The Viscounts (American band)
The Viscounts were an American pop group from New Jersey, formed in 1958. They had one hit single, with Earle Hagen's instrumental classic "Harlem Nocturne" in 1959, which peaked at No. 52 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1960; it was re-released in 1965 and hit No. 39 the second time around.[1] The single and album of the same title were originally recorded for the Madison label, then both were reissued in 1965 on the Amy label, with the Amy LP having a slightly different track listing than the Madison release.[2][3][4]
Members
- Harry Haller – saxophone
- Bobby Spievak – lead guitar
- Joe Spievak – bass guitar
- Larry Vecchio – electronic organ, piano
- Clark Smith – drums[5]
- William "Billy" Slavis – guitar
Discography
Singles
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
Label & catalogue No. | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US BB [6][7] |
US CB [8] |
US R&B [9] | ||||
| 1959 | "Harlem Nocturne" b/w "Dig" |
Madison 123 | 52 | 28 | 17 | The Viscounts |
| 1960 | "The Touch" b/w "Chug-A-Lug" |
Madison 129 | — | — | — | |
| "Night Train" b/w "Summertime" |
Madison 133 | 82 | 52 | — | ||
| "Wabash Blues" b/w "So Slow" |
Madison 140 | 77 | 81 | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1961 | "Shadrach" b/w "This Place" |
Madison 152 | — | — | — | |
| "Little Brown Jug" b/w "Opus 1" (from Harlem Nocturne) |
Madison 159 | — | — | — | ||
| "Sophisticated Lady" b/w "Drag Race" |
Madison 165 | — | — | — | Harlem Nocturne | |
| "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" b/w "Mark's Mood" |
Mr. Peacock 101 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1962 | "Hully Gully" b/w "Continental Walk" |
Mr. Peacock 107 | — | — | — | |
| "Night Fight" b/w "A Girl Like You" |
Mr. Peacock 112 | — | — | — | ||
| 1963 | "Night for Love" b/w "Ballin' The Jack" |
Mr. Peeke 125 | — | — | — | |
| 1966 | "Harlem Nocturne" b/w "Dig" |
Amy 940 | 39 | 59 | — | Harlem Nocturne |
| "Night Train" b/w "When The Saints Come Marching In" |
Amy 949 | 122 | — | — | ||
| "Off Shore" b/w "Come, Come On Back" |
Coral 62490 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1967 | "Sweet Georgia Brown" b/w "Moonlight in Vermont" |
Coral 62520 | — | — | — | |
Albums
References
- ^ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
- ^ "45 discography for Amy Records".
- ^ "45 Discography for Madison Records".
- ^ "Madison Album Discography".
- ^ https://www.pottsmerc.com/2003/12/01/despite-exceptional-talent-the-viscounts-never-really-tookoff/
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Joel Whitburn's top pop singles 1955-2002. Menomonee Falls, Wisc.: Record Research. p. 746. ISBN 0898201551.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1982). Joel Whitburn's Bubbling under the hot 100, 1959-1981. Menomonee Falls, Wis: Record Research. p. 175. ISBN 978-0-8982-0047-8.
- ^ Downey, Pat (1994). Cash box pop singles charts, 1950-1993. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited. p. 365. ISBN 1-56308-316-7.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1998). Joel Whitburn presents top R & B singles, 1942-1999. Menomonee Falls, Wisc.: Record Research. p. 463. ISBN 0898201365. Retrieved December 25, 2025.