The Duprees

The Duprees are an American musical group of doo-wop style who had a series of hit records in the early 1960s. Their highest charting single, "You Belong to Me" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. In the early 1970s, they recorded as The Italian Asphalt & Pavement Company (also credited as I. A. P. CO.) with moderate commercial success.

Career

The group was founded in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey, by William L. Dickinson High School students Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, and lead singer Joey Canzano (later known as Joey Vann). George Paxton, a former big band leader was impressed by the group's style and signed them to his Coed Records label. Their first single, "You Belong to Me", had been a hit for Jo Stafford in 1952.[1] 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 in 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).[1] The group became known for mixing doo-wop vocals with big band arrangements. Tom Bialoglow left in 1963. Mike Kelly, who had recorded on the group's original demos for George Paxton, replaced Joey Vann as lead vocalist in 1964, and formally left the group in 1977. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they released an album under the name The Italian Asphalt & Pavement Company (or I. A. P. CO.), and had a minor hit called "Check Yourself".[2] Mike Arnone kept the group going into the 1980s with Richie Rosato on lead, Al Latta on baritone, Bob Leszczak on first tenor, Bobby Wells on keyboards, and Duane O'Hara on drums. This group lasted from 1981–83.

Joe Santollo died in 1981, Joey Vann died in 1984, and Mike Arnone died in 2005. John Salvato is a booking agent. Mike Kelly, who sang briefly with The Chaperones in 2006, died of cancer on August 7, 2012.[3] Tommy Bialoglow had his own group called Twilight Time and currently performs with Joe Zisa & Friends "Jersey Tribute".

The Original Duprees (Joey Vann Canzano, Mike Kelly, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, Joe Santollo, and Mike Arnone) were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006.

Modern-day group

In 1990, Mike Arnone took a back seat to performing so he could manage the group full-time. He died in 2005. The current edition of the Duprees are led by Tony Testa. He was one of the original guitarists for the Duprees during the early years. In 1989 Mike Arnone asked him to return to The Duprees as its Musical Director. Testa also sings bass, baritone and top falsetto parts for the group. Phil Granito has been with the Duprees since 1987. Jimmy Spinelli joined the group in 1989. Tommy Petillo is the group's fourth member who was the last lead singer to perform with the original Duprees.[4]

Discography
  • "You Belong to Me" (1962)
  • "Have You Heard" (1963)
  • "Total Recall" (1968)

Chart performance

Albums chart
  • You Belong to Me – #101 Billboard 200 (1962)
  • Have You Heard – (1963)
  • The Italian Asphalt & Pavement Company – (1970)

Singles chart

All chart listings are according to Billboard

References
  1. Richie Unterberger. "The Duprees". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012 (14th ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 261. ISBN 978-0-89820-205-2.
  3. Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2012 July To December". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  4. Chere, Rich (October 17, 2011). "No harmony between past and present Duprees". The Star-Ledger.
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