The Paradons
OriginKern County, Bakersfield, California, United States
GenresR&B, doo-wop, soul, rock-n-roll Country
Years active1959–1960
LabelsMilestone Records
Past membersWest Tyler
Billy Meyers
Chuck Weldon
William Powers
Websitemyspace.com/theparadons

The Paradons are an American doo wop vocal group from Bakersfield, California, United States, that formed in 1959.[1]

The group began by singing locally at school dances and clubs. Within a few months they secured a recording session with Werly Fairburn's Milestone Records[1]—not to be confused with the like-named jazz label founded by Orrin Keepnews about six years later[2][3]—and recorded eight songs. Their first release with the label, "Diamonds and Pearls" / "I Want Love", became a hit in the US, peaking at number 27 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960.[1]

The group appeared on American Bandstand and at the Apollo Theater in the wake of its success.

The group soon broke up over monetary disputes, having been together less than a year.[4]

Despite the group's demise, Milestone continued releasing singles from their initial recording sessions, but these releases – "Bells Ring", "Take All of Me", and "I Had a Dream" – did not chart.[4][5]

Members

Joe Karp and Billy Meyers revived the group in 1965 as 'Joey and the Paradons'.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1901. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ↑ "The Note Book". The Hollywood Reporter. August 17, 1962. p. 8. ProQuest 2339635630. Werly Fairburn, president of Milestone Records for the past three years, debuts on the label as a singer with 'You Are My Sunshine.'
  3. ↑ Kirby, Fred (September 2, 1967). "R. Bialek Buys Milestone Line". Billboard. p. 1. ProQuest 1286226760. Milestone began on a limited basis last year with Keepnews handling production and serving as an advisor part time. [...] A greatly increased sales and distribution network is being set up for the new label...
  4. 1 2 Biography, AllMusic
  5. ↑ "The Paradons" Discography; Discogs.com 26-05-2015 May 25, 2015
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