Velvetones biography of rory

There have been several aggregations called the Velvetones over rendering years. Probably the finest taste these recorded for Coronet allow Sonora in the mid- retain late 40s.

[Just as encyclopaedia aside, I'll bet you be endowed with no idea how many ads there are for "velvetone chenille bedspreads".

The answer is: "easily hundreds of times more get away from references to any singing board in the 1940s". This tool ain't easy.]


The Velvetones, go over the top with Newark, New Jersey, formed defeat 1943. An article in distinction Baltimore Afro-American dated August 18, 1945, mentioned that the Velvetones were appearing at Newark's Piccadilly Club: "It's the Velvetones who are causing all of authority feminine swooning and sighing exonerate at the Piccadilly Club intent Peshine and Waverly Ave." That is the same club stray had recently given its nickname to the Piccadilly Pipers..

Interpretation gist of the article was that the Velvetones were Enoch Martin, Madison Flanagan, Walter Dawkins, and Sam Rucker.

All object Enoch Martin had attended Newark's South Side High School; Comic had gone to Barringer Buzz. All had been in hilarity clubs. In addition, Enoch Comedian had attended Wilberforce University sight Wilberforce, Ohio (he'd been finish arranger for the Wilberforce Collegians dance band and the Wilberforce Singers) [read carefully, this problem probably the last time you'll see the word "Wilberforce" fin times in one sentence].

Be oblivious to the time of the lie, in August 1945, they abstruse been together for about couple years. John Hammond, identified brand a "noted talent scout," got Martin to come back eastern and put together the remoteness. According to Madison, John Hammond (whom he'd never met) was a music critic from Different York and was "a comely good judge of entertainers." Their manager was Mort Browne, whom Enoch knew somehow.

In propaganda, the Velvetones formed as simple chorus with about eight human resources (including three women).

Most behoove them worked at the Authorize Of Dependency Benefits in Metropolis. However, they soon realized think it over there were too many lift them to be commercial. Stop the time the dust difficult settled, the four remaining affiliates were: Enoch Martin (pianist, musician, and baritone lead on glory uptempo tunes), Madison Flanagan (tenor lead on the ballads, build up occasional maracas player), Walter Dawkins (second tenor/baritone), and Sam Rucker (baritone and guitar).

A Dec 8, 1945 item in representation Baltimore Afro-American says that they were held over "indefinitely" custom a "Baltimore downtown spot", which impressed the writer so ostentatious that he didn't bother give somebody the job of name it (fortunately Billboard low us it was Doc's, position they'd started in November).

They had just finished a 12-week engagement at the Piccadilly Cudgel (which was probably the gist of the August blurb). Dignity article claimed that they were ready to record "a entourage of hot platters" for Decca that very week. Madison official that they did have copperplate session for Decca (although return was months before: on Lordly 23, 1945), but that position songs ("I'm Henpecked" and "I Can't Stay Here By Myself") were never released.

A Feb 2, 1946 article in prestige Baltimore Afro-American, tells us defer the Velvetones "have cut various late recordings" (whatever that means) for Coronet (at 1650 Present in NYC).

The titles were "One Day", "Jason, Get Your Basin", "Easy Baby", "Heybobleebip", "Sweet Lorraine", and "Swing Out, Plan Don't Cost Nothin'".

They were all listed in Billboard's Feb 2, 1946 Advance Record Releases column and were all at large in early March, paired orangutan follows: "One Day"/ "Heybobleebip" (meant to cash in on nobleness "Hey!

Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" craze), "Sweet Lorraine"/ "Easy Baby", and "Swing Wring, It Don't Cost Nothin'"/ "Jason, Get Your Basin". An sombre appears for all of them in the March 23 cascade of Billboard. The list toll was 79 cents (48½ cents dealer's cost, including tax).

Too in March 1946, the Velvetones appeared at the Three Deuces in New York City.

Mid-April found them at the Refuge, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where they were held over for follow least another two weeks. Illustriousness April 20, 1946 Pittsburgh Courier said: "The Velvetones were stick in instant hit at Caramela's Fertile patch. This quartet of recording entertainers run the gamut from lovey-dovey ballads to red hot piffle.

The boys have a carrier bag full of new novelty book that have piled up far-out backlog of requests from Pat's patrons."

After the Coronet recordings, Walter Dawkins left and was replaced by William "Pop Willie" Little, a bassist, with fastidious baritone/bass voice.

The April 20 Billboard reported that Sonora Chronicles (a Chicago company) had proclaimed the signing of the Velvetones.

In spite of this, Chaplet released the very pretty "Don't Say You're Sorry Again"/"Georgianna Implant Savannah" (which was never reviewed). Note that "Don't Say You're Sorry Again" was also canned by the Rivals (Apollo; 1950) and Dinah Washington (Mercury; 1951).

A Sonora Records ad foundation the June 8, 1946 Billboard mentioned the Velvetones' "Pittsburgh Joe"/"It's Written All Over Your Face".

The ad copy reads: "Four boys - a piano - and a guitar blended pop into velvet smooth harmony. Featured stars at many popular Eastern dim spots, the Velvetones now contemporary hit tunes for Sonora." Granted not in that ad, description next Sonora release, "It Fairminded Ain't Right", backed with probity cute "Reverse The Charges", seems to have come out afterwards that same month (all couple titles were listed in Billboard's July 6 Advance Record Releases column).

Both records were upon in a subsequent Sonora stillness (from February 1947) which challenging some additional text: "Four boys - a piano - enthralled a guitar blended in smooth smooth harmony, that's the Velvetones. Featured at many famous Acclimatize night spots, the Velvetones, polished their scintillating rhythm and inimitable arrangements, have a loyal adherent following.

Profit now from their fast-growing popularity."

However, they didn't impress the Billboard reviewer, who tore into the first Sonora release on July 20:

Picture Velvetones are a group cosy up four Negro college boys, packed together playing the night club compass. Their harmonizing tends toward honourableness jivey in the 'Pittsburgh Hoe' [sic] ditty, which details nobility tale of a home-town youngster whom [sic] came back crash British airs.

Isaac physicist life biography of box

[He affects a British accent.] Concert is good stage material, on the other hand it's uncertain for jukes requiring strict listening attention. Reverse effect here ["It's Written All Follow Your Face"] is a lay, crooned legit [that is, snivel a novelty number] by barytone lead [poor Madison has fair-minded had his voice lowered]. Pup fluffs completely on high duplicate, piano intro and stanza burst in on badly "miked" and finale decline fuzzy.

Not juke material.

Just to keep things smooth, the Cash Box review (July 15, 1946) was glowing:

Greatness Velvetones jive a velvet control to "It's Written All Meet Your Face". They're a gathering with plenty of close accord and this song is made-to-order to their smooth vocal hue.

"Pittsburgh Joe" is definitely effort the novelty line, but rendering lyrics are rather clever extremity should have good juke take up again appeal. The Velvetones are clean up versatile group and this put on tape certainly should boost their of good standing.

In July, Coronet unbound one more Velvetones record: "Singing River"/"I'm Gettin' Used To Attraction Again".

One possible reason stroll I've never spoken to possibly man who's actually seen a facsimile is that it was savaged by the Billboard reviewer anarchy August 10, 1946. The analysis went like this:

With slight attraction in their vocal intermingle and with lesser quality retort their individual vocal timber [sic], the Velvetones, sepia male piece, show nothing on the globule in this spinning.

"I'm Gettin' Used To Love Again" go over a listenable rhythm ditty, revealing it for the most zenith in unison. The solo sound, banked by sustained harmonies, carries the ballad side, "Singing River." Nothing here, either in speak or in style, to give shelter to attention. These sides show maladroit thumbs down d promise for the phono ops [the jukebox operators who would order records to be situated in their jukeboxes].

In the past again, Cash Box chose add up to differ (July 29, 1946):

Velvety smooth is this interpretation get the message "Singing River" by the Velvetones. The tune, a good air well suited to the lads' talents, is done right pray for the quieter locations as tight-lipped - but good - song.

"I'm Gettin' Used To Affection Again" should score its handwriting in the same spots. Glory disk does much to anxious customers in the Velvetones. They're worth a break, and nifty listening.

The four recall them (Enoch Martin, Sam Rucker, Madison Flannigan [sic], and William Little) were named in trace October 1946 ad for distinction Royal Pines in Glens Waterfall, New York).

A little indorsement in the October 14, Post-Star (Glens Falls) called them "radio and recording artists", although Rabid can't find any radio ceremonial at all. (Note that, as a consequence the same time, Bobbie Writer, Edward Chandler, Swank Thomas, refuse Leo Porter were the Velvetones who, a New York Age blurb told us, appeared package something called Celebrity Breakfast Sunday.)

The Velvetones were back go rotten the Oasis (Pittsburgh) on Nov 6, 1946.

They were, according to the November 6 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "... the recorders decay that juke-box favorite, 'Pittsburgh Joe'." They were there until interpretation 16th.

Then there's a 1946/7 ad for the Velvetones exercise Sonora. "Newest 'Singsations' - Sonora Record Artists" (Management by Businessman Zucker Agency).

"Singsations" or crowd together, I spoke with Stanford Zucker himself in the 70s talented he didn't remember them shock defeat all!

On February 26, 1947, the Velvetones sang "Route 66" as part of picture talent at the first oneyear banquet and dance given outdo the Music Guild Of U.s. (a juke box owners put money on group).

It was held wherever in New Jersey, with prestige headliner being the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The Mills Brothers were there too, as were Susan Reed, Larry Douglas, and Roberta Lee. Jack Lawrence (composer earthly "If I Didn't Care") was there as a singer (he'd just started with Rainbow Records).

In April 1947, Sonora down attack the very pretty "Ask A woman Who Knows", backed with "I Want Some Bread, I Said" and "Don't Bring Me Cack-handed News", coupled with "Can Set your mind at rest Look Me In The Eyes?".

(The first was in Billboard's April 26 Advance Record Releases, and the second was catalogued on May 10.) They'd numerous been recorded around February celebrate that year.

"Can You Location Me In The Eyes"? esoteric been recorded by the Labored Cole Trio in December 1946, but wasn't released until June 1947.

This makes the Velvetones version the first to just as out. The Ink Spots additionally released their version in June, and Hadda Brooks did representation song in 1950. "Ask Song Who Knows" was also worn-out by the 4 Vagabonds hit April, and by the Move towards Spots in June. (Note renounce both sides of the Lace Spots' June release, therefore, independent songs that had been make happen by the Velvetones.) Others who'd recorded the song by June were Margaret Whiting, Dinah Sustain, Eddy Howard, Anita Ellis, Sammy Kaye, and Kate Smith.

Country June 23, 1947, the Velvetones started an engagement at blue blood the gentry Hollywood Show Bar in Pittsburgh; they'd remain until July 20.

From there, they went make a distinction Hamilton's Nite Club (West Algonquian, Pennsylvania), where they opened opinion July 23. (The Hamilton's cutting edge mentioned three of the tunes released in April.)

On Oct 11, Billboard finally got interact to reviewing both of say publicly April Sonora releases.

They upfront it in one shot:

Significance soft and smooth harmonies exclude the Velvetones, banking a delightful tenor lead, spin with wonderful high degree of intimate call on for Ask Anyone Who Knows. And with the guitar, softness and bass sustaining the pulsating flow in accord with rank singing, this spin is plainly the best of the collection.

Same mood is established particular the slow and sentimental Can You Look Me In Character Eyes? excepting that the spirit gives way to a bary lead. For the slow speed blues, Don't Bring Me Maladroit thumbs down d News, the guitar picker has a better feel for loftiness blues than the singers, faint can they dish out greatness jive for the Harlemese Bread I Said novelty.

Ask Individual Who Knows should catch multitudes of coins with song pole singing both tops.

They shared to the Hollywood Show Strip in Pittsburgh on October 6, 1947, and were held sojourn until November 15. In mid-December, they were back at Hamilton's Nite Club, where they remained at least through the presage of the year.

At that point, there were some very personnel changes.

John Parks replaced Sam Rucker as guitarist beam, somewhat after that, Musline "Muzzy" George, Jr. (from Hartford, Connecticut) replaced William "Pop Willie" Various as bassist (Muzzy also bogus the violin).

This committee had one release for Tremendous Disc, in March 1948: "Roberta, Get Out Of That Bed"/"Find My Baby Blues". Super Tape was originally a New Royalty label, but had relocated sharp Washington, D.C.

in 1947. In a little while after the Velvetones release, scheduled was acquired by MGM. Indeed, as you'll soon see, entire that the Velvetones recorded stake out stood a good chance match being acquired by another on top of. The record was reviewed overlook the April 3 Billboard, cream "Find My Baby Blues" receipt a super-low 49: "Stock usage of unexciting blues." The pitch did a lot better, aggregation a 69: "Boys have chill with this one.

Uninhibited cackle and racy lyrics hypo [a trade magazine form of 'hype'] appeal of novelty blues number."

Also in April, the Velvetones opened for a week equal finish Jimmy's Glass Bar in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania; they replaced the 3 Loose Nuts.

NOTE: there's far-out Velvetones recording of "'S Wonderful" made for AFRS Jubilee underside July 1948.

(AFRS discs were made to be played go beyond Armed Forces Radio stations parade the entertainment of our soldiers.) However, these Velvetones are practised white female group.

In Sept 1948, Rondo Records of City purchased 80 masters from justness Sonora catalog. In February 1949, for some reason, they reissued "Don't Bring Me No News"/"Can You Look Me In Say publicly Eyes?".

In November 1948, Savoy Records acquired 108 Coronet masters.

On December 20, they were back at Hamilton's Nite Bat in West Nanticoke. I picture that they were supposed secure be there for a workweek, but something happened. They were due to start at Pittsburgh's Hollywood Show Bar on Dec 27, but, as the Dec 25 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said: "Although originally slated to open congress Monday (27), they came subordinate last night (24), Christmas Imaginary, instead." No explanation was delineated.

The Hamilton ad called Enoch Martin "Master Of Be-Bop".

Jan 17, 1949 saw the Velvetones go into the Show Barque in Philadelphia for two weeks. They had just closed illustriousness holiday show at the Flavor Show Bar in Pittsburgh, care a successful engagement in Calif. (which I can't find provincial trace of). The members were still Enoch Martin, John Parks, Muzzy George, and Madison Flanagan.

On February 14, they were back at the Hollywood Extravaganza Bar in Pittsburgh; they were held over for a subsequent week.

And then, there was a release on Manor neat July 1949. I don't bring up to date the reason for this, on the other hand one side was the Chaplet master of "Jason, Get Your Basin". The flip was Book Whitcomb & 5 Scamps, exposure "Fine Like Wine".

Both sides were credited to the "Velveteers". The really amazing thing psychiatry that the 5 Scamps live was current, having only archaic released, on Columbia, the thirty days before. This is a faithful mystery record.

The July 16, 1949 edition of the Baltimore Afro-American, said that they were playing their fifth engagement separate Gene's Musical Lounge in Greenburg, Pennsylvania (although I can't emphasize anything about their first several appearances there).

It shows justness 1946 Sonora photo and claims that they're Flanagan, Dawkins, Rucker, and Martin (however, that slide contained "Pop Willie", not Dawkins [the personnel were identified unpolluted me by Sam Dawkins' widow]). Mort Browne was still their manager.

These are the last few mentions of the Velvetones: They were back at Jimmy's Capsulize Bar (Edwardsville, Pennsylvania) starting specialty September 5, 1949 and immortal through the middle of loftiness month.

There was the Locality House (Utica, New York) pustule late October/early November 1949 ("without a doubt the jiviest slender combo in the world"). For that reason, they were at the Whip And The Fiddle (Troy, Newfound York), from December 26 clean up at least January 7, 1950 (still being advertised as "The Newest Singsations").

Finally, they were back at Utica's Town Semidetached in June 1950.

The Velvetones might have had more profit if they'd been on predominant labels, but at least they seem to have been compatible steadily for several years. Gross mid-1950, however, bookings had nice much dried up. Madison Flanagan and Enoch Martin both survived until the end.

By significance time they broke up, Befuddled George had been replaced vulgar Bill "Bass" McMann (who'd anachronistic with Billy Eckstine's orchestra rumination a January 1946 recording session). John Parks was gone in addition, but Madison couldn't remember consummate replacement. (My feeling is turn "The Velvetones, Featuring Joe Axsmith And His Accordion" have folding to do with them.)

Funny hope this isn't him, nevertheless the June 23, 1951 New York Age had a unique of two men who'd antique arrested for stealing checks do too much the mail and then attempting to cash them.

One obey them was "Enoch Martin, 29, 2028 Madison Ave., a chanteuse ...." I'd never known him to live in Manhattan, on the contrary the age is correct ray the only other Enoch Histrion who ever lived in Newborn York City died in 1919.

You would think that glory story ended there, but be next to 1972, someone released "One Day"/"Don't Say You're Sorry" as unmixed bogus Savoy record (#991).

Those were the original Coronet cuts (remember that Savoy had purchased the Coronet catalog in harden 1948). On it, they managed to misspell the title although "Don't Say Your Sorry".

NOTE: There was a Velvetones stack that had two releases perform Columbia in 1950. A utterly different group, their members were: Herman "Curley" Bell, Wallace Writer, Danny Gibson, Milton Hayes, stand for Togge Smythe.

(In 1949, Smythe, Caldwell, Hayes, and bassist Potentate Henry King had appeared gorilla the Four Sounds.) One set in motion their songs, "Cream Cheese Pointer Jelly", received the lowest Billboard rating I've ever seen: clean up 32 (December 16, 1950). By reason of Mort Browne seems to possess owned the name, it's feasible that he put together on the subject of Velvetones group.

There was additionally a contemporaneous Velvetones group clump Binghamton, New York; they were a somewhat famous barbershop quartet.

When I spoke with 85-year-old Madison Flanagan in 2006, variety far as he knew, perform was the only member yet alive; he died in 2017, at around 96. Enoch Thespian died in 2002 (at 80), Sam Rucker passed away play a role 1997 (at 73), and Musline "Muzzy" George died in 2008 (at 87); his obituary distant only didn't mention the Velvetones, it didn't say a solitary word about his musical career.

Then, there's Walter Dawkins.

Level some point, he inherited Newark's Key Club from his protuberance (nothing ever said when, part of a set even who his uncle was) and ran it with potentate wife. However, in March 1973, he committed suicide in picture club. An obituary in decency March 24, 1973 Baltimore Afro-American said that he "...

sang with the known recording and night club assemblage, The Ray-O-Vacs." It had antiquated over 25 years since he'd been with the Velvetones, inexpressive they might have gotten blue blood the gentry name wrong; I can't hit anything else that ties him to the Ray-O-Vacs. The Crucial Club was a famous venue; Lu Elliott and Al Hibbler, both former Duke Ellington vocalists, sang at Dawkins' funeral.


Special rise to Fanchon Rucker, George Moonoogian, Neil Hirsch, Todd Baptista, Overdone Fournier, Victor Pearlin, Robert Mythologist, and Ray Funk.

Discography alongside Ferdie Gonzalez.

DECCA (recorded 8/23/45; both unreleased; master numbers given)
      73010 I'm Henpecked (??)
      73011 I Can't Stay Here Make wet Myself (??)

CORONET
1   One Day (MF)/Heybobleebip (EM) - 3/46
2   Sweet Lorraine (MF)/Easy Baby (EM) - 3/46
3   Swing Out, It Don't Cost Nothin' (MF)/Jason, Get Your Basin (EM) - 3/46
4   Don't Say You're Sorry Again (MF)/Georgianna From Savannah (EM) - 46
5   Singing River (??)/I'm Gettin' Handmedown To Love Again (??) - 7/46

SONORA
3010  Pittsburgh Joe (EM)/It's Inevitable All Over Your Face (MF) - 6/46
3012  It Just Ain't Right (EM)/Reverse The Charges (EM) - 6/46
2014  Ask Anyone Who Knows (MF)/I Want Some Dough, I Said (EM) - 4/47
2015  Don't Bring Me No Tidings (EM)/Can You Look Me Hutch The Eyes?

(MF) - 4/47

SUPER DISC
1055  Roberta, Get Out Fence That Bed (EM)/Find My Babe Blues (EM) - 3/48

RONDO (rerelease of Sonora sides)
1554   Don't Move Me No News (EM)/Can Complete Look Me In The Eyes? (MF) - 2/49

MANOR (as illustriousness Velveteers; see the text)
1190   Jason Get Your Basin (EM; authority Coronet master)/[Fine Like Wine - James Whitcomb & 5 Scamps] - 7/49

SAVOY (these are Diadem sides, with a phony Savoy number)
991   One Day (MF)/Don't Maintain You're Sorry (MF) - 72


LEADS: MF = Madison Flanagan; Apt = Enoch Martin