The Moonglows - Look! It's The Moonglows (1959)

"Sincerely" by The Moonglows


When Etta James's contract with Modern Records ran up, she signed with the Chicago-based Chess Records.  Part of her decision to switch labels likely came due to her relationship at the time with Harvey Fuqua of The Moonglows, a successful Chess doo-wop group and bridge to early rock and roll.

Here is the discography surrounding The Moonglows's debut album:

I Just Can't Tell You No Lie (1952 single)
Baby Please (1953 single)
Just a Lonely Christmas (1953 single)
Secret Love (1954 single)
I Was Wrong (1954 single)
My Gal (1954 single)
Sincerely (1954 single)
So All Alone (1954 single as Bobby Lester and The Moonlighters)
Hug and a Kiss (1954 single as Bobby Lester and The Moonlighters)
Most of All (1955 single)
Starlite (1955 single)
In My Diary (1955 single)
We Go Together (1956 single)
See Saw (1956 single)
Over and Over Again (1957 single)
I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over (1957 single)
Please Send Me Someone to Love (1957 single)
The Beating of My Heart (1957 single)
Too Late (1958 single)
In the Middle of the Night (1958 single)
This Love (1958 single)
Ten Commandments of Love (1958 single as Harvey and The Moonglows)
I Want Somebody (1959 single by Harvey)
I Hope You're Satisfied (1959 single by Betty & Dupree)
Love Is a River (1959 single)
Look! It's The Moonglows (1959 EP)
Look! It's The Moonglows (1959 EP)
Look! It's The Moonglows
Twelve Months of the Year (1959 single by Harvey)
Mama Loocie (1959 single as Harvey and the Moonglows)
Blue Skies (1959 single by Harvey)
If I Can't Have You (1960 single by Etta & Harvey)
Beatnick (1960 single)
Spoonful (1960 single by Etta & Harvey)
Blue Velvet (1962 single)
The Best of Bobby Lester and The Moonglows (1962 compilation album)
Been a Long Time (1962 single by The Five Quails)
What Can You Do Now (1962 single by Harvey and Ann)
She Loves Me So (1962 single by Harvey)
She Loves Me So (1962 single by Harvey)
Memories of You (1963 single by Harvey)

"Over and Over Again" by The Moonglows


"Ten Commandments of Love" by The Moonglows


"If I Can't Have You" by Etta & Harvey


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Etta James - At Last! (1961)

"That's All" by Etta James


When The Shirelles had their string of chart hits, it boosted them to national prominence that allowed them to open for the likes of Little Richard and Etta James.  Etta James released her official debut album At Last! in 1961.

Here is the discography surrounding Etta James's debut album:

The Wallflower (Dance With Me, Henry) (1955 single as Etta James and The Peaches)
Hey Henry (1955 single)
Good Rockin' Daddy (1955 single)
W-O-M-A-N (1955 single)
Number One (1956 single)
Shortnin' Bread Rock (1956 single)
Tough Lover (1956 single)
Good Lookin' (1956 single)
The Pick-Up (1957 single)
Come What May (1957 single)
Sunshine of Love (1958 single)
I Hope You're Satisfied (1959 single as Betty & Dupree)
Dance With Me, Henry (1960 single)
How Big a Fool (1960 single)
Do Something Crazy (1960 single)
Miss Etta James: The Complete Modern and Kent Recordings (1960 compilation album)
If I Can't Have You (1960 single as Etta & Harvey)
Spoonful (1960 single as Etta & Harvey)
All I Could Do Was Cry (1960 single)
My Dearest Darling (1960 single)
At Last!
At Last (1961 single)
Trust in Me (1961 single)
Miss Etta James (1961 compilation album)

"At Last" by Etta James


"A Sunday Kind of Love" by Etta James


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The Shirelles - Tonight's the Night (1961)

"Boys" by The Shirelles


Joey Dee & The Starliters's early work was produced and released by New Jersey record label, Scepter Records.  The label was founded by Florence Greenberg and, in a way, The Shirelles.  Greenberg originally founded the small Tiara Records to release the debut single of the local high school girl group.  Together, they scored a significant local hit ("I Met Him on a Sunday") that did well enough to grab the attention of powerhouse Decca Records.  Decca bought both Tiara and The Shirelles from Greenberg for $4000.  Greenberg used the money to found another record label, Scepter.  For Decca, The Shirelles failed to chart another hit and so were returned to Greenberg and her newly minted label.  The entrepreneur then worked with the girls to provide them great songs courtesy of Luther Dixon and other major songwriters from Tin Pan Alley.  The Shirelles released their debut album Tonight's the Night in 1961.

Here is the discography surrounding The Shirelles's debut album:

I Met Him on a Sunday (1958 single)
My Love Is a Charm (1958 single)
Stop Me (1958 single)
Dedicated to the One I Love (1958 single)
A Teardrop and a Lollipop (1959 single)
Please Be My Boyfriend (1960 single)
Tonight's the Night (1960 single)
Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1960 single)
Tonight's the Night

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles


"The Dance Is Over" by The Shirelles


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