Freddie Bell and the Bellboys: Difference between revisions
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Freddie Bello ([[29 September]] [[1931]] - [[11 February]] [[2008]]) was born in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], to [[Italian American]] parents. He is survived by 2 brothers, Carmine and Joseph and 1 sister, Nancy, as well as 6 children, Freddie Jr., Angela, Marianna, Andrew, Lisa, and Debbie and their families. He became a [[trombone|trombonist]], [[bassist]], [[drummer]] and [[singer]], playing in various [[band (music)|bands]] including that of Ernie Ventura. In 1952 he formed his own group, the Bellboys, with Jack Kane (saxophone), Frankie Brent (bass / guitar), Russ Conti (piano), Chick Keeney (drums) and Jerry Mayo (trumpet). They were one of the first white groups to play the [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] hits of the day, and honed their act in the Midwest before landing a booking at the [[Sands Hotel]] in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]]. |
Freddie Bello ([[29 September]] [[1931]] - [[11 February]] [[2008]]) was born in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], to [[Italian American]] parents. He is survived by 2 brothers, Carmine and Joseph and 1 sister, Nancy, as well as 6 children, Freddie Jr., Angela, Marianna, Andrew, Lisa, and Debbie and their families. He became a [[trombone|trombonist]], [[bassist]], [[drummer]] and [[singer]], playing in various [[band (music)|bands]] including that of Ernie Ventura. In 1952 he formed his own group, the Bellboys, with Jack Kane (saxophone), Frankie Brent (bass / guitar), Russ Conti (piano), Chick Keeney (drums) and Jerry Mayo (trumpet). They were one of the first white groups to play the [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] hits of the day, and honed their act in the Midwest before landing a booking at the [[Sands Hotel]] in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]]. |
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In 1955, they made their first [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]] for the Teen Records [[record label|label]], including a [[cover version]] of [[Leiber and Stoller]]'s "[[Hound Dog (song)|Hound Dog]]" (first recorded by [[Big Mama Thornton]]). When performing the song in Las Vegas, they were seen by [[Elvis Presley]], who was impressed and decided to record the song himself. |
In 1955, they made their first [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]] for the Teen Records [[record label|label]], including a [[cover version]] of [[Leiber and Stoller]]'s "[[Hound Dog (song)|Hound Dog]]" (first recorded by [[Big Mama Thornton]]). When performing the song in Las Vegas, they were seen by [[Elvis Presley]], who was impressed and decided to record the song himself.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070115234926/http://www.elvis.org/live/liv56.html</ref> |
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The group was signed to [[Mercury Records|Mercury]] in 1956, and were also spotted by [[film producer]] [[Sam Katzman]]. He offered them a part in ''[[Rock Around the Clock (film)|Rock Around the Clock]]'', the first rock and roll movie, starring [[Bill Haley]]. The first [[single (music)|single]] for their new label, "Giddy Up A Ding Dong", was featured in the [[film|movie]] and became an international success reaching the [[Top 40|Top Ten]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]]. The group also appeared in the 1956 film, ''Rumble on the Docks''.[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049693/] In 1957 they became one of the first American rock and roll acts to tour the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. |
The group was signed to [[Mercury Records|Mercury]] in 1956, and were also spotted by [[film producer]] [[Sam Katzman]]. He offered them a part in ''[[Rock Around the Clock (film)|Rock Around the Clock]]'', the first rock and roll movie, starring [[Bill Haley]]. The first [[single (music)|single]] for their new label, "Giddy Up A Ding Dong", was featured in the [[film|movie]] and became an international success reaching the [[Top 40|Top Ten]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]]. The group also appeared in the 1956 film, ''Rumble on the Docks''.[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049693/] In 1957 they became one of the first American rock and roll acts to tour the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. |
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Revision as of 21:56, 27 February 2008
Freddie Bell and the Bellboys were an American vocal group, influential in the development of rock and roll in the 1950s.
Freddie Bello (29 September 1931 - 11 February 2008) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Italian American parents. He is survived by 2 brothers, Carmine and Joseph and 1 sister, Nancy, as well as 6 children, Freddie Jr., Angela, Marianna, Andrew, Lisa, and Debbie and their families. He became a trombonist, bassist, drummer and singer, playing in various bands including that of Ernie Ventura. In 1952 he formed his own group, the Bellboys, with Jack Kane (saxophone), Frankie Brent (bass / guitar), Russ Conti (piano), Chick Keeney (drums) and Jerry Mayo (trumpet). They were one of the first white groups to play the R&B hits of the day, and honed their act in the Midwest before landing a booking at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
In 1955, they made their first recordings for the Teen Records label, including a cover version of Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog" (first recorded by Big Mama Thornton). When performing the song in Las Vegas, they were seen by Elvis Presley, who was impressed and decided to record the song himself.[1] [2] [3]
The group was signed to Mercury in 1956, and were also spotted by film producer Sam Katzman. He offered them a part in Rock Around the Clock, the first rock and roll movie, starring Bill Haley. The first single for their new label, "Giddy Up A Ding Dong", was featured in the movie and became an international success reaching the Top Ten in the UK Singles Chart. The group also appeared in the 1956 film, Rumble on the Docks.[1] In 1957 they became one of the first American rock and roll acts to tour the UK.
However, their international tours did little to enlarge the popularity of the group in America, where they had no hit records. They continued to do well for some years in Las Vegas, thanks to their energetic stage shows.
External link and main source
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