The Duprees

The Duprees is an American musical group of doo-wop style which had a series of hit records in the early 1960s.

Career

The group originated in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey, 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 and left in 1978. Tom Bialoglow and John Salvato are the only surviving original members.

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.

The evolution of The Duprees has brought them, for the past 25 years, to current members Tommy Petillo, Jimmy Spinelli, Phil Granito, Tony Fresca, and Bobby Bagodonuts. The group still records and appears in venues worldwide.

Their official website is www.duprees.com

Some music critics have said that the Duprees' recordings are the most complex harmonies in rock and roll history. Despite such complexities, the group has managed to maintain the classic sounds that catapulted the Duprees to stardom in the early 60's.

Discography

• "You Belong to Me" (1964)
• "Have You Heard" (1963)
• "Total Recall" (1968)

Chart performance

Albums chart

• You Belong to Me - #101 Billboard 200 (1962)

Singles chart

All chart listings are according to Billboard

• "My Own True Love" - Pop Chart #13 (1962)
• "You Belong to Me" - Pop Chart #7 (1962)
• "Gone with the Wind" - Pop Chart #89 (1963)
• "Have You Heard?" - Pop Chart #18 (1963)
• "Why Don't You Believe Me" - Pop Chart #37 (1963)
• "(It's No) Sin" - Pop Chart #74 (1964)
• "Check Yourself" - Pop Chart #97 (1970)
• "Delicious" - Disco Singles #3 (1975)

External links

• The Duprees official website