The Essentials - Teenage Sweetheart (Doo Wop)

Killer unreleased track. The Newports, from Queens, New York, were fortunate to have a few record releases. The original group started back in 1958-59 and evolved from The Essentials and Valroys. From this group Ray Russel would eventually join both Shelly Buchansky and Frankie Fox, both Essentials/Newports for a short while, and become members of Vito and The Salutations. Jimmy Pace having the opportunity to leave as well, chose to stay with The Newports and try for that elusive hit record. Along with Jimmy was Artie Ross, who grew up in Manhattan. There he sang in the neighborhood with Tony Orlando’s Five Gents, Dennis and The Explorers, and Nickie North and The Citations. They added Stan Novack, Ronnie Pomerantz, and lead Dennis Grey. The group recorded some tunes for Dave McRae’s Kane records. “If I Could Tonight“ and “A Fellow Needs A Girl“ was released on Kane 007. The songs were re-released on Guyden 2067 but went nowhere. In 1962, Bobby King, a record store owner who had the Cross Fire label released “Canadian Sunset“ under the name of The Exzels. In 1962, there were some more personnel changes with Joe Reinlieb on lead and Mike Perricone. The Newports were brought into the studio to do some recording. “Tears“ and “Disillusioned Love“ were released in 1964 on Guyden 2116.