The Orlons specialty was fun filled dances tunes, making them one of the most popular groups to ever come out of Philadelphia. Originally called Audrey and the Teenetts, the group was formed in the Fifties as a quintet, consisting of sisters Audrey, Jean and Shirley Brickley along with Rosetta Hightower and Marlena Davis. When Mrs. Brickley refused to let Audrey, the youngest, sing with the others in one of Philadelphia's small clubs, she and sister Jean quit the group. Rosetta, Shirley, and Marlena continued singing at Overland High School where they were heard by fellow student Stephan Caldwell, who sang with a local group called the Romeos. Caldwell brought his deep baritone voice to the girls attention and was invited to join the group. In the fall of 1961, the Orlons auditioned for Kal Mann and were signed to record for Cameo Records. A&R director Dave Appell started writing songs for the group and decided to feature Rosetta's strong voice on lead. The Orlons' first single "I'll Be True" generated little interest, as did their early 1962 follow-up, "Happy Birthday 21". The Orlons also provided back-up vocals for the label and can be heard on Dee Dee Sharp's 'Mashed Potato Time". Their own break out tune was a song that they recorded in the spring of '62 called "The Wah Watusi", which by July, made it nationally to the No. 2 spot. About the same time, they again provided back-up vocals on Dee Dee Sharp's second hit "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)". For a change of pace from the 'dance craze songs', the follow-up to "The Wah Watusi" came in the form of a novelty song called "Don't Hang Up", that featured Stephen Caldwell's baritone voice answering the girl's chorus. In 1963 they returned to the studio to record their third and fourth straight hit records with "South Street" and "Not Me". Later in the year, the Orlons released "Crossfire" which peaked at No. 19 on the Pop chart. In 1964, Marlena Davis and Stephan Caldwell left the group and were replaced by Audrey Brickley. They also recorded one of their biggest Northern Soul classics, "Envy". Hoping a change of scene would help, they moved to Calla Records in 1966 with this song, "Spinning Top", and in 1967 to ABC Records with another Northern Soul classic "Once Upon A Time". None of their efforts had any success, however their catalogue of hits allowed them to tour successfully until 1968, when the group split for the last time. Rosetta Hightower moved to England and Shirley Brickley was shot and killed by an intruder in her Philadelphia home in 1977. Marlena Davis lost her battle with lung cancer on February 27, 1993. Audrey Brickley died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on July 3, 2005. So Rosetta was really all that was left, and formed this new Orlons group for our documentary.
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