The Hollywood Saxons were a Los Angeles R&B group who recorded under various other names. They were well known on the LA R&B circuit. Their recording history ran from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. Their discography is complex due to the various names they recorded under and labels they recorded on.
Background The group came about as a result of some basketball playing friends who would sing in the showers after a game. As a result of their singing and liking the activity, they formed a group.Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, By Mitch Rosalsky - Page 307 Hollywood Saxons, Notes The group came to formation around midway through 1956. It consisted of Stan Beverly on lead, Bill Brooks on second tenor, Joe Lewis on Baritone, and Charles Taggart on bass. Bill Brooks left the group after nine months and was replaced by Maudice Giles. The group increased to a five-man group with the addition of bass singer, Nathaniel "Buster" Wilson. Charles Taggart then became first tenor. They were first called The Saxons and it was Joe Lewis who came up with the name for the group.AllMusic - Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny They were also known as The Tuxedos when they recorded for the Forte label and The Capris for their recordings on the Tender label.Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, By Mitch Rosalsky - Page 500
Career 1950s to 1960s In 1958, as The Capris, the group had recorded a slow rocka-ballad "Endless Love" which was released on the Tender label. The song was written by K.C. Reath and Robert Hafner. The B side "Beware" was credited to Jesse Belvin & the Capris.Popsike - CAPRIS (w/ Jesse Belvin) Endless Love / Beware 45rpm Tender 1959 WLP The Billboard, February 23, 1958 - Page 50 Reviews of New Pop RecordsRate Your Music - The Capris Some years later it was released on the Impact label with "Luau" as the B side recorded by The Charades.Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Hollywood Saxons, By Marv Goldberg, Based on an interview with Joe LewisGlobal Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Impact Records This Capris group is sometimes confused with a (white) New York group of the same name.Way Back Attack - THE CAPRIS, There's a Moon Out Tonight
By December 1962, they had a single "I'm Your Man" bw "It's You" out on Elf label.Billboard Music Week, December 15, 1962 - Page 22 Reviews of New Singles
At some stage in the 1960s the group broke up. Some of the members, Stan Beverly, Joe Louis and Charles Taggart would later reunite to perform for Doo-Wop Society shows.Wn.com - Saxons - Please Be My Love Tonight - Our label - NO # - 1958
1970s to 1980s As Speed Limit, Stan Beverly and Joe Lewis group recorded "There Goes My Baby" in 1972. Other singers on the recording were Carlton Beck on bass and Richard Botts on baritone.
After the mid-1970s, The Hollywood Saxons performed occasionally with the line up consisting of Stan Beverly, Joe Lewis, Maudice Giles and Bill Brooks. Beverly left at some stage to join one of the Ink Spots lineups. He was replaced by Melvin Ware.AllMusic - Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny
2000s In 2000, the Hollywood Saxons were still performing with the group featuring original members Stan Beverly and Joe Lewis.AllMusic - Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny
Discography
Hollywood Saxons
+ Singles Title Release info Year Notes "Everyday's A Holiday" / "L.A. Lover" Swingin' 631 1961 "Everyday's A Holiday" / "L.A. Lover" Elf 101 1962 Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, By Mitch Rosalsky - Page 307 Hollywood Saxons, Discography "Everyday Holiday" / "L.A. Lover" Hareco 102 1962 Discogs - Hollywood Saxons* – Everyday Holiday "It's You" / "I'm Your Man" Elf 103 1962 "Diamonds" / "The Tears Come Rolling Down" Entra 1214 1963 "Everyday's A Holiday" / "L.A. Lover" 20th Century Fox Fox 312 1963 "It's You" / "I'm Your Man" Swingin' 615 1965 "Merry-Go-Round" / "Laughing Girl" Swingin' 654 1968 "Loving You" / "Laughing Blues" Action Pack 111 1968 Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, By Mitch Rosalsky - Page 307 Hollywood Saxons, DiscographyRockin' Records Buyers-Sellers Reference Book and Price Guide 2010 Edition, By Jerry Osborne - Page 490 HOLLYWOOD SAXONS Singles: 7-Inch
+ EPS Title Tracks A Tracks B Release info Year Notes Stan Beverly And The Hollywood Saxon's "Every Day's A Holiday" (Accapella)"Do It Right The First Time" "Please Be My Love Tonight""Hey Girl" (Accapella) Action Pac N.H.P. 2000 / N.H.P. 2022 ???? 45Cat - Artist: Stan Beverly And The Hollywood Saxon's Catalogue: N.H.P. 2000 / N.H.P. 2022
+ Albums Title Release info Year Notes The Hollywood Saxons Meet the Paradons Milestone Mil-1000 LP albumRoots Vinyl Guide - THE HOLLYWOOD SAXONS MEET THE PARADONS. RED VINYL LP. "Diamonds & Pearls" MINTMarv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Hollywood Saxons, By Marv Goldberg, Based on an interview with Joe Lewis, CONFUSING DISCOGRAPHY Everyday Is a Holiday Famgr 971012 1997 Compilation CDAllMusic - Hollywood Saxons, Everyday Is a Holiday, Releases
The Capris + Singles Title Release info Year Notes "Endless Love" / "Beware" Tender T 525 1959 B side is Jesse Belvin and The Capris "Endless Love" / "Luau" Impact 34-IM / 34-IMX 196? Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Hollywood Saxons, By Marv Goldberg, Based on an interview with Joe LewisGlobal Dog Productions - 45 Discography for Impact Records
+ Appearances Artist Title Track Release info Year Notes Various artists Rare L.A. TracksWest Coast Style Vintage R&B And Doo-Wop, 1956-1964 "Endless Love" Bacchus Archives BA1134 1999 CDIsongers.com - Various - Rare L.A. Tracks (West Coast Style Vintage R&B And Doo-Wop, 1956-1964)
References
External links The Hollywood Saxons By Marv Goldberg ElectricEarl.com The HOLLYWOOD SAXONS