The Viscounts were an American pop group from New Jersey, formed in 1958. They had one hit single, with Earle Hagen's instrumental classic "Harlem Nocturne" in 1959, which peaked at #52 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1960; it was re-released in 1965 and hit #39 the second time around.[1] The single and album of the same title were originally recorded for the Madison label, then both were reissued in 1965 on the Amy label, the Amy LP having a slightly different track listing than the Madison release.[2][3][4]
Members
edit- Harry Haller - saxophone - (August 3, 1936 - January 18, 2011)[5]
- Bobby Spievak - lead guitar
- Joe Spievak - bass guitar (March 13, 1936 - February 22, 2020)
- Larry Vecchio - electronic organ, piano (June 12, 1935 - January 10, 2013)
- Clark Smith - drums
- William “Billy” Slavis - guitar (June 16, 1947 - January 1, 1975)
Discography
editSingles
edit| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
Label & Catalogue # | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | ||||
| 1959 | "Harlem Nocturne" b/w "Dig" |
Madison 123 | 52 | 17 | The Viscounts |
| 1960 | "The Touch" b/w "Chug-A-Lug" |
Madison 129 | |||
| "Night Train" b/w "Summertime" |
Madison 133 | 82 | |||
| "Wabash Blues" b/w "So Slow" |
Madison 140 | 77 | Non-album tracks | ||
| 1961 | "Shadrach" b/w "This Place" |
Madison 152 | |||
| "Little Brown Jug" b/w "Opus 1" (from Harlem Nocturne) |
Madison 159 | ||||
| "Sophisticated Lady" b/w "Drag Race" |
Madison 165 | Harlem Nocturne | |||
| "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" b/w "Mark's Mood" |
Mr. Peacock 101 | Non-album tracks | |||
| 1962 | "Hully Gully" b/w "Continental Walk" |
Mr. Peacock 107 | |||
| "Night Fight" b/w "A Girl Like You" |
Mr. Peacock 112 | ||||
| 1963 | "Night For Love" b/w "Ballin' The Jack" |
Mr. Peeke 125 | |||
| 1966 | "Harlem Nocturne" b/w "Dig" |
Amy 940 | 39 | Harlem Nocturne | |
| "Night Train" b/w "When The Saints Come Marching In" |
Amy 949 | 122 | |||
| "Off Shore" b/w "Come, Come On Back" |
Coral 62490 | Non-album tracks | |||
| 1967 | "Sweet Georgia Brown" b/w "Moonlight In Vermont" |
Coral 62520 | |||
Albums
edit- The Viscounts -- Madison 1001 -- 1960
- Harlem Nocturne -- Amy 8008 -- 1965
References
edit- ^ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
- ^ "45 discography for Amy Records".
- ^ "45 Discography for Madison Records".
- ^ "Madison Album Discography".
- ^ https://www.dayfuneralhome.com/obituary/Harry-HallerJr