Our roll call of All-Star artists may include a mix of the following:
The Original Orlons, The Original Tymes, Charlie Gracie, Barbara Mason, The Soul Survivors, Billy Paul, Jay & The Techniques, Frank Stallone, Nazz featuring Stewkey, Tommy Conwell, special guests Mitch Ryder, Steve Cropper, Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals, Rick Derringer, Spencer Davis and more.
Cameo-Parkway was home to many fabulous singing groups, but two Philly based groups in particular have remained among the all-time favorites of music fans. The ORLONS were the quartet that contributed such raucously rockin' hits as "The Wah Watusi," "South Street" and "Don't Hang Up" to the popular music lexicon. Their three wailing, soulful female voices, were met by the deep throat of "frog-voiced" Stephen Caldwell to create one of the most distinctive vocal mixes around.
Then there was the TYMES. The smooth ballad style of this quintet resulted in
one of the most fondly remembered classics of the era, the stunning "So Much In Love. " With its minimal instrumentation, authentic seashore sound effects and silky lead vocal, this 1963 chart-topper has remained one of the most oft-played songs on oldies radio stations for decades.
One of the first releases on Cameo, "Butterfly", by the whiz-kid guitarist/singer CHARLIE GRACIE, vaulted all the way to the top of the charts in 1957. Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to Charlie when he included his version of Charlie's hit "Fabulous" on his DVD release in 2000 "Live at the Cavern Club".
The SOUL SURVIVORS popularity grew especially in the Atlantic City - Philadelphia area as they attracted the attention of record producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their meeting resulted in the recording of "Expressway To Your Heart". In polls taken by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia's City Paper, "Expressway" was voted the number one record ever to come out of Philadelphia.
BILLY PAUL (Me & Mrs. Jones) was born to sing. By fifteen he was sharing the
stage with Charlie Parker and John Coltraine as a jazz vocalist. Twenty-three
Albums and a Grammy award later, Billy is still setting the world on fire.
Reaching audiences in Belgium, England, France, South Africa and South
America, he has become America's Ambassador of Blues and Jazz.
JAY & The Techniques smash hit 'Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie' was produced by Philadelphia's Jerry Ross. Their other Top Ten hit was titled: 'Keep The Ball Rolling'. Jay & the Techniques hailed from Allentown, Pennsylvania where the group was born with lead vocalist Jay Proctor who teamed with an all-white band, one of the first integrated groups in pop music.
One of the memorable pop events from 1968 remains the album debut of Philadelphia's pop sensation, NAZZ. The album was supported by the classic
double-sided single release of "Hello It's Me" and "Open My Eyes." Stewkey, original lead singer for the legendary NAZZ, has assembled a new generation of Philly rockers - bold, fresh and more powerful than ever... NAZZ featuring Stewkey. Mojo (UK) magazine's readers voted NAZZ as being one of the top 100 cult hero bands.
Seldom has a performer been strongly considered for an Academy Award in both acting and music, yet FRANK STALLONE has managed to pull it off. This Grammy and Golden Globe nominated artist has been everything from a street singer, a rock singer, to a big band singer. Frank’s Grammy nomination was for best soundtrack and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song from the film Staying Alive. Frank still plays to SRO crowds in arenas and concert halls from Los Angeles to London.
Blues-guitar wiz Tommy Conwell lead the Young Rumblers and aided by heavy airplay from local rock station, WMMR, the 'Walkin' on the Water' L.P. sold an impressive 50,000 copies in the Philly area alone. With their first album, 1988's Rumble, the band earned a radio and video hit with the joyous, self-deprecating rocker "I'm Not Your Man". In 2005 the Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia placed Tommy's guitar on it's famed 'Wall of Stars'. Tommy can be heard on WYSP fm Sunday nights. |
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