The Elegants | |
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| Origin | South Beach, Staten Island,New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Doo-wop |
| Years active | 1958-2012 |
| Labels | Apt |
| Past members |
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The Elegants was an Americandoo-wopvocal group, that started in 1958 byVito Picone, Arthur Venosa, Frank Tardogno, Carman Romano and James Moschello inSouth Beach, Staten Island, New York.
Before theirnursery rhyme inspired song, "Little Star",[1] became anumber onehit, the band usually performed informally under theboardwalk by their homes. "Little Star" was the only million seller for the group, and was written by Venosa and Picone.[2]It spent 19 weeks in theBillboard Hot 100, earninggold disc status.[2]
The song reached number 25 in theUK Singles Chart in September 1958.[3]
After their success with "Little Star", the band, still in their teens, toured with artists such asBuddy Holly,Dion and the Belmonts,Chuck Berry andJerry Lee Lewis. However, none of their subsequentsingles reached the charts at all, making them an example ofone-hit wonders.
In early 1970s, lead singer Vito Picone returned to the group, replacing Tardogno as the lead singer. The group can be seen annually performing at theSan GennaroFestival, inLittle Italy, Manhattan, New York City.
According to the group's website, Freddie Redmond died ofemphysema in 2006, and was replaced by original member, James Moschello. Moschello had performed withThe Charts in the 1980s.[4]
As of 2012, the Elegants were still performing at concerts and events throughout the United States, under the name "Vito Picone & The Elegants. Band members include Joe Lucenti on lead guitar (who played with futureKiss drummerPeter Criss in the band Sounds of Soul in the 1960s),[5] Alex "Al Bal" Leonard and Mark Garni on keyboards, Mike Catalano and Pete Gamby on electric bass, with Vinny Cognato and Sal Albanese on drums.
Carman Romano (born on August 17, 1938) died on August 2, 2016, at the age of 77.[6]
Original member Artie Venosa died on April 20, 2018.[citation needed]
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