From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Tue Jan 20, 2004  6:33 am
Subject:  This Is My Story : Vernon Green and the Medallions

VERNON GREEN AND THE MEDALLIONS (By Shaun Mather)

Vernon Green and the Medallions were one of many young vocal groups
on the now legendary Los Angeles scene during the 50's. And whilst Green
may not have had the stunning voice of some of his contemporees like Arthur
Lee Maye, the groups efforts for the local Dootone label have a great charm
and have withstood the test of time.

Green who was partly crippled from polio, formed the group with Randolph
Bryant, Andrew Blue and Ira Foley. They were spotted by Dootone owner
Dootsie Williams who was drawn to the 16 year old Green's "bluesy quality".

Their first studio session took place in the summer of 1954, with Williams
refraining from adding too much instrumentation, choosing to retain the raw,
a cappella qualities that were natural to the band. The result was Buick 59
(Dootone 347). Car songs were a big part of rock 'n' roll from the
beginning, but the choice of year was the intriguing thing. According to
Green, he called it Buick 59 because it could stay relevant for at least 5-6
years without sounding dated. Backed with the vocally weird ballad, The
Letter, the single soon started selling across the country.

With a format sat for the foreseeable future (a quickie backed with a
ballad), the follow up coupled Coupe De Ville Baby and The Telegram in
January 1955. The summer saw Speedin'/Edna followed in the late autumn
by Dear Darling/Don't Shoot Baby. Whilst it was undoubtedly a bumper
year for the youngsters, they hadn't achieved the chart success of their label
mates The Penguins and Don Julian and the Meadowlarks.

Whilst the band's next release came in April 1956, the single is covered in
mystery as the vocals aren't Vernon Green and the group is believed to be
the Dootones. Green cut a one-off single for Specialty but was back before
year end with the archetypal single Push-Button Automobile/Shedding Tears
For You.

The group were now going through many changes and Green gave up the
ghost in late 1957, moving back to his original hometown, Denver.

You can guess what brought them back together. Yes, the years move on
one at a time, as they do, and before you know it, it's 1959. Buick 59 was
re-released and became a hit on both Coasts. They followed it up with the
beautiful Magic Mountain (Greens finest moment to these ears) and Volvo
59. The group split for good in 1960, although Green recorded unsuccessfully
for Williams in 1973.

He was scheduled to appear at the Rhythm Riot in England a couple of
years ago, but had to pull out due to ill health. He died on Christmas Eve,
2000. And who knows, in another 55 years we may see his debut released
again!!

Recommended listening:
The Medallions featuring Vernon Green - Speedin' - Ace CDCHD 536.

More info: http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Medallions/medallions.html
                and http://www.electricearl.com/dws/medallions.html