Golden Hits Of The 60s”
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PARADONS
“DIAMONDS AND PEARLS“
(William Powers)
Milestone 2003
No. 18 October 24, 1960
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“Songs came to me in dreams. And it all feels like that, now. Lifetime ago, or so,” said William
Ralph Powers, the Paradons’ tunesmith in an exclusive interview. “It was 1958. Just Bill Myers
and myself at first; sittin’ on a porch we thought up the name. He and I would run around
together; thinking that we were Don Juans anyway–and Chuck Weldon and West Tyler ran
around together–so we figured we’d be a pair-of-dons- Paradons.
Now, Bill lived across the street; and we’d done some boys chorus stuff in school, sang in
bathrooms, garages; like the normal doo-wop groups. By ’59, we were all at Bakersfield High and
things got serious. We did school dances, local clubs…did the Pike in Long Beach with WINK
MARTINDALE–it’s torn down, now–and the ‘Cousin Herb’ TV show, a country and western
program. We sometimes played gigs and BUCK OWENS would be there. We’re still in touch,
though I haven’t seen him in years since he got sick. We sang country, pop, rhythm & blues;
whatever.”
Milestone Records was set up by “the Delta Ballader,” Werly “Levi” Fairburn–to insiders, Jack
Hammer–a one-time rockabilly contender from Folsom, Louisiana, Madelon Baker– producer
of “the Skippy Hollywood Theatre” and a model groomed by General Mills in 1956 to be the next
Betty Crocker– and possibly a few silent partners. Neither one of them wound up fulfilling those
particular career dreams, but they did record some interesting vocal groups; such as THE BLUE
JAYS, ROCHELL & THE CANDLES, and the Paradons. Fairburn’s initial plan had been to record C
& W tunes when he happened onto Powers’ group.
“Madelon and her folks owned the Big M, a publishing company, and the Audio Arts Recording
Studio, on Melrose near Western, in Hollywood. Werly heard us at some club and he was quite
impressed.” On January 23, 1960, Fairburn led Powers (b. June 10, 1942 ) alternated baritone,
bass, 1st and 2nd tenor), Bill Myers (bass), Charles “Chuck” Weldon (1st and 2nd tenor),and West
Tyler (alternated vocal roles) into Madelon and Jackson Baker’s recording studio. That evening
they dashed off “I Want Love”–the hit disk’s “B”-side–and possibly seven others, including
“Diamonds And Pearls,” a tune that not all members wanted to set to tape.
“No one wanted to record that tune,” said Powers. “I had to argue with everyone. No one would
listen to me. I was adament, ‘This is the song. ‘Round and round, we went; until they said,
‘Alright, let’s do it.’
“The song is now a classic–but where’s my money. It’s still selling to this day. Five groups covered
it, including THE TURBANS, but we had the hit…”
“Diamonds And Pearls” had all the secret ingredients necessary to become a national top 40 hit,
and it sparkles to this day. In demand, the Paradons appeared on “American Bandstand,” played
the Apollo alongside Fats Domino, toured with the Five Satins and JOHNNY OTIS, and knocked
’em out at the Howard Theatre in Washington D.C. and the Palladium m L.A. @”It felt wonderful.
The ride of my life. The limos. Wining and dining…but soon we found out–our agent was shady,
contracts were fuzzy… These guys were making so much money and they did not want us to get
any of it.”
Disputes arose–the wrong name appeared as writer of “Diamonds And Pearls,” bickering set in as
to what to release next and who’s to sing what part and how; and most notably, very little money
trickled down to the boys.
“Bells Ring” was issued–months late. Without the groups consent, the Paradons were transfered
to Warner Brothers for one 45, “Take All Of Me”; followed after the groups break-up by “I Had A
Dream,” on Milestone.
Unfortunately, for Powers and group, none of these all to few disks would make the listings. Late
in 1960, Powers left the group.
Bill became Little Richard’s road manager and worked for transertual sensation Christine
Jorgensen. Bill Myers died in West sold cars and worked the clubs as an R&B singer. West Tyler
died in 1983. He was shot to death in a nightclub dispute. Chuck became an actor in TV and film;
appearing in episodes of “Police Story,” AIell Haley’s noted series “Roots” and off-Broadway
productions.
William Powers drifted into the culinary arts, becoming a noted chef and operator of his own
restaurant, A Sure Thing Barbecue, in Long Beach. William has also produced TV commercials,
anchored a cable TV program and ran his own auto detail shop. Currently he operates Diamonds
and Pearls Publishing in Fair Oaks, California.
“I never got the windfall from my creation,” said Powers.”They got their cars, had parties, and they
hid the money from us. I still haven’t got my money, but I’m going to, thought.”