In June, 1956, trade magazines carried the announcement that Hull Records was
about to release "Our Love Will Never End," the first record by a vocal group
called the Avons. Label owner, Bea Kaslin reported the teenage group from
Englewood, NJ, walked into her office, asked for an audition, and were signed on
the spot.
The Avons story actually began a couple years earlier, when three brothers, Bob, Wendell and Bill
Lea began singing with friends Irvin Watson
and Curtis Norris. Bob sang lead. After singing locally at school
functions for a couple years, the group acquired Ed Prindle as manager and he
took them to Hull Records (also home to the Heartbeats, Monotones and Pastels).
The group's first record failed to attract much attention, but their next
record, "Baby" was a regional hit. By then Franklin Cole had replaced
Curtis Norris as bass. The success of "Baby" had the group playing shows
from Philadelphia to Connecticut, including New York's Apollo Theater.
[Avons fan club card, ca. late 1950's]
In 1957, Franklin Cole was replaced by George Coleman who left to enter the
service in 1960 and not replaced. By 1960, Hull Records thought enough of
the Avons to issue an LP by them.
The Avons' last two singles contained only four voices, the final release having
Sonny Harley replace Bill Lea. The Avons broke up in 1962.
Avons
Singles Discography
As the Avons
Hull 717
– Our Love Will Never End / I'm Sending S.O.S. 6/56
Hull 722
- Baby / Bonnie
57
Hull 726
- You Are So Close To Me / Gonna Catch You Nappin 57
Hull 728
- What Will I Do / Please Come Back To Me
59
Hull 731
- What Love Can Do / On The Island
59
Hull 744
- Whisper (Softly) / If I Just (Had My Way)
61
Hull 754
- The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side / A Girl To Call My Own
61
Monogram 128 - Someone For
Everyone / -
70's
Monogram 129 - Fairy Tales /
Once Upon A Time
70's
[Monogram releases were
taken from Hull LP # 1000]
For more details see George Lavatelli, "The Avons," Bim Bim Boom, Vol. 1, No. 3,
p.12.
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2008 European Road Trip: Deep River Quartet & Golden
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