#981 (6/10/26)

Above Left: Photo of Bobby's Records And Tape Center. Bobby Robinson is at right. Above Right: Photo of Bobby Robinson with Gladys Knight And The Pips. The group's first major hit was "Every Beat Of My Heart" on Bobby's Fury label in 1961. Bobby produced several major hit records on his labels, including "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison (Fury 1959), "Fannie Mae" by Buster Brown (Fire 1959), "Ya Ya" by Lee Dorsey (Fury 1961), and "Soul Twist" by King Curtis (Enjoy 1962). After discovering them in 1958, he produced several of The Shirelles' early recordings for another label.

THE SCARLETS

Above: Photo of The Scarlets, who were from New Haven, Connecticut. Fred Parris is in the back row, center. (Photo is courtesy of Jean-Christophe Piazza.) Per Disco-File, The Scarlets on Red Robin consisted of five members.... Frederick L. Parris (lead singer), Albert Denby, Sylvester Hopkins, Nathaniel Mosely, Jr., and William L. Powers. After Red Robin, The Scarlets' lead singer, Fred Parris, formed another group, The Five Satins, and joined Standord Records, located in New Haven. Some of the Standord masters were sold to Ember Records, a subsidiary of Herald Records in New York City. That resulted in their big hit, "I'll Remember (In The Still Of The Nite)", released on Ember E-1005 in March 1956. Ember re-issued the record in June 1956 with the song title changed to "In The Still Of The Nite". Fred Parris also had records with The Wildwoods on Caprice (1959), Cherokees on United Artists (1961), and New Yorkers on Wall (1961). Sylvester Hopkins, a member of the original Scarlets, would become a member of Fred Parris' group, The Wildwoods, releasing one record on Caprice in 1959. Also, William Powers, another member of the original Scarlets, later joined The Paradons with records on Milestone, Tuffest, and Warner Brothers in 1960-1962. There was a "Scarlets" group who had one record released on Bobby Robinson's Fury label in 1960. (See label image at direct right.) Both sides of this record were composed by Al Denby, an ex-member of The Scarlets. So the Fury group may have contained some of the original group members. If anyone can provide more information about this record, please contact me. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Truly Yours" - The Scarlets - Fury 1036 - 1960. 2. "East Of The Sun" - The Scarlets - Fury 1036 - 1960. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

Above Left: Label image of Red Robin 128, released in June 1954. This is the first of four records that The Scarlets had on Red Robin (1954-1955). The labels on both sides show the composer as "F. Parris". For "Dear One", BMI.com credits "Fredericke L. Parris" as composer in one entry and "Larry Robinson" in another separate entry. For "I've Lost", BMI.com credits only "Morgan Bobby Robinson". Bobby Robinson's birth name is "Morgan Clyde Robinson". Above Right: Label image of Red Robin 133, released in late 1954. The Scarlets' last two records on Red Robin (#135 and #138) were released in February and September 1955. Notice that both of the above labels state "Vocal Quartet".... but they were actually a quintet. Again, the labels on both sides show the composer as "F. Parris". However, BMI.com credits only "Larry D. Robinson" and "Morgan C. Robinson" as the songwriters. As we have deducted in previous parts of this article, they are Danny and Bobby Robinson, the co-owners of Red Robin Records. At Direct Right: CASH BOX, April 17, 1954. CASH BOX, May 1, 1954: ....Watch Red Robin Record's latest group effort "Dear One", which features the soothing sounds of The Scarlets.... CASH BOX, June 19, 1954: ....Bobby Robinson of Red Robin back in action again with what looks like a hit. The Scarlets' "Dear One" has already created a bit of excitement in New York.... CASH BOX, July 10, 1954: ....The Scarlets, The Velvets, Cadillacs, Swans, Caviliers [possibly The Cavaliers from Connecticut?], and the L.I. Traveleers will provide pleasant earfuls when the Merrymakers present their long awaited "Moonlight Sail With The Stars" up and down the Hudson.... CASH BOX, August 7, 1954: ....The Scarlets "Dear One" doing nice things out midwest way.... CASH BOX, October 2, 1954: ....Another new release showing lots of promise... "Dear One", by The Scarlets.... (NOTE: Cash Box was saying good things about "Dear One" over a period of five months!) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Dear One" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 128 - 1954. 2. "I've Lost" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 128 - 1954. 3. "Darling I'm Yours" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 133 - 1954. 4. "Love Doll" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 133 - 1954. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

THE BILLBOARD WEEK'S BEST BUYS, July 10, 1954: DEAR ONE — THE SCARLETS — RED ROBIN 128 This record, which appears this week on the Los Angeles and Washington‐Baltimore territorial charts, is coming up fast and has good chart potential. Other territories reporting it strong included New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. Chicago sales reports also were good. Some action is also reported on the flip "I've Lost".

CASH BOX REVIEW — JUNE 19, 1954

At Left: CASH BOX, October 1, 1955. NOTE: Red Prysock is included in the Red Robin Records - Part One article. Labels on both sides of Red Robin 135, "True Love"/"Cry Baby", credit "F. Parris - S. Hopkins" as the composers. Sylvester Hopkins was a member of The Scarlets. The labels for Red Robin 138, "Kiss Me"/"Indian Fever", again credit "F. Parris" as the songwriter. At BMI.com, there are separate entries, four agreeing with the four labels and another four crediting "Morgan Bobby Robinson" for all the songs. "Cry Baby" was a minor hit for The Bonnie Sisters on Rainbow 328 in early 1956. That label doesn't show any composer credit. Cash Box Review (10/8/55): THE SCARLETS — RED ROBIN 138 Indian Fever (B) The Scarlets chant an Indian chant middle beat rocker with infectious treatment that should get the deck moving. Good side. Kiss Me (B) The group backs with a slow rhythmic ballad pretty smoothly done. Soft offering with romantic appeal. OK side. [Just OK? or "very good"?] (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good".) Here's audio for the last two Red Robin releases by The Scarlets.... LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "True Love" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 135 - 1955. 2. "Cry Baby" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 135 - 1955. 3. "Kiss Me" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 138 - 1955. 4. "Indian Fever" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 138 - 1955. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

Above: New Haven, CT (1955): "The SCARLETS", SINGING QUINTET, ENLIST IN ARMY HERE The U.S. Army Recruiting Office in the Bullard Building is shown in one of its lighter moments as "The Scarlets" render a final song before enlisting. Members of the singing quintet are, left to right, Sylvester Hopkins, high tenor; Nathaniel Mosely Jr., second tenor; Frederick L. Parris, leader; Albert Denby, baritone; and William L. Powers, bass. Watching the performance is Sgt. George Henderson. (NOTE: Enlistment into the Army is what caused The Scarlets to break up. Fred Parris assembled a new group from New Haven, Connecticut, which he named The Five Satins.)

EXTRA RECORDS — THE FIVE SATINS

Above: Photo of The Five Satins. Fred Parris is at left facing the other members of the group.

Above Left: Label image of Standord 5105 A, released in January 1956. Standord was located in New Haven, Connecticut. The ballad, "All Mine", is sung acapella. The uptempo flip-side, "Rose Mary", is backed by a band. No clue what the differences are between the 5000 and 6000 series or the XEP-100 and XEP-200 numbering system. XEP designations cannot be matrix numbers as they are the same on both sides. Maybe the 5000/6000 A/B are the matrix numbers. Above Middle: CASH BOX, April 21, 1956. Above Right: Label image of Standord 6106 A, released in March 1956. In a 2021 New York Times article (by Neil Genzlinger) about Fred Parris' life (and death that year), it was stated that there were only four "Satins" in the 1956 recording of "In The Still Of The Nite". They were Fred (lead singer), Al Denby (tenor), Eddie Martin (baritone), and Jim Freeman (bass). Freeman is shown as the composer on both flip-sides of the above Standord records. BMI.com also credits "James Freeman" for three other "Five Satins" songs, "Wonderful Girl", "Our Anniversary", and "Pretty Baby". The Five Satins also had one side, "I Love You So", released on Standord's subsidiary label, Klik (#1020-B), date unconfirmed. It's an uptempo tune performed in acapella style. At 1:30 in length, no instrumentation, and a different vocal group on the other side, this may be from an old demo that was done for Standord. Cash Box Review (6/9/56): THE FIVE SATINS — EMBER 1005 The Jones Girl (B) The Five Satins rock out a quick beat story of the Jones Girl. A swinging side with a go-go treatment. Deck emits an excitement the kids will like. I'll Remember (B) The Satins back with a slow beat ballad blues with a romantic lyric. Smoothly done. Pleasing, easy to listen to side. ["I'll Remember" is the original title for "In The Still Of The Nite".] (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good". The Billboard gave "I'll Remember" a 67 out of 100, "satisfactory", rating.) CASH BOX, June 23, 1956: ....A1 Silver picked up a hunk o' gold, it seems, when he bought the master of the Five Satins' "I'll Remember (In The Still Of The Night)". The deck has been breaking out in any number of areas throughout the country.... [Al Silver was a co-owner of Herald Records, of which Ember was a subsidiary label.]

LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "All Mine (acapella)" - The Five Satins - Standord 5105 A - 1956. 2. "Rose Mary" - The Five Satins - Standord 5105 B - 1956. 3. "In The Still Of The Nite" - The Five Satins - Standord 6106 A - 1956. 4. "The Jones Girl" - The Five Satins - Standord 6106 B - 1956. 5. "I Love You So (acapella)" - The Five Satins - Klik 1020-B - Unconfirmed Date. ALL FIVE SONGS played in sequence.

Above: Reissue label image of Ember E-1005, recorded in February 1956 and released in June 1956. Per Disco-File, the song title on the first-issue Ember label, released in March 1956, is "I'll Remember (In The Still Of The Night)". As best I can tell, The Ember and Standord versions are the same take. At Direct Left: CASH BOX, June 23, 1956.

Above Left: BLACK DISPATCH (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), October 19, 1956. NOTE: WOW! What an absolutely great line-up! Ticket prices: $1.75, $2.25, and $2.75. Above Right: Poster for "November Dance" in the Baltimore area in 1958. Well worth the $2.25 ticket price! Included to appear in person was Fred Parris And The 5 Satins. Interesting that the accompanying photo of the group does not include Fred.

Above: Label image of Ember E-1019, recorded in May 1957 and released in that same month. Could it be that the five names listed as composers are the members of The Five Satins on this record? At the time of this recording session, Fred Parris, who was in Japan serving in the military, was unavailable. "To The Aisle" went up to #6 on Billboard's R&B Best Sellers List on August 5, 1957. At Direct Left: Publicity photo of The Five Satins. The lead singer on "To The Aisle", Bill Baker, is at the top with his hands up. If anyone can identify the others in the photo, please contact me. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): "To The Aisle" - The Five Satins - Ember E-1019 - 1957.

SANDRA GRIMES

LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Be Good To Yourself" - Sandra Grimes - Red Robin 129 - 1954. 2. "You Didn't Give Me A Chance" - Sandra Grimes - Red Robin 129 - 1954. 3. "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself" - Dolly Cooper (And The Wanderers) - Savoy 1121-A - 1954. ALL THREE SONGS played in sequence.

Sandra Grimes had just this one record on Bobby Robinson's Red Robin label. Later on, she formed a gospel group called "Sandra Grimes Singers Of N.Y.C.", which had two records released on Revelation Records. They were also known as "Sandra Grimes Gospel Trumpets Of New York City. Indeed, her "Be Good To Yourself" on Red Robin has definite gospel leanings. However, not so on the flip-side. At Left: Label image of Red Robin 129, released in 1954. Unfortunately, there is a male that talks over Sandra's singing on "Be Good To Youself", which totally ruins the song! The labels on both sides show "W. Cambell" as the songwriter. "Bill Campbell" is credited at BMI.com for "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself", but the flip-side is not listed. Campbell has one "BMI Award Winning Song", "Play It Fair", which was a hit for LaVern Baker And The Gliders on Atlantic Records in 1955. Dolly Cooper had a previous release, titled "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself", on the Savoy label (see further below). There is an uncredited vocal group (The Wanderers) backing her. Note the "Savoy" publishing company on the Red Robin label. Extensive coverage of Dolly Cooper (aka Thelma Cooper) is provided in the Savoy Records - Part Four article. The flip-side label shows "Beacon" as publisher. Beacon Music was Joe Davis' publishing company. BMI.com credits "William Vance Campbell" and "Joseph M. Davis" for composing "Be Faithful", the Dean Barlow And The Crickets' song, (one of my favorites). Campbell, by himself this time, also composed The Crickets' "When I Met You". CHICAGO DEFENDER, January 1, 1955: ....Well that's it for 1954. Possibilities for 1955 look real big. Artists to watch are Sandra Grimes, Lou Mac, Sue Allen, The Moonglows, Hal Gurrage [sic Burrage], Big Walter [Horton], The Flamingoes, Ahmad James, Walter Spriggs [Lead of The Five Echoes], Tommy Brown, Ersula Reed, Julian Dash, and The Five Thrills. (NOTE: Well, the blurb writer was correct about The Moonglows and Flamingoes anyway. Most of these artists were located in Chicago. At least five of them recorded for Chicago's Parrot/Blue Lake Records.

Above Left: Dolly Cooper, from Philadelphia, signed with Savoy Records in 1952, recording for them until December 1953. She joined Modern Records in 1955. Dolly began her singing career as "Thelma Cooper", recording for Philadelphia's Palda record label in 1948. Extensive coverage of Dolly Cooper, including "I Wanna Know" and the Palda record, is provided in the Savoy Records - Part Four article. Above Right: Label image of Savoy 1121-A, recorded in December 1953 and released in early 1954. At Direct Right: THE BILLBOARD, February 6, 1954. CASH BOX, January 24, 1954: ....Note from Fred Mendelsohn tells us Savoy ready to release a new Dolly Cooper plate. The gal has talent, as proved by her "I Wanna Know" which stayed in the charts for quite a time. New etching is titled "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself".... (NOTE: Mendelsohn was an A&R man for Savoy Records.) CASH BOX AWARD O' THE WEEK, February 13, 1954: DOLLY COOPER — SAVOY 1121 — You Gotta Be Good To Yourself Dolly Cooper comes up with her best since "I Wanna Know" in "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself" and the gal looks like she has another winner. A slow bounce item with a light religious feel, the tune is given the top drawer vocal treatment by Dolly. Support by a vocal group is excellent and helps no end to make this a better than average deck.... We like the top plate, "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself," and it should take off big with the proper promotion.

At Direct Right: BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN, June 25, 1960. The following information was obtained from the "bless-this-soul.com" website. Revelation Records, located in New York City, was a product of Bobby Robinson's Fury and Fire Records. Bobby owned the company and used his "Fire Music" to copyright many of the gospel songs on the label. (Note: The Scarlets' Fury record further above on this webpage has "Fire Music" shown on its label. Bobby Robinson also used another of his publishing companies, "Fast Music", for the same purpose.) Revelation released close to fifty records. Some of their recorded gospel groups are the Cross Jordan Singers Of Nashville, Dewey Young And The Flying Clouds, the Five Singing Stars, the Mighty Gospel Giants Of Brooklyn, the Soul Finders Of Newark, N.J., and the Gospel Challengers, a female group. Sandra Grimes, who was a member of the Christian Tabernacle Church Choir, had two records released on Revelation, #108 in 1959 and #131 in 1960. The labels for these are shown below.

THE RAINBOWS

Above: Photo of The Rainbows from 1955. (Back L-R) James Nolan, Ronald Miles, John Berry, Henry Womble, Frank Hardy, (Front) Donald Watts. This is the line-up that recorded for Red Robin. The Rainbows had one record on Red Robin (1954), two on Pilgrim (1956), and one on Rama (1956). One of the Pilgrim releases was a reissue of the Red Robin record. At Right: The Red Robin record was also reissued on Bobby Robinson's Fire label as by Sonny Spencer And The Rainbows (1960). "Sonny Spencer" is a pseudonym for John Berry. Notice that there is no composer credit shown on the label. Lou Silvani's book, "Collecting Rare Records", says the Fire "B-side [Evening] is an alternate take of the Red Robin version." I can't tell the difference, but it's included here for you to decide. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): "Evening" - The Rainbows Featuring Sonny Spencer - Fire 1012 - 1960. After the Rama record was unsuccessful, and having just the one minor "hit" in "Mary Lee", The Rainbows disbanded. There was a new Rainbows group that formed in 1963 resulting in two records on the Dave label (1963-1964). The only original member was Ronald Miles. Click HERE for an article about The Rainbows by Marv Goldberg. (Will open in a separate window)

At Left: Label image facsimile of Red Robin 134, released in 1954. The label says "Quintet", but at the time of this recording there were six members in the group. "John Bobby Berry" is credited for writing both sides of this record at BMI.com. He has 114 song titles listed there, with one "BMI Award Winning Song, "Pony Time". It was co-written by Donald Covay and was a hit for Chubby Checker on the heels of his smash record "The Twist". Covay was a member of The Rainbows when they recorded for the Pilgrim label in 1956. However, there are also separate entries at BMI.com that credit Bobby Robinson as the composer of both sides, including Danny Robinson for the "Mary Lee" side. It's unknown when Robinson submitted the songs because BMI.com does not include dates. Perhaps it was when he reissued the sides on his Fire label in 1960. TRIVIA: Bobby Robinson introduced "the new dance craze" "The Horse" [yes, The Horse!] by Wilbert Harrison on the Fury label in 1960. Wilbert had the big hit, "Kansas City", for Bobby on Fury in 1959. "The Horse" was composed by Harrison and Clarence Lewis. Of course Bobby included his name at BMI. Clarence "Junior" Lewis had one record on the Red Robin label, which is included further down this webpage. The Rainbows recorded two unreleased songs for Red Robin in 1954. One of these, "Love Me", is included in the audio selections below. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Mary Lee" - The Rainbows - Red Robin 134 - 1954. 2. "Evening" - The Rainbows - Red Robin 134 - 1954. 3. "Love Me" - The Rainbows - Red Robin Unreleased - Recorded 1954. ALL THREE SONGS played in sequence.

EXTRA RECORDS — THE RAINBOWS

Above: Photo of The Rainbows from 1956. (Back L-R) John Berry, Ronald Miles, (Front L-R) Chester Simmons, and Don Covay. This is the line-up that recorded for the Pilgrim and Rama labels.

Above Left: Label image of Pilgrim 711, released in June 1956. BMI.com credits "John Bobby Berry" for composing both sides, with the addition of Don Covay for "Stay". Above Right: Label image of Rama RR-209, recorded in July 1956 and released in September 1956. Again, BMI.com credits "John Bobby Berry" for both songs, but "Goldner" is not included for either. George Goldner was co-owner of Rama Records. There are five other "Stay" titles, all different from this one, that are "BMI Award Winning Songs", including one composed by Maurice Williams (of The Zodiacs).

LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Shirley" - The Rainbows - Pilgrim 711 - 1956. 2. "Stay" - The Rainbows - Pilgrim 711 - 1956. 3. "They Say" - The Rainbows - Rama RR-209 - 1956. 4. "Minnie" - The Rainbows - Rama RR-209 - 1956. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

Above: Photo of The Rainbows performing at a UGHA concert. Unfortunately, I didn't write the date or the members' names on the back of the photo. If anyone can provide either information, please contact me. Danny Begelman (guitar‐center) and his group are backing The Rainbows instrumentally. Notice their shirts represent the main colors of a rainbow, except out of order (should be blue, green, yellow, and red). Their shirts also have an emblem "THE RAINBOWS" with a rainbow shown underneath. And below that what seems to be "RAINBOWS.COM". That domain name is now available for $140,000! Each group member is wearing socks that match the color of their top. Very clever all around.

CLARENCE "JUNIOR" LEWIS

Above Left: Photo of Clarence "Junior" Lewis. Junior grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, but after graduating from high school moved to New York City for his career. His first record was on Bobby Robinson's Red Robin label in 1955. He was drafted into the armed services in the late 1950s. In 1960, Junior returned to Bobby Robinson to record on the Fury label. In the 1960s, he had a regular singing stint with the Erskine Hawkins band at the Minton Playhouse in Harlem. Junior had just one record on Red Robin (1955). In addition, he had records on Fury (1960), Columbia (1961-1962), Atlantic's subsidiary Atco (1962), Scepter (1963-1964), and M-G-M (1967). In 1967, he changed his stage name to "C.L. Blast" with success on the Atlantic and United Records labels as a soul singer.

Above Right: Photo of a young Sammy Lowe, who was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but spent his professional career in New York City. It's interesting how closely Sammy aligns with Junior's biography, but at a different time. In the 1930s and 1940s, he played trumpet and arranged for the Erskine Hawkins orchestra. Erskine was also originslly from Birmingham. Sammy was also a songwriter with 146 titles listed at BMI.com. In the 1950s, he led his own band. His 1956 arrangement of The Platters' "My Prayer" was a number one hit for them. In the late 1950s and thereafter, Sammy specialized in arrangements for a "who's who" of the top artists.

Above Left: Label image of Red Robin 136, released in 1955. Clarence "Junior" Lewis was twenty years old when these sides were recorded. For the shown side, the label and BMI.com agree about the songwriters. The flip-side label, "Lost Everything", credits "Robinson-Lewis", but BMI.com does not show either composer. The song has a delightful start, "Broke, busted, and disgusted." Above Right: Label image of Fury 1040, released in 1960. Maybe he didn't like the name "Clarence" as now he's identified as "Little Junior Lewis". Later on he shortened that to "Junior Lewis". This is the same song as Red Robin, but re-recorded in a heavier rhythm and blues/soul style. The flip-side is "Can She Give Me Fever", a different song than on the backside of the Red Robin record. At Direct Right: Another photo of Clarence "Junior" Lewis aka "Little Junior Lewis", "Junior Lewis", and "C.L. Blast". LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Your Heart Must Be Made Of Stone" - Clarence "Junior" Lewis - Red Robin 136 - 1955. 2. "Lost Everything" - Clarence "Junior" Lewis - Red Robin 136 - 1955. 3. "Your Heart Must Be Made Of Stone" - Little Junior Lewis - Fury 1040 - 1960. ALL THREE SONGS played in sequence.

CHARLES AND CARL

Above Left: Label image of Red Robin 137, released in March 1955. It's possible that Bobby Robinson noticed Charlie And Ray, with their late 1954 and early 1955 hits on the Herald label, and wanted to get "in the act" with his own duet. "Charles" was Charles Sampson who had been the lead singer in The Velvets, with success on the Red Robin label (1953-1954). "Carl" was Carl Hogan, who had one record on Bobby Robinson's Fury label in 1957 as Carl Hogan And The Miracles. Carl was also a member of The Valentines for their 1957 Rama RR-228 release, "Don't Say Goodnight"/"I Cried Oh Oh". While the "Lucky Star" label shows "Charles Sampson" as composer, BMI.com credits only Bobby Robinson. The "One More Chance" label shows "Sampson‐Hogan" as the composers, but BMI.com credits only "Larry Robinson", who we believe is Bobby's brother, Danny. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Lucky Star" - Charles And Carl - Red Robin 137 - 1955. 2. "One More Chance" - Charles And Carl - Red Robin 137 - 1955. 3. "I Love You So" - Carl Hogan And The Miracles - Fury 1002 - 1957. 4. "Your Love" - Carl Hogan And The Miracles - Fury 1002 - 1957. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

Above Right: Label image of Fury 1002, released in 1957. It was Carl Hogan And The Miracles' only record of any kind. This is the original design of the Fury label. There were many more label formats to follow. Fury was the third record label that Bobby Robinson owned. It followed Robin/Red Robin (1951-1956) and Whirlin' Disc (1956-1957). The latter label released a total of ten records, every one by a vocal group. A "Whirlin' Disc" CD with all twenty sides (plus more) is available at this website. The label and BMI.com agree that "Carl Al Hogan‐Morgan C Robinson‐Charles Sampson" composed "I Love You So". However, not completely true for the flip, "Your Love". The record label shows "Hogan-Robinson", but BMI.com credits Bobby Robinson along with "Clarence L. Lewis" (aka Junior Lewis). Lewis did have the Red Robin release just prior to Charles And Carl, so he was in some way linked to the company. The matrix numbers for the Lewis record are "3089/3090 and for the Charles And Carl record are 3093/3094. Wonder to what artist the missing numbers were assigned, if any.

EXTRA RECORD — THE VALENTINES

At Left: Label image of Rama RR-228, recorded in March 1957 and released in April 1957. This is Carl Hogan's only record with The Valentines. It's also The Valentines' last record of seven they had on New York City's Rama label (1955-1957). BMI.com credits Richard Barrett, Carl Al Hogan, and Moishe as the composers of "Don't Say Goodnight". "Moishe" is a pseudonym for Morris Levy, who was co-owner and president of Roulette Records. The Billboard trade magazine dated April 6, 1957 announced: "George Goldner has sold his interests in the Roulette, Rama, Gee, and Tico labels outright to the Morris Levy combine..." It's no surprise that Levy took songwriting credit at BMI for 355 song titles, with six "BMI Award Winning Songs" (which includes "Gee", "I Want You To Be My Girl", and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love"). DISCO-FILE lists the members of the group, for this record, as Richard Barrett, Ronnie Bright, David Clowney, Mickey Frances, and Carl Hogan. Barrett is the lead singer. Click HERE for an article about The Valentines by Marv Goldberg. (Will open in a separate window) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Don't Say Goodnight" - The Valentines - Rama RR-228 - 1957. 2. "I Cried Oh, Oh" - The Valentines - Rama RR-228 - 1957. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

THE SEQUINS

Above: Label image of Red Robin 140, released in 1956. This is the last record issued on Red Robin. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Why Can't You Treat Me Right?" - The Sequins - Red Robin 140 - 1956. 2. "Don't Fall In Love" - The Sequins - Red Robin 140 - 1956. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

The Sequins, a New York City group, are a mystery. There is little information about them. This is their only known record. Because Bobby Robinson took credit for composing both sides, no information can be gleaned from that source. From Doo-Wop.Blogg.org: The Emanons hailed from New York. The group members were Ronald Coleman (Lead), Carl White (First Tenor), Ralph Steely (Second Tenor), James Dukes (Baritone), and James Hill (Bass). [NOTE: Disco-File has the same members except it's "Robert Coleman" and "Ralph Steeley".] Coleman also was the lead voice for The Sequins with Carl White when they recorded the last record on the Red Robin label. The Emanons (the No Names spelled backward) recorded "Change Of Time" for Gee Records, ... a subsidiary to George Goldner's Tico and Rama labels [released in March 1956]. The same year, they recorded "Blue Moon" [released in July 1956 on Jubilee's subsidiary label, Josie] and it's the first time it was performed in an up-tempo fashion, five years before Pittsburgh's Marcels had a #1 hit with it. Regarding the Doo-Wop Blog blurb above, both Ronald and Robert Coleman sang with The Delroys on Apollo (1957) and Sparkell (1959). Ronald Coleman was with The Del Roys on Carol (1961) and The Elrods on King (1961) and Palette (1962). Carl White also sang with The Tenderfoots on Federal (1955), The Thrills on Jab (1956), The Sharps on Aladdin (1957), The Blenders on Combo (1960), The Four After Fives on All Time (1961), and The Rivingtons on Liberty (1962-1964). The Sequins were certainly good enough to warrant more action, perhaps on Robinson's new 1956 Whirlin' Disc label. However, that didn't happen. We may never know what caused them to break up. Anyone with a photo of or pertinent information about The Sequins, please contact me.

EXTRA RECORD — THE EMANONS

At Left: Label image of Josie 801, released in July 1956. This is The Emanons' only record on the Josie label. Josie was a subsidiary label of Jubilee Records. DISCO-FILE lists the members of the group as Robert Coleman, James Dukes, James Hill, Ralph Steeley, and Carl White. Coleman is the lead singer. ASCAP.com lists 704 "Blue Moon" songs. This one is the classic by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. BMI.com's listing contains a "Blue Moon" title that is a "BMI Award Winning Song", that one written and performed by country singer Keith Toby. The flip-side Josie label shows "Hill‐Steeley‐White" as the songwriters of "Wish I Had My Baby". BMI.com credits "Hill, Anna L. Steeley, and White". Hill and White were members of The Emanons. Wonder if Anna L. is actually Ralph Steeley, who was another member of the group, or someone related to him? LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Blue Moon" - The Emanons - Josie 801 - 1956. 2. "Wish I Had My Baby" - The Emanons - Josie 801 - 1956. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

EXTRA RECORD — THE THRILLS

At Left: Label image of JAB J-103B, released in 1956. The songs on both sides of this record were composed by Frank A. Armstrong, the owner of Jab Record Company. The labels give the names of the musicians, but not the members of the vocal group, who are the main artists on this record. The label has "Zimmeran". Other places, such as Disco-File, have "Zimmerman". Don't know which is correct, so will use the label's spelling here. DISCO-FILE lists the members of The Thrills as Al Frazier, John E. Harris, Turner "Rocky" Wilson, Jr., and Carl White. Carl had been with The Tenderfoots for four records on Federal (1955), The Emanons on Josie (1956) and Gee (1956) for one record each, and later was with The Sharps for one record on Aladdin (1957). Cash Box Review (8/11/56): GEORGE ZIMMERAN AND THE THRILLS — JAB 103 Whose Baby Are You (B) Zimmeran and The Thrills offer a good, but not too different, slow shuffle beat blues. Item is well performed and falls in the category of adequate. [Then why the "very good" rating?] Ain't Got The Money To Pay For This Drink (B) A bouncy novelty in which Zimmeran begs for a drink though he hasn't the money to pay for it. A middle beat bouncer that comes off ok. [Same comment] (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good".) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Ain't Got The Money To Pay For This Drink" - George Zimmeran And The Thrills - JAB J-103B - 1956. 2. "Whose Baby Are You" - George Zimmeran And The Thrills - JAB J-103A - 1956. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

Above Left: CASH BOX, October 13, 1956. Above Right: CASH BOX, November 3, 1956. NOTE: Both clippings spell his name "Zimmerman", that by the same company, Jab, that spelled it "Zimmeran" on their record labels.

FLING RECORDS Fling was formed in 1959 as a "sister label" to Bobby Robinson's Fury and Fire labels. It's "fling" ended in late 1962. ********************************************************************************* CASH BOX, September 24, 1960: FIRE & FURY ENTER FALL WITH NEW SINGLES... NEW YORK—The Fire & Fury labels have moved into the fall season with a number of important "big-guns" single issues, and the debut of LP lines. In addition, a jazz LP line is in the works under the Fling banner, a subsidiary of Fire & Fury... There's a jazz single on Fling, "Piano Tuner" by Curley Hamner & Cooper Bros., formerly featured with the Lionel Hampton Band. Currently hitting for the label is "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" by Buster Brown. Two LP's that bow the package line are "Goin' To Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison (Fury) and "New King Of The Blues" by Buster Brown (Fire). These LP's will be followed-up by a regular release schedule by artists from Fire & Fury [on the Fling label]. CASH BOX, March 17, 1962: ROBINSON REACTIVATES FLING NEW YORK—The reactivation of Fling Records has been announced by Bobby Robinson, head of the Fury, Fire, and Revelation diskeries. Marshall E. Sehorn, national promotion director for Robinson's labels, will head the label and direct its activities. Dates will be cut mainly in the country, pop, and jazz fields, though new R&B talent will be considered for the Fling roster. Sessions on several of the label's pactees are completed and singles are being readied for early release. Negotiations are under way for separate and regular distributor outlets. ********************************************************************************* Artists with records on the Fling label include Jerry Dorn, Billy Quad, The Delfonics, Artie Lewis, Tony Cosmo, Johnny Acey (not a ripoff of the late, great), Jessie Powell Orchestra, Emmit Davis, Dennis Volk, Jimmy Myre, Buddy Skipper, Curly Hammer, Alan Riddle, and Mary "B" [Banks]. At Right: Label image of Fling 711, released in November 1959. The "lucky 711" was used for the first record on the label. A vocal group backs Jerry on "Prayer Of Love". If anyone can provide legit information about the Jerry Dorn on the Fling label, please contact me. He did have a record on New York City's Prize label in the early 1960s, backed again by Rikki Dawn And His Orchestra. BMI.com credits "Jay Fishman" and "Bernard Trester", partners in Herkage Music and UP Records of New York, as composers for "Prayer Of Love". The flip label has "S. Bradford - Al Lewis" as composers of "Rockin' Chair Rock", but they are not included at BMI.com or ASCAP.com for that song. Neither label shows a publishing company or a BMI/ASCAP reference. Cash Box Review (11/21/59): JERRY DORN — FLING 711 Prayer Of Love (B+) A strong prayer of love‐everlasting is brought out with solid teen feeling by Dorn. Effective, too, is the dramatic percussion backdrop. Could come‐through big. Rockin' Chair Rock (B) Artist and combo tear loose on this end and come up with a side that's a sure‐fire hop attraction. Fury distributes the label. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good" and B+ as "excellent".)

Bobby Robinson reissued the same record almost three years later: Cash Box Review (9/8/62): JERRY DORN — FLING 711 Prayer Of Love (B+) Effective declaration by Dorn on a dramatic inspirational‐like romantic. Kids will feel for the portion. Rockin' Chair Rock (C+) Sock stuff that's generally old‐hat [true, almost 3 years old... hat!]. (NOTE: Cash Box in 1962 had a new system where "B+" was the top rating possible! A rating of C+ was considered as "fair" and B+ as "very good". The other ratings were B "good" and C "mediocre".) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Prayer Of Love (And Vocal Group)" - Jerry Dorn - Fling 711 - 1959. 2. "Rockin' Chair Rock" - Jerry Dorn - Fling 711 - 1959. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

Above: Photo of The Delfonics. Lead singer Carlton Lee (Carl Lezcano) is in front in a white shirt. His brother, Bobby Lezcano, who was also in the group, seems to be at far left in the photo.

Above: Label images of both sides for Fling 727 , released in June 1962. This is The Delfonics' only record on Fling. However, Disco-File lists a second record for them, released in 1967 on Dee-Su 308. Notice that both sides are a "Bobby Robinson Production". I must say that the "star" at the far left in heading looks more like an insect or perhaps a very small gecko. BMI.com agrees with the songwriters for "There They Go", crediting "La Charles Harper" and "Carl Lezcano". For the flip, "Over And Over", BMI.com gives "Carl Loscano" the nod. Cash Box Review (7/21/62): THE DELFONICS — FLING 727 There They Go (B) Expressive teen essay by the song crew's lead, Carlton Lee, who tells a tale about a loser who wants to learn the game of love. Other guys back-up with soft chant finesse. Over And Over (B) Fellas warble in a romantic teen manner against an off‐beat Latinish sound from the combo. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "good". "B" was the second highest rating possible with Cash Box's new system.) The Billboard Review (7/28/62): THE DELFONICS — FLING 727 There They Go (****) Strong lead singing on this rockaballad. The group has a good teen sound and the backing features some fine guitar work. Rest of the vocal group is also right in there pitching. [The Billboard got this one right!] Over And Over (***) No comments provided. (NOTE: The Billboard was now using a "star" rating system where a maximum of **** = "Strong Sales Potential".) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "There They Go" - The Delfonics Featuring Carlton Lee - Fling 727 - 1962. 2. "Over And Over" - The Delfonics Featuring Carlton Lee - Fling 727 - 1962. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

Above: CASH BOX, August 4, 1962. NOTE: The above clipping misspells The Delfonics' name as "The Delphonics". Also, "Over & Over" should be "Over And Over". The location has changed from Bobby Robinson's original "301 West 125th Street" address.

CONCLUSION This concludes the ROBIN/RED ROBIN RECORDS series of articles. Robin/Red Robin existed from 1951 to 1956. The label produced forty records, with vocal groups slightly more than half of those. Bobby Robinson, co-owner with his brother Danny, was an excellent judge of talent, especially true with newly formed vocal groups. The vocal groups, in order of their appearance on the label, consisted of The Mello-Moods, Du-Droppers, Vocaleers, Serenaders, Velvets, Topps, Scarlets, Rainbows, and Sequins. There was also Allen Bunn backed by an unknown vocal group. All of them, in my opinion, were excellent! Out of this list, only The Serenaders and Allen Bunn had any previously released records! Some of the other artists on Red Robin were or became well-known. This includes Red Prysock, Champion Jack Dupree, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Tiny Grimes. Red Robin also dabbled in gospel records with three releases by three different artists. They were probably not good sellers as it's difficult to find any of these records now. Red Robin had many skipped matrix numbers during it's existence. Did these represent actual recordings? Are they still available in the Red Robin archives? These matrix numbers seem to be missing: 3002-3006, 3009-3010, 3022-3023, 3036, 3047-3049, 3050-3053, 3058-3067, 3082, 3085-3086, 3091-3092, 3095-3099, and 4003. That's thirty-five total compared to eighty that were used for released sides. At Direct Right: An older Bobby Robinson relaxing in his "modern" record shop. After Red Robin ended, Bobby did not leave the record manufacturing business. In 1956, he started a new label named Whirlin' Disc Records to feature his newest vocal group, Earl Lewis And The Channels. Their first record, "The Closer You Are", was a hit. After the ten records on Whirlin Disc, Bobby formed Fury Records in 1957, Fire Records in 1959, and Enjoy in 1962. Danny Robinson formed his own record labels, Holiday in 1956, Everlast in 1957, and Vest in 1958.

Above: DAILY NEWS, June 5, 1994. NOTE: Photo of Bobby Robinson in the front window area of his "Bobby's Happy House Records", located on 125th Street in Harlem, New York City.

NOTE: Restoration of photos, clippings, record label images, and audio is by Tony Fournier.

RED ROBIN RECORDS - PART ONE FEATURES SPOTLIGHTS ON BOBBY ROBINSON AND JOEL TURNERO. ALSO INCLUDED ARE MORRIS LANE AND BAND, CHARLIE SINGLETON AND HIS ORCHESTRA, VOCALIST FREDDIE JACKSON, THE MELLO-MOODS, THE SWALLOWS, THE VIBES, TWO GOSPEL KEYS, RED PRYSOCK AND HIS HOUSE ROCKERS, THE DU-DROPPERS, AND THE EMBERS. RED ROBIN RECORDS - PART TWO FEATURES CHAMPION JACK DUPREE, THE EMPIRES, SONNY TERRY, BROWNIE McGHEE, THE VOCALEERS, THE CRYSTALS/OPALS, AND THE SERENADERS/MUSKETEERS/ROYALS/SCOOTERS. RED ROBIN RECORDS - PART THREE FEATURES THE VELVETS, SADIE BIRCH, TINY GRIMES, ALLEN BUNN AND VOCAL GROUP, THE LARKS, THE LOVERS, TARHEEL SLIM & LITTLE ANN, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON, THE TOPS, AND THE HEARTBREAKERS.

Listen to this article's audio selections using Windows Media Player:           1. "Truly Yours" - The Scarlets - Fury 1036 - 1960.           2. "East Of The Sun" - The Scarlets - Fury 1036 - 1960.           3. "Dear One" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 128 - 1954.           4. "I've Lost" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 128 - 1954.           5. "Darling I'm Yours" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 133 - 1954.           6. "Love Doll" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 133 - 1954.           7. "True Love" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 135 - 1955.           8. "Cry Baby" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 135 - 1955.           9. "Kiss Me" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 138 - 1955.         10. "Indian Fever" - The Scarlets - Red Robin 138 - 1955.         11. "All Mine (acapella)" - The Five Satins - Standord 5105 A - 1956.         12. "Rose Mary" - The Five Satins - Standord 5105 B - 1956.         13. "In The Still Of The Nite" - The Five Satins - Standord 6106 A - 1956.         14. "The Jones Girl" - The Five Satins - Standord 6106 B - 1956.         15. "I Love You So (acapella)" - The Five Satins - Klik 1020-B - Unconfirmed Date.         16. "To The Aisle" - The Five Satins - Ember E-1019 - 1957.         17. "Be Good To Yourself" - Sandra Grimes - Red Robin 129 - 1954.         18. "You Didn't Give Me A Chance" - Sandra Grimes - Red Robin 129 - 1954.         19. "You Gotta Be Good To Yourself" - Dolly Cooper (And The Wanderers) - Savoy 1121-A - 1954.         20. "Mary Lee" - The Rainbows - Red Robin 134 - 1954.         21. "Evening" - The Rainbows - Red Robin 134 - 1954.         22. "Love Me" - The Rainbows - Red Robin Unreleased - Recorded 1954.         23. "Evening" - The Rainbows Featuring Sonny Spencer - Fire 1012 - 1960.         24. "Shirley" - The Rainbows - Pilgrim 711 - 1956.         25. "Stay" - The Rainbows - Pilgrim 711 - 1956.         26. "They Say" - The Rainbows - Rama RR-209 - 1956.         27. "Minnie" - The Rainbows - Rama RR-209 - 1956.         28. "Your Heart Must Be Made Of Stone" - Clarence "Junior" Lewis - Red Robin 136 - 1955.         29. "Lost Everything" - Clarence "Junior" Lewis - Red Robin 136 - 1955.         30. "Your Heart Must Be Made Of Stone" - Little Junior Lewis - Fury 1040 - 1960.         31. "Lucky Star" - Charles And Carl - Red Robin 137 - 1955.         32. "One More Chance" - Charles And Carl - Red Robin 137 - 1955.         33. "I Love You So" - Carl Hogan And The Miracles - Fury 1002 - 1957.         34. "Your Love" - Carl Hogan And The Miracles - Fury 1002 - 1957.         35. "Don't Say Goodnight" - The Valentines - Rama RR-228 - 1957.         36. "I Cried Oh, Oh" - The Valentines - Rama RR-228 - 1957.         37. "Why Can't You Treat Me Right?" - The Sequins - Red Robin 140 - 1956.         38. "Don't Fall In Love" - The Sequins - Red Robin 140 - 1956.         39. "Blue Moon" - The Emanons - Josie 801 - 1956.         40. "Wish I Had My Baby" - The Emanons - Josie 801 - 1956.         41. "Ain't Got The Money To Pay For This Drink" - George Zimmeran And The Thrills - JAB J-103B - 1956.         42. "Whose Baby Are You" - George Zimmeran And The Thrills - JAB J-103A - 1956.         43. "Prayer Of Love" - Jerry Dorn - Fling 711 - 1959.         44. "Rockin' Chair Rock" - Jerry Dorn - Fling 711 - 1959.         45. "There They Go" - The Delfonics Featuring Carlton Lee - Fling 727 - 1962.         46. "Over And Over" - The Delfonics Featuring Carlton Lee - Fling 727 - 1962.             ALL FORTY-SIX ABOVE SONGS played in sequence.           ALL NINETEEN ABOVE RED ROBIN LABEL SONGS played in sequence.           At Right: BOBBY ROBINSON AND THE APOLLO THEATRE IN HARLEM

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