Nino and the Ebb Tides
While listening to the “50’s” channel of Sirius Radio the other day, I heard the now obscure musical masterpiece Jukebox Saturday Night by Nino and the Ebbtides. The recording was a 1961 remake of an original Glen Miller song with the lyrics and beat updated and Nino singing:
It's so easy to reminisce
When you listen to the Monotones singing this
"I wonder, wonder who, be do do who
Who wrote the book of love” ………Nino and the gang also recorded Those Oldies But Goodies which, like Jukebox Saturday Night also featured the group singing snippets from “old” songs
……,however, Nino’s version was eclipsed by a version recorded by Little Caesar and the Romans . Those oldies but goodies reminds me of you
The songs of the past bring back memories of you
I always remember the first night we met
The songs they were playing I never will forget
It is important to note that the seemingly ancient, featured lyrics in Oldies but Goodies as well as those featured in Jukebox Saturday Night were maybe three years old at the time.
Nino and the Ebb Tides got us to thinking about AND THE singing groups and bands, which like Nino have AND THE as their middle names because, well wouldn’t you?
AND THE groups have been with us for over 70 years but now it was time to really explore this egocentric genre which features a lead singer and backup group. Our research began with our own iTunes playlists. We noted that - with a few exceptions, - “AND THE” largely faded from group names after the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s heyday. Yes, sadly, no more Dion and the Belmonts. After our iTunes survey, we searched our memory, what’s left of it, and came up with a few more. Internet investigation yielded more of the forgotten once, I figured out the correct question. Asking for lists of “AND THE” groups didn’t work. Then it was time to bring in the heavy hitters. I asked Margaret. She immediately came up with eight that I hadn’t thought of and the list was well under way. Alas, most of these groups are now forgotten, so we have listed their biggest hits which also are mostly forgotten other than the several boutique radio stations and networks that focus on eras or decades.
The 1950s were the high point of the “AND THE” Groups although the 60s were close behind. They began to fade in the 70’s, were just about gone in the 80s and 90s but were coming back in the 2000s where we found, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Bow Thayer and the Euphorians, Florence and the Machine, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and one of questionable pedegree, Vinnie Pauleone and the Bada Bing Orchestra
The search for “AND THE” groups spread to my friends. First, I had to explain Nino and the Ebbtides – no one, absolutely no one, knew Nino and the Ebbtides and I bet neither do you.
One day on the golf course I announced to my compadres, Todd and Bill, both 80s music boys, that I was compiling a list of “AND THE” groups. They know me well so they didn’t ask “Why?” Todd jumped right in. He gave me George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Bill, not quite grasping the spirit of the moment, whined, “oh great, now besides thinking about aligning the golf ball, worrying about my back swing and aiming the shots, I have to think about “AND THE” groups?” Needless to say, Bill wasn’t much help that day although he did play well. Meanwhile, Todd kept contributing. “Florence and the Machine” he blurted out as I was in the middle of my backswing. There was another he couldn’t think of but described them as “sounding like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, including the saxophone…from Boston”. Todd mulled this one over for the next hour or so. Bill was pretty sure he knew the group but couldn’t think of the name as they had appeared at the University of Connecticut while he was in college, and, besides, he was worried about finding his golf ball in the woods. Post golf, driving home, Bill announced that he was certain that his friend Rob, a music aficionado, would know the group who “sounded like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, including the saxophone from Boston”. At the time Rob was somewhere in Virginia hiking the Appalachian Trail. Bill texted Rob asking if he knew an 80’s group who “sounded like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, including the saxophone from Boston”. Minutes later Rob texted back from somewhere deep in the forest while dodging assorted mammals and reptiles and plants that can do bodily harm, “John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band”. Whew! Inspired, Todd chimed in with another, “Steve Earle and the Dukes”. Meanwhile I came up with Ruby and the Romantics but neither Todd nor Bill had heard of them.
My final list was longer than I thought it would be. Then I sent a draft of this essay to my oldest friend (he’s a month older than me), Lee. Lee and I grew up listening to music. Lee came through as along came Jay and the Americans, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, Joey Dee and the Starlighters, Sunny and the Sunglows, Ronnie and the Hi-Lites, Kathy Young and the Innocents, Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, and Curtis Lee and the Dunes (I knew Curtis Lee but I didn’t know he had Dunes). So how to categorize? Then along came our music buff friend John. Inspired by this essay, John took to his exercycle and contemplated as he puffed away and came up with Tommy James and the Shondells, Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. John also suggested Dylan and the Dead and Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars but they are one shot albums.
Organization by themes seemed to be a good idea.
Decades listed for groups are when the group was founded. For example, a group may have been founded in the 1960s like Bob Marley and the Wailers but achieved fame in the 70s and into 1981 until Marley’s untimely death. Many groups spanned multiple decades such as Gladys Knight and the Pips from the 50s – late 80s.
The Ego Theme. We have Groups where the lead singer eventually stood alone while the others became AND THE – separated by a few feet on stage and lots of money off stage. If they weren’t musicians, they would be doing dance steps:
From Motown we have The Supremes who became Diana Ross AND THE in 1967 thanks to Berry Gordy Jr. …..but then Diana dumped the Supremes altogether for her Diva career. The Supremes soldiered on but…….– Where Did Our Love Go?
The Miracles became Smokey Robinson AND THE in 1965 (by this time Smokey was also a Vice President of Motown Records) -Shop Around
The Four Seasons became Frankie Valli AND THE – Sherry. The Frankie Valli And The…….was never official as Valli had various solo incarnations and the group itself also recorded a few songs as the Wonder Who. They are frequently referred to as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
The Crests became Johnny Maestro AND THE – Sixteen Candles…….Maestro left the Crests in 1961 but they had variously been billed as Johnny Maestro and the Crests. Recording names and the record labels and contracts involved in those days were, shall we say, fluid.
The Teenagers became Frankie Lymon AND THE in 1957 – Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Frankie, age 14, was the older brother of Lewis, see Lewis Lymon and the Teenchords below.
The Famous Flames became James Brown AND THE – Please, Please, Please
The Maytals became Toots AND THE 1960s – Pressure Drop
The Animals became Eric Burdon AND THE 1960s – House of the Rising Sun
The First Edition became Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Then the First Edition went out of print and it was just Kenny Rogers – Just Dropped in to See What Condition My Condition was In – 1960s
Scholars:
Danny and the Juniors - At the Hop – 1950s
Anthony and the Sophmores - Play Those Oldies, Mr. Dee Jay – 1960s (This record also featured samplings from “old” songs)
There was a group called the Four Freshmen (1950s) but regrettably, they had no AND THE (although I think Orientation and the Four Freshmen might have worked). It appears that no one got as far as “And The” Seniors.
After Dark we have:
Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, 2000s - S.O.B
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, 2000s - Paris (ooh la la)
Harvey and the Moonglows, 1950s - 10 Commandments of Love
Hank Ballard & The Midnighters 1960s – Finger Poppin’ Time
Otis Day and the Nights (This is the band from the movie Animal House), 1970s - Shout
Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, 1960s- Stay. Personal note, the author believes this to be one of the greatest singles of all time.
Joey Dee and the Starliters, 1960s -Peppermint Twist
Ronnie and the Hi Lites, 1960s -I Wish that We Were Married
Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, 1950s (although Fireballs could be a drink), Sugar Shack
Geography:
Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, (The Crests were gone by now, possibly under the bridge) 1950s -The Worst That Could Happen
Dion and the Belmonts (Belmont Ave. in The Bronx), 1950s – Teenager in Love
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, 1960s – Devil With the Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, 1970s - I Don’t Want to Go Home
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, 1970s - Rosalita
Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 1980s (or it could be an appliance) – The Way it Is
K.C and the Sunshine Band, 1970s - That’s The Way I Like It
Little Caesar and the Romans, 1960s – Those Oldies But Goodies
Ronny and the Daytonas, 1960s – Little G.T.O
Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchman, 1980s -7 Beers with The Wrong Woman
Curtis Lee and the Dunes, 1960s-Pretty Little Angel Eyes *We knew Curtis Lee but we didn’t know about the Dunes.
Jay and the Americans, 1950s – She Cried -This was with original lead “Jay”, Jay Traynor. Traynor would be replaced by Jay Black - not really a Jay - his real name was David Blatt - so they remained Jay and the Americans, Cara Mia
Audubon Society:
Don Julian and The Meadowlarks, 1950s – Heaven and Paradise
Sonny Til and the Orioles, 1950s – Crying in the Chapel
Marv Johnson and the Falcons,1950s – Happy Days
Dorothy and the Swans – 1960s , You Know You Lied
British Invasion
Gerry and the Pacemakers, 1950s – Ferry Cross the Mersey
Billy Jay Kramer and the Dakotas, 1960s – Bad to Me
Freddy and the Dreamers, 1960s (this dreadful group and their recorded treacle did severe damage to the British Invasion and music in general) – I’m Telling You Now
Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, 1960s – The Game of Love
Eric Burdon and the Animals, 1960s – Spill the Wine
Eric Burdon and the New Animals – after a dispute over the group name The Animals
Geology
Sly and the Family Stone, 1960s – Dance to the Music
Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, 1970s - Garden Party
Made Up Names i.e. The Rosie and the Originals (1960s – Angel Baby) Category
Kenny Vance and the Planotones – Kenny’s career was Doo Wop revival covers but he was an original member of Jay and the Americans.
Martha and the Vandellas, 1960s (Among the Amharic speakers of North Central Ethiopia, a vandella is one of several types of ghost-walking or dream-invading demons/vampires but the name of the group was coined by Berry Gordy of Motown Records) -. Dancing in the Street
Lewis Lymon and the Teenchords, 1950s – I’m So Happy
Vinnie Pauleone and the Bada Bing Orchestra, 2000s - Sopranos Theme: Woke Up This Morning
Archie Bell and the Drells, 1960s – The Tighten Up
Toots and the Maytals, 1960s - Pressure Drop
Gladys Knight and the Pips, 1960s – Midnight Train to Georgia
Tommy James and the Shondells, 1960s – Hanky Panky
Barry and the Tamerlanes, 1960s – I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight …We note that Barry and the guys could have been trying for Tamburlaine the Great, a Christopher Marlowe play based on the life of Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the 14th centuryTimurid Empire in Afghanistan….but maybe not.
The Great Outdoors:
Dante and the Evergreens, 1950s – Alley Oop
John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, 1970s – On the Dark Side
Expressive Groups:
Bob Marley and the Wailers, 1960s - No Woman No Cry
Jerry Butler and the Impressions, 1950s – For Your Precious Love
Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, 1960s – People Get Ready
Vito and the Salutations, 1960s – Unchained Melody – Unforgettable speeded up version of the romantic classic……Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your
Touch, touch, touch, touch, touch
Woo-oo-oo-oo (yeap)
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Much, much, much, much, much
To you, oo-oo-oo
Ruby and the Romantics, 1960s – Our Day Will Come
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1970s – American Girl
Lee Andrews and the Hearts (Would also fit in a separate Anatomy Listing), 1950s - Teardrops
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 1980s, I Love Rock and Roll
Fitz and the Tantrums, 1990s, Handclap
Bow Thayer and the Euphorians, 2000s – I Can’t Wait
Diminutive Groups:
Little Joe and the Thrillers, 1950s - Peanuts
Little Caesar and the Romans – also a Geography Group, 1960s – Those Oldies But Goodies
Offering Personal and Career Advice Are:
Dickie Doo and the Don’ts, 1950s – Click Clack – There was actually no Dicky Doo. He was Gerry Granahan, a producer and singer whose 1958 (Sunbeam Records) big hit was the metaphysical political statement, No Chemise Please
I had a date for the hop last night
Up to her door everything seemed right
But to my surprise as I opened the door
I couldn't tell the front from the back
"Cause she was wearin' a sack dress
Whew what a mess!
The last time I saw her, man what a shape!!
And now she's got a shape like an egg!
No chemise, please, not for me, please ……The Don’ts were studio musicians and singers added for personal appearance tours.
Entomology:
Adam and the Ants, 1970s – Stand and Deliver
Buddy Holly and the Crickets, (also sometimes just known as The Crickets due to contractual record label complications), 1950s – Peggy Sue
Meteorology:
Randy and the Rainbows, 1960s - Denise
Johnny and the Hurricanes, 1950s – Red River Valley
Nino and the Ebb Tides, 1960s – Jukebox Saturday Night
Sunny and the Sunglows, (later Sunny and the Sunliners but the Sunglows were on the biggest hit) 1950s -Talk to Me
People:
Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns, 1950s – Don’t You Just Know It
Iggy and the Stooges, 1960s – I Wanna Be Your Dog
Norman Fox and the Rob Roys, 1950s – Tell Me Why
Steve Earle and the Dukes, 1960s – Guitar Town
Nolan Strong and the Diablos, 1950s - The Wind. The Jesters had a more successful version than this Detroit based pre-Motown group.
Gary Lewis and the Playboys, 1960s – This Diamond Ring
Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1950s - Thousand Stars….Kathy Young was the daughter of actor, Robert Young of Father knows Best fame.
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, 1960s – Wooly Bully
J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, 1960s – Last Kiss
Automotive:
Little Anthony and the Imperials (Chrysler had a luxury model called Imperial), 1950s – Tears on My Pillow
Booker T. and the MGs, 1960s – Green Onions
Violent Action:
Paul Revere and the Raiders 1950s - Kicks
George Thorogood and the Destroyers, 1970s – Bad to the Bone
Prince and the Revolution, 1970s – Purple Rain
Bow Thayer and (the) Perfect Train Wreck – Wreckoning
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (If we had a Vampire category, it would work also), 1970s – Night Moves
Industrial Revolution:
Shep and the Limelights, 1960s – Daddy’s Home
Mike and the Mechanics, 1980s – The Living Years
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention – Officially they were The Mothers of Invention but googling Frank Zappa AND THE yields all necessary information, 70s - We’re Only in it For the Money.
Florence and the Machine, 2,000s – Dog Days are Over.
Extra Terrestrials:
? and the Mysterians (named for a 1957 Sci Fi movie and orally pronounced as Question Mark and the Mysterians), 1960s, 96 Tears.
Link Wray and the Wraymen, 1950s - Rumble
Possessive Pronouns – These are His instead of AND THE Groups -Popular usage has usually substituted THE for His.
Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, 1920s - Collegiate
Bill Haley and His Comets, 1950s - Rock Around The Clock
Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1950s - The Bells
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, 1960s – Hot Rod Lincoln
John Fred and His Playboy Band, 1950s – Judy in Disguise With Glasses
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, 1960s - Ashtray Heart
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, 1980s -Album – It Don’t Come Easy
Games:
Speaking of Dominoes, see Billy Ward above……Derek and the Dominoes, 1970s - Layla
Superstition:
Otis Williams and the Charms, 1950s – Hearts of Stone
Stop the Presses! Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, 1960s - Just Dropped in to See What Condition My Condition Was In.
Melodies: Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes – 1970s – If You Don’t Know Me By Now
Louis Lymon and the Teenchords, 1950s (also in the Made-Up Names category) – I’m So Happy
Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, 1960s – Let’s Go Trippin’
Current Events: Huey Lewis and the News, 1980s – Power of Love
Fashion:Bob B. Soxx and the Bluejeans, 1960s – Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts. While Bob B. Soxx sang lead on their first hit, Zippity Doo Dah, producer Phil Spector brought in the great Darlene Love to sing lead on Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts”, their biggest hit.
Legendary Irish Beings - Siouxsie and the Banshees – Hong Kong Garden, 1970s
The 2000s revival indicates that we have not seen the end of AND THEs in group names although the days of the lead singer to one side, or in front (front man?) with the backups, we’ll call it the Pips Syndrome, doing their carefully choreographed dance steps may be over. There have been many creative variations in the evolution of music from Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers to Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders to Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers to Nathaniel Rateliff And The Nightsweats. Spanning 70 years (100 if you count Fred Waring), and the AND THEs are still with us. It's just that you may have not known it since AND THEs in the center of a group name is taken for granted but now, perhaps, you will take notice and now you too can have your friends think that you are strange.
And remember Nino? You recall Nino. He inspired our And The academic study. He and the Ebb Tides also crooned:
Yes, dear, they are playin' our songs.
And they will always remain our songs
And each time you hear them, I hope you, too, will cherish the wonderful Memories…………..
Just part of 
