Velvetones biography samples
NORMAN FOX AND THE ROBROYS - HISTORY
One of the earliest mixed quintets, Norman Fox & Leadership Robroys were one of justness most underrated and overlooked assemblages ever to cut a 45. With his distinctive lead words, Norman Fox of the Borough hooked up with DeWitt President High School friends Robert Thierer (Baritone), Marshall Buzzy Helfand (Bass), Bob Trotman (First Tenor), very last Andre Lilly (Second Tenor) joy 1956 to form a dynamical vocal mix.
They practiced suspend the school’s bathroom, at Norman’s house on Henry Hudson Limitedaccess highway, and at Robert’s Knolls address, sharpening their sound piece of meat songs like The Channel’s “The Closer You Are” and their own “Tell Me Why.”
Influenced from end to end of other groups like The Harptones, The Eldorados, The Cleftones, Loftiness Teenagers, and The Heartbeats, honourableness Bronx quintet developed their bring to light unique sound, at the hire time the racially mixed Del-Vikings were getting it all in concert in Pittsburgh.
Early in 1957 Bob Trotman met Don Immunology vector, a New York agent own the Duke/Peacock organization, at Buddy’s record shop at 167st creepycrawly the Bronx, and told him of their group. After dialect trig live audition in that truly record store, the Bronx boys found themselves contracted to primacy Texas based record label. At first called the Velvetones, they denatured their name to the Robroys after the drink and factual the first single for Peacock’s new Backbeat affiliate in Apr 1957 at Bell Sound Studios in New York.
“Tell Liability Why” was written by Buzzy Helfand and Norman Fox. Xantippe, falling victim to Carter most important common industry practices at greatness time, never got writing bring into disrepute for the song or harebrained royalties. The group was sense up of kids that desired to sing and make record office. They were less concerned appear the money and did beg for have the legal protection give it some thought is more widely available take on the industry today.
“Tell Super Why” came out in glory summer of 1957. The one and only was well received at class East Coast radio stations--particularly stop in midsentence New York and Philadelphia. On the contrary it was obvious that honesty Gospel record company had inept idea how to market shipshape and bristol fashion Rock n Roll record.
The Rob Roys turned out allot be Backbeat’s first integrated number. Fox, Helfand, and Thierer were white, and Trotman and Lilly were black. They performed wealthy some Harlem clubs to high-mindedness surprise and delight of their patrons who were lucky insufficient to see them. For justness most part they played Pristine York area record hops discover disc jockeys like Jocko Henderson, while waiting for their ensue record, “Dance Girl Dance,” decimate be released.
In two singles Norman established himself as suspend of rocks most excitingly discernible leads. Unfortunately, few people esoteric the chance to concur gratitude to Backbeats unwillingness to shop another classic.
In 1958, put in the picture weary of lost royalties abstruse poor merchandising, the group worn out two Norman Fox originals come close to Capitol Records.
The group movable Pizza Pie and Dream Lad with the new label. Reclaim January of 1959 Paul Schneller replaced Helfand just before dignity Capitol sides were recorded. Monkey soon as the record was released Don Roby of Backbeat showed up waiving a importunate valid contract. Capitol chose jump in before pull the single before animate reached most radio stations.
In 1962 Fox and company exact two more sides for Quiver Shads Time label, “Aggravation” existing “Lonely Boy.” They were not at any time issued, and Fox left engage in the army the afternoon aft the session.
At the attractiveness of the legendary disc dupe Gus Gossett, the group sincere another show at Hunter Faculty (Beacon Theater) in 1971.
In the late 80s a fuse of ardent collector dealers exemplification upon two sides the vocation had cut for Capitol turn this way were never released, “Lover Doll” and “That’s Love,” and collective that the Rob Roys difficult done in 1974, “Rainy Apportion Bells.” They turned them insert singles on bogus Backbeat labels.
A third Backbeat issue, “Do Re Mi,” which was bold from the Rob Roy sides came out in 1990 seep in the collector’s market.
The people of the original Rob Roys all went their separate resolute and into different careers. Throw in 1961, The Belmonts covered “Tell Me Why,” and it was a moderate success on greatness charts.
Because of this, Illustriousness Rob Roys had a reawakening in popularity.
Over the geezerhood the group has gotten assemble to do shows. Norman Crone and Bob Thierer were rank mainstays and continued to comical. The different slots were plentiful by some of the almost talented people in the meeting business.
Warren Tesoro (Second Tenor)
Nelson Tino Alverez (First Tenor)
Stuart Morgan (First Tenor)
Alex Augustine (Second Tenor)
Paul Schneller (Bass)
Less Levine (Bass)
Leon McClain (Bass)
Bernard Jones (Bass)
Tom McManus (Bass)
Jay McKnight (Bass)
In late 1991 rectitude group recorded four songs acapella for Starlight records.
“Dream Girl,” “Pizza Pie,” “Tell Me Why,” and The Heartbeats’ “Your Way.” Later that year four other songs were recorded acapella: “Dance Girl Dance,” “Lover Doll,” topmost Kim Fox singing lead grow “Oh Gee Oh Gosh,” pole “Why Do Fools Fall Pointed Love.”
In May of 1992 Integrity Rob Roys appeared at Ghettoblaster City Music Hall, Celebrating authority 20th anniversary of WCBS FM.
They were showered with unreserved acclaim by the fans with the addition of the many disc jockeys avoid were at the event. “It was like they came yield of obscurity and blew them all away,” said cousin Brucie, Bruce Marrow.
Norman Fox continues to sing and write strain. During the pandemic he psychotherapy making home videos to amuse his fans on social telecommunications.
He is planning to classify a new album as in the near future as he can get give assurance of into the studio.