Formed by teenagers in Staten Island, New York, the Elegants topped Billboard’s national Pop chart in the summer of 1958 with “Little Star”, which sold two million copies on its way to becoming a worldwide hit. The group had begun career as Pat Cordel and the Crescents on Club Records in 1956 but the unit was short-lived. Members Vito Picone and Carman Romano (1936-2016) reorganized the quintet in 1957 with new members Artie Venosa, Jimmy Moschello and Frank Tardogno. Renamed the Elegants, they came to an agreement with Hull Records’ owner Bea Caslin, who liked the groups originals, “Little Star” and “Getting’ Dizzy” and arranged for them to be released on ABC-Paramount’s Apt subsidiary label. Despite stellar vocal group harmony records -“Please Believe Me”, “Goodnight”, “Little Boy Blue” and “Tiny Cloud”, none made the charts and eventually the fellows went their separate ways. Lead singer Vito Picone began a solo career in 1963 and recorded with a new group for Laurie Records as Vito and the Elegants in 1965. This lineup included Antonio “Nino” Amato and Freddie Redmond, formerly of the Majestics.
The Elegants first appeared on the Rock Magazine Original Rock and Roll Revival series at New York’s Academy of Music in September of 1970, earning a standing ovation for an acapella version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The group returned in September of 1971. At the time, they included originals Frankie Tardogno, Jimmy Moschello, new member Anthony Moscato, and Fred Redmond, from the Laurie group.
On February 2, 1974, the Elegants returned to the Academy of Music stage with original lead singer Vito Picone, Laurie label members first tenor Nino Amato and baritone-bass Freddie Redmond, and new member Bruce “Sonny” Copp, who sang second tenor and played rhythm guitar. These 8 minutes of film footage from that performance have never been seen or shared publicly before. The group opens their three-song set with their 1960 Hull release, “Little Boy Blue” before offering the 1958 fan-favorite ballad, “Goodnight” and their #1 hit, “Little Star”.
Beginning in the early 1970s, Boston-area disc jockey, concert host and producer, historian and enthusiast, Little Walter DeVenne began documenting the pioneers of vocal group harmony, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll using Super 8 movie film, reel to reel tape recorders, and whatever means were available to him. Concerts in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and other locations were preserved. Sadly, Walter died in 2021, and the films were feared lost or destroyed. Through the efforts of Walter’s friend and longtime disc jockey, Mike Bollea, many of these recordings have been preserved. Through Mike’s generosity and a desire to see Walter’s historic films shared with fans and devotees of this music, we present the Little Walter’s Time Machine Official Archives series, remixed and synched by Todd Baptista, from the original source material.
For the best in “oldies but goodies” from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, listen to Mike Bollea on MIXCLOUD and follow his discjockeymike page to hear new shows. To leave comments or connect with Mike, send him a friend request and visit his Facebook page Michael Bollea (Not Just Another DJ) and the Mike Bollea’s Radio Friends Group or e-mail him at [email protected].
In 2024, original lead singer Vito Picone and the Elegants continue to perform in concert. From the 1974 lineup, only Sonny Copp remains with the group today. Fred Redmond died in 2006 and was replaced by the group’s original bass, Jimmy Moschello.