Saturday, June 26, 2004
A Campbell performance is coming up.
The engine of Youngstown-based doo-wop group The Edsels is still running.
Marshall Sewell was among those who read in Sunday's Vindicator about Jimmy Reynolds & amp; his "Rama Lama Ding Dong" Edsels, featuring one of the original members of The Edsels and his five sons.
Deep-voiced Sewell, now of Cleveland, also is an original member of The Edsels. He and other musicians continue to perform under that name.
Quit the group
Jimmy Reynolds quit the group a few months ago, after The Edsels performed at First Night Youngstown, Sewell said. Asked if there was a dispute, "We get along OK," Sewell said. "Sometimes, you come to a crossroads and you go in a different direction. I wish him all the luck in the world."
Sewell's current singing partners are Maurice Jones, Danny Friendley and Reuben Robinson. Jones joined The Edsels about 10 years ago. Friendly and Robinson still live in Youngstown.
"We're not thinking of quitting singing. We want to sing until the 12th of 'nevruary'," Sewell said.
Indeed, these Edsels have performed recently on Long Island, N.Y., and in Indiana. Members are working on a CD that they hope to release this fall. It will contain new songs and a new version of an old song, Sewell said.
Performing Saturday
The Edsels, featuring Sewell, will perform Saturday in Roosevelt Park, Campbell, he noted.
As for whether Reynolds and Sewell will ever sing together again, "It depends on what transpires in the future," Sewell said.
Reynolds could not be reached for comment.
The Edsels' song "Rama Lama Ding Dong" was recorded in 1959 but didn't become a nationwide hit until 1961.