"M" Groups

The Magnificents

In 1954, four teenagers from Chicago; Ray Ramsey, Johnny Keyes, Fred Rakeshaw, and Willie Myles formed  a vocal group and called themselves The Tams. They were befriended by Chicago personality The Magnificent Montague, Montague named the new group after himself and the "Magnificents" began. In 1956 the group came in contact with Vee-Jay Records and recorded and released "Up On The Mountain" with the flip side "Why Did She Go" and was an instant smash.  The Magnificents continue to tour and sound as good as ever. They are undoubtedly one of the great one hit wonders of the fifties doo-wop era and we are grateful for the music. 

The Monotones

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey in 1954, the Monotones consisting of Warren Davis, George Malone, Charles Patrick, Frank Smith, and Warren and John Ryanes recorded one of the most memorable of doo-wop's novelty tunes "Book of Love". It was recorded at Bell Studio in New York and released on the Mascot label, it was picked up by Argo Records. Released nationally and reached number 5 in the United States. The Monotones released several more recordings: "Tom Foolery", "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow" to name a few.

The Moonglows

This R & B group formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952. They consisted of Bobby Lester, Harvey Fuqua, Prentiss Barnes, and Alexander 'Pete' Graves. The Moonglows' career parallels their mentor Alan Freed who is his rise through rock n' roll made the Moonglows the main focus of his radio programs and stage shows. The group's first major hit "Sincerely" in 1954 rose to number 20 Pop chart and number on R & B charts. Other hits followed; in 1955 "Most Of All," "We Go Together," See Saw in 1956, a remake of Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone To Love," in 1957. However the most remembered of their came in 1958 with "Ten Commandments Of Love" which featured Fuqua performing lead vocals. The original Moonglows disbanded in 1958

The Mystics

This rock ‘n’ roll vocal ensemble came from Brooklyn, New York, USA. The members were brothers Phil (lead) and Albee Cracolici (baritone), Bob Ferrante (first tenor), George Galfo (second tenor), and Allie Contrera (bass). The Mystics helped popularize the Italian-American doo-wop sound that came out of New York City in the early 60s, but like many such groups they did it with only one hit, ‘Hushabye’ (US pop Top 20, 1959).