The Four Coins

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The group in 1954 The Four Coins 1954.jpg
The group in 1954

The Four Coins were a popular American vocal group, consisting of Jimmy Gregorakis, George Mantalis, and brothers George and Jack Mahramas. They were all of Greek heritage and came from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. [1] A local orchestra leader, Lee Barrett, took them to audition in Cincinnati, Ohio and this led to their cutting some high-charting records and appearing on television. This also led to a recording contract with Columbia Records recording on the Epic label. [2]

Contents

The group used the name the Four Keys until they learned another vocal group had it under copyright. They then became The Four Coins. [2]

They appeared in the 1957 Warner Brothers rock and roll movie Jamboree singing the song "A Broken Promise". [1]

In 1970, however, they left show business to tend to family obligations, not performing again until 2003, when they performed two final shows back in their home town.

George Mantalis died of lung cancer on December 10, 2016, at the age of 81. Jack Mahramas also died of lung cancer on June 24, 2023, at the age of 82 [3]

Singles

1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1966
1967
Year unknown

Albums and EPs

1955

A: Memories Of You * Rio Rita
B: The Song That Brought Us Together * Need You

A: I Love You Madly * Maybe * My Anxious Heart
B: Rio Rita * We'll Be Married (In The Church In The Wildwood) * That's The Way

1957

A: Shangri-La * Memories Of You * Heartache Street (And Teardrop Ave.) * Lovers’ Island * Manhattan Serenade * The Curly-Headed Kid In The Third Row
B: You're Breaking My Heart * This Life * Ting-A-Ling Telephone * New World * I Will Never Be The Same * Maybe

1958

A: Sal Mineo – My Bride * The Four Coins – All The Things You Are
B: Roy Hamilton – Great Day * Somethin‘ Smith & The Redheads – I Can't Get Started With You

1961

A: Never On Sunday * The Girl I Want * In My Never Never Land * Rikoko * True True Love * There's Only One For Me
B: Oh Mustapha * Our Song Of Love * Carnation In Your Hair * Dance My Darling * Sum Yo Ti Sa * In Saloniki

1965

A: Iste Gynekes * Adio Athina * Thessaloniki * To Stauro Sou * San Sfyrikso 3 Fores * Pekse File To Bouzouki
B: Ela Ela * Thelo Nase Eftyhismeni * Poun Afta Tamatia * Himones Ftinoporake Kanokieria * Aspres Kordeles * Na Borousana Petakso San Paoli

1995

Shangri-La * Memories Of You * Heartache Street * Lovers' Island * Manhattan Serenade * The Curly-Headed Kid In The Third Row * You're Breaking My Heart * This Life * Ting-A-Ling Telephone * New World * I Will Never Be The Same * Maybe * I Love You Madly * My Anxious Heart * Rio Rita * We'll Be Married * That's The Way * My One Sin * The World Outside

2011

I'll Never Love Again * Try Your Luck * Story Untold * If You Love Me (Really Love Me) * Falling Star * One Life, One Love * Joanna * Answer Me, My Love * Shout, Shout * People Get Jealous * The Miracle Of St. Marie * My Love Loves Me * Wish You Were Here * Learning To Live Without Your Love * (Little Darlin') Take A Vow * One Red Rose * Jimmy San * Love Is Where You Are * From Your Very Own Lips * To Love * Love Me With All Of Your Heart * Boys Cry * Wendy, Wendy * Follow Your Heart * Shangri-La

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References

  1. 1 2 ""Four Coins" Here for Fourth". The Indiana Gazette. June 30, 1961. p. 41. Retrieved January 12, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. 1 2 "The Four Coins Bid for Fame". Daily notes. September 1, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved January 12, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. Scott Mervis (December 13, 2016). "Obituary: George Michael Mantalis / A member of hit singing group The Four Coins". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved December 14, 2016.