The Paradons | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kern County, Bakersfield, California, United States |
| Genres | R&B, doo-wop, soul, rock-n-roll Country |
| Years active | 1959–1960 |
| Labels | Milestone Records |
| Past members | West Tyler Billy Meyers Chuck Weldon William Powers |
| Website | myspace |
The Paradons are an American doo wop vocal group from Bakersfield, California, United States, that formed in 1959.[1]
The group began by singing locally at school dances and clubs. Within a few months they secured a recording session with Werly Fairburn's Milestone Records[1]—not to be confused with the like-named jazz label founded by Orrin Keepnews about six years later[2][3]—and recorded eight songs. Their first release with the label, "Diamonds and Pearls" / "I Want Love", became a hit in the US, peaking at number 27 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960.[1]
The group appeared on American Bandstand and at the Apollo Theater in the wake of its success.
The group soon broke up over monetary disputes, having been together less than a year.[4]
Despite the group's demise, Milestone continued releasing singles from their initial recording sessions, but these releases – "Bells Ring", "Take All of Me", and "I Had a Dream" – did not chart.[4][5]
Werly Fairburn, president of Milestone Records for the past three years, debuts on the label as a singer with 'You Are My Sunshine.'
Milestone began on a limited basis last year with Keepnews handling production and serving as an advisor part time. [...] A greatly increased sales and distribution network is being set up for the new label...