from
L to R : Diane Hogan, Joyce Vincent, Dorothy Garland,
Elsie Baker
at the Arcadia Roller Rink,
Woodward Avenue in 1966
photograph courtesy of Graham
Finch
As work was commencing on the new studio project, Golden
World tried their luck with a young female group called The
Debonaires. The Debonaires
had started out as a trio consisting of Elsie
Baker, Dorothy Garland and Joyce Vincent. "Please Don't Say We're Through" c/w
"A Little Too
Long" was released on Golden World 17 in October 1964.
Both songs were Sammy Lowe arrangements, written by the Hamilton
Brothers and Freddie Gorman. The song was performed without
a lead singer. It
would be another 10 months before their next 45, the
novelty song "Eenie Meenie Gypsalinie" which was
released on Golden World 26. Sometime
later, Ed
suggested that it would be a good idea to employ a lead
singer, and before long, fifteen year old Diane
Hogan would take up the mantle. (Group
detail comes from interviews carried out by Graham Finch). Diane
was there for the next release, "How's your new love
treating you". Issued as Golden World 38 in June 1966
it was a stunning improvement on what went before.
Writing
credits are given to Linda Bunten and JoAnne Bratton. The
pair are also credited with "To win your heart"
and it's instrumental version "Festival Time".
Great music, but who was Linda Bunten? The
Debonaires final release for Golden World came in October
1966. Catalogue number 44, "C.O.D.", was arranged
by Joe Hunter and is an equally good recording. In
1967 the group re-emerged, this time on Solid Hit, where
they delivered two superb 45's in "Loving you takes all
of my time" and "I'm in love again" . Both
were accompanied by the impressive "Headache in
my heart". Joyce,
in particular, would soon drift into session work where
income was more regular. Within
a few years, and thanks to her knowing
Tony Camillo, she and her friend Telma Hopkins would join Tony Orlando. Tony
had achieved major chart success as Tony Orlando and Dawn,
but Dawn didn't physically exist however, and backing vocals
had been applied by mystery session singers. Now
that he needed to hit the road, it was time to put together
a real backing group, and that came in the form of Joyce and
Telma.
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