The Jacks/Cadets

By Marv Goldberg

Based on interviews with Aaron Collins
and Pete Fox

© 2003, 2009 by Marv Goldberg

[The original of this article was written with Donn Fileti,
who had interviewed Lloyd McCraw]

The Jacks/Cadets were Modern's top group in the mid-fifties, the West Coast answer to King's Otis Williams and the Charms. If a local hit started to break out in the Los Angeles market or if there was a chance to grab some action on a national hit (particularly one on a smaller label), the group would be rushed into the studio and their cover record immediately issued. Although both the Jacks and Cadets featured the same personnel, their lead singers differed: Willie Davis usually led the Jacks; Aaron Collins and Dub Jones fronted the Cadets. One thing about the Jacks/Cadets: they could sing! Most of their covers were far better than the originals.

The origins of the Jacks go back to Los Angeles in the late 1940s and the formation of the Santa Monica Soul Seekers, a spiritual group. Baritone Lloyd McCraw came to L.A., from Chicago, in 1947. His resume included time with the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Royal Four. By 1954, the other Soul Seekers were: Willie Davis (first tenor), Theodore Austin "Ted" Taylor (first tenor), Aaron Collins (second tenor), Glendon Kingsby (baritone), and Will "Dub" Jones (bass).

In the spring of 1955, the Soul Seekers approached Modern Records for a recording deal and were sent to arranger extraordinaire Maxwell Davis. After listening to them, Davis suggested that they abandon gospel singing to concentrate on Rhythm & Blues. They all agreed, except for Glendon Kingsby, who left the group to continue singing spirituals. The Soul Seekers signed with Modern on April 10, 1955.

A real family affair, Modern had lots of subsidiaries (not all of which were in existence at that time). Modern and RPM were run by Saul Bihari, Crown and Kent by Jules Bihari, and Flair by Joe Bihari (a fourth brother, Lester, ran Meteor Records in Memphis). You may recognize a few of the other names at Modern: Jules Taub, Joe Josea, and Sam Ling. These were pen names used by Jules, Joe, and Saul when they decided to give themselves writer credit for other artists' songs.

Joe Bihari (who had a sharp eye for local hits with national potential) was the one who dubbed the new group the Cadets. He also selected all the group's songs and, along with Maxwell Davis, supervised their sessions. The Jacks/Cadets were recorded in the old Modern studios at 9317 West Washington Boulevard in Culver City, California.

The Cadets first record (released, on Modern, in April 1955) was a cover of Nappy Brown's Savoy hit "Don't Be Angry" (led by Aaron Collins). Its flip, "I Cry," was fronted by Ted Taylor. The disc doesn't seem to have been sent for review, but it was contemporaneous with the Robins' "I Love Paris," the 5 Wings' "Teardrops Are Falling," the Casanovas' "That's All," the Dudads' "I Heard You Call Me Dear," and Champion Jack Dupree's frigid tale of woe: "Two Below Zero."

That same month, the guys did some other covers. A recording by the Feathers, called "Why Don't You Write Me?", on the local Showtime label was showing a lot of promise. Since Joe Bihari thought the Cadets would be great on it, he rushed them into the studio. Not wanting it to compete with "Don't Be Angry," he decided to release it as by the "Jacks" (on Modern's RPM subsidiary). This would be the pattern: releases by the "Cadets" on Modern and the "Jacks" on RPM. Willie Davis was the lead on "Why Don't You Write Me?" The flip, a cover of Charles Calhoun's "Smack Dab In The Middle," was led by Dub Jones (the tune was also covered by the Du Droppers).

Both sides of the Jacks record were rated "excellent" on May 14, along with the 5 Keys' "The Verdict," the Penguins' "Kiss A Fool Goodbye," the Cashmeres' "Don't Let It Happen Again," and the 5 Dukes' "I Cross My Fingers."

"Why Don't You Write Me?" rose to #3 on the R&B charts (remaining for 14 weeks) and even made the Pop charts (although only as far as #82). It earned the Jacks a station wagon, fifteen sets of uniforms, and a spot in a one-nighter tour for Associated Artists, featuring Ruth Brown, T-Bone Walker, Etta James, and the Orioles. Joe Bihari had been right; the Jacks did such a good job on the tune that they obliterated the Feathers' version from the charts.

In May 1955, the Cadets backed up Richard Berry (former member of the Flairs) on "God Gave Me You"/"Don't Cha Go." These were released on Flair, another Modern subsidiary, and reviewed on May 21, along with the Empires' "Magic Mirror," the Midnighters' "Henry's Got Flat Feet," the Dappers' "Come Back To Me," and the 5 Owls' "I Like Moonshine."

Also in May, the Cadets recorded a cover of the Marigolds' "Rollin' Stone" (led by Aaron). He also led the flip, "Fine Lookin' Baby" (a tune that would subsequently appear on LPs as both "Fine Lookin' Woman" and "Oo Wee Baby"). The record was reviewed on June 4, 1955, along with Shirley & Lee's "Feel So Good," Arthur Lee Maye & the Crowns' "Love Me Always," the 4 Fellows' "Soldier Boy," Marvin & Johnny's "Sugar Mama," and the 5 Keys' "My Love."

The next Jacks' record, issued in June 1955 was "I'm Confessin'"/"Since My Baby's Been Gone" (with Willie Davis leading both sides). There were two other releases of note in June: the Cadets backed up Young Jessie (another Flairs alumnus) on "Mary Lou"/"Don't Think I Will" and the Jacks were behind Donna Hightower on "Love Me Again"/"Dog Gone It." (Of course, the "Cadets" and the "Jacks" are arbitrary designations here; it's just that the Young Jessie record came out on Modern and Donna Hightower was on RPM.) There was one backup that they didn't do, however, according to Aaron Collins. It had been reported for years that the Jacks backed up Paul Anka on "I Confess," but it isn't so.

The reviews for "I'm Confessin'" and "Love Me Again" were printed on July 2, along with those for the Larks' "Honey From The Bee," the Cardinals' "Come Back My Love," the Tenderfoots' "Sindy," the Meadowlarks' "Always And Always," the Smoothtones' "Bring Back Your Love," and the poorly-rated "Death Of An Angel," by Donald Woods and the Bel-Airs. That same week, the trades reported "Rollin' Stone" a Territorial Tip in New Orleans.

"Mary Lou" was reviewed on July 23, 1955, along with the Coronets' "Crime Doesn't Pay," Lou Mac's "Slow Down," the Barons' "I Know I Was Wrong," the Californians' "My Angel," and the Orchids' "You're Everything To Me."

On July 30, the trades singled out "Why Don't You Write Me?" to be a Pick Of The Week. It was doing well in New York City, Buffalo, Baltimore, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

In July 1955, for unknown reasons (but probably to give one more chance to songs to which they owned the copyright), Modern reissued the "B" sides of the first two Cadets records as a single disc: "I Cry" and "Fine Lookin' Baby." This was followed, in August, with a reissue of "Why Don't You Write Me?", this time backed by the Ted Taylor-led "My Darling." This one was a no-brainer: since "Why Don't You Write Me?" was doing so well, Modern decided to pair it with a song to which Modern owned the publishing rights (something that couldn't be said for "Smack Dab In The Middle").

Also in August, they backed up Richard Berry again, although it's a bit complicated. The record (on Flair) was "Jelly Roll"/"Together." However, the label credits "Richard Berry and the Dreamers." While "Together" really does have the Dreamers, on "Jelly Roll" it's the Jacks/Cadets in the background. "Jelly Roll" got a good review on August 27, along with the Clovers' "Nip Sip," the Dominoes' "Take Me Back To Heaven," Shirley Gunter's "Ipsy Opsie Ooh," the Pyramids' "Deep In My Heart For You," and the Sheppards' "Love."

In September 1955, the Cadets covered the Champions' "Annie Met Henry" (led by Aaron and Dub). Its flip was "So Will I" (led by Aaron), a song that had been done by Bette McLaurin & the 4 Fellows back in April. The record wasn't sent out for review.

Also in September, RPM issued the second Jacks backup to Donna Hightower: "Bob-O-Link"/"Since You." Since Modern was one of those companies that assigned master numbers at pressing time, it's therefore impossible to know if these were recorded at the "Love Me Again" session or if they were done at another time. Fortunately, Pete Fox was able to help me sort out who's on what songs, because there's no way to group them into sessions. [In fact, without any other evidence, I usually assume that a disc's songs were recorded in the same month it was released; an absurd thing to do, but thanks to Modern's practices, there's no way around it.] "Bob-O-Link" was reviewed on October 1, 1955, along with Otis Williams & the Charms' "Tell Me Now," the Hawks' "These Blues," Arthur Lee Maye & the Crowns' "Do The Bop," and the Kidds' "You Broke My Heart."

October 1955 saw a record issued by each group: the Jacks had "This Empty Heart" (led by Willie)/"My Clumsy Heart" (led by Dub). Note that "This Empty Heart" appears on LPs as "My Love Has Gone." The Cadets gave us "Do You Wanna Rock" (which appears on albums as "Hey Little Girl"). Led by Ted, it was something of a rip-off of the Drifters' "What'cha Gonna Do." The flip, led by Aaron, is "If It Is Wrong."

"My Clumsy Heart" was reviewed on November 12, along with Willie Mabon's "The Seventh Son," Oscar McLollie's "Convicted," Anita Tucker's "Let's Make Love," and the Belvederes' "Pepper-Hot Baby." "If It Is Wrong" was reviewed the following week, along with Marvin & the Chirps' "Sixteen Tons," the Hearts' "Until The Real Thing Comes Along," the Sunbeams' "Come Back Baby," Jimmy Jones & the Sparks of Rhythm's "Stars Are In The Sky," the Saigons' "You're Heavenly," and the Squires' "Heavenly Angel."

On November 16, 1955, the Jacks were in Lake Charles, Louisiana, kicking off a 19-day tour along with Count Basie and Joe Williams, Ruth Brown, George Shearing, the Orioles, and T-Bone Walker. The end of the tour found them at the Apollo Theater as part of a Dr. Jive show. Others on the bill were Howling Wolf, Bo Diddley, the Flamingos, the Harptones, the Heartbeats, Dakota Staton, Etta James, Bill Doggett, and Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson.

By the end of 1955, baritone Lloyd McCraw had decided to stop singing with the Jacks/Cadets, although he would remain as their manager. His replacement was Thomas "Pete" Fox, a tenor from the original Flairs, who had broken up by this point.

1956 was a big year for the Modern complex. Aaron had brought his sisters, Rose and Betty Collins, into the Modern studios and, in early January, as the "Teen Queens" they released "Eddie My Love." [The Teen Queens never could follow up this smash hit; Rose was a suicide in 1968 and Betty, a drug addict, died in 1971.] When Jesse Belvin and Eugene Church hit as the Cliques on "The Girl In My Dreams" in April, Modern was a pretty hot label.

In early January 1956, the Jacks appeared on Gene Norman's Campus Club on KHJ-TV. Later that month, RPM released two songs with Willie Davis in the lead: "How Soon" (an old Vaughn Monroe tune from 1947) and "So Wrong." The big social event of January, however, was Joe Bihari's wedding.

"How Soon" was reviewed on February 4, along with the Turbans' "Sister Sookey," Shirley & Lee's "That's What I'll Do," the Counts' "To Our Love," and the Feathers' "Lonesome Tonight."

In February, the Cadets did a double-sided cover: they took on Elvis Presley with "Heartbreak Hotel" (Dub in the lead) and the Willows with "Church Bells May Ring" (fronted by Aaron). The disc was reviewed on March 31, along with the 5 Dollars' "So Strange," Fats Domino's "My Blue Heaven," Joe Turner's "Corrine, Corrina," the Moonglows' "We Go Together," the Cadillacs' "You Are," and the Fi-Tones' "I Call To You."

Even though I couldn't find all that many appearances listed for the Jacks, they impressed the right people. In March, it was reported that the Jacks had been signed by the Buck Ram management agency.

April 1956 saw the release of the Jacks' "Why Did I Fall In Love" (led by Willie), coupled with "Sugar Baby" (led by Aaron). This record was reviewed on April 21 (both sides "excellent"), along with the Six Teens' "A Casual Look," the Wheels' "My Heart's Desire," the Harptones' "What Is Your Decision?", the Solitaires' "The Honeymoon," Robert & Johnny's "Train To Paradise," the Savoys' "Say You're Mine," the Chimes' "Chop Chop," and Arthur Lee Maye & the Crowns' "Gloria."

Sometime in the spring of 1956, the group suffered another casualty when Ted Taylor became the second original member to leave. In his case, he wanted to concentrate on a solo career.

In May, a local group called the Jayhawks was starting to make some noise with a tune called "Stranded In The Jungle." The Cadets were called in to cover it, and the result (led by Dub, with duet choruses featuring Aaron and Willie) was issued in June; the flip, also led by Dub, was "I Want You."

Actually, there were five voices on "Stranded In The Jungle"/"I Want You." Modern management decided that another high tenor should be used in place of Ted Taylor. Accordingly, they threw newly-signed Prentice Moreland into the session. Moreland, possessor of a wonderful voice, was with many, many groups (for example, the Dominoes, the Du Droppers, the Colts, and the Hollywood Flames), but didn't seem to be able to stay with any of them for long. While there wasn't really a need for a high tenor on either song, Prentice entered the R&B history books by screaming out "Great googa mooga, lemme outta here" in the middle of "Stranded." He also did a solo effort that day, "Memories Of You," on which he's backed up by the Cadets (I'll leave it up to you if you want to call it a Cadets tune). However, by the time "Memories Of You" was released on a single, in February 1957, either Moreland had re-recorded it or the Dread Chorus had been overdubbed over the original; either way, the Cadets are nowhere to be heard.

Once the "Stranded In The Jungle" session was over, the guys decided to remain with only four singers. Thus Willie Davis, Aaron Collins, Pete Fox, and Dub Jones recorded all the rest of the Jacks/Cadets songs (although occasionally Modern would reach into the vaults to issue an older master).

"Stranded In The Jungle"/"I Want You" were issued in June 1956. "Stranded" got an "excellent" review on June 30, along with the Pretenders' "I've Got To Have You Baby," the Valentines' "Twenty Minutes Before The Hour," Richard Berry's "Yama Yama Pretty Mama," the Vocaltones' "Darling (You Know I Love You)," the Nitecaps' "Bamboo Rock And Roll," and the Meadowlarks' "Please Love A Fool." The tune took the Cadets to #4 on the R&B charts and, more important, to #15 on the Pop charts. At this time, the first rumors appeared in the trades that the Jacks and the Cadets were the same group. Also in June, former Cadet Lloyd McCraw began to manage the Rockets/Rocketeers (the group that had been the Rhythm Aces on Vee-Jay).

The Cadets' version of "Stranded In The Jungle" smashed the Jayhawks', in spite of the fact that the Cadets didn't seem to understand the lyrics (or care about what they were singing). [Two examples: The Jayhawks sang "but I saw what was goin' on" and, because a lot of words were crammed into only a few notes, the Cadets heard "but my soul was gone." Also, the original "But how was I to know that the wreckage of my plane/Had been fixed up by my partner who had my girl in Lovers Lane" came out "But how was I to know that the wreckage of my plane/Had been picked up and spotted [indistinct word] my girl in Lovers Lane."] Don't feel too sorry for the Jayhawks, however; they'd eventually change their name to the Vibrations and have a string of hits.

"Stranded In The Jungle" was a monster hit and the Cadets went off on tour. They only appeared as the "Cadets," but they also sang "Jacks" songs (with no explanation to their mostly unsuspecting audience). While the guys were in Kansas City and Chicago in July, "Stranded In The Jungle" was proclaimed a Pick Of The Week by the trades. In only a month, the Cadets had driven the Jayhawks off the charts. There was a shaky time for the Cadets during this tour: Aaron received his draft notice and Ted Taylor rejoined the group for a couple of weeks. However, Aaron got out of it somehow and was able to continue on.

The July 1956 entry for the Jacks was one I've always liked: "Let's Make Up" (Aaron in the lead). It was coupled with Willie out front on "Dream A Little Longer." Considering how much Alan Freed played "Let's Make Up," it never really became a hit and, sadly, it was the last record released by the "Jacks." The half-dozen records remaining to the group would all be by the Cadets.

In September 1956, Modern released remakes of two 1951 hits, both led by Dub Jones: Peppermint Harris' "I Got Loaded" and "Dancin' Dan" (a cleaned-up version of the Dominoes' "Sixty Minute Man"). I remember liking "Dancin' Dan" a lot, never having a clue about its raunchy beginnings. Both of these tunes had been recorded in the first half of 1956: that is, Ted Taylor was still there (in fact, it was Taylor who wanted to do the "Sixty Minute Man" remake), but Lloyd McCraw wasn't. The record was reviewed on September 29, along with the Heartbeats' "A Thousand Miles Away," Luther Bond & the Emeralds' "I Cry," the Teentones' "Love Is A Vow," the Rocketeers' "Hey Rube," and the Calvaes' "Mambo Fiesta."

On September 28, the Cadets began another week at the Apollo Theater in New York. They shared the stage with Ruth Brown, the Magnificents, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and Moms Mabley. While they were in New York, Modern had them record a few tunes: "I'll Be Spinning," "Fools Rush In," "You Belong To Me," and "Wiggie Waggie Woo." Sax work on these was done by Sam "The Man" Taylor, instead of their mentor, Maxwell Davis.

In November, Modern released the Cadets' cover of Johnnie & Joe's "I'll Be Spinning" (featuring Aaron and Willie in a duet lead). The flip was the old standard, "Fools Rush In," led by Dub. The platter was reviewed on November 10, along with the Avalons' "It's Funny But It's True," Lavern Baker's "Jim Dandy," the Medallions' "Did You Have Fun," Johnnie & Joe's "I'll Be Spinning," Robert & Johnny's "Million Dollar Bills," and the Gardenias' "Flaming Love." The reviewer was celebrating a bit early that year, however, Johnnie & Joe's "I'll Be Spinning" was said to also have "Fools Rush In" on the flip instead of "Feel Alright."

In December 1956, Modern issued "Heaven Help Me" (led by Willie), backed with "Love Bandit" (fronted by Dub), but the record doesn't seem to have been reviewed. "Love Bandit" was the Cadets' take on Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Gangster Of Love." Watson had recorded it as a demo when he was with RPM (his first released version would be on Keen in the following year).

In 1957, Modern entered the LP market: the Cadets' first album, Rockin' And Reelin', was released on Modern in February. The next month, Jumpin' With The Jacks was released on RPM. A few weeks later, all Modern and RPM LPs were switched to the Crown label at a list price of $1.98, a move which greatly increased their sales potential.

Modern and RPM used Jacks and Cadets sides indiscriminately on their albums. The Jacks album contained four sides originally by the Cadets; the Cadets album had one side that was originally by the Jacks. (I know, I know, they're the same group, but we purists demand that they be kept separate.) Crown released an additional album by each in 1963 (long after the group was history): The Cadets contains five calypso sides by Aaron Collins and a studio group (see below); The Jacks contains two Cadets cuts and two by the Rockets (the group that had been managed by Lloyd McCraw); their "Be Lovey Dovey" and "You Are The First One" had originally been released on Modern.

Also in March 1957, Modern released the Cadets' "You Belong To Me"/"Wiggie Waggie Woo," both led by Aaron. This turned out to be their second record in a row that wasn't sent out for review.

The Cadets had become pretty dormant by this point (while they occasionally recorded, Pete Fox only remembered them having a single appearance after they returned from the "Stranded In The Jungle" tour in late October 1956). Considering all the noise that "Stranded In The Jungle" made, I'm at a loss to explain this.

There was a Modern release in May 1957 that claimed to be by "Aaron Collins and the Cadets," however it's Aaron, backed up by a studio group: "Pretty Evey"/"Rum, Jamaica Rum." These cuts also appear on the Calypso U.S.A. With Aaron Collins album on Crown, probably issued the same month. Some of the other cuts from that album show up on a 1963 Cadets LP too: "The Riddle," "Marie My Love," "John Henry," and "I Had But 50 Cents." "Pretty Evey" was reviewed on May 20, along with the Drifters' "Hypnotized," the Channels' "What Do You Do," Alice Jean & the Mondellos' "100 Years From Today," and the Titans' "G'win Home Calypso." Because of the platter, Aaron found himself a guest on the Larry Finley Telethon on KTLA, along with Jimmie Beasley and Jesse Belvin. Note that "Marie My Love," written by Aaron, had also been done by our old friend Prentice Moreland on an RPM single from February 1957.

The August 1957 Cadets release had two tunes led by Dub Jones: the standard "Hands Across The Table," backed with "Love Can Do Most Anything." It was reviewed August 26, along with the Coasters' "Idol With The Golden Head," Andre Williams' "Jail Bait," the Shells' "Baby Oh Baby," Don & Dewey's "Leavin' It All Up To You," and Bobby Day's "Little Bitty Pretty One."

The final Cadets record was issued in November 1957. Aaron leads "Ring Chimes," a cover of the I.V. Leaguers local hit. The flip, "Baby Ya Know," led by Willie, was an old master done by the original group. The trades reviewed it December 2, along with Chuck Willis' "Betty & Dupree," the Chantels' "Maybe," the Pastels' "Been So Long," the Teenagers' "Flip-Flop," the Falcons' "Now That It's Over," and the Cadillacs' "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz."

By this time, Modern/RPM was running into financial trouble (which may account for the spotty record of sending discs out for review). In December, Dub Jones joined Tommy "Buster" Williams and Alex Hodge as the "Space Riders" behind Jesse Belvin's "My Satellite"/"Just To Say Hello." This became the last Modern single until the label was reactivated some years later. With the coming of 1958, the Cadets, the Jacks, and Modern/RPM records itself had passed into the annals of Rock 'n' Roll history. While their Modern/RPM contract didn't expire until April 1958, by that time there was no Modern, no RPM, no Cadets, and no Jacks.

After this, Aaron Collins and Willie Davis joined the Flairs (soon to become the Flares) and Dub Jones joined the Coasters. Ted Taylor was busy with his solo career [note that he's not the Austin Taylor on Laurie] and Pete Fox became a guitarist (later a guitar teacher). Lloyd McCraw owned a few record labels (the M.J.C. label [with partners Dub Jones and Aaron Collins] and the Titanic label were two of them). For more on the Cadets on Sherwood ("You Look Like An Angel"/"I'm Looking For A Job") and Jan-Lar ("Car Crash"/"Don't"), the Flairs, the Flares, the Peppers, and the Thor-Ables, see the Flairs article. For more on the Rocketeers' backup to Willie Davis ("My Reckless Heart"/"They Turned The Party Out Down At Bessie's House"), see the Rhythm Aces/Rocketeers article.

Around 1969, Dub recorded for MJ (which he owned with Lloyd McCraw). Some of the sides were duets with Cora Washington (see discography).

[When this was originally written, in the 70s] Aaron Collins, Willie Davis, Dub Jones, and Lloyd McCraw all recorded occasionally (mostly on spirituals). The only alumnus of the Cadets/Jacks to have an active solo career was Ted Taylor. Aaron had a thriving shoe repair business on Pico and Crenshaw in L.A. and the Biharis continued their very profitable custom record pressing business on South Normandie Avenue.

The Jacks/Cadets were the perfect example of a fifties house group; they were extremely talented and versatile. Joe Bihari would have them record whatever seemed marketable, be it calypso, traditional Rhythm and Blues ballads, jumps, or smooth standards. If it was an up-and-coming hit by another artist, so much the better.

They're almost all gone now. Ted Taylor and Lloyd McCraw died in 1987, Prentice Moreland in 1988, Aaron Collins in 1997, Dub Jones in 2000, and Willie Davis in 2011. Only Pete Fox (still teaching guitar in 2011) is still around.


Discographical information courtesy of Ferdie Gonzalez. Ads are from various editions of Galen Gart's First Pressings series. Special thanks to Victor Pearlin and Gordon Skadberg.

MODERN (Cadets)
956 - I Cry (TT)/Don't Be Angry (AC) - 4/55

RPM (Jacks)
428 - Why Don't You Write Me? (WD)/Smack Dab In The Middle (DJ) - 4/55

MODERN (Cadets)
960 - Rollin' Stone (AC)/Fine Lookin' Baby (AC) - 5/55 [NOTE 1]

FLAIR (Richard Berry, backed up by the Cadets)
1068 - God Gave Me You (RB)/Don't Cha Go (RB) - 5/55

RPM (Jacks)
433 - I'm Confessin' (WD)/Since My Baby's Been Gone (WD) - 6/55

MODERN (Young Jessie, backed up by the Cadets)
961 - Mary Lou (YJ)/Don't Think I Will (YJ) - 6/55

RPM (Donna Hightower, backed up by the Jacks)
432 - Love Me Again (DH)/Dog Gone It (DH) - 6/55

MODERN (Cadets)
963 - I Cry (TT)/Fine Lookin' Baby (AC) - 7/55 [NOTE 1]

RPM (Jacks)
428 - Why Don't You Write Me? (WD)/My Darling (TT) - 8/55

FLAIR (Richard Berry & Dreamers)
1075 - Jelly Roll (RB)/[Together (RB)] - 8/55 [NOTE 2]

RPM (Donna Hightower, backed up by the Jacks)
439 - Bob-O-Link (DH)/Since You (DH) - 9/55

MODERN (Cadets)
969 - So Will I (AC)/Annie Met Henry (AC/DJ) - 9/55

RPM (Jacks)
444 - This Empty Heart (WD)/My Clumsy Heart (DJ) - 10/55 [NOTE 3]

MODERN (Cadets)
971 - If It Is Wrong (AC)/Do You Wanna Rock (TT) - 10/55 [NOTE 4]

RPM (Jacks)
454 - So Wrong (WD)/How Soon (WD) - 1/56

MODERN (Cadets)
985 - Church Bells May Ring (AC/DJ)/Heartbreak Hotel (DJ) - 2/56

RPM (Jacks)
458 - Why Did I Fall In Love (WD)/Sugar Baby (AC) - 4/56

MODERN (Cadets)
994 - Stranded In The Jungle (AC/WD/DJ)/I Want You (DJ) - 6/56

RPM (Jacks)
467 - Let's Make Up (AC)/Dream A Little Longer (WD) - 7/56

MODERN (Cadets)
1000 - Dancin' Dan (DJ)/I Got Loaded (DJ) - 9/56

MODERN (Cadets)
1006 - I'll Be Spinning (AC & WD)/Fools Rush In (DJ) - 11/56

MODERN (Cadets)
1012 - Heaven Help Me (WD)/Love Bandit (DJ) - 12/56

MODERN (Cadets)
1017 - You Belong To Me (AC)/Wiggie Waggie Woo (AC) - 3/57

MODERN (Aaron Collins & Cadets)
1019 - Pretty Evey (AC)/Rum Jamaica Rum (AC) - 5/57 [NOTE 5]

MODERN (Cadets)
1024 - Hands Across The Table (DJ)/Love Can Do Most Anything (DJ) - 8/57

MODERN (Cadets)
1026 - Ring Chimes (AC)/Baby Ya Know (WD) - 11/57

UNRELEASED JACKS/CADETS:
      Let's Rock And Roll (DJ)
      Away (TT)
      Memories Of You (actually a Prentice Moreland solo, on which he's backed up by the Cadets)

LEADS:
      TT = Ted Taylor; AC = Aaron Collins; WD = Willie Davis; DJ = Dub Jones
        DH = Donna Hightower, backed up by the Jacks
        YJ = Young Jessie, backed up by the Cadets
        RB = Richard Berry, backed up by the Cadets


NOTES:
         1. "Fine Lookin' Baby" appeared on LPs as "Fine Lookin' Woman" and "Oo Wee Baby"
         2. Flair 1075 says "Richard Berry & Dreamers" on the label; "Jelly Roll" is Richard Berry,
                 backed by the Cadets; "Together" is Richard Berry backed by the Dreamers.)
         3. "This Empty Heart" appeared on LPs as "My Love Has Gone"
         4. "Do You Wanna Rock" appeared on LPs as "Hey Little Girl"
         5. Although this was released as "Aaron Collins & the Cadets," it was Collins backed up by a
                studio group (see the Calypso U.S.A. album, below)

MODERN 1215 Rockin' And Reelin' - 2/57 (reissued as CROWN CLP 5015)
Stranded in the Jungle (AC/DJ)        Heartbreak Hotel (DJ)
I Want You (DJ)                                Dancin' Dan (DJ)
So Will I (AC)                                    Church Bells May Ring (AC/DJ)
I'll Be Spinning (CD/WD)                   I Got Loaded (DJ)
Fools Rush In (DJ)                            Rollin' Stone (AC)
Annie Met Henry (AC/DJ)                 Smack Dab in the Middle (DJ; orig "Jacks")

RPM 3006 Jumpin' With The Jacks - 3/57 (reissued as CROWN CLP 5021)
Why Don't You Write Me (WD)          Wiggle Waggie Woo (AC; orig "Cadets")
Oo Wee Baby (AC; orig "Cadets")     You Belong To Me (AC; orig "Cadets")
Let's Make Up (AC)                            Sugar Baby (AC)
Dream a Little Longer (WD)               Why Did I Fall In Love (WD)
This Empty Heart (WD)                      Do You Wanna' Rock (TT; orig "Cadets")
So Wrong (WD)                                  My Clumsy Heart (DJ)

CROWN CLP-5370 (CST-370 stereo) The Cadets - 1963
Stranded In The Jungle (AC/WD/DJ)        Love Bandit (DJ)
Annie Met Henry (AC/DJ)                          Rollin' Stone (AC)
Marie My Love (AC *)                                Heaven Help Me (WD)
The Riddle (AC *)                                      I Had But 50 Cents (AC *)
John Henry (AC *)                                     Rum Jamaica Rum (AC *)

      *These cuts were taken from Aaron Collins' Calypso U.S.A. album,
      and have Collins backed up by a studio group.

CROWN CLP-5372 - The Jacks - 1963
So Wrong (WD)                                           Hey Little Girl (TT; orig as "Cadets")
You Are The First One (Rockets)                Away (TT; previously unreleased)
My Love Has Gone (WD)                            Fine Lookin' Woman (AC; orig as "Cadets")
Be Lovey Dovey (Rockets)                          Dream A Little Longer (WD)
Why Don't You Write Me (WD)         

CROWN CLP-5028 - Calypso U.S.A. - 5/57
Mary Anne (AC)                      Mama Look A Boo Boo (AC)
Sylvie (AC)                             The Riddle (AC)
Pretty Evey (AC)                     Rum, Jamaica Rum (AC)
Day-O (AC)                             Jamaica Farewell (AC)        
Matilda (AC)                            John Henry (AC)
I Had But 50 Cents (AC)          Marie My Love (AC)

Some songs from the above album were released as by the "Cadets":

MODERN
1019 - Pretty Evey (AC)/Rum Jamaica Rum (AC) - 5/57

and on the 1963 The Cadets LP:
      The Riddle (AC)
      Marie My Love (AC)
      John Henry (AC)
      I Had But 50 Cents (AC)

RPM
475 Believe Me Beloved/I've Never Been There - 10/56
487 Memories Of You/Marie My Love - 2/57

M.J.C.
501 My Reckless Heart (WD)/They Turned The Party Out Down At Bessie's House (WD) - 58

MODERN
1027 My Satellite/Just To Say Hello - 12/57

EBB
113 - Everywhere I Go/Days Are Dark - 57
132 - If I Don't See You Again / Keep Walking On - 58
151 - Wrapped Up In A Dream/Very Truly Yours - 58

MELATONE [Taylor is billed as "Ivory Lucky," singing with Bob Reed and his band]
1003 - I'm Leaving You/I'm Going To Change My Way Of Living - 57
1004 - Malibu/Barrel house - 57
1021 - I'm Leaving You/I'm Going To Change My Way Of Living - 57

DUKE
304 - Be Ever Wonderful/Since You're Home - 59
308 - Count The Stars/Hold Me Tight - 59

TOP RANK INTERNATIONAL
2010 - Fallin' In Love/ ? - 59
2011 - I'm Saving My Love/Chanta-Lula - 59
2048 - Has My Love Grown Cold/I Need You So - 61
2076 - Darling Take Me Back/Look Out - 61
3001 - Someday/You Know I Do - 61

APT
25063 - My Days And Nights Are So Blue/Little Things Mean A Lot - 61

WARWICK
628 - Someday/You Know I Do - 61

GOLD EAGLE
1805 - My Darling/She's A Winner - 62
1810 - That Happy Day / I Don't Care - 62
1812 - No Matter What You Do/Never In My Life - 62
1818 - Bandstand Drag/Rockin' Horse - 62

SONCRAFT
400 - Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere/I Lost The Best Things I Ever Had - 62

DADE
5000 - I Lost The Best Things I Ever Had/Darling If You Must Leave - 62

OKEH
7154 - Pretending Love/Don't Lie - 62
7159 - You Must Have Been Meant For Me/Time Has A Way - 62
7165 - Can't Take No More/I'll Release You - 62
7171 - Be Ever Wonderful/That's Life I Guess - 62
7176 - You Give Me Nothing To Go On / Him Instead Of Me - 63
7179 - I'll Make It Up To You / It Ain't Like That No More - 63
7190 - So Hard / Need You Home - 64
7198 - Somebody's Always Trying / Top Of The World - 64
7206 - If It Wasn't For You / You Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't) - 64
7214 - So Long, Bye Bye Baby / I Love You Yes I Do - 65
7222 - I'm So Satisfied / (Love Is Like A) Ramblin' Rose - 65
7231 - Stay Away From My Baby / Walking Out Of Your Life - 65
7240 - Daddy's Baby / Mercy Have Pity - 66
7252 - Big Wheel / No One But You - 66

Subsequent Ted Taylor recordings were released on Jewel, Ronn, and Alarm, through at least 1978

MJ
101 Cold Blooded Women/What Can I Do - ca. 69
102 Cold Blooded Women/[Heaven's Not So Far - Dub Jones] - ca 70