Female vocal group from East Baltimore formed by classmates at Dunbar High School. Sandy Knotts and Carol Speight shared leads, along with supporting vocals of Jackie Williams, and Estelle Smith. Originally called Sandy & the Silhouettes, the girls were looking for a fresher sounding name. On the way to a talent contest they spotted the marquee of The Cinema Theater on North Avenue and decided to call themselves the Cineemas.
The Cineemas competed in a number of local talent contests and caught the attention of DJ Rockin’ Robin who liked their sound. He contacted Dave Glascoe in D.C. and arranged for a recording session. Their songs “Never Gonna Cry” (co-written by Rockin’ Robin and B. Hyson), “A Crush on You,” and “Let Me Make Up Your Mind” were released on Glascoe’s “Dave Records.” The Cineemas were in the studio at the same time as D.C.’s The Rainbows, who also released singles on Dave. The Cineemas backing band included pianist Leonard Heath…
The Cineemas participated in Carver High School talent shows. They traveled with Glascoe to perform at the Riviera Club in St. Louis. Locally they performed at the Club Casino, Moe’s…
After the group split up, Carole went on to New York. Sandy continued to perform as a solo vocalist under the name Sandy Page. She made appearances at Moe’s Lounge with nationally known performers who came into the lounge after completing their nightly Pennsylvania Avenue club engagements. Recording star Tommy Hunt heard Sandy and introduced her to a New York based songwriter named Jimmy Williams. Sandy recalled that “on impulse, with not a dime in my pocket, I went to New York with this gentleman Jimmy to pursue my singing career. I was there for three months. Unfortunately, did not record one song, but the experience was memorable.”
1964 Dave 910 Never Gonna Cry / Let Me Make Up Your Mind
1964 Dave 911 Never Gonna Cry / A Crush on You
