The Duprees
Encyclopedia
The Duprees is an American
musical group of doo-wop
style which had a series of hit records in the early 1960s.
, and comprised William L. Dickinson High School
students Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, and lead singer Joe Canzano (Vann). George Paxton
, a former big band leader, liked the group's style and signed them to his Coed Records
label. Their first single "You Belong to Me
" had previously been a success for Jo Stafford in 1952. The Duprees' version was given a big band backing by Paxton and reached the US top ten in 1962.
The group had more top 40 hits during the next few years. "My Own True Love" was a vocal adaptation of "Tara's Theme" from the soundtrack of Gone with the Wind
and became the group's second hit. "Have You Heard" and "Why Don't You Believe Me" also reached the Top 40 charts and, like "You Belong to Me," were originally early 1950s female vocal hits (Joni James, in this case). The group became known for mixing doo-wop vocals with big band arrangements. Tom Bialoglow left the group in 1963. Mike Kelly, who had recorded on the group's original demonstrations for George Paxton, replaced Joey Vann as lead vocalist in 1964.
Despite becoming unfashionable after The Beatles spearheaded the so-called "British Invasion
" in 1964, the Duprees continued to record, developing a more "pop" style, and scoring the Top 100 as late as 1975. Joe Santollo died in 1981, Joey Vann died in 1984 and Mike Arnone died in 2005. During the late 1960s and early 1970s they released an album under the name "The Italian Asphalt And Paving Co," and had a minor hit with "Check Yourself." Michael Kelly (main singer from 1965–1977) sang with The Chaperones for a brief stint in 2006. Tommy Bialoglow is currently performing with Joe Zisa & Friends "Jersey Tribute", a combination of The Happenings, Joey & The Lexingtons, and of course The Duprees. John Salvato is a booking agent and no longer performs.
On November 6, 2008 the Duprees were officially inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
honoring the original members. Tommy Bialoglow performed and accepted the Harmony Award.
A band calling themselves "The Duprees" perform today featuring current members Tommy Petillo, Jimmy Spinelli, Phil Granito, and Tony Testa.
Some music critics have said that the Duprees' recordings are the most complex harmonies in rock and roll history.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musical group of doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
style which had a series of hit records in the early 1960s.
Career
The group originated in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New JerseyJersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, and comprised William L. Dickinson High School
William L. Dickinson High School
William L. Dickinson High School is a four-year public high school located in Jersey City, New Jersey, as part of the Jersey City Public Schools...
students Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, and lead singer Joe Canzano (Vann). George Paxton
George Paxton
George Paxton was an American big band leader, saxophonist, composer, publisher, and arranger of swing jazz music from the 1930s to the late 1940s; as well as president and producer of Coed Records, primarily a doo-wop label, from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s.-Early career:He was born in...
, a former big band leader, liked the group's style and signed them to his Coed Records
Coed Records
George Paxton and Marvin Cane formed Coed Records, Inc. in New York City in 1958, and had offices at 1619 Broadway in the Brill Building. George Paxton produced many of the songs on this label, most of which were of the East Coast Doo-wop group style, and some of these became hit songs of the day...
label. Their first single "You Belong to Me
You Belong to Me (1952 song)
"You Belong to Me" is a pop music ballad from the 1950s. The singer reminds his/her lover that, whatever exotic locales and sights he/she experiences, "you belong to me." It is credited to three writers: Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart...
" had previously been a success for Jo Stafford in 1952. The Duprees' version was given a big band backing by Paxton and reached the US top ten in 1962.
The group had more top 40 hits during the next few years. "My Own True Love" was a vocal adaptation of "Tara's Theme" from the soundtrack of Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind (film)
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American historical epic film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel of the same name. It was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming from a screenplay by Sidney Howard...
and became the group's second hit. "Have You Heard" and "Why Don't You Believe Me" also reached the Top 40 charts and, like "You Belong to Me," were originally early 1950s female vocal hits (Joni James, in this case). The group became known for mixing doo-wop vocals with big band arrangements. Tom Bialoglow left the group in 1963. Mike Kelly, who had recorded on the group's original demonstrations for George Paxton, replaced Joey Vann as lead vocalist in 1964.
Despite becoming unfashionable after The Beatles spearheaded the so-called "British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
" in 1964, the Duprees continued to record, developing a more "pop" style, and scoring the Top 100 as late as 1975. Joe Santollo died in 1981, Joey Vann died in 1984 and Mike Arnone died in 2005. During the late 1960s and early 1970s they released an album under the name "The Italian Asphalt And Paving Co," and had a minor hit with "Check Yourself." Michael Kelly (main singer from 1965–1977) sang with The Chaperones for a brief stint in 2006. Tommy Bialoglow is currently performing with Joe Zisa & Friends "Jersey Tribute", a combination of The Happenings, Joey & The Lexingtons, and of course The Duprees. John Salvato is a booking agent and no longer performs.
On November 6, 2008 the Duprees were officially inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Vocal Group Hall of Fame
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor outstanding vocal groups throughout the world. It is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes a theater and a museum....
honoring the original members. Tommy Bialoglow performed and accepted the Harmony Award.
A band calling themselves "The Duprees" perform today featuring current members Tommy Petillo, Jimmy Spinelli, Phil Granito, and Tony Testa.
Some music critics have said that the Duprees' recordings are the most complex harmonies in rock and roll history.
Discography
- "You Belong to MeYou Belong to Me (1952 song)"You Belong to Me" is a pop music ballad from the 1950s. The singer reminds his/her lover that, whatever exotic locales and sights he/she experiences, "you belong to me." It is credited to three writers: Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart...
" (1964) - "Have You Heard" (1963)
- "Total Recall" (1968)
Singles chart
All chart listings are according to BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
- "My Own True Love" - Pop Chart #13 (1962)
- "You Belong to MeYou Belong to Me (1952 song)"You Belong to Me" is a pop music ballad from the 1950s. The singer reminds his/her lover that, whatever exotic locales and sights he/she experiences, "you belong to me." It is credited to three writers: Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart...
" - Pop Chart #7 (1962) - "Gone with the WindGone with the Wind (song)"Gone with the Wind" is a popular song. The music was written by Allie Wrubel, the lyrics by Herb Magidson. The song was published in 1937. A version recorded by Horace Heidt was a #1 song in 1937.Diane E...
" - Pop Chart #89 (1963) - "Have You Heard?Have You Heard?"Have You Heard?" is a popular song written by Lew Douglas, Charlie LaVere, and Roy Rodde and published in 1952. The biggest hit version was recorded by Joni James in 1952, charting the next year. The song was revived by The Duprees and became a hit again in 1963.The recording by Joni James was...
" - Pop Chart #18 (1963) - "Why Don't You Believe Me" - Pop Chart #37 (1963)
- "(It's No) Sin(It's No) Sin" Sin" is a 1951 popular song with music by George Hoven and lyrics by Chester R. Shull. Popular recordings of the song were made by The Four Aces and Eddy Howard....
" - Pop Chart #74 (1964) - "Check Yourself" - Pop Chart #97 (1970)
- "Delicious" - Disco Singles #3 (1975)