I love youtube, I can go there and listen to lots of oldies, found this record 1958 by Vince Castro and the Tonettes, called Bong, Bong, I Love You Madly......great tune. A side note said that The Tonettes were from the Bronx, NY.
Vince Castro wasn't his real name, but I can't remember his real name at the moment, he was a DJ at some college in CT. Anyways, loved the song and wanted more information on The Tonettes. Anyone want to help me?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Suzie,

Been hunting around for information on the Tonettes, they supposely came from Claremont Ave and were called the Claremonts first before The Tonettes. PM me if you have anymore info.
THANKS

This picture was taken in 1957. The Tonettes/Claremonts are from left to right: Diana Sanchez, lead, Josephine Allen, and Sylvia Sanchez. Oh, Oh What A Baby!



The Tonettes again, this time with Vince Castro kneeling. Both pictures were taken on the night of a show put on by New York Disc Jockey Alan Fredericks, in 1957. Alan Fredricks' Night Train Show was quite popular on the east coast. Check out the interviews I have with the Tonettes and with Vince Castro.

"Oh What A Baby"is one of my favorite female vocal group records of all time. It was released three ways that I know of, in 1958. First on the Doe label, which was a subsidiary of Apollo records, and then it was leased to ABC Paramount. A promo and stock copy on ABC were then issued. The Claremonts was the original name for the trio. Their name originated from the street the Sanchez sisters lived on in the south Bronx, which was 544 Claremont Pkwy.

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The Tonettes started as the Claremonts. This is the first release on Apollo of "Why Keep Me Dreaming" backed with "Angel Of Romance".This two sider was very popular up and down the Eastern seaboard from New York to Florida.The record got lots of spins from the DJ's and a bunch of press from the trade papers. This recording was released in 1957. Above is the promotional version.







Here is the stock copy of the Claremonts disc. Notice the writing credits are given to Diane Sanchez and Lou Ezzo. Ezzo was a TV repairman responsible for "Discovering" the Claremonts/Tonettes in their apartment in Brooklyn.


This is a later pressing (1961) of the Claremonts record. It was probably re-released to try and cash in on the Vince Castro and the Tonettes issue of "Bongo Twist" in late 1960. "Bongo Twist" was actually the same song as "Bong Bong", but pressed again with the different song title to try and ride the beginning of the national twist craze. See records below, to follow the complete story.The stock issue is most likely on the yellow Apollo label.


Two more pictures of the Tonettes. The shot on the left was professionally done for ABC Paramount records. That was used in their promotion and would be sent out to various DJ's and to performance halls - wherever they might be singing. It may have also gone to the trade publications for additional exposure.The shot on the right was taken the same night as the Alan Fredricks' show picture shown near the top of this page, while they were performing.



Released on the Doe label in February of 1958, "Oh What A Baby" is a great uptempo song. The Claremonts are now the Tonettes, with the same personnel. Doe records was owned by Charles Merenstein, son-in-law to Bess Berman of Apollo records. The label was intended to showcase some of the up and coming pop releases. Apollo felt like they were "just" an R+B label. I don't think I would call this pop, but you can't argue with records that sell! The flip side "Howie", is a nice ballad, almost done tongue in cheek, but comes off sounding great. Looks like this 45 was sold for 98 cents in some bargain bin! The "A" side is my favorite, but a great record that plays well both ways.


Once the Tonettes song picked up steam, the record was leased to ABC Paramount for national distribution. This promo copy was sent out to the radio stations to promote airplay. It was published by "Bess" music, who was Bess Berman of Apollo records, getting half the action on this good sized hit.


Here is the stock copy.Though not a top 100 Billboard hit,it should have been. The label shown is in the standard ABC Paramount colors for 1958. Though no sales numbers have ever been published

Sorry the pics didn't pop up. Just found it on google [EMAIL]http://www.colorradio.com/Tonettes.htm[/EMAIL]

Thanks for the information, like I said I heard them on a youtube site and thought they were pretty good, btw, Vince Castro is still singing although I think he sounded much better in the 50's.

REPLY TO SUZIE, VINCE CASTRO HAS NEVER CHANGED HIS NAME.THE REASON I KNOW THIS, IS BECAUSE ITS ME YOUR WRITING ABOUT. CHECK OUT MY NEW VIDEOS ON YouTube, let me know what you think.
thanks for remembering.
AND YES, I AM STILL IN THE BRONX.
VINCE373@MSN.COM
VINCE CASTRO

Hello Vince, yes I was on YouTube and heard your Bong, Bong I love you madly, great tune. Can't believe that I never heard it before, glad that your still singing and enjoying yourself.