#982 (7/15/26)

Above Left: Photo of Bobby Robinson, co-owner and president of Whirlin Disc Records, looking like a confident business man. While Whirlin Disc's business address was in Manhattan, Bobby and his record shop were still located in Harlem. From a 1972 Record Exchanger interview with Bobby Robinson.... RE: What prompted you to change labels? [From Red Robin to Whirlin Disc] BR: When I formed Red Robin my brother [Danny Robinson] was a young kid of 17. I took him as a full partner in the record company. In the meantime, he got married and decided the record business was too hectic for him and he wanted to start a store. So he pulled out what money he had and formed a retail record store. He had been working for me in the record store, so he knew the business very well.... I didn't have the money to buy out his interest, so I came up with a new label....

Above Right: A 1960 photo of Jerry Blaine, co-owner of Whirlin Disc Records. Also, owner and president of Jubilee Records in New York City. He's holding a gold record issued on Jubilee's subsidiary label, Josie Records. It's no surprise that Jerry Blaine's Cosnet Distributing Company was the main handler of Whirlin Disc's records, which included New York City, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Newark, etc. Blaine had previously distributed The Mello-Moods' first record on Bobby Robinson's Robin label, including placing ads in Cash Box magazine.

Above: CASH BOX, May 20, 1957. (The Wheelers [sic] should be The Whirlers.) NOTE: Jay-Gee was Jubilee's parent company. The above is cropped from a larger clipping that also includes the Jubilee, Josie, Port, Blue Chips, and Winley labels. Jay-Gee also owned Dana and later on, Jane Records. From a 1972 Record Exchanger interview with Bobby Robinson.... BR: The record ["The Closer You Are" - The Channels] started happening so fast, and I didn't have any money to distribute it nationally, that I let Jerry Blaine talk me into a partnership again. He talked me blue in the face and set up a partnership deal, so I agreed. The record had broken wide open already. I also had my own label, Whirlin Disc.... Jerry Blaine and I had a 50‐50 share. [NOTE: Bobby fully owned the label's name, "Whirlin Disc".] The very next month, in September, he suffered a heart attack and was out of circulation for the rest of the year. We did a few more things, but it didn't go too well to suit me....

THE CHANNELS

From a 1972 Record Exchanger interview with Bobby Robinson.... BR: In August of 1956 I had a chance to hear a group singing in a rehearsal studio on Lenox Avenue. They called themselves The Channels. They had rented an hour to rehearse. I had to be over there and I heard them singing. One of the guys, Earl Lewis, had an idea for a little tune, "the closer you are, the brighter you make the stars". So, Earl and I got together and worked on this tune and came up with "The Closer You Are". That was August 1956. So, I had found this group, The Channels, and after we had a few songs down the way, I wanted to set up a session and cut a record. I took the record to a disc jockey who called himself "Mr. Redeye". He played the record on WLIB and "The Closer You Are" was an instant hit. [WLIB was a radio station in Harlem that played R&B and Gospel music.]

Above: Photo of The Channels, who were from Harlem, New York City, which happens to be where Bobby Robinson was located. (Top-Bottom) Clifton Wright (bass), Larry Hampden (first tenor), Billy Morris (second tenor), Earl Lewis (lead singer), and Edward Dolphin (baritone). Per Disco-File, The Channels on Whirlin Disc have the same members as in the above photo. They had a different sound from other vocal groups. Multiple members of the group sang lead together with the bass and falsetto in the background. Earl Lewis would sing solo lead for the bridge. It resulted in unique, but nice sounding songs.

Above Left: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-100, recorded in June 1956 and released in August 1956. It's the original label design for Whirlin Records. This record is the first of four that The Channels had on Whirlin Disc (1956-1957). The record labels show "Lewis‐Robinson" as composers on both sides. BMI.com agrees with "The Closer You Are", but doesn't seem to have an entry for the flip. In September and October 1956, "The Closer You Are" was up to #6 on the Cash Box "Heaviest Play" list for New York City. In October 1956, Cash Box named "The Closer You Are" an "R&B Sure Shot". Above Right: The re-designed label image of Whirlin Disc W-100, released in 1956. The font type and size of the "Whirlin Disc" in the heading was changed. The new design was kept for the remainder of the label's releases. Also note that the publishing company was changed from "Bob-Dan Music", which had been used for Bobby and Danny Robinsons's Red Robin label, to "Spinning Wheel Music". The brothers had owned Red Robin together, but Danny had no part in Whirlin Disc Records. It's interesting that Jubilee released a cover of "The Closer You Are" in the following month... Betty Ann Grove backed by a "chorus". The label credits Earl Lewis and Bobby Robinson as the songwriters. The Billboard Review (8/25/56): THE CHANNELS — Whirlin Disc 100 The Closer You Are (81) Full, fervent group rendition of a perfectly‐paced love ballad. A strong record for r.&b. and rock and roll markets. Watch this one. Now You Know (75) This side is taken at a brighter pace, but doesn't have the commercial potential of the flip. (NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered as "good" and 80-89 as "excellent".) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "The Closer You Are" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-100 - 1956. 2. "Now You Know (I Love You So)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-100 - 1956. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

CASH BOX REVIEW — AUGUST 25, 1956.

CASH BOX — MARCH 16, 1957

Above: Label images of Whirlin Disc W-102, recorded in August 1956 and released in November 1956. To me, even a simply designed label looks better in the 78-rpm version compared to that on the equivalent 45-rpm record. The "WHIRLIN DISC" in the label heading has thicker letters than the first 78-rpm version (W-100, shown further above). All eight labels for the four Whirlin Disc records by The Channels show "Lewis‐Robinson" (Earl & Bobby) as the composers. BMI.com concurs. The Billboard Review (2/2/57): THE CHANNELS — Whirlin Disc 102 Stars In The Sky (81) A rock and roller, with a high‐pitched lead singer and plenty of beat. The group is building a strong following in the New York area, and this will be down their alley. The Gleam In Your Eyes (81) R&B ballad, slow in tempo with typical piano in the backing. Commercially potent blend job. (NOTE: A ratings range of 80-89 was considered as "excellent".) CASH BOX, January 5, 1957: ....Whirlin Disc has issued three new records, each of which show strong potential. The Channels, possessors of "Closer You Are", make their new entry a powerful "The Gleam In Your Eyes". The remaining two thirds of the release are also groups, The Empires "Whispering Heart" backed with "Linda" and The Quadrells "What Can The Matter Be" and "Come To Me".... LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "The Gleam In Your Eyes" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-102 - 1956. 2. "Stars In The Sky" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-102 - 1956. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

CASH BOX REVIEW — JANUARY 5, 1957.

CASH BOX — JANUARY 12, 1957.

Above: Label images of Whirlin Disc W-107, recorded in February 1957 and released in April 1957. Although the labels on both sides of the record, above left, are exactly the same as the labels for the record, above right, the songs are both sung differently. The above‐left record is the first issue. The above‐right record was released shortly afterward in the same month. For the reissue, "I Really Love You" is a more uptempo version (22 seconds shorter in length) and "What Do You Do" is a "cha cha" version (30 seconds longer in length). Although the song lengths were flipped, the "Times" on the labels were not revised. From a 1972 Record Exchanger interview with Bobby Robinson.... RE: You recorded "I Really Love You" twice. The first version had only a few hundred copies and then you did it over with a cha cha version on the flip, "What Do You Do". What was the reason? BR: Well, I didn't like the first one. RE: Earl Lewis told me that you thought it was kind of slow. BR: Yes. RE: I can see that, but I don't understand why you changed the ballad side too. BR: I really don't remember what my reason was. The Billboard Review (5/27/57): THE CHANNELS — Whirlin Disc 107 What Do You Do (75) Group packs plenty of vitality and sales savvy into a lively rhythm‐ballad with a rockin' beat and Latin‐ish flavor to backing. With exposure this might show up well sales‐wise. I Really Love You (75) Intense reading by lead singer on an attractive ballad with fervid backing by group. (NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered as "good".) At Direct Right: Another photo of The Channels, showing the members who were on all the Whirlin Disc releases. (At Left) Clifton Wright,(Top-Bottom) Larry Hampden, Billy Morris, Edward Dolphin, and Earl Lewis. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "I Really Love You (Slower)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957. 2. "What Do You Do (No Cha Cha)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957. 3. "I Really Love You (Faster)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957. 4. "What Do You Do (Cha Cha)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

CASH BOX — MAY 18, 1957.

At Left: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-109, released in 1957. This is the fourth and last record The Channels had on the Whirlin Disc label. No reviews were found in either Cash Box or The Billboard for this release. At Right: Label image of Port 70022, released in 1961. All four of The Channels' records on Whirlin Disc were reissued on Port Records (1959-1961). Port was a subsidiary label of Jerry Blaine's Jubilee Records. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Flames In My Heart" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-109 - 1957. 2. "My Lovin' Baby" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-109 - 1957. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

The Billboard Review (8/24/59): THE CHANNELS — PORT 70014 The Closer You Are (***) Intense sound by the group on a pounding rockaballad. Now You Know (***) Plenty of vocal gymnastics by the crew on this so‐so ballad with beat. Potential appears similar to that of the flip. (NOTE: The Billboard was now using a "four star" rating system where *** = "Good Sales Potential".) After breaking up in 1958, Earl Lewis and Clifton Wright revamped The Channels, resulting in one record each on Bobby Robinson's Fury and Fire labels, both released in 1959.

EXTRA RECORD — THE CHANNELS

TRADE MAGAZINE, August 1957: ....George Goldner [president of Gone Records] announces his pacting of The Channels to his Gone label, with their first release, "That's My Desire", already on the market. Group was formerly on Whirlin Disc and did well with "The Gleam In Your Eyes"....

Above Left: Label image of Gone 5012, recorded in August 1957 and released that same month. This is the first of two records that The Channels had on Gone Records (1957). Earl Lewis and Edward Dolphin, two members of the group, were the songwriters for the flip, "Stay As You Are", confirmed at BMI.com. NOTE: BMI credits Earl Lewis with 12 song titles. Four of these are with "Clarence L. Lewis". Clarence had records on Bobby Robinson's Red Robin and Fury labels. Don't know if Clarence was related to Earl. The Spiders (Imperial), Bob & Earl (Class), and Chuck Alaimo (M-G-M) also had versions of "That's My Desire" in 1957. It's the song that Frankie Laine had a big hit with in 1947 on Mercury Records. Above Right: CASH BOX REVIEW, August 31, 1957. At Direct Right: CASH BOX, September 7, 1957. Two of the Gone sides, "That's My Desire" and "Alter Of Love", were reissued on the Roulette label in January 1965. Roulette had acquired the Gone catelog in the early 1960s. George Goldner, who had been president of Gone, was one of the founders of Roulette Records. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "That's My Desire" - The Channels - Gone 5012 - 1957. 2. "Stay As You Are" - The Channels - Gone 5012 - 1957. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

THE CONTINENTALS

From a 1972 Record Exchanger interview with Bobby Robinson.... RE: How did you locate The Continentals for your second release, "Dear Lord"? BR: The Channels record started to break so they came to me. RE: Were these all local fellows? BR: All local. I liked their sound too.... I always know when I have a hit. It's a thing you can't put your finger on, but it's something that you feel. I've never had a hit yet that I didn't know would be a hit. RE: How did "Dear Lord" do for you? BR: It did very well. It was the second biggest hit I had on that label. The Channels' "Gleam In Your Eyes" was possibly the third biggest....

Above Left: 1957 photo of The Continentals, who were from Brooklyn. (L-R) Vinny Cooper (bass), Herman Montgomery (lead tenor), Danny Hicks (first tenor), Willie Keels (baritone), and John "Peanut" Jones (tenor). Above Right: 1956 photo of James Gripper. For the Whirlin Disc recordings, the lineup had Gripper (baritone) instead of Willie Keels. Keels replaced Gripper in late 1957. (Both above photos are courtesy of Marv Goldberg.) The only records by The Continentals are their two Whirlin Disc releases. The Continentals on Rama (1956) and on Key (1956) are different groups.

Click HERE for an article about The Continentals by Marv Goldberg. (Will open in a separate window)

Above Left: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-101, recorded in June 1956 and released in November 1956. The labels on all four of The Continentals' sides credit "Hicks‐Robinson" as the songwriters. BMI.com agrees, giving the nod to "Daniel I. Hicks - Morgan C. Robinson [Bobby's real name]". The matrix numbers of "5052-R" and the "5053-R" (on the flip-side) are out of the expected Whirlin Disc sequence, which should be 5002 & 5003. If anyone can explain the reason, please contact me. Above Right: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-105, recorded in November 1956 and released in February 1957. At Direct Right: Label image of Port 70018 Label Image, released in 1960. "Robertson" should be "Robinson". The "M" is for Morgan, Bobby's real first name. Note the "JB" prefix in the new matrix number. It stands for "Jerry Blaine", owner and president of Jubilee Records. Cash Box Review (11/17/56): THE CONTINENTALS — WHIRLIN DISC 101 Dear Lord (B+) The Continentals offer a slow beat ballad pretty with a feeling that is currently getting good acceptance among the teeners. Lead voice demands attention. Fine, Fine, Frame (B) The Continentals bounce engagingly through a quick beat jump ditty. Deck is a rocking teener Lindy item given a better than average reading. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good" and B+ as "excellent".) Cash Box Review (3/16/57): THE CONTINENTALS — WHIRLIN DISC 105 Picture Of Love (B+) The Continentals dish up a quick beat bouncer with a very convincing reading. Deck is spirited, good teener jump beat, and pleasing vocal teamwork. Soft And Sweet (B+) The Continentals offer a soft, sentimental love ballad. Easy, drifty type tune with an infectious melodic content. Pleasing wax that could grab action. (NOTE: A rating of B+ was considered as "excellent".) NOTE: Cash Box consistently gave Bobby Robinson's Red Robin and Whirlin Disc records "B" or higher ratings. Bobby must have been doing something right! And then there were the reviewers at Billboard... The Billboard Review (8/25/56): THE CONTINENTALS — WHIRLIN DISC 105 Picture Of Love (71) The Continentals sing out in uninhibited fashion on this rhythm side, with the horns taking over with rousing quality. Pleasant wax. Soft And Sweet (70) A change of pace. Lads do a slow ballad here, giving it that emotional and agonized tenderness. (NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered as "good".)

LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Dear Lord" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-101 - 1956. 2. "Fine, Fine, Frame" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-101 - 1956. 3. "Picture Of Love" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-105 - 1957. 4. "Soft And Sweet" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-105 - 1957. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

At Left: TRADE MAGAZINE, March 1957. NOTE: A section for The Pretenders is further down this page. Directly Above: 1956 photo of The Continentals, (L-R) Buddy Payne (second tenor), James Gripper, Danny Hicks, Vinny Cooper, and Herman Montgomery. Payne was not on any of the Whirlin Disc recordings. John "Peanut" Jones (see photo further above) was on the recordings. At Right Above: 78-RPM label image of Whirlin Disc W-105.

THE QUADRELLS

From a 1972 Record Exchanger interview with Bobby Robinson.... BR: Then I cut a group out of Philadelphia, The Quadrells. RE: How did you find them? BR: They came to me too. RE: Now they were coming from as far as Philadelphia! BR: Yes, it started to spread. Well, The Rainbows came to me from Washington. I had a couple of hits in Washington and The Vocaleers were very big there.

At Left: TRADE MAGAZINE, March 1957. NOTE: The Quadrells' uptempo song must have been favored as it is listed first in this clipping and also in the two reviews below. A section for The Empires is further down this page.

LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Come To Me" - The Quadrells - Whirlin Disc W-103 - 1956. 2. "What Can The Matter Be" - The Quadrells - Whirlin Disc W-103 - 1956. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

At Left: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-103, recorded in October 1956 and released in December 1956. It is their only record as The Quadrells. While the label on both sides shows "Williams ‐ Robinson" as the songwriters, BMI.com credits Bobby Robinson as the lone composer. Disco-File gives the members of The Quadrells as James Oscar Williams, John Christian, Reggie Price, and Earl Worsham. True to their group name, they were a quartet. Williams sings lead on both sides. The Quadrells also had one record issued on Cameo in November 1957 as by "The Cameos". This group consisted of the original four members plus Tony Lewis. James Oscar Williams is again the lead singer on both sides. Cash Box Review (1/5/57): THE QUADRELLS — WHIRLIN DISC 103 What Can The Matter Be (B) The Quadrells dish up a quick beat jump in an effective manner. The group chants the driving item with plenty of pepper and dash. Good teener wax. Come To Me (B) The Quadrells collaborate easily on a slow beat blues ballad. The dish comes off effectively. Should get a good deejay and dealer reaction. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good". This is the fourth time so far that a Cash Box review for a Whirlin Disc record has included the word "teener".) The Billboard Review (2/2/57): THE QUADRELLS — WHIRLIN DISC 103 What Can The Matter Be (68) Group kicks off a spirited blues with considerable effect Over‐all is no ball of fire, but has definite appeal. Moderate sales. Come To Me (64) Slow rhythm side with good harmony treatment on toned‐down, effective backing. Hasn't the drive of the flip, but has nice quality of its own. (NOTE: A ratings range of 60-69 was considered as "satisfactory".)

EXTRA RECORDS — THE UNIVERSALS

Above: Photo of The Universals circa 1963. From Top: (Left Standing) Reggie Price, Roosevelt Simmons, (Right Standing) John Christian, and Kent Peeler. One of the two kneeling at bottom is Earl Worsham, the other (probably the guitarist) is unknown. Simmons was their lead singer. Two of The Quadrells, James Oscar Williams and John Christian, went on to join The Universals on the Mark-X (September 1957) and Cora-Lee (1958) labels. Later, the other two members of The Quadrells, Reggie Price and Earl Worsham, joined The Universals on the Ascot label (February 1963). However, Williams was not with the group for that record.

Above Left: Label image of Mark-X M-7004, released in September 1957. The lead singer on all four sides of the Mark-X and Cora-Lee records is Roosevelt Simmons. The top side is the revival of an old standard, typical of what many artists were doing in the mid-1950s. "Again" was first sung by Ida Lupino in the 1948 movie "Road House". It has been released on record by many artists, seven of these making The Billboard charts in 1949. The flip label, "Teenage Love", shows "J. Williams" as the composer. BMI.com gives the credit to "James Lewis Williams", who is probably James Oscar Williams, a member of the vocal group. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Again" - The Universals - Mark-X M-7004 - 1957. 2. "Teenage Love" - The Universals - Mark-X M-7004 - 1957. 3. "The Picture" - The Universals - Cora-Lee C-501 - 1958. 4. "He's So Right" - The Universals - Cora-Lee C-501 - 1958. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

Above Right: Label image of Cora-Lee C-501, released in 1958. "The picture" was composed by Billy Dawn Smith and Larry Harrison. Smith is credited with 312 song titles at BMI.com, three of which are "BMI Award Winning Songs" (Two were hits by Johnny Maestro And The Crests). Harrison has 171 titles listed at BMI.com; two are "BMI Award Winning Songs". The label for "He's So Right" has "Dorian Burton" as the songwriter. BMI.com credits "Dorian Burton" and "Alicia Carolyn Evelyn". Burton has 276 song titles, three of them "BMI Award Winning Songs" written for Atlantic Records artists... "Still" (LaVern Baker), "A Tear Fell" (Ivory Joe Hunter), and "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" (Ray Charles and Ben E. King). Evelyn has 139 songs listed. Interestingly, twenty-nine of these were co-written with Billy Dawn Smith. Another twenty-seven were with Charles Singleton.

EXTRA RECORDS — THE CAMEOS

At Left: Label image of Cameo 123-A, released in November 1957. It is The Quadrells only record as by "The Cameos". It's a clever idea having a two-sided holiday theme and released the month before Christmas. The labels, front and back, credit "Oscar Williams", a member of the vocal group, as the composer. Disco-File gives the members of The Cameos the same as The Quadrells (James Oscar Williams, John Christian, Reggie Price, and Earl Worsham) plus an added fifth member, Tony Lewis. Williams sings lead on both uptempo sides. Cash Box Review (12/28/57): THE CAMEOS — CAMEO 123 New Year's Eve (B) Dee jays have some excellent holiday programming material in this coupling. This side offers a smooth R & R group, the Cameos, rockin' thru a romantic jumper about New Year's Eve. Merry Christmas (C+) A fine new Yuletide R & R jumper that kids should find pleasing. Late date of release and time limit on material, should hamper huge sales. (NOTE: A rating of C+ was considered as "good" and B as "very good".) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Merry Christmas" - The Cameos - Cameo 123-A - 1957. 2. "New Year's Eve" - The Cameos - Cameo 123-B - 1957. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

THE PRETENDERS

Above: Photo of The Pretenders. (Top) Jimmy Jones (lead tenor), (Bottom L-R) Irving Lee Gail (bass), William "Red" Walker (first tenor), Bobby Moore (second tenor), and Melvin Walton (baritone). Walker and Walton had been with The Vocaleers on Red Robin. The actual group members on the Whirlin Disc sides did not include Gail, but had Walton singing bass. The photo shows them to be very sharp dressers, even down to the monogramed hankerchiefs.

Click HERE for an article about Jimmy Jones by Marv Goldberg. (Will open in a separate window)

At Left: CASH BOX, March 16, 1957. Directly Above: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-106, recorded in February 1957 and released in that same month. The record was reissued on Jerry Blaine's Port label (#70040) in 1964. BMI.com credits Joe Duncan (lead singer of The Vocaleers and Bobby Robinson as the composers, agreeing with the shown label above. Again BMI.com agrees that James Jones (lead singer of The Pretenders) composed the flip, "Part Time Sweetheart". BMI credits Jimmy Jones as the songwriter of 122 titles. His one "BMI Award Winning Song" is "Handy Man", which was a big hit for him in 1959. Cash Box Review (3/16/57): THE PRETENDERS — WHIRLIN DISC 106 Close Your Eyes (B+) The Pretenders offer a slow beat ballad lovely with a sincere and feeling filled vocal reading. Romantic promises movingly done. Deck could grab a big piece of attention. Watch it. Part Time Sweetheart (B) The Pretenders team with spirit on a quick beat bouncer story of a part time lover. Chanters provide a racing tempo with the staccato vocal chant backing lending excitement to the overall effect. Good wax. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good" and B+ as "excellent".) LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Close Your Eyes" - The Pretenders - Whirlin Disc W-106 - 1957. 2. "Part Time Sweetheart" - The Pretenders - Whirlin Disc W-106 - 1957. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

EXTRA RECORDS — THE SAVOYS AND THE PRETENDERS

Above: Photo of The Savoys featuring James "Jimmy" Jones. This is similar to the further above photo of them as The Pretenders, but in a different pose. They had records on Savoy (as The Savoys, 1956), Rama (as The Pretenders 1956) Whirlin Disc (as The Pretenders 1957), Arrow (as The Jones Boys, 1957), Holiday (as Jimmie Jones And The Pretenders 1958), and Central and Apt (as The Pretenders 1958).

Above Left: Label image of Savoy 1188-A, recorded in February 1956 and released in April 1956. "Say You're Mine" was actually composed by Joe Duncan, lead singer of The Vocaleers, under the title "You're Fine" (unreleased by them). BMI.com doesn't identify either Jones or Duncan as the author. The group members in The Savoys consisted of Jimmy Jones (lead tenor), Robert Moore (second tenor), Kerry Saxton (bass), William Walker (first tenor), and Melvin Walton (baritone). Above Right: Label image of Rama RR-198, recorded in May 1956 and released in that same month. Note that Sunny Gale (as Sonny Le Glaire per ASCAP) collaborated in writing "Possessive Love". For the flip side, Jimmy Jones shared writing credit with Rama Records chief, George Goldner, later changed at BMI to Morris Levy, Roulette Records chief (and the number one all-time stealer of songwriting credits). Roulette acquired Rama Records in 1957. Sunny Gale was one of RCA Victor's top vocalists. She had one side of one record with backing by The Du Droppers in 1953. The Du Droppers' first record was on Bobby Robinson's Red Robin label in 1952. Much of New York City's music business in the 1950s and beyond had some kind of Bobby Robinson connection. It's an amazing achievement for one person operatng from a small record shop. The group members in The Pretenders on this Rama record consisted of Jimmy Jones, Robert Moore, William Walker, and Melvin Walton (bass). At Direct Right: CASH BOX, April 28, 1956. NOTE: Guess it doesn't hurt to mention your company name twelve times! CASH BOX, February 18, 1956: ....There's a lot of activity at Savoy these days, Herman Lubinsky tried to take a vacation in Florida, but had to fly right back to Newark to lend a hand in the office....Herman signed a new group called, conveniently, the Savoys.... CASH BOX, April 14, 1956: ....Herman Lubinsky, after a bout of pneumonia, off to Arizona for a couple of weeks to recuperate. Before leaving, Lubinsky called to say "Watch out for 'Say You're Mine' by The Savoys. A great group and a great record".... THE BILLBOARD REVIEW SPOTLIGHT ON... (June 30, 1956): THE PRETENDERS — I've Got To Have You Baby — Rama 198 The new group scores a solid impression on this initial outing. The tune has a contagious folkish melody in the "Honey Love" groove and the male lead goes all out on those high soprano tones. Side has the qualities for hitdom in current markets. Flip is "Possessive Love", a moving ballad. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Say You're Mine" - The Savoys Featuring James Jones - Savoy 1188-A - 1956. 2. "You" - The Savoys Featuring James Jones - Savoy 1188-B - 1956. 3. "Possessive Love" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - Rama RR-198 - 1956. 4. "I've Got To Have You Baby" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - Rama RR-198 - 1956. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

Above Left: CASH BOX, May 5, 1956. NOTE: It was actually the "Sleeper Of The Week" (see image above right). Clearly the A" side of the record was being pushed. The flip is not even mentioned. Above Right: CASH BOX REVIEW, April 21, 1956.

CASH BOX — JULY 7, 1956.

Above: Two photos of Jimmy Jones, who became a solo singer in 1959. He had two big hit records for M-G-M's subsidiary label, Cub... "Handy Man" released in September 1959 and "Good Timin'" in March 1960.

Above Left: Label image of Holiday 2610, released in February 1958. Holiday Records was owned and operated by Danny Robinson, who was Bobby Robinson's brother. "Tonight" is another song composed by Joe Duncan, but never released by his Vocaleers group. Melvin Walton, a member of The Pretenders, had been with Joe Duncan's Vocaleers, so may or may not have contributed to the song. The flip-side was written by Jimmy Jones, who has 122 song titles listed at BMI.com, several of them gospel compositions. Disco-File gives the Holiday label members of The Pretenders as Jimmy Jones (lead tenor), Robert Moore (second tenor), William Walker (first tenor), and Melvin Walton (bass). LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Tonight" - Jimmie Jones And The Pretenders - Holiday 2610 - 1958. 2. "I Love You So" - Jimmie Jones And The Pretenders - Holiday 2610 - 1958. 3. "Blue And Lonely" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - APT 25026 - 1958. 4. "Daddy Needs Baby" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - APT 25026 - 1958. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

Above Right: Label image of APT 25026, released in December 1958. Both sides were composed by Jimmy Jones with BMI in agreement. Disco-File gives the APT label members of The Pretenders as Jimmy Jones (lead tenor), Robert Moore (second tenor), William Walker (first tenor), Melvin Walton (baritone), and Andrew Barksdale (bass). These two songs had previously been released on Central 2605 in October 1958. It seems that the tracks were purchased from Central by APT (an ABC-Paramount company). However, Disco-File has different bass singers on the two records, probably a clerical error. While Andrew Barksdale is in the APT group, Tubo King is in the Central group, instead of Barksdale. Cash Box Review (10/18/58): THE PRETENDERS — CENTRAL 2605 Blue And Lonely (B+) The Pretenders, with Jimmy Jones in the lead spotlight, dish up a sorrowful romantic blues with deep feeling. One of the better rock‐a‐ballads to come along. Could make the jocks, ops, and dealers sit up and take notice. Daddy Needs Baby (C+) The change‐of‐pacer, on the lower side, is a delectable romantic romp that the crew gleefully glides over. Dandy ballad‐beat pairing. (NOTE: A rating of C+ was considered as "good" and B+ as "excellent".)

THE EMPIRES — THE WHIRLERS

Above: Mid‐1955 photo of The Empires (also known as The Empire's and The Whirlers), (Top L-R) James Pender, William Goodman, Bobby Dunn, (Bottom L-R) Les Cooper, and John Barnes. Pender never recorded with them. The Empires had two records on the Harlem label (1954-1955); three records on Mercury's subsidiary label, Wing (1955-1956); one on Mercury, as The Prestos (1955); and two on Whirlin Disc, one of those as by The Whirlers (1956-1957). For Harlem, they also had one record backing "Lightning Slim" aka "Champion Jack Dupree" (1955) and one side backing Bobby Sue And Her Freeloaders (1955). These two records are included in the Red Robin Records - Part Two article.

Click HERE for an article about The Empires by Marv Goldberg. (Will open in a separate window)

Above: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-104, recorded in December 1956 and released in that same month. Note the spelling error in The Empires' name on the label. Disco-File states that these sides were "originally recorded with the artist listed as The Whirlers". The members of The Empires on Whirlin Disc consisted of John Barnes (lead tenor), Leslie Cooper (tenor), Robert Dunn (baritone), and William Goodman (bass). The lead singer on all four sides of the above two records is Barnes. "Whispering Heart" was first released by Lawrence Welk's Orchestra (vocal by Alice Lon) in late 1956, followed by a few other versions. The Empires were the only vocal group to cover the song. Cash Box Review (1/5/57): THE EMPIRES — WHIRLIN DISC 104 Whispering Heart (B+) The Empires offer a slow paced ballad pretty. It is done with a strong lead against a good chorus background. Deck appeals and it is in the right groove for teener action. Linda (B) The Empires knock out an easy rhythm piece. A lilter chanted with a delightful charm. Like it.

Above: Label image of Whirlin Disc W-108, released in May 1957. The Whirlers (derived from Whirlin Disc) were the same group as The Empires, with the same members. "Magic Mirror", which had been released by The Empires on the Harlem label in 1955, was redone for the Whirlin Disc label. It was written by Robert (Bobby) L. Dunn, a member of The Empires/Whirlers. Bobby also composed "Linda", the flip-side of the above-left record. The label for the flip, "Tonight And Forever", shows "John E. Barnes" as the songwriter, but no confirmation found at BMI.com. Barnes was a member of The Empires/Whirlers. Cash Box Review (5/25/57): THE WHIRLERS — WHIRLIN DISC 108 Tonight And Forever (B) The Whirlers blend on a bouncy quick beat with a swinging reading pop styled. Happy lilter with a good dance beat. Magic Mirror (B) The Whirlers offer a slow, lilting ballad with good teamwork and voice. A warm and tender tune treated effectively. The stronger deck. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good" and B+ as "excellent".)

Directly Above: TRADE MAGAZINE, May 1957. NOTE: The Whirlers are incorrectly identified as "The Wheelers". This ad was placed by Jerry Blaine, owner and operator of Jubilee Records. Blaine also co-owned Whirlin Disc Records with Bobby Robinson. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Whispering Heart" - The Empires - Whirlin Disc W-104 - 1956. 2. "Linda" - The Empires - Whirlin Disc W-104 - 1956. 3. "Magic Mirror" - The Whirlers - Whirlin Disc W-108 - 1957. 4. "Tonight And Forever" - The Whirlers - Whirlin Disc W-108 - 1957. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

EXTRA RECORDS — THE EMPIRES

Above Left: Label image of Harlem 2333, released in April 1955. Not surprisingly, Harlem Records was located in New York City. BMI.com concurrs that Robert L. Dunn, a member of the vocal group, composed "Magic Mirror". This song was redone by The Empires, as by "The Whirlers", on the Whirlin Disc label in 1957. Regarding "Featuring Johnny Ace Jr." on the label, Harlem Records' owner Morty Shad tried to take advantage of Johnny Ace's fame after his death and subsequent big hit "Pledging My Love". Actually, John Barnes is the lead singer on both sides of the above record. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "Magic Mirror" - The Empires - Harlem 2333 - 1955. 2. "Make Me Or Break Me" - The Empires - Harlem 2333 - 1955. BOTH SONGS played in sequence.

Above Right: Photo of The Empires, (L-R) John Barnes, Robert Dunn, Les Cooper, and William Goodman. This is The Empires' lineup that recorded on the Harlem label. [Photo is courtesy of Jean-Christophe Piazza] Cash Box Review (5/21/55): THE EMPIRES — HARLEM 2333 Make Me Or Break Me (B) The Empires sing a melodic slow‐rhythmic effort that comes off an ok side. Group has an unusual sound and material is good. Could stir up some action. Magic Mirror (B) The Empires sing a slow beat pretty in engaging fashion. Very strong lead. Two better than average sides. (NOTE: A rating of B was considered as "very good".)

Above Left: Label image of Wing W-90023, recorded in August 1955 and released that same month. The members of The Empires on the Wing label are the same as on the Harlem label. The flip, "Shirley", is a duet by Les Cooper and Bob Dunn of The Empires. This is a different "Shirley" than The Rainbows had on Pilgrim Records in 1956. The labels on all four sides of the above shown records show "Cooper‐Kirkland" as composers. Les Cooper was a member of the vocal group. Leroy Kirkland was a prolific songwriter with 550 song titles at BMI.com, including five "BMI Award Winning Songs". TRADE MAGAZINE, September 1955: WING RECORDS ADDS NEW ACT TO ROSTER NEW YORK—Mercury's disk subsidiary, Wing, has acquired a new artist for the r&b division. They are The Empires, a vocal quintet [sic, quartet] headed by Les Cooper, who formerly recorded on the Harlem label. Their first release has the boys singing a ballad, "I Want To Know", and a duet vocal on a new ditty called "Shirley". The Billboard Review (9/10/55): THE EMPIRES — Wing 90023 I Want To Know (78) A poignant delivery of a plaintive weeper with a big‐spin potential. Shirley (77) Wing's new group whips up an exuberant treatment of a fast‐moving rhythm‐novelty with a good beat and faintly suggestive lyrics. (NOTE 1: "Shirley" is sung by a duet, not a vocal group.) (NOTE 2: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered as "good".) Above Right: Label image of Mercury 70747, recorded in August 1955 and released in November 1955. The Prestos was another name for The Empires, with the same group members. The Billboard Review (12/3/55): THE PRESTOS — Mercury 70747 Till We Meet Again [sic] (76) Classy r.&b. material here with a fine wailing solo on the lyric. The group knows its way around the medium. Could become a selling piece of wax. Looking For Love (73) This is on the upbeat side, and the group is right in there with a good commercial sales job. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): 1. "I Want To Know" - The Empires - Wing W-90023 - 1955. 2. "Shirley" - Les And Bob Of The Empires - Wing W-90023 - 1955. 3. "'Til We Meet Again" - The Prestos - Mercury 70747 - 1955. 4. "Looking For Love" - The Prestos - Mercury 70747 - 1955. ALL FOUR SONGS played in sequence.

CASH BOX — OCTOBER 8, 1955.

CONCLUSION — WHIRLIN DISC RECORDS

At Left: Photo of Bobby Robinson, co-owner of Whirlin Disc Records along with Jubilee Records owner, Jerry Blaine. However, it was Bobby who actually ran the business. Bobby started Whirlin Disc so he could record a new group, Earl Lewis And The Channels. There were a total of ten records released on Whirlin Disc (1956-1957). Four were by The Channels, including the first two on the label. The third was issued twice with different versions of the same songs. The fourth was the final Whirlin Disc record. All twenty sides released on Whirlin Disc were by vocal groups. In addition to The Channels, they were The Continentals (2), The Quadrells, The Empires, The Pretenders, and The Whirlers (same group as The Empires). Bobby may have taken liberties in his songwriting claims, but there is no doubt of his involvement. He achieved a great sound for all of his label's vocal groups. Bobby's first record manufacturing operation was Red Robin Records (initially Robin Records) (1951-1956). More than half of that label's forty records were by vocal groups. Bobby was an excellent judge of talent, especially for vocal groups. After Whirlin Disc, Bobby continued in the record making business forming the Fury (1957-1959), Fire (1959-1962), and Enjoy (1962-1985) labels. Bobby produced several major hit records on his labels, including "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison (Fury 1959), "Fannie Mae" by Buster Brown (Fire 1959),"Every Beat Of My Heart" by Gladys Knight And The Pips (Fury 1961), "Ya Ya" by Lee Dorsey (Fury 1961), and "Soul Twist" by King Curtis (Enjoy 1962).

ENCORE — EARL LEWIS AND THE CHANNELS

Above Left: Label image of Channel CH-1000, released in 1971. Earl Lewis And The Channels had seven singles (1971-1974) and two LPs (1973, 1980) on the Channel label. Channel Records Of N.Y., owned by Earl Lewis and Sal Salzano, was formed to specifically record Earl and his Channels group. Above Right: Photo of the Earl Lewis And The Channels group that recorded for the Channel label. They consisted of Earl Lewis (front center, sitting on log), Henry Fernandez, Johnny Felix, and Jack Brown. To me, Earl Lewis, along with Bobby Thomas (of The Vibranaires), never seemed to age. LISTEN (Windows Media Player): "Gloria" - Earl Lewis And The Channels - Channel CH-1000 - 1971.

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

Listen to this article's audio selections using Windows Media Player:           1. "The Closer You Are" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-100 - 1956.           2. "Now You Know (I Love You So)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-100 - 1956.           3. "The Gleam In Your Eyes" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-102 - 1956.           4. "Stars In The Sky" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-102 - 1956.           5. "I Really Love You (Slower)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957.           6. "What Do You Do (No Cha Cha)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957.           7. "I Really Love You (Slower)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957.           8. "What Do You Do (No Cha Cha)" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-107 - 1957.           9 "Flames In My Heart" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-109 - 1957.         10. "My Lovin' Baby" - The Channels - Whirlin Disc W-109 - 1957.         11. "That's My Desire" - The Channels - Gone 5012 - 1957.         12. "Stay As You Are" - The Channels - Gone 5012 - 1957.         13. "Dear Lord" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-101 - 1956.         14. "Fine, Fine, Frame" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-101 - 1956.         15. "Picture Of Love" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-105 - 1957.         16. "Soft And Sweet" - The Continentals - Whirlin Disc W-105 - 1957.         17. "Come To Me" - The Quadrells - Whirlin Disc W-103 - 1956.         18. "What Can The Matter Be" - The Quadrells - Whirlin Disc W-103 - 1956.         19. "Again" - The Universals - Mark-X M-7004 - 1957.         20. "Teenage Love" - The Universals - Mark-X M-7004 - 1957.         21. "The Picture" - The Universals - Cora-Lee C-501 - 1958.         22. "He's So Right" - The Universals - Cora-Lee C-501 - 1958.         23. "Merry Christmas" - The Cameos - Cameo 123-A - 1957.         24. "New Year's Eve" - The Cameos - Cameo 123-B - 1957.         25. "Close Your Eyes" - The Pretenders - Whirlin Disc W-106 - 1957.         26. "Part Time Sweetheart" - The Pretenders - Whirlin Disc W-106 - 1957.         27. "Say You're Mine" - The Savoys Featuring James Jones - Savoy 1188-A - 1956.         28. "You" - The Savoys Featuring James Jones - Savoy 1188-B - 1956.         29. "Possessive Love" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - Rama RR-198 - 1956.         30. "I've Got To Have You Baby" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - Rama RR-198 - 1956.         31. "Tonight" - Jimmie Jones And The Pretenders - Holiday 2610 - 1958.         32. "I Love You So" - Jimmie Jones And The Pretenders - Holiday 2610 - 1958.         33. "Blue And Lonely" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - APT 25026 - 1958.         34. "Daddy Needs Baby" - The Pretenders Featuring Jimmy Jones - APT 25026 - 1958.         35. "Whispering Heart" - The Empires - Whirlin Disc W-104 - 1956.         36. "Linda" - The Empires - Whirlin Disc W-104 - 1956.         37. "Magic Mirror" - The Whirlers - Whirlin Disc W-108 - 1957.         38. "Tonight And Forever" - The Whirlers - Whirlin Disc W-108 - 1957.         39. "Magic Mirror" - The Empires - Harlem 2333 - 1955.         40. "Make Me Or Break Me" - The Empires - Harlem 2333 - 1955.         41. "I Want To Know" - The Empires - Wing W-90023 - 1955.         42. "Shirley" - Les And Bob Of The Empires - Wing W-90023 - 1955.         43. "'Til We Meet Again" - The Prestos - Mercury 70747 - 1955.         44. "Looking For Love" - The Prestos - Mercury 70747 - 1955.         45. "Gloria" - Earl Lewis And The Channels - Channel CH-1000 - 1971.             ALL FORTY-FIVE ABOVE SONGS played in sequence.           ALL TWENTY ABOVE WHIRLIN DISC LABEL SONGS played in sequence.           At Right: WHIRLIN DISC CLIPPING, DECEMBER 1956

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