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Local Artists
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Michael Jackvony Mickey grew up in the 'North End' section of Providence R.I. and in 1953 joined his first band "Al Carter and the Blue Jays" and from that point on it was "Show Biz" he loved entertaining and making people happy. Mickey was a drummer by trade but he could sing any style from R&B to PoP and from Rock&Roll to Show Tunes and sing an Italian song or two, he could do it all he was an ENTERTAINER. He was also a polished DJ and MC. Mickey played with all the best musicans around and backed up many national artist when they would do shows in R.I. He was a one man band. He passed in February of 2012 and will be missed |
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The Videls Members of the group were Pete Anders, Vin Poncia, Norman Mezzano, Bob Calitri and Herbert Ricky. Their song "Mr. Lonely" 1959 was #72 on the charts. Thet changed their name to the Tradewinds and went on to reach #32 with the song "New York's a Lonely Town". Pete and Vini went on to become successful songwriters and producers. |
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The Tradewinds A Rhode Island group originaly known as the Videls (Mr Llonley) had a top 40 hit with "New Yorks a lonley town" #32. Members of the Tradewinds were, Pete Anders, Vini Poncia, Norman Mazzano and Bob Calitri. They also hit the charts with "Mind Excursion". Pete and Vini penned "The best part of breaking up" for Phil Spector and the Ronnets and also recorded as the Innocence, Pete and Vini went on to work with Ringo Starr, Leo Sayer, Kenny Vance and others, They are still writng and producing today. |
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THE BLUE JAYS A high profile band from the late 50's and early 60's,recorded many songs,"Make me yours" "Dearest Lee" among them. They went on to become "White Water" and recorded for RCA and MAPCITY, members are, Bob Fiocco, John Vastano, Conrad Catalano, John Emma and Dick Domaine. |
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heres a gem! the bluejays in a picture with pete anders and vini poncia from the videls and tradewinds |
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The Delrays Born on the streets of R.I., members are, Ray Gambio, Rich Ratini, Bill (Wizzie) Souterland and Guido Rosati. The Delrays recorded on Planet Records "Lorraine"and "The Bounce" also recorded on Carousal with Dave T, "Scootertown" and "Girl in my heart". They performed at clubs and record hops for local dj's notably Chuck Stevens and Joe Thomas |
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Billy Volpe Billy Volpe was a Rhode Island based artist, for much of his music career he was a solo artist although he did team up with other artists (duets) from time to time, he was an acomplished accordian player at a very young age then mastered the keyboards, he was a one man band, a singer,keyboardest and most of all an entertainer,he was one of the best,he passed in july of 2010. |
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the Federials the Federials were formed in 1958-59 with Jimmy Lepre as the lead singer (formally with the 5 deuces) and baritone Ron Iacobucci who came from Federal Hill hence the name the Federials were joined by tenor Richard Houle and bass Richard Lanoue. In 1960 Like many groups they headed for New York with a song penned by R.I. song writer Jimmy Crane titled "why try to change our love," with help from there manager Millie DeRosa they secured a record deal with Kenya Records,eventually the group returned to R.I. where they were joined by two former members of the Videls Richard (dino) Amaral and Herbert Rickie when Lanoue exited the group. They continued to perform until there break up. Ron Iacobucci still performs today as 1st tenor with "Reminisce". |
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Bennie Woods a long time R.I. resident was for most of his music career was a solo artist,early in his career however he was a member of a group called the 5 Dukes(he was there manager)they recorded I Cross My Fingers/Wheel Baby Wheel in 1954, Bennie then went solo and fronted another group called Bennie Woods and the Rockin Townies, in 1960 I Cross My Finger/Wheel Baby Wheel was re-released under the name Bennie Woods and the Rockin Townies, Bennie Woods was a high energy entertainer in the style of James Brown,he also ran a production company. |
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THE CASTELEERS Based in R.I. they recorded for Felsted and Planet Records. Their songs included,"That's Why I Cried","Your My Dream", "I'll Be Around" and "Lonley Boy". Members were, Richard Jones, Joe Hill, Ron Henrries, George Smith Jr and Dell Padgett. |
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The Inspirations Don Robinson and John Eddith Don and John started singing on the street corners of North Cambridge, Ma., many years ago and they are still together singing today. John in Virginia with his wife Lucy and Don in R.I. with his wife Carol. Some of the songs they have recorded are "What do you see in my face" "I did everything I could" and "Got but one heart" |
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Ronnie and the Satellites Formed in 1958, their rehearsal hall was an outdoor gazebo at a famous R.I. park. The group consisted of Ronnie Dee, George Tootel, Joe Fiske (papa joe) and Gary Sabourin. They recorded several sides for the Dolly and Rose labels, including "Last nite I dreamed" "Bunny Lee" and "Dream of you". The original group is still together and still performing. |
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The Corals Formed in 1957, members are,Richard Mancini (lead), Joe Mancini (baritone), Louie Camp(bass), Dino Amaral(1st tenor), Jack Rotondi(2nd tenor), also Tom Ciccone, (not in picture.) They recorded,"The girl I left behind", "Why oh why" "Foolish pride" and "I'll always love you". The Mancini bros. are still writng today. |
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Charlie Quintal A versatile and talented performer from Fall River, MA, formed the popular "Spi-dels" (1964) and later performed with the group "Talk of the Town"(1970). As a solo artist he recorded his charted hit "Baby" for Columbia and later made the charts again with "Take me as I am", Charlie has also worked with Gerry Granahan another local who has had a hit or 2 of his own. Charlie is still recording...... |
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The Desires A Rhode Island based group recorded on the DASA label, the group members were, Ron Lewis, Ray Wasilewski, Frankie Bianchini and Johnny Wahl, the songs recorded by the group were produced by Bill Goodman also from R.I. "Phylis Beloved" sung by Ray Wasilewski, "The Girl For Me" sung by Ron Lewis, The Desires performed on tv dance parties, and numerous record hops. |
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Steve Rothwell A Rhode Island native Steve started collecting records in 1957. He presided over the Rhode Island Record Collectors Convention since 1977 and hosted a radio show under the name of aka... "The Duke of Doowop" from 1979-1999 titled ' The Remember When Show', devoted to doowop and rare and hard to find music. Today he has a vast record collection and is president of Remember When Studios. |
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The Spi-Dells Formed in Taunton, Ma. in 1964, the group consisted of, Jimmy King, Jack Andrews, Charlie Quintal, Jerry Valee, Don Perry and along with Ronnie Travis and Rick Medeiros. They recorded "take me as i am"/"over the weekend"for Tyme records and "gee but i wish"/"never ever" for Littletown. |
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The Original Reminisce Started back in the early 60's when Ron Lewis, Roy Hodges and Ron Iacobucci sang with the street corner vocal group the emotions along with Bob Leonti, Russell Benoit and others along the way. Ron Lewis also sang with the Hi-Tones for a bit. Eventually they added Jack Mento as there bass along with musicans, David Jackvony, David Maher, Ron Hurst and Louie Capracotta. Although never recording a single they did record a cd titled '"Thats the way it goes" |
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Gerry Granahan Born in Pennsylvania and now resides in Rhode Island, is best known for his 1958 hit "No chemise please" #23, also sang with the Fireflies "You were mine" #21 and had charted songs with Dicky Doo and the Dont's,"Click Clack" and "nee nee na na na na nu nu". Gerry has also worked with the Angels, Jay and the Americans, Patty Duke and another hometown boy Charlie Quintal. |
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Rockin Dick Bouchard Before Chuck stevens, Joe Thomas and Carl Henry, there was Rockin' Dick Bouchard. Upper photo shows dick learning his craft at WGNY in NY, at age 16; the lower photo show him a few years later at WNRI in Woonsocket, RI. Dick began spinning records on WNRI in 1956. He was on WRIB in Providence, RI for about 6 mos, between the chuck stevens and carl henry radio shows. Dick bouchard is now 71 and has been associated with WNRI for the past 54 yrs.and is currently co-owner of the station. |
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Cal Raye From Bristol R.I., Cal started playing guitar at age 15 and at 16 was a member of the band the "Belvedeers", in 1963 he formed a vocal group called the "Class-Airs" and in 1965 they recorded "Lovely Lies" which peaked at #6 on the local charts,then in '67 Cal moved to California then Nashville where he recorded his next single titled "Sensuous Woman" which charted at #9 in 1974 he signed with Laurie records in New York, Cal now resides in Rhode Island and is still in the involved in music. |
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Dick Caruso Born in Rhode Island,was a teen idol of the late 50's & 60's,recorded several sides for the MGM label,toured with Connie Francis and appeared on American Bandstand. |
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Dipsy and the Doodles After the Casteleers broke up, Ron Henrries joined Dipsy and the Doodles with Danny Jett,( the 5 Dukes) along with Everett "grumpy" Mitchell and Ralph Johnson, they recorded a novelty song called "Archibald II the Duke of Nothin" in 1963 on the May label the flip side was called "Jolly Cholly. |
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Joe Hill Joe hill started with a group called the 4 Hearts,after a hitch in the army Joe returned toR.I. in 1959 and sang tenor with the 5 Dukes and recorded "I Cross My Fingers" and "Wheel Baby Wheel", later Joe would join the Casteleers. |
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"THEY ALL SANG ON THE CORNER, left to right,SID ADAMS,the late ROY(mousie)HODGES,RON IACOBUCCI AND RON LEWIS. Them |
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THE NOTATIONS They never recorded but played many record hops and dances for our local dj's in and around Rhode Isalnd and appeared on Jay Kroll's talk of the town pictured here,members are,Fred Doll, Bob Leonti, Guido Rosati and Sid Adams, the band members were, Frank Coppola, Ken Cocca, Mike Ziroli, drummer,not known at this time. |
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THE HI-TONES The Hi-Tones were formed in the early 60's, from the Federal Hill section of Providence the group members were Richard Orabona,Chubby Lolli, Freddie Morocco plus guitar player, vocal and music arranger Dominic Orabona. Later in the decade Ron Lewis replaced Freddie Morocco and soon after Bobby Leonti was added (shown in picture,Bobby Leonti,Richard Orabona,Chubby Lolli and Ron Lewis) The Hi-Tones styled themselves after groups like the Four Freshman and the Hi-Lo's, The group never released any music but were featured in many supper clubs in R.I. and Ma. The group disbanded around 1965. |
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Chuck Stevens Just reading or hearing his name brings back memories of doowop, r&r and Elvis. Chuck was one of the kings of Rhode Island radio in "the day" along with Joe Thomas and Carl Henry, he also called the greyhound races at lincoln park. Chuck Stevens appeared at all the major record hops and shows in and around Rhode Island, he will always be remembered for his BOLD ATTITUDE, and of course the GREAT MUSIC |