The "The 'Tranells' From Lancaster, Pennsylvania" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Searching online to find yet another rock and roll band that had its roots in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  A few days ago I wrote about the rock and roll band known as "The Crystalaires" who lost the majority of their members to a horrible automobile accident, but rebuilt the band and had a few memorable recordings to their credit.  Well, a few days ago I came across another top-notch rock and roll band that made a few recordings and also gained a few weeks of fame on the national market.  The band was known as "The Tranells" and recorded on the Chelton label in 1964.  The Tranells' members hailed mostly from Lancaster City's J.P. McCaskey High School.  They practiced in a house on Christian Street that was owned by "Uncle Herbie" Lynch.  The year was 1962.  The house where I lived for most of youth was on North Queen Street in Lancaster.  The street behind our house was Christian Street.  Could it be that I may have heard the music coming from a nearby garage and didn't recognize the sound of The Tranells?  The founder of the band was Chet Stewart who at one time played in The Crystalaires.  

The Tranells from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Other members of The Tranells were vocalists Joanie who was Chet's sister, Jimmy Jackson and Howard Washing- ton.  Musicians were Ernie Jamison and Harold Sheetz on lead guitar, Clyde Lucas and David McPhail on keyboards, Harry Wilkerson on bass, Al Gates on sax and Buddy Gantz on drums.  The band was originally called the Phoenicians, but was changed to The Tranells since it had a nice sound.  A posting says: The group was Central Pennsylvania's version of a Motown act, with a spit-and-polish, clean-cut image; well-dressed, no smoking or drinking, always polite and never late.  They were an interracial band strong in doo wop. In 1963 they recorded at the Sound Plus Studios in Philadelphia.  They recorded their hit on the Chelton label in 1964.  Those record collectors that have copies of their work have records which are today considered very rare.  Their biggest hit was on the Chelton label and titled "Come On And Tell Me" with the "B" side sound called "The Music Swayed."  The local radio station, WLAN, published their weekly "Swingin '60 Survey" and in the week of May 23, 1964, the #17 song on the list was "Come On And Tell Me."  The top 4 songs that week were "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by the Righteous Brothers, "She Loves You" by the Beatles, "I Get Around" buy the Beach Boys and "Baby Love" by The Supremes.  Some top-notch groups to compete against in the city of Lancaster.  I searched for a time when they may have disbanded, but found nothing.  Guess I should be happy that I had a chance to hear one of the best "Oldies" bands in the area.  It was another extraoridnary day in the life of an oridnary guy.