Effective period / Period of releases: 1957

The Claremonts were:
Diane Sanchez, Sylvia Sanchez and Josie Allen

Whilst waiting for their television to be fixed, one day, Diana and Sylvia Sanchez resorted to harmonizing by the family piano to kill time. Little did they know, that, listening in was the TV repairman, Lou Ezzo. Lou as well as being a repairman like to think of himself as an aspiring music biz impresario, and was so impressed by the girls performance that he convinced the siblings that they should to cut a demo disc.

After recruiting classmate Josie Allen, the trio dubbed themselves The Claremonts, in honor of the street the Sanchez sisters lived on in the south Bronx, 544 Claremont Parkway. Offering his services, Ezzo put the girls in touch with those at Apollo Records, one of New York's oldest and best known independent labels.

The three girls showed their stuff to Apollo and soon found themselves getting ready to experience their very first recording date. Along with some top session musicians the girls worked out the songs for there very first release. The songs were "Keep Me Dreaming" and "Angel Of Romance" on Apollo # 517, which was released in November of 1957. The writing credits on the record were given to Diane Sanchez and TV repairman, Lou Ezzo. The two sider became very popular up and down the Eastern seaboard from New York to Florida.

Ever the business man and obviously smelling a good deal Ezzo chose this time to sell the girls' contract to Apollo vice president Charles Merenstein.At this point Merenstein changed the band name from The Claremonts to The Tonettes.