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Classic Urban Harmony
Newsletter #51
Dear readers. Welcome to our 51th issue of the Classic Urban Harmony Newsletter. Aa we write this letter and the pandemic seems to be worsening it is all the more important that we stay in touch. If you know someone who follows R&B, Doo Wop and Gospel harmony or just enjoys staying up to date on music matters, please forward them this issue and encourage them to email us at CUH@att.net to join our subscription list. Over the past month, we've again lost some good friends. Sad news is never easy for us to report and writing this newsletter gets harder every issue. What keeps us going are the encouraging emails we receive from many of you who value each issue. We consider all of you our musical family. God bless you and please stay safe.
Quote of the month: "Songs express who we are and how we feel, they bring us closer to others, they keep us company when we are alone." - Dr. Kenneth Bruscia
Classic Urban Harmony LLC promotes the legacy of Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Soul and Gospel Vocal Group Harmony through multimedia presentations, historical research, interviews, magazine articles, museum exhibits & displays, radio guest appearances, lectures, college courses, concert production and emceeing, consultation for documentaries, vocal group bookings, our website, www.classicurbanharmony.net, and this free newsletter. Here you'll find news of important events relevant to our music as well as updates to our website and summaries of our Classic Urban Harmony activities and projects. To read more about and see more photos from the articles in this newsletter, check the What's New Page of www.classicurbanharmony.net. We hope you'll enjoy this issue of the newsletter and again find it entertaining and informative. Please continue passing the word on to others who might want to receive it. They can sign up by sending their names and email addresses to CUH@att.net. - Charlie & Pamela Horner - November 6, 2020. |
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New Documentary on New Jersey Music in the Works!
Last week we welcomed into Classic Urban Harmony Headquarters, film producer and director, Fulvio Cecere, who’s working on a massive documentary about New Jersey music. I (Charlie) was interviewed on camera talking about New Jersey R&B group harmony, Asbury Park music and a number of other topics. This will be the 6th documentary I’ve been in. Fulvio is also a veteran actor who has appeared in the movies, “The Hurricane,” “The Bone Collector,” “Contagious,” Paycheck” and the TV shows “The X-Files, “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Good Wife,” “The Commish” and many more. Fulvio’s documentary (more a three part series) will cover early New Jersey music from Indigenous People like the Lenape through Colonial era operas and early folk music to brass bands, gospel, ragtime, stride piano, jazz, big bands, pop, rhythm & blues, doo wop, rock & roll, soul, punk and hip hop. So far, Fulvio has interviewed on camera over 150 singers, musicians, producers, historians, record executives. photographers, and other music authorities. Fulvio Cecere has directed some short films and reality-based shows, and this is his second documentary. His first was a documentary about Pro Wrestling called 350 Days.
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Carl Anderson and Bob Black of the Plurals pass within 8 days of each other.
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of two members of the Plurals, a group we wrote the history of in 2009 for Echoes of the Past magazine. Bob Black, the group's bass singer passed October 12, 2020 in Florida. Carl Anderson, the group's second tenor passed in New Jersey, October 30, 2020. While we never met Bob Black, Carl Anderson was a friend. Carl "Duke" Anderson was born in Jersey City, NJ, and grew up in Kearny. He lived in Irvington and eventually settled in Brick. Carl was 80. The Plurals, known for their recordings of "Miss Annie" and "I'm Sold," tragically lost their lead singer in a fire at the height of their popularity. You can read our article by clicking Plurals or hear the group's recordings by clicking "Miss Annie" and "I'm Sold." [Thanks to Rev. Skip Borsos for the photos and letting us know the sad news.]
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50th Anniversary of song, "American Pie" ignites old controversary of lyrics meanings.
The Guardian Newspaper recently interviewed Don McLean. the singer/songwriter of the song “American Pie.” McLean wrote this song half a century ago at age 24. There’s a general consensus that the lyrics begin with reference to the airplane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, and progress through the cultural changes of the 1960’s, but references to each individual line are open to debate. There are whole websites dedicated to interpreting the song’s lyrics. To see one click Pie lyrics. Also to listen to the song with visual interpretation of the lyrics click Meaning. McLean has avoided telling what the lyrics mean, all these years. A new documentary entitled “The Day the Music Died” Is planned. A Broadway show is planned for 2022 and a children’s book will be written. The stage show will have songs written by McLean such as “Vincent” “Castles in the Air” and “Wonderful Baby.” Sounds like something to put on our calendar. - Pamela Horner |
Music Historian, Ferdie Gonzalez dies
The world of R&B group harmony is mourning the loss of one of the most important music historians of our time. On October 24, 2020, Fernando "Ferdie" Gonzalez died at the age of 77. Ferdie was an extraordinary discographer, the author of several editions of "Disco-File," the Discographical Catalog of American Race, Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll and Soul Harmony Groups. I (Charlie) purchased Ferdie's fist edition of Disco-File back in the early 1970's and dare say, I purchased every updated edition since. Those of us who call ourselves vocal group music historians universally depended on Ferdie's discographical works for virtually every research project and article we wrote. Group harmony radio hosts and record collectors lived off of Ferdie's work. Ferdie meticulously combed the files of every record company he could find to make his Disc-File complete. Much of what we know about vocal harmony groups was aided either directly or indirectly by Ferdie. Ferdie's passing is a major loss but his contribution to the history of American music will benefit generations to come. Thank you, Ferdie. - Charlie
[Photo from Glen Fisher's Doo Wop Ramblings Newsletter.]
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Frank Jackson of the Rocks of Harmony passes.
Last issue, we told you that one of our favorite gospel groups from the New Orleans area, the Rocks of Harmony would be celebrating their 70th anniversary this November 15. Well, sadly, comes the word that Frank Jackson of the group passed away October 27, 2020 at the age of 82. Frank was one of the three last living brothers from the Jackson brothers. He was a background singer, bassist, and the group's manager. The Rocks of Harmony ask everyone to keep the group and family in their prayers during this time. Our thanks to Paris Jackson for letting us know.
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Northern soul record by Jessie James sells for $3,316 on auction.
I remember when rare fifties R&B records used to go for big bucks, but it seems that the money records now are in Northern Soul. Last month, "Are You Gonna Leave Me" by Jessie James on the Shirley label just sold for $3,316 on EBay. Hey, it's a great record and extremely hard to find. Never had a copy myself, I guess it's a matter of supply and demand. To hear the record, click Jessie James. |
Steve Shatzberg, baritone of Tex & the Chex dies at 79
Sad to report that Steven Shatzberg, original baritone singer with the doo wop group, Tex & the Chex died October 27, 2020 in Florida. He was 79. Steve was born in Brooklyn May 7, 1941. Tex & the Chex were an interracial group initially called the Lyrics. Atlantic Records purchased the master to "I Do Love You" and changed the group's name to Tex & the Chex when they issued the song in 1961. Steve had been singing in Florida until recently. To hear "I Do Love You," click Tex & the Chex.
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Saving Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studio Building
Fans and preservationists hope to make Sigma Sounds studio into a museum. Sigma Sounds was the home of Philadelphia International Records and the Sound of Philadelphia. (TSOP) There, producers and songwriters Kenny Gambel, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell- “The Mighty Three” oversaw the careers of the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Stylistics, Mc Fadden and Whitehead, plus more. The studio produced over 200 gold and platinum records. Sigma Sounds was a recording facility in Philadelphia that sound engineer Joe Tarsia founded in 1968. “It was black music in a tuxedo” Joe Tarsia said during their 50th anniversary celebration. Max Ochester, owner of the Brewerytown Beats Record store and label wants to save the building and turn it into a museum. Not a Sigma Sounds museum but a Philadelphia music history museum. On October 21, 2020, a bid to preserve the 212 North 12th Street building breezed through the Philadelphia Committee on Historic Designation’s nomination process. But this is only the first step in saving the building. So many vintage recording studios are gone. Among them is the home of Cameo Parkway. The future of the gutted building that was the home of Sigma Sounds is in the brainstorming stage by a group of Sigma veterans. [For more details, see Aaron Cohen's excellent article on the subject.] - Pamela Horner |
I know the feeling!
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Line Up for 2021 Lead East announced.
Assuming the pandemic is over by September 2021, and we sure hope it is, here's the line up for the live concerts at the next Lead East. Haven't heard yet if there will be any acappella concerts on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Anyone know?
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Visit our website.
If you haven't visited our website in awhile, you're in for a treat. We're nominated for East Coast Music Hall Of Fame Music Maker Best Website / Publication. The Articles By Us page lists our many articles from Echoes of the Past, which you can click on and read. Unfortunately our Events Page for now is sparse as the pandemic has postponed many events. But when the lock down is lifted you'll be able to see the new dates for all your favorite events. For more about Classic Urban Harmony's activities, along with news, articles, photos and videos, please visit our website, www.classicurbanharmony.net.
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Ed Hurst dies at 94, Radio and TV Pioneer
Ed Hurst, radio and TV pioneer is dead at 94. Hurst was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and began broadcasting on Atlantic City. Hurst then did a radio show on WPEN-AM 950 out of Philadelphia, called The 950 Club with Joe Grady. Hurst & Grady moved to TV to do The Grady and Hurst Show in Philadelphia, broadcast in the tri-state area.
The Grady and Hurst Show pioneered the format of having teens dancing in the studio,
a groundbreaking format that influenced later programs like American Bandstand and others.
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The CUH Inbox
After each issue of this news letter, we get interesting feedback from out readers. We'd like to share a few emails with you.
"Hi Charlie & Pam, Super newsletter, albeit riddled with sad obits. Glad you included the early reggae/ska stuff as I've always been a big fan of that sound. Also, in the Trini Lopez piece you mention King as "Since I Don't Have You" was on King. As you may probably know, there is a King vocal groups LP that had this version listed as by the Flamingos with no mention of Trini Lopez. Clearly it wasn't the Flamingos or even some conglomeration of the group, but very interesting to see the 45 you posted here. Hope you guys are well and CAN'T WAIT to get back to your live shows!" - John Mattei
[Thanks for bringing this to our attention, John. Yes, the CD of "Old King Gold, Vol 1" does wrongly attribute "Since I Don't Have You" to the Flamingos. Interestingly, this same album first came out in 1975 on vinyl and at that timer correctly attributed the song to Trini Lopez. Don't know why they made the switch, but it's definitely by Trini Lopez. - Charlie]
"Hi, Your newsletters are always great. This was exceptional, but so sad. So many talented and beautiful people passing. It hurts my heart. Thanks for your terrific dedicated work." - Al
[Thanks, Al. We got this issue out a little quicker so there weren't as many obits but we still lost some friends. It's been a rough year. - Charlie]
"Hi Charlie. Always a treat to get and read your newsletter. Thanks so much to you and Pam for continuing to keep our music alive. FYI, Original Mixed Company continues to practice several times a month and to perform when and where we can during these tough times. Jimmy Young and Jeff Chambers have been onboard for more than 40 years, while Moses Young, Andy Martin and I round out the core group. Please keep up the good work...and best regards to Pam!" - Pete Sherwood, Original Mixed Company
[Thanks Pete. Pam and I are sure glad OMC is still singing. When this pandemic ends, there may not be very many acappella groups still together. Pam and I are still marveling at that great performance you guys did at the Acappella Reunion Concert in Morristown, now more than a year ago. Stay safe. - Charlie]
"Charlie & Pam, Quite a news letter! Thanks," - Alan Fine
"Thanks for your communication I found it very interesting." - John Hall
"Charlie, This may be the most powerful Newsletter ever. I’ll be ordering your and Pam’s Asbury Park book. An extraordinary accomplishment. Sending Love," - Alan Berg, "Soul Harmony"
[Hi Alan. Many thanks. We're all looking forward to the next run of the musical, "Soul Harmony" as soon as the pandemic is over. We have our bags packed and I'm brushing up on the script! ;) - Charlie]
Charlie & Pam. Thanks for including my inquiry on the lyrics to Nathaniel Mayer's "My Last Dance With You" in your last newsletter. I appreciate it and please let me know if you happen to get an answer to this mystery. Best regards" - Sid Garai
[You're welcomed, Sid. See the possible answer below. - Charlie]
"Sure sounds like 'Why have you you you, you crossed the floor?' Now, I can't figure out the next rhyming line 'or have I-I-I-I ???-ed you more.' Always love your newsletter. Thanks for doing it." - Art Stickney
[You know Art. Now that I listen to it again, I think you may be right! I had previously thought the next line was, "Or Have I I I been too bold." but now bold doesn't rhyme with floor. I'm very confused. - Charlie]
"The number of obits is staggering in a monthly, now. Thanks for another healthy taste. Best," - Kate Karp
"I wanted to say I was thrilled that you used the quote on The Persuasions "We Came To Play" album for this month's newsletter. "You should never try to put a tuxedo on the funky blues" - Richard Penniman (Little Richard). Of all their albums, this one is special to me. I got up the nerve to go back in their dressing room at The Other End in NYC after one of their performances (my first meeting with them) and got the whole original group to sign the vinyl album cover for me. This has been a long grueling period for all of us. Thanks to you and Pam for continuing all your labors of love... Stay safe." - Herb Olson.
[Thanks Herb. You stay safe also. Hope to see you soon, when the music returns.]
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East Coast Music Hall Of Fame Awards Gala still on track for Atlantic City, June 7 - 8, 2021. Tickets on sale now!
The East Coast Music Hall of Fame, (http://www.ecmhof.org), Awards Gala and all related activities at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City are still on track for June 7 - 8, 2021. It will feel great to be able to get out and experience live music again. Those who have already purchased tickets will be able to use their same tickets for those dates. If you still need tickets, they are on sale now. Tickets range from $45 for Ruby Seating to $275 for Premium Gala Seating, which includes dinner. For more info and to purchase tickets visit www.ecmhof.org.
This year's event will honor Artists in various categories with "Lifetime Achievement Award" recipients to include; Tony Orlando, Neil Sedaka, Gloria Gaynor, Dionne Warwick, Cousin Brucie, Jay and The Americans, The Manhattan Transfer, Tavares, Gary US Bonds, the Tymes and the late Earl “Speedo” Carroll of the Cadillacs. Voting for the Legend Awards and Best of the Music Makers Awards has just ended. We hope you voted for us! See you June 7, 2021 in Atlantic City! - Charlie & Pam Horner
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Larry Chance celebrates his 80th birthday,
We had a great time at a surprise 80th birthday party for Earls lead singer, Larry Chance, a couple weeks ago. We rode up to the Catskills with Frank & Marian Cicerale and stayed overnight. It was great seeing some of our many friends again. Happy Birthday to Larry Chance, one of the great vocalists of our time. {Photo above by Sonny Maxon, left to right: Larry Chance, Frank Cicerale, Charlie & Pam Horner,]
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All Star Album in the works as companion to 2021 Stormin' Norman Seldin autobiography!
Last issue, we broke the news that Stormin' Norman Seldin and I (Charlie) are working on Norman's autobiography to be published by Classic Urban Harmony Press in 2021. We are well into the writing and I can honestly say, this will be a book that you can't put down. Norman is a true original and fans of Jersey Shore music will find the book fascinating. Now comes the announcement that as a companion to the book, Norman is planning an album (CD and vinyl) by an all star band that will blow you away! The line up of artists to appear on the album so far is incredible! Christopher Plunkett, Gary Dates, Vini Lopez, Bernard Purdie, Jon Sebastian Brice, Ed Dougherty, Rob Paparozzi, Ryan Gregg, Pam McCoy, Victoria Warne, Joel Katz, Nicky Addeo, Leon Trent, Doreen Brusca Arminio, Lee Sanderson, Damian Cremisio, Vic Cappetta, Rick Brunermer and of course, Stormin' Norman Seldin. A few more musicians and/or singers will be added. Adam Vaccarelli from Retromedia Studios in Red Bank, NJ will be at the control board for this project! We'll keep you informed on the book and album's progress.
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Getting to know Stormin Norman Seldin
While Norman Seldin is picking the songs and finalizing the amazing list of artists that have been chosen for the upcoming 2021 CD/Vinyl, Norman is also is the full-time representative of Steinway & Sons pianos at Jacobs Pianos in Shrewsbury, NJ. As "Artist in Residence"/ Assistant Store Manager and an official Steinway & Sons "Spirio" recording artist. Norman told me the sale of Steinway pianos is actually doing well during the pandemic. As people spend more time at home, playing music is having a greater role in their lives. For anyone interested in owning a Steinway Piano, Jacobs is open 11 AM to 4 PM every Tuesday through Saturday at 555 Shrewsbury Avenue in Shrewsbury, NJ. For more information you can reach Norman at 732-245-4777. As for Norman’s daily schedule, he’s up practicing solo each morning from 6 – 8 AM, a routine he learned when he first started taking piano lessons at the age of 3. Each morning he works on his technique and keeping his voice fresh for the album rehearsals and recording sessions that will be coming up soon. Of course, add on working on the song arrangements will keep Norman putting in some long hours. But if you’ve been to any of Norman’s 3- to 4-hour non-stop shows, you know he’s up to even this huge challenge.
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Our Music in Commercials - Continued
One more notable commercial we heard recently puzzled us for a few days. We kept hearing the beginning of a soul record on commercials for Etsy. Charlie kept saying that he'd heard that song before and probably owned the record. But he couldn't recall the artist. Well it turns out that our friend the late Freddy Scott who we had an artist profile on in our newsletter # 48 was the singer of “You Got What I Need.” And yes, the record is in our Classic Urban Harmony Archives. It's on the Shout label. It's a great song, written by Gamble & Huff. If you're not familiar with it, click Freddy Scott to hear it. Another one solved! - Pamela Horner
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Volume 1 of our book on black music from Asbury Park (1871 - 1945) is available on Amazon.com
Haven't yet ordered Volume One of our new book, "Springwood Avenue Harmony: The Unique Musical Legacy Of Asbury Park's West Side, Volume 1, 1871 - 1945"? What are you waiting for? It's a great read if we do say so ourselves. We're working hard on Volume 2 (1946 - 1980) which covers the R&B, Doo Wop and Soul music years as well as Gospel and Jazz. But if you only buy Volume 2 you'll miss what led up to that era. Visit Amazon.com to pick up your copy now. - Charlie & Pam |
Artifact from our CUH Archives: Rare Sheet Music of the Month. "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" by the Five Keys
Our newsletter feature, rare sheet music of the issue is "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind" by the Five Keys. Recorded on June 26, 1956 with Rudy West singing lead, the song was released on Capital Records in August of that year. The record went to #12 on the R&B Charts and #23 on the Pop Charts. "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind" was written by Ivory Joe Hunter and Clyde Otis. Listen to the record by clicking Five Keys. |
Book Review: "Mind Over Matter: The Myths and Mysteries of Detroit's Fortune Records" by Billy Miller and Michael Hurtt. (NYC: Kicks Books, 2020, hardback, 532 pages)
Back in our July newsletter we told you that Norton Records and Kicks Books were taking pre-orders for a new 532-page hardback full-color book on Fortune Records. Well, our copy finally arrived and it was certainly worth the wait! Fortune was Detroit's premier R&B label before Motown and featured groups like Nolan Strong & the Diablos, Nathaniel Mayer & the Twilights, the Earthquakes and many more. MIND OVER MATTER : The Myths & Mysteries of Detroit's Fortune Records was written by the late Billy Miller along with Michael Hurtt. This monumental work is one of the most comprehensive books on a music subject I've ever seen. It covers everything in Detroit
music with the exception of Motown (which is covered elsewhere in any number of works. Want to know about Detroit, R&B, Hillbilly, Gospel, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Soul and even Polka music, it's all in here. Literally hundreds and hundreds of photos, news clippings, label scans, posters - most in color. And the book covers not just Fortune Records but every artist even remotely connected to Fortune. Complete Fortune discography and fully indexed. We purchased our copy at $75 and it was among the best $75 purchases ever. The book is an absolute must for music historians and fans alike. Grab one from Norton Records while you can. You won't be sorry. - Charlie Horner
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Denise Ferri of the Delicates passes.
Sad to report that Denise Ferri, original founding member of the Delicates, passed away October 29, 2020 at the age of 76. The Delicates were formed in Belleville, New Jersey in 1958, by classmates of Belleville Elementary School #8, Denise Ferri, Arleen Lanzotti and Peggy Santiglia. The Delicates were a Brill Building girl group that recorded for backup for numerous artists as well as releasing their own records. The Delicates became Murray the K’s Dancing Girls and wrote and recorded "The Submarine Race Watchers Theme" for him. In 1959 the group had a hit record with "Black And White Thunderbird" on the Unart label. As backup artists, they backed Lou Christie on "Lightning Strikes" as well as Al Martino, Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka, Frankie Sardo, Johnny Cameron, Kitty Kallen, Frankie Lymon (on "I Put The Bomp"), Frankie Valli and Jack Wild. .Click Delicates to here "Black & White Thunderbird."
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Legendary Gospel Singer Rance Allen dies at 71.
Bishop Rance Allen co-founder along with his brothers Tom and Steve of the Rance Allen Group passed away on October 31, 2020. A lead vocalist, guitarist, pianist, and songwriter, Rance was known for his powerful voice. The Rance Allen Group signed with Stax Records in the early 1970;s and recorded for the Stax subsidiary, Gospel Truth. They combined rock and soul with gospel music to create a unique popular crossover sound. The Rance Allem Group had a top 30 R&B hit in 1978 with “I Belong to You.” They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Rance was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for best gospel performance for the song “I Understand,” which also featured Mariah Carey and BeBe Winans. Allen was the pastor of New Bethel Church in Toledo, OH. Click Rance Allen Group to hear Rance sing "I Belong To You" live. |
Are you receiving the Doo Wop Ramblings newsletter?
If you're enjoying reading this newsletter, there's another great free email newsletter we know you'll enjoy and this one comes out weekly! Doo Wop Ramblings hits your inbox every Sunday. You can subscribe by visiting Subscribe Now.
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Yet, Another Great Newsletter you should be receiving!
In addition to the newsletter above, you need to check out the New England Doo Wop Society's free email newsletter. Published by our friends Bob Belniak and Gary Jones the NEDWS is quite active in keeping our music alive in New England but their newsletter covers music news from all over. Click Subscribe to email Bob and get on their mailing list.
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Past Issues of the CUH Newsletter Now viewable on our website!
Want to catch up on any past issues of this newsletter that you may have missed? Now you can. Just go to the top of this newsletter and click on "View it in your browser". Then you be able to click on "Past Issues" on the upper left of your screen. You can also see most of our past CUH email newsletters (going back to 2012) from the link on our website's Articles Page. here's a Direct Link. |
More great acappella on Our YouTube Channel
Looking for something to do while you're in lockdown? Our YouTube channel " chorner1" has nearly 350 acappella doo wop and R&B video clips from our past concerts. That's over 17 hours of great acappella. Our channel has had over 614,000 views from acappella fans in 36 countries. Over 890 people subscribe to our channel. We'll be posting more videos shortly. |
Above cartoon from Ric Orisak of Vinyl City Broadcasting.
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Len Barry dies, Dovells lead, soloist
As we prepared to release this issue of the newsletter, comes the sad news of the passing of Len Barry. Born Leonard Borisoff, Barry began singing with the Dovells out of Philadelphia. With Len singing lead, they scored almost immediately with hits like the “Bristol Stomp,” "Bristol Twisting Annie" "Hully Gully Baby" and “You Can’t Sit Down.” Barry later went solo and hit again with the million seller, “1-2-3” and the songs “Like A Baby” and “I Struck It Rich.” As a songwriter Len Barry wrote the hits "Keem-O-Sabe" for the Electric Indian and “Zoom” for Fat Larry’s Band. Len died November 5 at the age of 78. Here's one of my favorites by the Len & the Dovells - click " Your Last Chance." |
Until next issue, stay safe! Charlie & Pam Horner, Classic Urban Harmony LLC.
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