Category Archives: Rochester

Categories: Audition, New York, Nu Sound Ltd., Rochester, Upstate New York

Audition and Nu Sound Ltd. discographies

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Al Cecere owned the record labels Audition and Nu Sound Ltd., of Rochester, New York. It seems Cecere changed the label’s name to Nu Sound Ltd. with release #6111 by the Wee Four. Any help completing this discography, or info on Al Cecere’s productions or Riposo Studios would be appreciated.

Discography:

Audition

6102 – The Vaqueros – Desert Wind / Echo (both by Weld-Heath-Corona)
6103 – Dick Jans Duo – I Am (Edwards, Shuman) / Venus (the Frankie Avalon hit) – June 64
6104 – The Vitrones – Linda (Cheshire, Couto, Downing) / London Fog (licensed to Barry, #3326X in Canada)
6105 – America’s Children – Do-Maka / No Need For Blame (1965)
6106 – America’s Children – Star / Swinging Christmas (1965)
6107 – The Heard – Laugh with the Wind (Jeff Wheat and Brad Wheat) / Stop It Baby (Karim Copli) (mentioned in Billboard, May 7, 1966)
6108
6109 – The Humans – Take a Taxi / Warning (both by Bill Kuhns, Jr.)
6110 – The Rogues – Train Kept a-Rollin’ / You Better Look Now (Jim Perotti*, Bob Radell*, Mike Spriggs)

Nu Sound Ltd.

6111 – The Wee Four – Weird (James Obi, T. Pilittere) / Give Me a Try
6112 – Terry Pilittere – It’s Not That Way / You Wouldn’t Believe Me
6113 – Pete Morticelli – Lost / If You See Me

* correct spellings of these two Rogues names are Jim Pierotti and Bob Radel.

Most originals on Audition and “Weird” by the Wee Four 45 published by Cecere Music, BMI.

The Heard have an unreleased song, “Leave Well Alone” on a Capitol Custom acetate.

The Montereys “Bye Bye” / “Sheryl-ane” also recorded at Riposo Studios.

Thank you to Davie Gordon for his help with this discography.

Categories: Fine, New York, Rochester, Unknown, Upstate New York

Little Peppy with the Bare Existence

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From Rochester, Little Peppy is Marlene Torre, writer and singer on both these sides. She and the band turn in a spirited performance on “It Can Happen!!” The designated a-side, “Since You’ve Gone Away” is a slow ballad about missing her lover drafted overseas.

This was a custom press recorded at Fine Studios in September, 1966, and released with their house label. The master tape that turned up with the remains of the studio has alternate takes of each song.

One mystery is who was the band backing her as the Bare Existence.

If anyone has a photo of Little Peppy aka Marlene Torre, or the Bare Existence please contact me.

Categories: New York, Nu Sound Ltd., Rochester, Upstate New York

Terry Pilittere and the Wee Four

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The Wee Four photo
The Wee Four, from left: Bob Salerno, Jack Allocco, Terry Piliterre, and Dennis Drew

The Wee Four Nu Sound Ltd. 45 WeirdTerry Pilittere was the founder of the Rochester, NY group the Dimensions, in 1962. Members were Denny Drew lead guitar, Rob Salerno rhythm guitar, Ken Polizzi bass and vocals, and Terry on drums and vocals. In 1965 Jack Allocco joined and the band changed their name to the Wee Four, because none of the members was over 5′ 8″ tall.

The Wee Four recorded an excellent garage punker, “Weird” in 1966, written by Terry with his friend Jim Obi, b/w Terry’s song “Give Me a Try”. The Wee Four recorded other songs, including “I Could Never”, but these weren’t released.

Terry Pilittere Nu-Sound Ltd. 45, It's Not That WayMembers of the band had conflicts with manager Al Cecere, but Terry decided to leave the group and go with Al as his manager for a solo record of two beautiful original songs, “It’s Not That Way” and “You Wouldn’t Believe Me”.

Terry passed away in December, 2000.

Photo caption updated 2022.

Sources: Mike Dugo’s interview with Ken Polizzi of the Wee Four. Photos from Fuzz Acid and Flowers.

Categories: In Records, New York, Rochester, Upstate New York

The Young Tyrants

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The Young Tyrants, Rochester

The Tyrants business cardOne of the leading bands in the Rochester, NY area, the Young Tyrants were Carl Lundquist lead guitar and vocals, Lou Grillo lead vocals, Julio Lora rhythm guitar, Mike Zazzaro bass and Mike Montoya drums. They were heavily influenced by the Young Rascals, even adding “Young” to their band name in imitation, but came up with a sound all their own by the time they recorded their only 45.

The Young Tyrants In 45 I Try!Fine Records Studio owner Vince Jans signed the band after hearing their live show over the phone. In September 1967, they recorded an album’s worth of songs at one session, mostly typical cover versions off the day along with two original songs and a couple instrumentals.

Jans let them release the two originals for their only 45. “I Try” starts off with Carl’s trilling guitar riff taken from the intro to the Buster’s surf classic, “Bust Out”, then turns into a fantastic rocker as the band kicks in. “She Don’t Got The Right” simmers with resentment: “She’s got the right to say/ she don’t want my kind/but she don’t got the right/ to take away my pride.”

The Young Tyrants In 45 She Don't Got the Right!Lou Grillo wrote “I Try”, although there are no credits on the label, while Carl Lundquist wrote “She Don’t Got the Right”. 500 copies were pressed on the In label and sold at their shows, at venues like the New Patriot Club in Hornell. The only radio play it received was on local Rochester station WSAY.

The band broke up in 1968, as Carl and Lou were heading to college. The masters from the Young Tyrant’s recording sessions have been saved, and supposedly include other takes of both sides of the 45 as well as a cover of “I Can Only Give You Everything”. Hopefully someday we’ll hear the whole session.

The primary source for this story is Greg Prevost’s interview with singer Lou Grillo from 1978.