The Orlons

The Orlons are from Philadelphia. They formed in the early '50s in junior high school. Before they became the Orlons, they were originally an all-female quintet called "Audrey and the Teenettes." They consisted of Hightower, Davis, and three Brickley sisters (Shirley, Jean, and Audrey). When the Brickleys' mother would not let Audrey (the youngest member at 13) to sing with the group in certain teen clubs in Philly, she and Jean quit, reducing the group to a trio. The remaining women continued to sing in high school when they met Stephen Caldwell (a member of a local vocal group called the Romeos). Impressed by his baritone lead, the women invited him to join the group.

After being persuaded by Len Barry to audition for Cameo-Parkway Records, the Orlons took the suggestion in the fall of 1961. It took them three auditions to receive a contract with Cameo. Shortly thereafter, Dave Appell (A&R director) began to write songs for them and appointed Hightower as lead singer.

Davis left the group in 1963 and was replaced by Sandy Person. The next year, Person and Caldwell quit and were replaced by Shirley's sister Audrey. They continued to record and tour with very little success until 1968. That year, they disbanded when Hightower married an English musician and relocated to England.