The Mello-Kings
Encyclopedia
The Mello-Kings were a doo-wop
group who became popular in the late 1950s.
Despite the fact that their only hit, "Tonite Tonite" (1957), never climbed higher than number 77 in the US charts, the single is still considered one of the most popular group harmony recordings of the era, more than three decades after its initial release.
The group consisted of brothers Jerry and Bob Scholl, Eddie Quinn, Neil Arena and Larry Esposito. The quintet was formed in 1956 at a high school in Mount Vernon
, New York, USA, under the guidance of manager Dick Levister. Originally named the Mellotones, the group was signed to the Herald label.
"Tonite Tonite" was written by Billy Myles
, a staff composer for the label. The group was forced to change its name after the single's release, as another group had already claimed Mellotones. The record lasted only 10 weeks in the US pop, and the group was never able to repeat this success.
The group appeared in revival shows in the late 60's and early 70's.
In 1975, lead singer Bob Scholl was killed in a boating accident. The group disappeared from the scene for a couple of years until around 1977 when Jerry Scholl started it back up again.
Richard Levister was locally popular in his own right as a musician who played the Hammond B-3 organ and headed up a jazz/R&B trio that featured his brother, Millard Levister on drums and either Jimmy Hill on alto or Mat Lewis on tenor. They played music clubs around Westchester County like the Empire Room and The Blue Rose in New Rochelle. When Levister retired from the jazz/R&B scene he continued working as a church organist in Mt. Vernon, NY where he resides today.
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
group who became popular in the late 1950s.
Despite the fact that their only hit, "Tonite Tonite" (1957), never climbed higher than number 77 in the US charts, the single is still considered one of the most popular group harmony recordings of the era, more than three decades after its initial release.
The group consisted of brothers Jerry and Bob Scholl, Eddie Quinn, Neil Arena and Larry Esposito. The quintet was formed in 1956 at a high school in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
, New York, USA, under the guidance of manager Dick Levister. Originally named the Mellotones, the group was signed to the Herald label.
"Tonite Tonite" was written by Billy Myles
Billy Myles
William Myles Nobles , known as Billy Myles, was an American R&B songwriter active in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for " All My Love" recorded by Jackie Wilson , and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" recorded by Freddie King , then Eric Clapton .-History:Billy Myles specialised in love ballads...
, a staff composer for the label. The group was forced to change its name after the single's release, as another group had already claimed Mellotones. The record lasted only 10 weeks in the US pop, and the group was never able to repeat this success.
The group appeared in revival shows in the late 60's and early 70's.
In 1975, lead singer Bob Scholl was killed in a boating accident. The group disappeared from the scene for a couple of years until around 1977 when Jerry Scholl started it back up again.
Richard Levister was locally popular in his own right as a musician who played the Hammond B-3 organ and headed up a jazz/R&B trio that featured his brother, Millard Levister on drums and either Jimmy Hill on alto or Mat Lewis on tenor. They played music clubs around Westchester County like the Empire Room and The Blue Rose in New Rochelle. When Levister retired from the jazz/R&B scene he continued working as a church organist in Mt. Vernon, NY where he resides today.