Classic Urban Harmony, LLC

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Philly's Original Capris

Little Jimmy & The Tops

Teddy & Twilights, Deckers

Groups from Philly's Francisville - Belltones, Joe Cook's Thrillers, Royal Demons, Madison Brothers

Sensations - Part 1

Sensations - Part 2

Johnny Maestro, the Crests & Brooklyn Bridge

Johnny Stiles & the Medallions on Essex

The Plurals

The Vic Donna Story

Orioles' Deborah Chessler

Tyrone & the Nu-Ports

Windy City Harmony: Calvaes, Blenders & Accents

        The Del Larks

Richard Barrett Part 1: The Valentines

Richard Barrett
Part 2:
Frankie Lymon & Teenagers

Richard Barrett
Part 3: The Chantels, Clickettes,
Fashions Veneers

Richard Barrett
Part 4:
Little Anthony & Imperials

Richard Barrett
Part 5: Louis Lymon &
Teenchords Jimmy Castor & Juniors

Richard Barrett
Part 6: The Channels,
Isley Bros, Del Knights

Richard Barrett Part 7: The 3 Degrees, Showmen

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Renovations to the Classic Urban Harmony Library

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2008 What's New

This is an archive of our What's New Page from 2008.  Events are in reverse order with the latest events on top, the older events farther down.  For events from other years that our website existed, see...

What's New (Current)
2011 What's New Page
2010 What's New Page
2009 What's New Page
 

December 31, 2008 - New Years Eve 2008 with Nicky Addeo & the Nite Owls

Asbury Park's Nicky Addeo is one of the great voices of our time.  Read Pam's review and see photos of Nicky Addeo and the Nite Owls Band as Charlie & Pam ring in the New Year with them at Mister C's Beach Bistro in Allenhurst, NJ.  Click Nicky Addeo.  Just added, some label photos, including a red wax copy of the Darchaes' Nobell record!

Now Posted on this Website - "Doo Wop and Soul in the Birthplace of Funk:  The Story of Sammy & the Del Larks"

Reprinted from the December 2008 issue of Echoes of the Past magazine, we've added to this website our article about Plainfield, NJ's Del Larks.  Learn about the 1950's group harmony scene in central Jersey with the Del Larks and Parliaments before the birth of Funk music.  Read about the group that recorded doo wop classics like "Remember The Night," "Lady Love" and "I Never Will Forget".  Discover the story behind the Northern Soul masterpiece "Job Opening."  Follow the career of Little Sammy Campbell as he's transformed into soul singer Tyrone Ashley.  To enhance your visual journey, we've added some color photographs that we couldn't squeeze into the printed version!  Click Del Larks to have a look.

Be sure to subscribe to Echoes of the Past.  We'll have another great article in the March 2009 issue, this time about Chicago's Calvaes, Blenders and Accents.  The magazine is available from Echoes of the Past, P.O. Box 40, Agawam, MA 01001-0040.  Subscription rates in U.S. are $16.99 for 1-Year (4 Issues).

New Unknown Vocal Group Added to Classic Urban Harmony Website

Due to the phenomenal success this site has had in identifying photos of unknown vocal groups, we've added one more.  Study this one well and email us immediately if you recognize the group.  History may pass this group by unless one of you can tell us their identity.  Please help!  Click Unknown Group #004 to have a look.

Holiday Harmony - The Story of the Orioles' "Lonely Christmas"

In a new feature, Classic Urban Harmony spotlights a legendary "sound of the season," the Orioles' "(It's Gonna Be A) Lonely Christmas."  Click Here to read about it.

Modern Era Doo Wop Groups - Younger Dayz

Classic Urban Harmony is glad to add a new section to our website profiles - Modern Era Doo Wop harmony.  This section will cover doo wop groups from the 1970's through the present.  We are pleased to feature the first of these profiled groups, Younger Dayz from Long Island, NY.  The profile was assembled from info supplied by the group's own Joe Mirrione, who also gave us some great photos.  Visit our profile on Younger Dayz.

At long last...  UNKNOWN VOCAL GROUP #1 IDENTIFIED!!!!!!!

After years of searching for for their identity, the unknown vocal group whose photo graces our Classic Urban Harmony logo has been identified!  Our sincere thanks to researcher and vocal harmony historian extraordinaire Pete Finn who wouldn't rest until he solved one of the great mysteries of our time. Click HERE to learn the identity of the unknown 1956 Philadelphia singing group that inspired this website.

December 6, 2008!  Classic Urban Harmony contributes the "Record of the Week" to The Vocal Group Harmony Web Site.

Actually the Record Of The Week on December 6 is two records - both records by the Four Deep Tones on the Coral label from 1951.  Listen to both records, see a photo of the group and read about the history of the records and the group.  If you haven't visited this fabulous site dedicated to the R&B vocal groups of the 1930's, 1940's and early 1950's, you can do so by clicking www.VocalGroupHarmony.com.  Use your Back Button to return to our Classic Urban Harmony site. 

Classic Urban Harmony Website Passes 5000 Visitors!

In our first four months in existence, our site, www.ClassicUrbanHarmony.net has surpassed 5000 visitors!  OK, so a couple of you have visited our site more than once, but it's still a nice accomplishment for a new site.  Our sincere gratitude to all of you.  Keep coming back and tell your friends to visit us.

NOW IN PRINT!!!  Our article on the Del Larks in Echoes of the Past magazine!

It's completed and heading to the presses!  Read our article about Plainfield NJ's Del Larks ("Lady Love," "Remember The Night," "I Never Will Forget") along with Bob Bosco's article on Philadelphia's Destinations and much more in Echoes of the Past magazine, December 2008 issue.  Available by subscription from Echoes of the Past, P.O. Box 40, Agawam, MA 01001-0040.  Subscription rates in U.S. are $16.99 for 1-Year (4 Issues).

Claude Robinson & Creations Profiled

Classic Urban Harmony unearths a rare grainy photo and for the first time profiles this great but short-careered Cleveland doo wop group that recorded for the Studio and Patty Jo labels.  Click on Claude Robinson & Creations.

Classic Urban Harmony makes an appearance on George Frunzi's "Down On The Street Corner Show" on Internet's Goldradio

Charlie & Pamela Horner traveled to the state of Delaware on November 9, 2008, where Charlie played two hours of rare group harmony records on George Frunzi's "Down on the Street Corner Show" on the Internet's Goldradio.  Two of the sides played were unreleased acetates by the Unknown Vocal Group that we have on our logo (see Unknown Vocal Group photo).  Scores of vocal group experts were listening, but as yet, the group remains unidentified.  [See Elaine Wade's review of the show on our Mailbox page.]

Charlie & George Frunzi on Goldradio
(Photo by Pam Horner)

 

Charlie & Pam on Goldradio
(Photo by Sandy Frunzi)

Congratulations to our good friend, Willie C, for winning not one but TWO awards at this year's Carolina Beach Music Association awards ceremony.

Willie C. won not only the award for Internet Radio Show of the Year (for his Beach Music Cafe) but also took the Michael Branch Award!  This is the second year in a row Willie was an award winner.  To catch his Beach Music Cafe, visit his site from our LINKS page.

Classic Urban Harmony 2008 European Road Trip - Concert Reviews & Photos of the Golden Gate Quartet & Deep River Quartet

Classic Urban Harmony travels to Holland, France and Spain in search of great vocal harmony.  Read reviews and view great photos of the Deep River Quartet and the Golden Gate Quartet.  Join us from your computer screens as we travel with the groups, watch the sound checks, experience the concerts and party with the groups backstage afterwards.  As a special service to our website visitors - we travel the world so you don't have to!  Click 2008 European Road Trip.

The 2008 Black Swan Burlington Concert - Review & Photos - New Photos Added!!!!!

Read Pam's detailed review and see close to a hundred photos from the 2008 Black Swan Burlington Concert.  Classic Urban Harmony LLC covered this historic stage show from rehearsals to the closing act.  If you attended this concert you'll not only relive this 7-hour show, you'll learn what went on behind the scenes as the event unfolded.  If you missed this happening, you'll see what you missed.  See photos of Terry Johnson's Flamingos, the Kool Gents, the Solitaires, the Academics, the Bay Bops, the Calvaes, the Charades, the Continentals, the Dreams/Castelles, the Columbus Pharaohs, the Four Deuces, Johnny Carbone's Group, the Sheppards, the Sparrows Quartette, the Wrens, the Rocketones, the Paradons, Lillian Leach & the Mellows, Dino & the Heartspinners and more.  Click 2008 Black Swan Concert.  [Special thanks to Bobby Diskin, Mike Bauer and Bob Bosco for some recent additions and Ron Taylor for newly added photos.]

The Silhouettes

Read the complete story of the Silhouettes whose song "Get A Job" was one of the biggest vocal harmony songs of all time.  Here's Part 1, written by Charlie in 1980 and now updated with numerous photos.  Just added is Part 2, Charlie's memories of the Silhouettes' second career beginning in 1979.  We have a comprehensive discography with label scans and plenty of group photos supplied by Elaine Lewis, wife of the group's first tenor, Rick Lewis.  Click Here to see.

2008 Charleston Beach Music & Shag Festival

Read Pam's review and see dozens of photos from the 2008 Charleston Beach Music Festival, featuring the Tams, Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs, Billy Scott & the Party Prophet Band, Wallstreet, Angel Rissoff and the Fabulous Shades.  Click Here to see.

First Annual (2006) Philly Doo Wop Festival

So many of you enjoyed the review and photo gallery we posted of this year's Philly Doo Wop Festival, we decided to dig out and post what we had from the original, First Annual Philly Doo Wop Festival in 2006.  Click Here to see.

The Dinwiddie Quartet

Read about the Philadelphia-based quartet that became the first black vocal group to make a record, in 1902.  See the record in our archives and our recently discovered photo of the lead singer, Sterling Rex.  Click on Dinwiddie Quartet under Profiles In Harmony.

Richard Barrett's Musical Legacy - Part 7

Read our final article in the Richard Barrett Series (Part 7), just out in the September 2008 issue of Echoes of the Past.  It covers Richard's return to Philadelphia, his work with Swan Records and his work with the Showmen, the Three Degrees and many more groups.  See "Coming Soon" (below) to subscribe to Echoes of the Past.

The Five Embers

Read Dr. Phil Swartz's excellent article about Owensboro, Kentucky's only recording R&B vocal group and see photos of the group and their extremely rare record, "My Fragile Heart".  Click on The 5 Embers under Profiles In Harmony.

Concert Reviews and Photos - Our newest Section featuring reviews and photos of great harmony events!

    The Mills Brothers and Ink Spots in Beach Haven, NJ (August 4, 2008).

Read Pam's review and see photos from the recent concert by the Mills Brothers (John Mills & Elmer Hopper) and Ink Spots (Sonny Hatchett, Herman Denby, Harold Winley & Morris Dow).

    Philly Doo Wop Festival, Philadelphia, PA's Penn's Landing (August 9, 2008).

Read Pam's review and see photos from the outdoor riverfront festival featuring the Skyliners, Continentals, Billy Carlucci of
Billy & Essentials, Billy Harner, Cornerstone, Reunion, Street Corner Five, Now & Then, and the Norristones.

Philadelphia Area Doo Wop & Acappella Groups

Pam's definitive list of 1950's R&B, Doo Wop and Acappella groups from the Greater Philadelphia area.  Originally compiled as a program for the 2006 Philadelphia Doo Wop Festival, this list has been revised and updated in 2008.  Click Philly Doo Wop & Acappella Groups.

Unknown Vocal Groups

We know very little about these groups.  Please go to our Unknown Vocal Group Page and help us identify the photos you see.
News: Unknown Vocal Group #002 is Identified!!!!  See Unknown Vocal Group Page for details.

 

Reaction to our Presentations and Website

Reaction to our website has been phenomenal with over 800 hits in the first week.  Read what some of our other visitors have to say on our Mailbox Page.  Email us your own comments.

Classic Urban Harmony LLC Establishes Internet Presence

 

We proudly present our new website. www.ClassicUrbanHarmony.net will not only give the latest news of our presentations but we hope it will also grow to serve as a valued source of information on the history of our music.  Please be sure to visit our archives to read some interesting stories about vocal groups as well as to view some of our many photos and memorabilia.

  We are constantly adding new group profiles to the site (we've started with the "A" groups) so visit us often!

New Presentations