the R&R Hall, the first contract between the Voice Masters and Anna
Records. Since the Voice Masters were the first artists to record for
Anna Gordy, this might well be the first "Motown" related contract.
Classic Urban Harmony LLC supports and applauds Mark and Terry for their
initiatives in this area. We'll be meeting with Terry and Mark later
this year in NYC to discuss how we might assist them. In the meantime,
you can visit the R&R Hall of Fame's website through our
LINKS page.
Bobby Jay who sang with The Laddins was the
MC for the show. He introduced the acappella group, The Sheps and we were
up. They were the best
that I’ve even seen them! Their harmony was tight when they sang “There in
the Night” a song originally done by some of the Kool Gents when they were
part of the El Dorados. The Sheps were attired in dark suits with yellow shirts.
The Sheps
The Sheps (Photo courtesy
of Ron Taylor)
Next my husband Charlie had the privilege
of introducing the Castelles/Dreams group. Charlie, being a Philly native, knew
all the performers. The Philly groups traded members often in the past. This
was a SUPER Philly group, consisting of Matt Atkinson who sang with Tony & the Masquins, the Troupers, the Bosstones,
the Philadelphians, the Dreamlovers
and Formations. Ron Kennedy did some singing with the original Blue Notes.
Wesley Hayes sang with The Dreams, Kenny Esquire & the Starlites and the
Coeds. Billy Taylor sang with the Castelles, the Dreams, the Spaniels, the
Dominoes, the Cobras, Sonny Til & Orioles, the Clovers and countless other
groups. George Grant who was the lead singer of the Castelles, also sang with
the Modern Red Caps, Sonny Til’s Orioles and the Ink Spots. Billy Taylor took
lead on on the Castelles' tune, “Wonder Why”. George did the lead on the
Castelles' “Over A Cup of Coffee” and “
“Marcella”. Wesley Hayes who wrote “They Call Me a Dreamer” when he was
a member of Kenny Esquire and the Starlites did the lead on that song. This was
truly a SUPER group.
Charlie Horner introducing
the Castelles/Dreams
The Castelles/Dreams
(l to r: George Grant, Ron Kennedy, Matt Atkinson, Billy Taylor, Wes Hayes)
More photos
of the Philly Super Group. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to this Page.
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Philly Super Group (Photo courtesy of Ron Taylor)
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Castelles' George Grant
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George, Ron, Matt & Billy
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Dreams' Wes Hayes
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Chicago gave us James "Zeke"
Brown and the Calvaes. For this performance, Zeke was backed by members
of
the Sheps. Zeke and the group sang three songs the Calvaes recorded for
the Cobra label in 1956, “Born with Rhythm,“ "Fine Girl" and “Lonely
Lonely Village”. In talking to Zeke the day before we were surprised to
find that Zeke also sang with the Blenders who recorded "Two Loves" b/w "Soda
Shop" for Aladdin and with Accents that recorded "Enchanted Garden" for
Mercury. We'll be working with Zeke to post his complete story on
this site in the near future.
James "Zeke" Brown (far
left) & his Calvaes group
Some performers dropped by for a quick
cameo appearance. Such was the case for Irving Brodsky (Lonnie from
Lonnie & the Carollons) and Dean Parrish. Dean, who's real name is
Phil Anastasia recorded some fine vocal group records under the name Anastasia
(Stasi and Laurie labels) before becoming a major Northern Soul
star. [Thanks to Bobby Diskin for that info.]
Bobby Jay greets Lonnie
from Lonnie & the Carollons
Bobby Jay and Dean Parrish
Eulis Mason from the Martells sounded just like the 45 when he sang
“Forgotten Spring” backed by the Bravados. Bill Witt of the Rocketones
led the Sheps on “Dee I” and “Mexico”.
Eulis Mason (far right)
doing "Forgotten Spring"
Eulis Mason of the Martells
Bill Witt of the Rocketones
(far left)
Another of the many
highlights of the concert was when two original members of the Charades flew
in from California to sing "Close To Me" and "Please Be My Love Tonight".
High tenor Sylvester Grigsby and Ray Baradat filled
out their group with the Bravados (Leon McClain, Pat Profito, Warren Tesoro,
and Jose Papo Moro). I especially enjoyed “Close to Me”.
Original Charades' Syl
Grigsby (far right) and Ray Baradat (3rd from left)
When Charlie and Todd Baptista interviewed The
Kool Gents on Friday, they had five members. At rehearsal, Thomas
Williams sang lead on the group's "Mother's Son". Unfortunately Thomas Williams
collapsed during the sound check just prior to the concert and had to be
rushed to a local hospital. Fortunately Thomas is alright now and has
returned to Chicago. During the show, Tommie Schider of the Sheps took his part. Cicero did lead on “This
Is The Night” and “I Just Can’t Help Myself”. The Kool Gents who were video
taped and interviewed by Todd and Charlie were: John Carter, Cicero Blake,
Howard McClain, Thomas Williams and Douglas Brown. John Carter now sings with
the
great Windy City Four Quartette.
The Kool Gents
It’s always a delight to hear Danny Hicks
and the Continentals. They looked great in grey suits with lavender ties and
vests. They did all their wonderful songs such as “Picture of Love” and “Dear
Lord”. The Continentals were Danny Hicks original Lead, Bill Carey bass of the
Four Fellows (Triboro label), Victorians (Selma label) and later the Danleers, Richard Green an
original member of the Shells and Harold Gill formerly of the Jive Five.
Danny Hicks (far left) and
the Continentals
The Bay Bops took the stage next with all
four original members. They had Danny Zipfel, Barney Zarzana, George
Taylor Jr, and Bobby Serrao. The group was from Sheepshead Bay,
Brooklyn. This was not only their first appearance since 1958, but the
first time the group had seen each other in fifty years. They did an
uplifting version of their song “Follow The Rock” along with "Joannie".
The Bay Bops
The original lead of the Sheppards,
Millard Edwards was backed by the Bravados. At the interview with
Millard the day before we learned that he is the last surviving member of the Sheppards.
Millard
gave us beautiful renditions of “Island of Love” and "Tragic".
The Sheppards' Millard
Edwards (far left).
The last group of the afternoon
before we broke for dinner was Terry Johnson’s Flamingos. Terry led the
group in songs that he made famous with the Flamingos and also with the Whispers
and Starglows. I loved the Whispers material, “Fool Heart” and
“Are You Sorry”. Terry also talked about recording as the Starglows in
Pittsburgh. He then sang "Let's Be Lovers". Terry Johnson, Theresa Trigg, Joe Mirrone, and Jeff Calloway
are the members of the group. They went on to sing Flamingos standards “Lovers Never Say
Goodbye”,” Mio Amore” and many more. Terry announced the last song of their
lengthy and memorable set and joked that it allowed him to leave his apartment and move to a
penthouse. It was “I Only Have Eyes For You”. What a fabulous group!
The personable Mr. Terry Johnson was smiling all day and night! He
obviously enjoys what he does. [See Terry's Website from our
Links page].
Terry Johnson
Terry Johnson's Flamingos
More Flamingos photos.
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photo's to enlarge.
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Terry Johnson's Flamingos
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Flamingos' Joe and Jeff with Charlie & Pam
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After the dinner break we
got to enjoy The Sparrows Quartet. They have not performed much lately
but sounded as good as ever. They are Dominic D’Elia, Sal Mondrone, Bob
Friedman, and newest member Vic Donna (of Vic Donna & the Parakeets fame). They dedicated “This is the Real Thing Now” to the late
Bill D’Elia, a longtime member of the group. The Sparrows were superb singing “Only the Angels Know”. Another great
group that I first saw at UGHA!
The Sparrows Quartet
Dina Diangelo and The Heartspinners were
up next with the addition of Don Cruz from the Solitaires filling in at baritone. They were
dressed 1950’s style and sang “Believe It Or Not” and “I Love You So”.
Dino & the Heartspinners
Bobby Jay and Dino
Bobby Jay introduced Tim
Hauser of Manhattan Transfer. Tim was a member of the Criterians,
earlier in his musical history. New Jersey radio WRSU personality Lou Rallo
then cam on to introduce Lillian Leach the Mellows. Singing with Lillian was Freddie Barksdale (Solitaires) on bass,
Eugene Tompkins, and Waldo Champion. The Mellows were a late addition to
the program and it was a thrill to see them again. Lillian still sounds
great! The Mellows sang all their well
know songs ending with Gene Tomkins doing the Ink Spots' song, “If I Didn’t Care”.
Lillain Leach & the Mellows
Lillian
Next, was a group I had never seen, even
though I resided in their home state of
Connecticut for many years. The Academics were well worth the wait. They
performed with original lead singer Marty Ganter and Ron Marone, Vinnie
Giordino, and John Rotti. The group sang "Something Cool," "Drive-In
Movie" and "To Good To Be True." For a bio of the group click on the
Academics page on our website. They
were excellent !
The Academics
Charlie interviewed Morris Wade for Mark,
so I learned what a nice, gentle soul he is. Hopefully, the DVD of this
concert will be for
sale soon. The Bravados backed Morris and all did a great job.
Morris sang songs from when he was
the lead singer of The Columbus Pharaohs. His songs included “Pray For
Me”. “Give Me Your Love”, “Is It Too Late”. Morris recorded the last
song with Sonny Til’s band - the Manhatons. Morris explained on stage
that Sonny Til was standing right next to him when he recorded “ It Was A
Night Like This”. Morris also told us he was a big Turbans
fan. What a singer! [Visit Morris's website through our
Links page.]
Morris Wade & the New Four
Pharaohs (Bravados)
Morris Wade
An original copy of "Pray
For Me"
(From the CUH Archives)
Next up were the Wrens, a
group we've all admired for many years. The group consisted of original
lead Bobby Mansfield, his son Robby Mansfield, Butch Floyd and Waldo Champion.
The group was fabulous, singing many songs they made famous, including "Come
Back My Love," "Serenade of the Bells," "C'est La Vie," "Eleven Roses" and
"Love's Something That's Made For Two."
![[New!]](images/smallnew.gif)
The Wrens: Bobby Mansfield,
Robby Mansfield, Butch Floyd & Waldo Champion
Our friends, Sammy Campbell and Ron
Taylor, two original members of the Del Larks ("Remember The Night") were
invited on stage to say a few words.
Sam Campbell & Ron Taylor
of the Del Larks
With all we'd seen so far, Mark still had more acts for us to enjoy.
John Carbone & Group was next. They were John Carbone, Shelly Buchansky, Joel
Katz, Jack Scandora, and Mike Stripolli. This was a very lively and upbeat
set they gave us—“I Know My Baby Loves Me”, “Adios, “Never Let You Go” and
others.
John Carbone Group
Whew, time for another performer.
Just when we were all overwhelmed we saw Charlies Weldon of the Paradons singing his hit “Diamonds and Pearls”. He was
backed by Joel Katz, Shelly Buchansky, and Bobby Jay, who volunteered to do
bass. What a great performance!
Charles Weldon of the
Paradons with an all-star group
Paradons' Charles Weldon
Bobby Jay & our friend
Shelly Buchansky,
formerly with Vito & Salutations
"Double wow" for Luther McDaniels
(Lord Luther), original
lead of the 4 Duces. He entertained us with a couple of dramatic solo songs.
See our photo for his attire! He closed his set with “WPLJ” backed by
members of the Sheps. The Sheps are Tommie Shider, Johnny Barlow, Richie Comacho, Charles
Coleman, and Tommy Lockhart.
Lord Luther
Lord Luther & 4 Deuces (Sheps)
"W-P-L-J" from the CUH
Archives
The closing act for the
evening was the Solitaires reunion. This was the group Charlie and I choose to
have sing at our wedding so I had great expectations. They were
wonderful with seven Solitaires on stage and
one in the wings. It was enjoyable to hear Herman Dunhan and Milton Love
share the leads. The other members on stage were Fred Barksdale, Don Cruz, Al
Grant, Frank Morrow, and Ray Goodwin. We just talked to Milton Love and he’s
still on cloud nine! Pat Gaston was backstage and did the deep bass talking
portion on “The Wedding”. The Solitaires recorded many great songs and
they sang quite a few of them. I especially enjoyed “I Wonder Why”, “Embraceable You”,
“Blue Valentine”, “Ghost of a Chance”, “Nothing Like a Little Love” and “Please
Remember My Heart”. This is a group that keeps getting better and more
incredible. They wowed the crowd. Milton Love just told us that
Herman Dunham will be rejoining the group on a permanent basis.
The Solitaires
Herman Dunham & Milton Love
Fred Barksdale
Mark and Bobby greet Dr.
Pat Gaston
We saw and talked to many in the
audience. This list is incomplete, so please email us if you were there so
that we can add you to the list. People in attendance were Terry Stewart
CEO of The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland and Tim Hauser from
Manhattan Transfer. Kate Karp from California was there. All The Way from
the U.K. we saw Seamus McGarvey. Philadelphia was well represented with Val
Shively, Bob Bosco, Rick Daniels, Steve Applebaum, Tom Hight, Tom Rowell,
Carl Tancredi, Dennis Gillen, Mr. Lee, Jack Strong, John Wisdo, Joe Grimaldi, Frank Chille,
Jimmy Depre Eddie Natale, Bob Campbell, Allan Thomas, Dave
Moore, Weldon McDougal, Kenny Thompson, Frank Torpey, and many more. Many New
Jersey and New York fans were there too. We saw K.J. O’Doherty, Jim Bakay,
Christine Vitale, D. Vail, Joe Loud, Lou Rallo, Paul Ressler, Charlie LaRocco,
Tom Hartford, Pam Nardella, Buzzy Garland, Dennie the doo Wop Cop, Frank Gengaro, Gordon Skadberg,
Lou Silvani, Tony O, Frank Cassi and Joanne Maquire, Mike Bauer, Seymour Simon, Hank Feigenbaum and Jeff Beckman. From New England there were the Yaffe
Brothers with their mom, Jim Santa Barbara, and Sal Ardigliani. From the
Baltimore/Washinton DC area, we saw George Frunzi, Ron Lockwood and Sam
Carson. From Central and Western Pennsylvania there were Dr. Phil
Schwartz, Bruce (Doc) Dixon and Doo-wop Donna Whitworth.
Thank you Mark for this
history making vocal group concert! Like your previous concerts, this
will be talked about for many years.
Be sure to check out the
Black Swan Society website on our Links Page for more great photos of this
concert and how to get the DVD.
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2008. All
Rights Reserved.
