Tuesday, November 4, 2008

THE CHAPERONES (Josie Records)


The Chaperones Tony Amato (lead), Roy Marchesano (1st tenor), Tommy Ronca (second tenor), Nick Salvato (baritone) and Richard Messina (bass). Tommy and Roy went to Farmingdale High School on Long Island, Tony was from Deer Park and Nick was from Bethpage. The group had a couple of different names prior to the Chaperones including the Sharptones and Fairlanes. The name "Chaperones" was given to us by Jubilee records because dances and proms were popular at the time and the term was in vogue.


Above lead Singer of the group Tony Amato.

In 1959, the group was invited to record for the famous Josie label. One of the members Nick went to school at C.W. Post college with Steve Blaine whose father was Jerry Blaine head of Jubilee Records. The song was "Cruise To the Moon." (actually written by Roy Machesano and shared with all the Chaperones members) It was produced by Steve Blaine and Mickey Eichner. It was just terrific - the most exciting time. We never dreamed it would do anything. All of a sudden you start hearing it on the radio.While the group was waiting for Cruise to the Moon to be released (it was recorded in May 1959 but not released until the summer of 1960 with the B side_Dance With Me)

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They backed up Lee Adrian on Barbara, Let's Go Steady and So Lonely (Richcraft Records).




Other memorable shows included Murray the K gigs at Frontierland and Freedomland, shows with the Earls and one memorable show when they appeared with the Five Satins and one where they backed Paul Anka. The group's follow up record - Shining Star (1961) was an attempt to play on the success of Little Star by the Elegants and Hushabye by the Mystics. The B side was_My Shadow And Me.

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They backed Lou Jordan on Paradise for Two b/w Close Your Eyes (1961) on Josie. They then released their last record on Josie a remake of Blueberry Sweet by the Chandeliers b/w Man From the Moon - the follow up from their early success.

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Tommy Ronca left for Las Vegas where he performed for many years and produced Vegas shows.
In the 80's Tony and Nick reformed the group with Kin Chlandra and Danny Saatori and recorded for Tabor Records one single_Pizza Pie/I Dream.

Below spelling mistake of the Chaperones name 45 rpm.


Complete information at;  http://www.thechaperones.net/index.html

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