by Phil Schwartz

Recollections Magazine Volume II No. 1

Fall 2007

In show business, it has been often stated that “Timing is everything”. There were some great records made in the dawn of the British Invasion which were largely passed over in the national arena. They lived their short lives bubbling under charts or as regional breakouts, barely at the edge of the radar map of the sales tabulators in the music industry. Yet, some of these records, despite bad timing under-funded promotion, lack of name recognition or whatever bad luck kept them off the national charts, have gathered as sustained, and even increasing recognition over the years.

“OH WHAT A NIGHT FOR LOVE” by Roy Tyson is such a record.

After Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers scored their first chart-topper in 1956, and the sales of potential of the “kiddie lead” was established dozens of groups emulated the sound.

The Schoolboys, The Chanters, The Students and the Teen Chords, are examples of groups with pre-voice-change high tenors, fronting strong group harmony.

Roy Tyson listened to all of these groups growing up in Saginaw, Michigan, on stations like WSAM, Saginaw. On weekends he sang in church. Tyson was born on May 20, 1950 and by the age of 12, was singing professionally at the El Morocco Lounge on the bill with T-Bone Walker. It was there that he met Pete Short from Memphis who became his manager. Under Short’s guidance he was booked to perform at the National Elks Convention. Also on the show was R&B star Lloyd Price who was looking for talent to record on his new record label, Double L records.

Price had ended his contract with ABC Paramount in 1962, and with about 10 years of performance and touring experience, was ready to concentrate to a larger extent on developing new artists on his own label. Price had already operated a short-lived label, KRC, between his Specialty and ABC Paramount years.

His partner in both ventures was Harold Logan, who doubled as his song writing partner. Logan was murdered in the Turntable[s] Night Club in the late 1960s. But, in 1962, he was the second “L” in Double L.

Price and Logan wrote four songs expressly for Tyson’s style and range, and brought him to 1650 Broadway, New York City, in the summer of 1963, to record them. Tyson remembers, “There were 7 or 8 pieces, and four singers, who were Little Anthony’s Imperials”. He is also not ashamed to add, “I was scared as hell.”

The first record was released on Double L #723 in the final week of October 1963, and shipped via a distribution deal with Liberty Records. A Presidential assassination and the British Invasion were just weeks away. Tyson was still in the 6^th grade at Ricker Elementary School, and has vivid memories of a disc jockey Don “Juan” Wiggens playing the record on WSAM [The Big Sam] on his way to school.

Tyson stayed in New York for about 6 months, promoting his records and appearing at such clubs as Wilt Chamberlain’s “Smalls Paradise”. There were bookings in Boston and Atlantic City, and at least one television appearance on the “Teen Canteen” show originating from Washington D.C.

By the time the second record, “I Want To Be Your Boyfriend” was released as Double L #733, America was immersed in Beatle-mania. In early 1964, if it didn’t sound imported, it probably didn’t get played. Doo-Wop, group harmony, and high falsetto lead singers had quickly become yesterday’s style.

Looking for another recording opportunity, Tyson left for San Francisco, working as a security guard, and singing at Bobby Freeman’s “Soul Cabin” nightclub on the side. His West Coast group, “Little Roy Tyson and the Royal Teens” included Shirley Reynolds and L.J. Reynolds [later of Chocolate Syrup and The Dramatics]. He recalls that the Motown sound was his favorite during that period of his career. Tyson married his [first] wife while in San Francisco in 1970.

In 1972 Tyson returned to his hometown of Saginaw, giving up show-business for the more practical work of a custodian. He has since retired but continues to sings in his Church.

Recently, “Oh What a Night for Love” has been a regular item on satellite radio, including XM’s “Fifties on Five”, and is the opening song in some concerts by 11 year old Kid Kyle & The Kool Kats. It may have been the last of the great kiddie-lead songs, and remains a favorite in collectors’ circles.

This article is dedicated to Roy C. Tyson, Sr. [1930-2005]

Article written by Phil Schwartz

Keystone Record Collectors, Inc.

P.O. Box 1516

Lancaster, Pa. 17605

www.recordcollectors.org

Reprinted with the permission of Phil Schwartz