By FAYETTE (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 04:23 am:

WE ALL KNOW THAT STEVIE AND THE JACKSONS
GREW UP BEFORE THE PUBLIC EYES. I HEARD THAT
THE LEADER OF THE CHANTELS WAS A TEENAGER.CAN
YOU NAME SOME OF THE ARTIST THAT WERE CHILDREN.

By David Meikle (213.122.63.254) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:14 am:

Lil Soul Brothers on D Town.
5 Stairsteps and Cubie.
Little Carl Carlton.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:45 am:

Ralph Carter. {J.J.'s brother on Good Times)He had a couple of singles and an album .

Alfonso Rebeiro (Fresh Prince of Belair) He did a Pepsi Commercial and released some songs.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 08:00 am:

Teddie Garner "Teddy Bear"

(Where is he now ???)

By gary (66.73.238.3) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 08:05 am:

Anybody remember Mad Dog and the Pups? They had a few local Detroit hits in the early 70's.

By Joe Moorehouse (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 08:24 am:

A Detroiter named Little Man Kaigler had two records on Major and one on Cu-Wu (assuming that's him on the Little Man and the Inquires 45). He sounds about 12. Nationally, of course, there were many dozens of others.

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 08:44 am:

LITTLE EVA..LITTLE ANTHONY..DELLA HUMPHEYS..FRANKIE LYMAN..GLADYS KNIGHT..DONNIE OSMOND.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 09:25 am:

All of the Chantels were teenagers! So were a
lot of late '50s/early '60s artists. The Sylvers,
Jimmy Briscoe & the Little Beavers, Brotherly
Love (on HDH's Music Merchant label--"Mama's
Little Baby")

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:01 pm:

I have this 45 by the Ponderosa Twins (c.1971) which is
Why Do Fools Fall In Love b/w Bitter With The Sweet. It sounds like a pre-teen male group and the b-side should have been the a-side. I have no idea where I picked it up, but I must have bought it on the way the label looked.

P.S - It sounds like really funky adults when slowed down to 33 rpm!

By Scratcher (65.133.219.90) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:15 pm:

They were teens, Steve. The A-Side was produced by Calvin Simon (Parliarment).

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:31 pm:

the Rocky Fellers
Patience & Prudence
Little Lisa (on VIP label--said to be a daughter
of one of the Lewis Sisters)
the Aubrey Twins (they were maybe teens, but
their ABC Paramount release "There's Something
Special About My Baby" is said to be FANTASTIC!)
Does anyone have it?

By Common (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 02:44 pm:

Hello everyone,

How about Chee-chee & peppy singing "I'm In Love" on Buddah records?

How Can You Mend A Broken Heart-Spoonbread

Peace!

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:08 pm:

Randy, that's right Little Lisa (Miller) is the daughter of one of the Lewis Sisters, can't remember which one tho' - it's either Helen or
Kay : - )

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:27 pm:

Does anyone remember "Misdemeanor" by Foster
Sylvers, the younger brother of the group,
the Sylvers? This was a hit about 1973. Also,
Betty Wright was 12 when she made her first
record. There was another young Miami artist
named Audrey Royal on Alston--"Come On Playboy".
She was 13 and the sister of Ella Washington.

By Joe Moorehouse (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

Another Detroit-area kid: Ray Redmond, who cut a couple of great sides on Sa-Mo and was plainly supposed to be Sam Motley's answer to Stevie Wonder. Especially since one of the sides was a transparent re-write of Contract on Love.

By JoeR (170.148.92.53) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:57 pm:

Current artists still performing started out as teenagers

o Earl Lewis - Channels
o Johnny Maestro - Crests/Brooklyn Bridge
o Barbara Harris - Toys
o Earl "Speedo" Carrol - Cadillacs/Coasters/Cadillacs
o Arlene Smith - Chantels (solo)
o Rene Minus, Lois Harris, Sonia Goring - Chantels
o Jimmy Merchant, Herman Santiago - Teenagers
o Dee Dee Kenniebrew - Crystals

JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 05:24 pm:

Thanks for the info, Scratcher. Now that I think about it, I may have picked up the record when a music store had a close-out sale on semi-rare 45's. The store actually closed up shop.

By Scratcher (65.132.78.24) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:01 pm:

The Ponderosa Twins Plus One consisted of two sets of identical Twins and Ricky Spicer. Spicer is the squeaky, juvenile ish voice. Calvin Simon had left Parliarment for a spell. After returning from the service he couldn't get with the Parliarment outlandish stage-wear and weird style. He rejoined them though shortly after the demise of Astroscope/Saru Records.

By Ed Golick (68.42.155.37) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:07 pm:

Frankie "Sugar Chile" Robinson, a Detroiter, made his first record at the age of six!!!

By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:28 pm:

Add Little Deon

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:40 pm:

Randy:
RE:The Aubrey Twins - the label I work for here in NYC will be reissuing a two CD series called "The Best Of Chase Records" Vol. 1 & 2 next week. The Aubreys' "There's Something Special..." along with 13 other tracks from the Aubrey Twins will be featured in this collection.

Stanley Chaisson was the Aubreys' manager and owned Chase Records - he licensed many Aubrey singles to the majors and "There's Something Special.." was one of them.

I'll keep you posted as to when the CDs are ready for sale.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By medusa9e (66.73.7.53) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 07:49 pm:

Brenda Lee
Shirley Temple
Ronnie Dyson
Stacey Lattisaw
Tracie Spencer
Bobby Brown (and the Group that sang "Cool It Now")
...

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 10:26 pm:

Louis Lymon (Teenchords)

Frankie Lymon (Teenagers)

Richard Lanham aka 12 Year Old Richard Lanham (solo artist who recorded on Acme "On Your Radio")

Paul Himmelstein (Heartbreakers) - won award at Apollo at age 13

Little Iris Culmer (12 years old)

And speaking of Frankie "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Ed you got here before I did today, but this may be of interest to the forum anyway:




And for those who like to see an "older" version of our kiddie favorites, below is one of Richard Lanham I took at a UGHA meeting a few years ago!



Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 08:00 am:

Thanks, KevGo! That's great about the Aubrey
Twins. I saw them in a little club in New Orleans
in the 80s. One of them was an invalid. I don't
know what happened. They had a younger sister
singing with them also. They were really good!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 01:27 pm:

Randy:
One of the Aubreys was a victim of shooting incident that left him paralyzed.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 03:32 pm:

Thank you, Kevin! I once saw a '60s picture of
them and they were very handsome guys. When I
saw them in the '80s, the one brother who was
not paralyzed was very good looking. The other
brother was very thin, but somehow was able to
play percussion and sing while sitting in his
wheelchair. Their sister was beautiful. She
was only about 20 at that time and I think her
name was Charlene or something like that. The
twins were Jerome and Tyrone, but I don't re-
member who was who. I believe they were from
New Orleans because that's where I saw them
on Bourbon Street,the Old Absinthe House,
which is no longer.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 05:16 pm:

Jerome & Tyrone Aubrey are native New Orleanians.

They will be performing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest starting next weekend.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Sly fan (64.169.107.185) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 09:14 pm:

Common: you brought it back with Pepe and Cheche!! That was the jam!! Good call..


Chuck Brown (Godfather of Go-Go) produced the Ponderosa Twins too..they did a remake of "You Send Me"..(70/71)

What happend to a "Brighter Shade Of Darkness" who made "Love Jones"..

By Mark Speck (65.56.60.217) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 01:38 am:

Of course, there's Della Humphrey, who was mentioned on another thread. And how about the 12-year-old blues guitarist Lucky Peterson?

Brighter Side of Darkness--as the record was taking off, they went on a promotional tour (which included a Soul Train appearance) and got into some sort of argument with a 20th Century Fox record executive during the course of the trip and were fired from the label. A revamped version of the group recorded for 20th Century Fox under the name the Imaginations, but they eventually reverted back to Brighter Side of Darkness and recorded for a few smaller labels.

Best,

Mark

By Common (64.12.97.7) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 11:12 am:

Hey Slyfan,

I used to wear that 45 out & the flip side "My Love Will Never Fade Away". I wonder what their actual names were & if they continued making music?

Peace!

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 10:34 pm:

Lucky Peterson - how could I have forgotten him??? I have his photo and also his 45 on Yambo "1, 2, 3, 4"! Super kiddie lead with solid soul group behind him!




Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By fayette (205.188.209.16) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 10:38 pm:

lucky peterson what a cutie

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 12:52 pm:

Here`s a scan of "Little Carl Carlton" the label
says "The 12 year old wonder boy"

Dave f.......

By Greg C. (209.71.79.222) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 01:08 pm:

Stacy Lattisaw
Chee-Chee & Peppy
Jimmy Briscoe & The Little Beavers

To Mark Speck: Thanks for the update on Brighter Side of Darkness. I'd often wondered what happened to them after such a promising start.

By Ed Golick (68.42.155.37) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 10:00 pm:

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 10:04 pm:

W.A. MOZART!!!...HE WAS A BAD MAMMA JAMMA BEFORE HIS 5TH BIRTHDAY!!!...STUBASS

By MEL&THEN SOME (212.159.51.84) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 02:09 am:

Dave,
great scan mate,
I remember getting a copy of the same record way back around 1971.
great memories.
mel.

By John Lester (213.123.136.250) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 04:25 am:

I would have to say that all of the artists were "youngsters". At my time of life, anyone under 30 is a "youngster"!!

I am reminded that even the Supremes were only 16 when they signed with Motown in 1961. Cal Street of the Velvelettes once let slip out in a conversation that she was even younger when she signed with the company. I am not sure when high school finishes in America but I guess it must be about 13 or so

By Wonder B (80.14.145.107) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 07:21 pm:

How about Little Esther (Phillips) or what about Sammy Davis Jr???? I have a video of him tap dancing at 8 and ... damn can HE dance! LOL

Mark Speck, I just want to mention that Lucky Peterson started out way before he was 12 and his main instrument is not the guitar as most people think but the Hammond B-3... I interviewed him and he said he really goes wild on the B-3! LOL

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

Wonder B....If you check out my post and my scan of Lucky Peterson above, you will see that he's yes, much younger than 12 years old - In fact, he was six (or maybe 7 at the most) when that picture was taken! Also on the record I referred to "1, 2, 3, 4" on Yambo there is strong organ background in that recording. By way the, anyone know whatever happened to Lucky? Is he still around?

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By RD (63.188.33.76) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:50 am:

I had a CD from the '90s featuring Lucky Peterson and Bootsy Collins. It was blues oriented. I don't remember its name or what happened to it. Stuart Bascombe (Black Ivory) once told me that a track they cut titled "Our Future" was intended for Lucky Peterson their labelmate on Today Records at the time.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 01:31 pm:

I remember seeing Lucky Peterson on the Tonight
Show with Johnny Carson. He was 5 and played
the organ and had his first record out, "1,2,3,4",
which was the tune of Please Please by James
Brown. Around that time I had read in Billboard
that Motown had an eye out on him.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 01:49 pm:

Randy:
RE: The Aubrey Twins "There's Something Special.."
The CDs "The Best Of Chase Records" (vols. 1 & 2) are now available and contain the Aubrey Twins material you inquired about. If you email me I can tell you how to get the CD (kevingoins@juno.com).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Ron Murphy (68.42.89.162) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 03:49 pm:

Baby Dorma Jeane recorded "My Teddy Bear" when she was 4 years old for a Detroit label-C & T Records in 1962. She appeared on many local Detroit TV and Radio shows and was pushed by her family until she had a breakdown at the age of 6 and doctors told them not to let her sing again her last name was Thomas.

By Scratcher (65.132.78.51) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 06:06 pm:

Damn! I didn't know six years old could have nervous breakdowns! At four years of age Baby Dorma Jeane has to be the youngest person to ever record a solo recording. "My Teddy Bear" was a good choice of material for her too. Did she write it?

By Ron Murphy (68.42.89.162) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 06:02 pm:

"My Teddy Bear was written by M McGruder and Jack Thomas the other side was I Like The Blues by the samew writers. it say's on the label Baby Dorma Jeane (4 Yrs Old)and Jack Thomas Band C & T Records 8024 Dexter Blvd. Detroit. there is no release number listed but it would be "0002"since the Taylor Tones record on C & T which came out about a month before was "0001"I remember watching her on TV. She was very smart for her age I was told about what happened to her when I was working in a studio with one of her family members who was a piano player on a session in 1966.

By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 09:57 pm:

Since we're discussion Lucky Peterson here, thought I'd post his exciting Yambo 45 where he was 5 or 6 years old when he recorded it! Two cool sides with a strong "blues" organ and a solid back-up group!





Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:54 am:

Does anyone remember "It's Uncle Willie" backed
with "Teardrops Are Falling" on Roulette by
Little Natalie & Henry with the Gifts? It was
out in '63 and got a lot of airplay in Miami.
We had the single. The lead sounded female,
but when you listened to the B side (which was
excellent!!!), HE's singing about a girl! Great
vocals--like Frankie Lymon sounding. Uncle Willie
was a dance. I'd love to get both sides on CD.
Henry must've been the lead singer. Anyone????

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

Randy,

Henry Ford's the name you're after. They were a
Chicago group who only issued one or two singles.

Nikki,

Lucky Peterson's still very active on the blues scene - he's had a few CD's on Verve.
Yambo was owned by Willie Dixon - dealing with
a four year-old must have been quite a contrast to
working with pople like Howlin' Wolf : -)

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:30 pm:

Who was the group that sang 'Mamas gonna whip you'? Were they young(ish)?

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:57 pm:

Carl,

The Luv Bugs (on Scepter) - another kiddie group.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 07:50 am:

Thanks, Davie. I really did like that record!
Do you know anything else about them?

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:29 am:

Yes Davie! The Luv Bugs. And that ain't all, she's gonna tan your......

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:49 am:

What about Mr Danke Scheon himself
Wayne Newton...
Stephanie

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:36 am:

Randy,

That was just off the top of my head - I'll see what I can find. I'm sure I've a lineup for them.

If you have Robert Pruter's "Chicago Soul" book
there's a few paragraphs about the group.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:51 am:

No, I don't have that book. Is it still in
print? I need to see if I can order it.

By RD (63.188.32.2) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 11:18 am:

Prueter's books are available in most good libraries. He wrote two excellent ones that documents the history of soul recordings in Chicago, the labels, the artists, distributors, etc. Among other things, he explains why Motown used more than one distributor in Chicago and other areas for his labels, placing some lines with one distributor and other labels with it competitor. Since they're out-of-print and hard to find the books are sometimes checked out and never returned. The guilty party simply pays for the book and any finds that have accrued. Hey, you do what you have to do.

By Handsome (170.118.157.133) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:13 pm:

How about the Brighter Side of Darkness-"Love Jones" & The 21st Century-"Do you remember the rain"? Also the Jets-"Crush on you".

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.58) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 03:24 pm:

How about
Butch Baker(the 12year old genius)
as it is stated under his name on the
classic and uptempo dancer on each side of
"Batman at the Go-Go/Robin at the Go-Go"
Does it say this on the
other St.Lawrence Label?
Under the titles of
"working at the Go-Go/Fatman at the Go-Go."

I have only had the white demo St.Lawrence cut.
Another true great dance sound that made the rare soul scene
RARE in it's day.
mel.