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#963 (11/30/24)
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BY TONY FOURNIER |
BILLY WARD AND HIS DOMINOES
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Above: Photo of Billy Ward And His Dominoes from 1954, (L-R) Milton Merle, Cliff Givens, Billy Ward, James Van Loan, and Jackie Wilson.
The Dominoes, with the great Clyde McPhatter singing tenor lead, began their recording career in 1950 on King Records' subsidiary label, Federal. About April 1953, McPhatter left to join the Atlantic label as lead of The Drifters. He was replaced by the also great Jackie Wilson. Billy Ward And His Dominoes were moved to the parent King label in October 1953.
Between October 1953 and September 1955, they released seven records on the King label. In this same time period, they also had several records issued on Federal.
Click HERE for an article about THE DOMINOES by Marv Goldberg.
(Will open in a separate window)At Direct Right: Sydney Nathan, President And Owner Of King Records, presenting a Gold Record Award to Billy Ward And His Dominoes. Jackie Wilson is 2nd From Left; Billy Ward is 3rd From Left..
THE BILLBOARD, July 3, 1953: WARD & KING STILL AT ODDS OVER CONTRACT
NEW YORK—Dominoes topper Billy Ward this week stated that he and the group would be free of their contract with King Records to pick up the group's option.However, a King Records representative, while admitting the oversight on the option, stated that the Dominoes still owe King 12 sides, and that they had to do them before the contract was at an end.
According to Ward he is now in the market for a new recording contract for his group. According to King, the Dominoes contract now runs for another year with the firm, from July 1, 1954, to June 30, 1955, or until 12 more sides are cut, whichever is sooner. The diskery claims the Dominoes cannot record for another firm until the 12-side obligation is fulfilled.
THE BILLBOARD, September 18, 1953:
....Jubilee Records has come up with a big one with the pacting of Billy Ward and His Dominoes to a long-term contract. The Dominoes had been with King Records for the past three years and have had many solid hits while on the label. "Sixty Minute Man," "The Bells", "Have Mercy Baby", and "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" are some of their most memorable hits. Jerry Blaine, Jubilee prexy, predicts that the group will be "bigger than ever" on Jubilee.At Direct Right: Rose Marks And Billy Ward. They were constant companions. Rose passed away in June 1955.
NEW YORK AGE, November 13, 1953:
....Rose Marks, manager of Billy Ward And His Dominoes, today denied published reports that the famous recording quintet had signed a five-year contract with Jubilee Records."In fact," added the woman who created the Dominoes and piloted them to the top, "Billy and the boys are not signed with any recording company as yet."
Asked to explain a recent recording session with Jubilee in which their current release, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" and "Come To Me, Baby" were waxed, Mrs. Marks said it was all done "on a trial basis" with Jubilee boss Jerry Blaine.
"After our contract with King Records expired," she said, "Jerry met with Billy and me in New York. We had so many attractive offers that we were hesitant to sign hastily. But Jerry asked us to cut the sides 'with no strings attached.' It was understood thoroughly that we would remain free agents until we decided to sign with someone.
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Above: Label images of (Left) King 1280 and (Right) King 1281, all sides recorded on October 12, 1953 and the records released in October and November 1953, respectively. "Rags To Riches" is a cover of Tony Bennett's big hit song. The other three sides were composed by Billy Ward. BMI.com shows thirty-three different "Christmas In Heaven" songs. At Direct Right: CASH BOX, November 28, 1953.
CASH BOX, November 28, 1953:
....Syd Nathan, King prexy, chuckling ’cause everyone told him he was late with his Dominoes "Rags To Riches". Disk is already showing terrific sales power and says Syd, "It is also selling big in the pop locations"....CASH BOX, November 28, 1953:
....Al Sherman, Western representative for King Records, reports that their business for this month has almost doubled in volume over previous months. He attributes this surge partly to the smash success of the Billy Ward and his Dominoes record of "Rags To Riches"....CASH BOX, December 5, 1953:
....Carl Lebow, new A & R head for DeLuxe Records, out on a 10 day tour of the South lining up talent and cutting sides. Meanwhile, The Dominoes’ "Rags To Riches" is picking up such terrific momentum that it looks certain to become King’s biggest record of 1953....The Billboard Review (11/7/53):
BILLY WARD AND HIS DOMINOES — KING 1280....
Rags To Riches (87) The Dominoes come thru with a wonderful reading of the big pop hit, sparked by an outstanding performance by the mellifluous voiced lead singer. It's a truly potent side, one that could easily be one of their biggest hits to date. Watch this one; It should break thus quickly.
Don't Thank Me (80) Slick ballad material receives an emotional, meaningful vocal by the lead singer, with the boys humming quietly behind him. Side doesn't have the impact of the flip, but it certainly shows off the Dominoes' fine style.(NOTE: The "lead singer" referred to in the above review [both sides] is Jackie Wilson. Ratings had a range of 0-100 with 80-89 considered as "excellent".)
The Billboard Review (11/7/53):
BILLY WARD AND HIS DOMINOES — KING 1281....
Christmas In Heaven (74) Good seasonal Item by the group should please its fans, but doesn't figure to be a smash in the market because of its seasonal theme.
Ringing In A Brand New Year (74) More of the same on another good, but limited, item.(NOTE: Ratings had a range of 0-100 with 70-79 considered as "good".)
LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "Rags To Riches" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1280 - 1953.
2. "Don't Thank Me" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1280 - 1953.
3. "Christmas In Heaven" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1281 - 1953.
4. "Ringing In A Brand New Year" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1281 - 1953.ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.
Directly Above : CASH BOX AWARD O' THE WEEK, October 31, 1953.
NOTE: Again, the lead singer (Jackie Wilson) is given favorable comments, as well he should.Above Right: CASH BOX REVIEW, November 14, 1953.
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Above Left: Label image of King 1492, recorded on June 23, 1955 and released in July 1955. Note that the label color is now the "standard" King blue. Above Right: Label image of King 1502, recorded on June 23, 1955 and released in September 1955.
BMI.com credits Billy Ward with seventy song titles. Four of these are "BMI Award Winning Songs", including The Dominoes' "Do Something For Me", "Sixty Minute Man", and "Have Mercy Baby". Those three songs and at least eight other of his songs were co-composed with Rose Marks. She was instrumental in the formation of The Dominoes and, along with Billy Ward, managed them.
At Direct Right: Photo of Billy Ward And His Dominoes. (Top) Billy Ward , (L-R Bottom) Milton Merle, Cliff Givens, James Van Loan, and Jackie Wilson. Note the domino on Milton's jacket. Don't see that on any of the others.
The Cash Box Review (7/16/55):
BILLY WARD AND HIS DOMINOES — KING 1492....
May I Never Love Again (B) Billy Ward’s Dominoes dish up a dramatic vocal interpretation of a beautiful and stirring new ballad. Lead voice is great. Good pop and R & B fare.
Learnin' The Blues (B) The crew hands in an exciting rhythm version of one of the nation’s top tunes. Terrific arrangement that’ll get plenty of spins. Lead comes over superbly.(NOTE: "Learnin' The Blues" was a hit record for Frank Sinatra on the Capitol label. A rating of B was considered as "very good".)
The Cash Box Review (9/24/55):
BILLY WARD AND HIS DOMINOES — KING 1502....
Over The Rainbow (C+) The rich voiced lead of the Dominoes does a big job with a great old favorite. Stirring delivery full of punch. Group portion is somewhat overarranged.
Give Me You (C+) This side is better suited for the group’s r & b following. A driving beaty deck full of rhythm.(NOTE: A rating of C+ was considered as "good".)
LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "May I Never Love Again" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1492 - 1955.
2. "Learnin' The Blues" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1492 - 1955.
3. "Give Me You" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1502 - 1955.
4. "Over The Rainbow" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1502 - 1955.ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.
At Direct Left: Billy Ward And His Dominoes.
(Photo provided by Hans-Joachim Krohberger.)NEW YORK AGE NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS (1953-1955):
NEW YORK AGE, September 19, 1953:
Following in the footsteps of many a successful performer, by winning the Apollo Theatre's "Amateur Night In Harlem" contest, Billy Ward And His Dominoes are celebrating an anniversary — their third year as an Apollo attraction.Billy and his boys will head a fine anniversary show at the Apollo during the week beginning Friday, Sept. 18....
About three and a half years ago, young Billy Ward won first prize as an Apollo amateur, with his singing, piano-playing stint (singing a song of his own composition). Advised by the Apollo management to form a singing group, Billy came up with the Dominoes, who have gone on to become one of the nation's top vocal combos....
NEW YORK AGE, August 1, 1953: BILLY WARD'S DOMINOES AT MICHIGAN FAIR
Billy Ward's record-breaking Dominoes have pulled the prize plum booking of the year from a flock of competition, headlining the mammoth Michigan State Fair on Sept. 4 before crowds expected to top 50 to 90,000 for a pair of performances in the huge outdoor amphitheatre.Prior to the Fair date, the Dominoes will do a pair of concerts for celebrated Cleveland disc jockey Moondog [aka Alan Freed] in nearby Youngstown and Akron.
NEW YORK AGE, August 29, 1953: EX-DOMINO ACE NOW HEADS COMBO TOUR
NEW YORK—Clyde McPhatter, who is credited with helping the Dominoes quartet achieve much of present day success, formed his own group, the Drifters. George Treadwell has signed him to a personal management contract,Hailed as the "hot singer" of the Dominoes, McPhatter used to sing lead tenor. Wasting no time, Treadwell rushed him into Atlantic Records studios where he waxed six tunes.
An initial cash outlay of $2500 was made by Treadwell for uniforms and new arrangements for the group.
NEW YORK AGE, September 19, 1953: DOMINOES TO HOLLYWOOD
Billy Ward's Dominoes, one of the new vocal groups, will fly to Hollywood the first week in July for a test with 20th Century Fox motion picture company. The test is for a new Mack Gordon musical film which 20th Century will produce in September.
(NOTE: No evidence of this movie was found at IMDB.com [Internet Movie Data Base].)
NEW YORK AGE (CONTINUED):
NEW YORK AGE, December 4, 1954: BILLY WARD SIGNS HALL TO CONTRACT
Billy Ward, leader of the famed Dominoes, has signed arranger-guitarist Rene Hall [see picture at right] to a long-term contract. He will serve not only as an arranger and guitarist, but also as Billy's conductor.Hall, for the past 20 years, has been one of the nation's top arrangers. He has written scores for several Broadway productions and served as director during recording sessions for Victor, Decca, Columbia, and scores of lesser labels.
Billy Ward also announced today that they have signed lyric tenor Prentice Moreland of Kansas City to a long-term contract. He will report to work immediately.
Ward, who was a famed Broadway vocal coach when he formed the Dominoes, said "Prentice has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. He will give depth to the Dominoes sound."
Prentice is no newcomer to the stage. Despite his 22 years, he has been a big favorite among mid-western bobbysoxers for the past five years.
(NOTE: Prentice's previous claim to recording fame seems to be one record with The Du Droppers, earlier in 1954.)
Bill Miller, entertainment boss at Las Vegas' plush Sahara hotel, recently revealed that the Dominoes have been signed to play a 16 week engagement there, commen cing Jan. 4.
The pact, which includes several options, will guarantee the Ward-men a minimum of $80,000. But Miller said he was "certain" the options on the famed quintet will be exercised and the Dominoes "will walk away with more than $100,000, what with their popularity in Las Vegas." ....
NEW YORK AGE, September 9, 1955: DOMINOES MAY GET ABC-TV SHOW SOON
HOLLYWOOD—Hunt Stromberg, American Broadcasting Company executive, has announced that he is negotiating with Billy Ward And His Dominoes for a weekly half-hour television show.Stromberg flew to Las Vegas last week to help the Wardmen celebrate their record-breaking six months at the Hotel Sahara. After seeing the famed vocal group in action, Stromberg exclaimed "They are a natural for television!"
Rene Hall, Ward's guitarist and arranger, will write the scores.
If the deal is completed, the Wardmen will be the first sepia group to land such a coveted spot in television. Currently, only the Ames Brothers have a show of their own. The Billy Williams Quartet was the only sepia attraction of this kind to come near the proposed Ward deal, when they were one of the featured attractions on the "Your Show Of Shows" [starring Sid Caesar].
RENE HALL
(New York Age, December 4, 1954)
EARL (CONNELLY) KING
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Above: Photo of Earl Connelly King, who was from Philadelphia. He began recording for the King label in 1955. This resulted in ten releases between 1955 and 1959. Three of these were as "Earl King" with the remainder as "Earl (Connelly) King.
This "Earl King" should not to be confused with a different "Earl King" (real name Earl Johnson) around the same time, who was from New Orleans and recorded for the Specialty and Ace labels.
At Direct Right: THE BILLBOARD, December 31, 1955:
FROM KING BIO RPM LABELS:
"Born in Philadelphia November 19, 1929, Earl King received his musical education from his mother who was lead soloist with the Mount Olive Church choir. Later Earl, himself, directed various small spiritual singing groups in and around Philadelphia.King graduated from Temple University in 1952. His childhood ambition to be an engineer was changed after his first taste of the music world.
Earl King was married in June 1955 in Charleston, West Virginia. His first job was working in his father's store. Earl was in the army from 1945 until 1949 when he was discharged with the commission of Second Lieutenant.
With each succeeding release, Earl King becomes more popular with the public. Currently he is on a coast personal appearance tour.
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Above Left: Label image of King 4780, released in 1955. Above Right: Label image of King 4862, released in 1955. The composer of this song, "Time Will Tell", Titus Turner, had seven records on the King label from 1957 to 1959.
The composer of the flip-side, "Here I Stand", is Robert
Riley, who, among his 220 song titles credited at BMI.com,
also composed "Two Strangers", "Rollin' Stone", and, with
Johhny Bragg, "Just Walkin' In The Rain".LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "Don't Take It So Hard" - Earl King - King 4780 - 1955.
2. "Gratefully" - Earl King - King 4780 - 1955.
3. "Time Will Tell" - Earl (Connelly) King - King 4862 - 1955.
4. "Here I Stand" - Earl (Connelly) King - King 4862 - 1955.ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.
CASH BOX — 6/11/55
CASH BOX — JULY 23, 1955 
CASH BOX — DECEMBER 24, 1955
EXTRA RECORD — THE OTHER EARL KING
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Above: Earl King, from New Orleans, was a singer, guitarist, and composer. His first record was released in 1953 on the Savoy label, as "Earl Johnson". He moved to Specialty Records the following year, along with a name change to "Earl King". In 1955, he went to Ace Records where he stayed for the next five years.
NOTE: There is a section about Earl King on the Specialty and Ace labels in the Specialty Records - Part Five article.
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Above Left: Label image of Savoy 1102, both sides recorded in New Orleans on June 1, 1953 and the record released in 1953. This was his only record on the Savoy label. There were also two unissued tracks recorded at this session. As mentioned previously, when Earl Johnson went to the Specialty label, he recorded using the name "Earl King". Same is true for his Ace label records.
"Beggin' At Your Mercey" has a New Orleans style piano. The overall sound is similar to that of Lloyd Price, who was a well-known New Orleans singer, pianist, and composer at the time.
Both sides of this record were composed by Earl Johnson, who is also playing the guitar.
Above Right: CASH BOX, July 18, 1953:
LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "Beggin' At Your Mercy" - Earl Johnson - Savoy 1102-B - 1953.
2. "Have You Gone Crazy?" - Earl Johnson - Savoy 1102-A - 1953.BOTH SONGS played in sequence.
THE BILLBOARD, June 20, 1953:
....Lee Magid, of Savoy Records, cut singers Earl Johnson, Huey Smith, Billy Wright, and Willie Johnson for the firm in New Orleans this week....The Billboard Review (7/11/53):
EARL JOHNSON — SAVOY 1102....Beggin' At Your Mercy (72) Pleasant side by Johnson, who explains that he is in misery without his baby. It has a little excitement, and jocks can use.
Have You Gone Crazy? (69) The warbler is quite upset about his ill-treatment from his girl since he gave her both his loot and his love and she still refuses to treat him right. Johnson sings it with spirit, and when he gets a good hunk of material, something could happen. [very prophetic]
(NOTE: Ratings had a range of 0-100 with 40-69 considered as "satisfactory" and 70-79 as "good".)
LITTLE WILLIE JOHN
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Above: Photo of Little Willie John, who had many records on the King label into the early 1960s, twenty-one of them from 1956 to 1959.
FROM THE 45 RPM BIO LABEL FOR "FEVER":
Little Willie John is a Southern boy who decided one day that if he was to be recognized, he must get to a large city where he could be heard. He decided to work his way to New York.(NOTE: He was born in Arkansas, but grew up in Detroit, which, the last I knew, was a big city at the time.)
Playing wherever he could and working at odd jobs he made the trip successfuly. He was in New York only two weeks before he stepped into the King offices and was recorded.
As was predicted, Little Willie John's first record, "All Around The World", has established him as a star performer. His second record, "Need Your Love" ["Need Your Love So Bad"], has further entrenched this talented lad as one of the outstanding new finds of the year.
All the trade publications hail him as the hottest thing on wax.
Little Willie John has been singing professionally for the past four years although now he is only seventeen [eighteen when "Fever" was recorded].
At Direct Left: CASH BOX, July 28, 1956. "Fever" hits #1 on the Cash Box R&B Top 15.
At Direct Right: THE BILLBOARD, August 25, 1956. Little Willie John's "Fever" has its first week on The Billboard's POP RECORDS "Best Sellers" list.
Above: Label image of King 4935, released in 1956. This was his fourth record on the King label.
THE BILLBOARD REVIEW SPOTLIGHT, March 12, 1956:
LETTER FROM MY DARLING/FEVER — LITTLE WILLIE JOHN — KING 4935
Little Willie John, tho still in his teens, is a classy salesman with two big hits already under his belt. These two fine, sensitively handled sides could keep the ball rolling. "Letter" is a soulful, sentimental job with a deeply haunting quality, while the flip, a rhythm piece with a "Sixteen Tons" beat, has equally salesworthy appeal. Either could break fast.THE BILLBOARD BEST BUY, March 12, 1956:
FEVER — LITTLE WILLIE JOHN — KING 4935
Of the singers developed in the past year, hardly any have shown the consistency of Little Willie John. This time at bat he is certainly wasting no time in making his way to home plate. "Fever" is already on the Detroit territorial chart, and is becoming well established in Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Nashville, and Chicago. In the South and on the East Coast, the disk is also beginning to take hold. Flip is "Letter From My Darling"LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "Fever" - Little Willie John - King 4935 - 1956.
2. "Letter From My Darling" - Little Willie John - King 4935 - 1956.BOTH SONGS played in sequence.
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At Direct Left: CASH BOX, December 22, 1956.
Above Left: Label image of King 4989, recorded on September 18, 1956 and released in 1956. The flip-side, "I've Been Around", was composed by Jack Hammer, who seems to have pounded out several songs.
The record following Little Willie John's big hit, "Fever", is his version of The Dominoes "Do Something For Me". The above is the next record following that one.
Above Right: Label image of King 5023, released in 1957. The flip-side "Love, Life And Money", was written by our friend, Henry Glover, and Julius Dixon. This was their only collaboration. BMI.com credits Dixon with 250 song titles, including the BMI Award Winning Song, "Lollipop", a hit for The Chordettes. How he and Glover got together is a mystery.
At Direct Right: Photo of Little Willie John.
THE BILLBOARD, March 16, 1957:
Review Spotlight On... LITTLE WILLIE JOHN King 5023
You Got To Get Up Early In The Morning — He's hip to his chick's cheatin' ways and lets her know in no uncertain terms. Shouter really piles into this and sells it solidly. There's a strong assist from the flip, "Love, Life and Money".LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "Suffering With The Blues" - Little Willie John - King 4989 - 1956.
2. "I've Been Around" - Little Willie John - King 4989 - 1956.
3. "You Got To Get Up Early In The Morning" - Little Willie John - King 5023 - 1957.
4. "Love, Life And Money" - Little Willie John (With Vocal Group) - King 5023 - 1957.ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.
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Above Left: Label image of King 5045, released in 1957. The above records have vocal group backing on all four sides.
Above Middle: Label image of King 5066, released in 1957.
Above Right: Photo of Little Willie John.
At Direct Right: Photo of Henry Glover.
At Far Right: Photo of Rudolph Toombs.
Per BMI.com, Henry Glover and Rudolph Toombs wrote eighteen songs together, including the two sides shown on the above labels. Toombs was a prolific rhythm and blues songwriter.
Among Toombs' hit songs are Ruth Brown's "5-10-15", "Daddy Daddy", and "Teardrops From My Eyes", Amos Milburn's "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer", and The Clovers' "One Mint Julip".
BMI.com credits Toombs with 309 work titles, including six "BMI Award Winning Songs".
LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "I've Got To Go Cry" - Little Willie John (With Vocal Group) - King 5045 - 1957.
2. "Look What You've Done To Me" - Little Willie John (With Vocal Group) - King 5045 - 1957.
3. "Young Girl" - Little Willie John (With Vocal Group) - King 5066 - 1957.
4. "If I Thought You Needed Me" - Little Willie John (With Vocal Group) - King 5066 - 1957.ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.
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KING RECORDS' AFFILIATED RECORD LABELS
FEDERAL RECORDS Federal Records was a King Records' subsidiary label formed in 1950 to introduce new talent in all fields of music. It became a venue mostly for rhythm and blues artists. The label is most noted for the early records by The Dominoes, featuring Clyde McPhatter as lead tenor.
TRADE MAGAZINE, (11/11/50):
....A new King Records subsidiary, probably to be named Federal Records, is set to make its bow shortly.... Label will also be used to develop talent which may be switched to the regular King label....
THERE WILL BE AN UPCOMING ARTICLE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT FEDERAL RECORDS.
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DELUXE RECORDS Deluxe Records was a King Records' subsidiary label starting in 1951. Deluxe was originally formed in Linden, New Jersey, in 1944. It was owned by David Braun and Jules Braun.
Some of the early artists released on DeLuxe: Billy Eckstine, Al Russell Trio, Four Blues, Benny Carter, Southern Jubilee Quartet, Revelairs, Paul Gayton, Annie Laurie, Roy Brown, Smiley Lewis, Dave Bartholomew, Little Miss Cornshucks, and Soul Comforters.
In September 1947, after DeLuxe had incurred financial problems, King Records purchased 51% of DeLuxe. In early 1951, King acquired the Braun's remaining interest in DeLuxe, which then officially became a King subsidiary. King Records had been their distributor prior to that.
DeLuxe's "6000 series" began in 1953 and was used mostly for "rock and roll" music. Otis Williams And His Charms were the main feature, but also included were The Crystals, The Five Jets, The Quails, The Blue Dots, The Drivers, Donnie Elbert And Group, The Guytones, The Chanters, and other vocal groups.
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Above: Photo of The Four Blues. They also recorded gospel music as The Golden Echo Quartet. The members for the DeLuxe recordings were (L-R) James Starkes (stand-up bass), Joseph Gardner (piano and vibraharp), Carroll Jones (drums), and Ganzyetter Thompson (electric guitar).
Click HERE for an article about THE FOUR BLUES by Marv Goldberg.
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Above: Photo of Annie Laurie, who had several hit records with Paul Gayton in the 1940s and early 1950s. She recorded for DeLuxe, Regal, Okeh, and Savoy. After Savoy, she returned to DeLuxe resulting in another hit record in 1957, "It Hurts To Be In Love" on DeLuxe 6107. That record and more Annie Laurie is included in the Savoy Records - Part Five article.
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Above Left: Label image of DeLuxe 6052, recorded on March 11, 1954 and released in May 1954. This is the first of four releases by The Blue Dots on King Records, all in 1954. Disco-File shows the members as Eddie Harris, L.M. Harris, Walter Smith, and an unknown ("Ratman?).
From Marv Goldberg: The Blue Dots' lead singer, Eddie Harris, went on to The Checkers, and was lead on their last session, "Mama's Daughter", "I Wasn't Thinking, I Was Drinking", "Can't Find My Sadie", and "Trying To Hold My Gal". The Checkers are included in the King Records - Part Five article
Eunice Davis and Lowman Pauling (of The "5" Royales) wrote "You've Got To Live For Yourself". Eunice was a regular songwriting partner to Lowman, with ten titles for the pairing. She, as a blues singer, had records on the DeLuxe, Derby, Atlantic, Grand, and Coral labels.
Above Right: Label image of DeLuxe 6093, recorded on February 29, 1956 and released in March 1956. Their first thirteen records on King are shown as "The Charms" on the labels (1953-1955). Releases after that show "Otis Williams And His Charms" (all new members, 1955-1959).
Disco-File has Otis Williams, Lonnie Carter, Winfred Gerald, Matthew Williams, and Rollie Willis as the members on this record.
Cash Box gave "Ivory Tower"/"In Paradise" the Award O' The Week on March 17, 1956 and then followed with a separate review two weeks later.
The Cash Box Review (3/31/56):
OTIS WILLIAMS & HIS CHARMS — DELUXE 6093....
Ivory Tower (B+) As the group’s lovely rendition of "That’s Your Mistake" completes a successful run, Otis Williams and his Charms are in a beautiful interpretation of a warm and romantic waltz ballad that’s starting to show strong action.
It’s a powerful romantic item that should go great guns in both the pop and rhythm & blues fields. Watch this one.
In Paradise (B) The crew displays its versatility on this cute rhythm ditty. A cover treatment of a noise making rock and roller.(NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good" and B+ as 'excellent". The Cookies released "In Paradise" on Atlantic in January 1956, which did make some noise.)
CASH BOX, April 12, 1956:
....Milt Wiess happy to see the King version of "Ivory Tower" by Otis Williams and The Charms getting a big play from the pop jockeys as well as R&B....
(NOTE: The "pop" versions on the charts were by Cathy Carr, Fraternity, and Gale Storm, Dot.)LISTEN (Windows Media Player):
1. "You've Got To Live For Yourself" - The Blue Dots - DeLuxe 6052 - 1954.
2. "Don't Do That Baby" - The Blue Dots - DeLuxe 6052 - 1954.
3. "Ivory Tower" - Otis Williams And His Charms - DeLuxe 6093 - 1956.
4. "In Paradise" - Otis Williams And His Charms - DeLuxe 6093 - 1956.ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.
CASH BOX — APRIL 7, 1956
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GLORY AND ROCKIN' RECORDS Glory and Rockin' Records, located in Miami, Florida, were affiliated to each other. Glory [not the Four Fellows' label] was gospel music; Rockin' was rhythm and blues. The two labels were owned by Henry Stone.
Rockin' label's claim to fame was the first record by Otis Williams and his group, The Charms. The labels were somehow affiliated with King Records at the time. King eventually acquired their catalog, circa August 1953.
Stone became one of King's A&R men. After Otis Williams departed from his original Charms in 1955, Stone started the Chart label (in Miami) releasing two records by the Otis-less Charms group (1955-56).
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Above: Photo of Otis Williams And The Charms, (L-R) Donald Peak (tenor), Richard Parker (bass), Otis Williams (lead singer), Rolland Bradley (tenor), and Joe Penn (baritone, tenor). This is the line-up that recorded for the Rockin' label.
Click HERE for an article about OTIS WILLIAMS AND THE CHARMS by Marv Goldberg.
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BETHLEHEM RECORDS
Bethlehem Records, located in New York City, began operations in early 1954. Executives of this new label were Gus Wilde, President; Red Clyde, Vice President; Murray Singer, General Manager; Jim Bright, A&R Chief; Sy Oliver, Musical Director; and Elaine Bergman, Promotions Manager.
The label's mission was to record jazz music. However, they started with popular music and soon delved into country and western (April 1954) and rhythm and blues (June 1954).
By April 1955, Bethlehem achieved their initial goal by accumulating a large roster of jazz artists.
However, about 1960, the label was unable to keep its doors open and their catalog was acquired by King Records.
(NOTE: Regarding the King Records 45-rpm record sleeve at left: Their DeLuxe label was discontinued in 1959. However, it's strange that "QUEEN" is shown, as the label went out of existence in 1947.)
THE BILLBOARD, February 27, 1954:
....The latest pop label to enter the field is Bethlehem Records, New York. The diskery has cut several sides with Chris Connor and the Jim Bright ork....THE BILLBOARD, April 24, 1954:
....Bethlehem Records, until now exclusively in the pop field, will debut its first country and western disk soon. National sales manager Murray Singer is mapping a drive to launch the c.&w. entry featuring chanter Bert Bryson....
CASH BOX, April 12, 1947: BETHLEHEM ARTISTS BUSY IN ALL FIELDS
NEW YORK—Bethlehem recording artists are really busy.Chris Connor goes into the Copa in Pittsburgh, then on to Falcon Lounge in Detroit starting June 14th. Ray DeMeno, Bethlehem crooner, records two new sessions during the first week in July.
Beulah Swan, rhythm and blues artist, just completed an eight month stint at the Savannah Club. Jim Bright releases two new instrumentals this week — "Honky Tonk" coupled with "Moderner Liebenstraum".
Bert Bryson, country and western artist, is making a disk jockey tour through the South. The diskery is issuing its first record by the Simmons Twins; "Echoing Mailbox" and "Broken Hearted Waltz".
Sy Oliver, musical director for the label, keeps the entire set up humming.
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NOTE: Restoration of photos, clippings, record label images, and audio files is by Tony Fournier.
KING RECORDS - PART ONE FEATURES BULL MOOSE JACKSON, THE FOUR BLUE JACKETS, ANNISTEEN ALLEN, LUCKY MILLINDER, BILL JOHNSON AND HIS MUSICAL NOTES, THE JUBALAIRES, AND EARL BOSTIC AND HIS ORCHESTRA. ALSO INCLUDED IS A SECTION ON SYDNEY NATHAN, OWNER AND PRESIDENT OF KING RECORDS. AND SPOTLIGHTS ON THE SONGS "I KNOW WHO THREW THE WHISKEY IN THE WELL" AND "I'VE WAITED ALL MY LIFE FOR YOU".
KING RECORDS - PART TWO FEATURES LONNIE JOHNSON, LAVERN BAKER AND THE GLIDERS, THE STRIDERS, WYNONIE HARRIS, ROY BROWN, MABEL SMITH (BIG MAYBELLE), TINA DIXON, AND IVORY JOE HUNTER.
ALSO INCLUDED IS A SECTION ON KING RECORDS AND SYDNEY NATHAN, OWNER AND PRESIDENT OF KING RECORDS. AND SPOTLIGHTS ON THE SONGS "TOMORROW NIGHT", PLEASIN' YOU", AND "GOOD ROCKING TONIGHT".
KING RECORDS - PART THREE FEATURES TINY BRADSHAW, EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON, JOE THOMAS AND HIS ORCHESTRA, MABEL SCOTT, SARAH McLAWLER, THE SYNCOETTES, AND PERCY MAYFIELD.
ALSO INCLUDED IS A SECTION ON KING RECORDS AND SYDNEY NATHAN. AND SPOTLIGHTS ON THE SONGS "AFTER YOU'VE GONE", "T-99 BLUES, AND "TWO YEARS OF TORTURE".
KING RECORDS - PART FOUR FEATURES BIXIE CRAWFORD, WILD BILL MOORE, SONNY THOMPSON, LULU REED, TODD RHODES, KITTY STEVENSON, CONNIE ALLEN, LaVERN BAKER, AND SADIE MADISON. ALSO, A CONTINUING SECTION ON KING RECORDS' OWNER AND PRESIDENT SYDNEY NATHAN.
KING RECORDS - PART FIVE FEATURES EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE SWALLOWS AND THE CHECKERS. ALSO, SECTIONS ON JIMMY RUSHING, DUKE HAMPTON, ELETRA HAMPTON, AND THE HAMPTON SISTERS, AND THE FIVE JETS. AND A SPOTLIGHT ON THE SONG "BICYCLE TILLIE".
KING RECORDS - PART SIX FEATURES EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE "5" ROYALES AND STICKS McGHEE. ALSO, SECTIONS ON ROY BROWN, THE MAGIC-TONES, CHRISTINE KITTRELL, THE ROYAL SONS QUINTET, THE STRANGERS, AND SUGAR RAY ROBINSON. AND A SPOTLIGHT ON THE SONG "DRINKIN' WINE, SPO-DEE-O-DEE".
KING RECORDS - PART SEVEN FEATURES EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE FUQUA'S INK SPOTS AND THE ADMIRALS/SULTANS. ALSO, SECTIONS ON RALPH WILLIS, BUBBER JOHNSON, BONNIE LOU, THE HARMONAIRES, AND THE HURRICANES. AND SPOTLIGHTS ON THE SONGS "SOMEONE'S ROCKING MY DREAM BOAT" AND "CLOSE YOUR EYES".
1. "Rags To Riches" - Billy Ward And His Dominoes - King 1280 - 1953.
At Far Right: CASH BOX 7/17/54.
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Last Update: November 30, 2024
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