The Chaperones

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The Chaperones are a Doo wop group formed in Long Island, New York in the late 1950s. The original members of the group were Tony Amato (lead), Roy Marchesano (first tenor), Tommy Ronca (second tenor), Nick Salvato (baritone) and Dave Kelly (bass).

Initially known as the Sharptones and the Fairlanes, the group chose the name Chaperones for its relevance to the dances and proms of the day. The Chaperones were signed by Josie Records in 1959 after Nick Salvato played the group's first demo for his C.W. Post College classmate Steve Blaine, son of Josie head Jerry Blaine. The band's initial Josie recording, "Cruise to the Moon", was produced by Steve Blaine and Mickey Eichner. By the time "Cruise to the Moon" was released in 1960, Rich Messina had replaced Dave Kelly as bass. In the meantime, The Chaperones backed up Lee Adrian on "Barbara, Let's Go Steady" and "So Lonely" (Richcraft Records).

After the success of "Cruise to the Moon", the group performed regularly in the New York area at supermarket openings and theme parks. They appeared at Murray the K's shows at Frontierland in Patchogue and Freedomland in the Bronx, at Bruce Morrow shows co-billing The Earls and The Five Discs, and at Palisades Park with The Five Satins. At one show, they sang backup for Paul Anka.

The Chaperones' 1961 follow-up record "Shining Star" was an attempt to play on the success of "Little Star" by The Elegants and "Hushabye" by The Mystics. They backed Lou Jordan on "Paradise for Two" and "Close Your Eyes" in 1961 on Josie. They then released their last record on Josie: a remake of the Chandeliers' "Blueberry Sweet" backed with "Man From the Moon".

Following "Shining Star", Tommy Ronca left for Las Vegas, where he performed and produced shows for many years. Tony Amato and Nick Salvato kept the group going for many years until Amato's death in the late 1980s.[1]

Original members Nick Salvato and Tommy Ronca have recently reformed the band with Johnny Cantino and Vinny "Zeen" Esposito to perform at the Cool Bobby B Doo Wop Convention at the Alexis Park Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. A lawsuit that was filed ended up with Tommy Ronca and Nick Salvato retaining usage of the legal right to tour as The Chaperones.[2]

Discography

  • 1960: Side A - "Cruise to the Moon" Side B - "Dance with Me" Released on Josie label
  • 1961: Side A - "Shining Star" Side B - "My Shadow on Me" Released Josie label
  • 1963: Side A - Man from the Moon Side B - Blueberry Suite Released on Josie
  • 1985: Side A - I Dream A side Side B - Pizza Pie Released on Tabor label

References

  1. ↑ Tommy Ronca's interview on The Strange Dave Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mczmMPqRlNY
  2. ↑ 2
  • Warner, Jay. (2006). American Singing Groups: A History, From 1940 to Today . Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-0-634-09978-6

External links

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