When we posted a review and photos from our May 2009 visit
to the South Philly String Band Club it became one of our most visited pages.
We decided to return to the twice-monthly acappella doo wop get-together a
month later (June 2009) to see two excellent singing groups. The club was
very crowded with people anticipating hearing Memory Lane and the Balladeers.
Memory Lane is made up of experienced
personnel from different groups. Its members are: Frank Pescatore, John
Paloney, (formerly of the Intentions and Ecstasies) Richard Booker (from Lee
Andrew’s Hearts), and Frank Lafaro (from Frankie and the Fashions and many
more groups). You may know Frank Pescatore as Dean Randolph, his stage name
during the 1960's when he was a teen idol recording “Fair Weather Friend” on
the Saturn and MGM labels. Group harmony fans know him for his
Chancellor recording of “False Love” which he told us was done with the
backing of the Concepts. Memory Lane enticed us with their harmony! A
few of the songs they sang were “Stormy Weather”, “Island of Love”, and
“California Dreamin” with a very soulful ending led by Richard Booker.
Up next was The Balladeers a group we
hadn’t seen since UGHA. They certainly were worth the wait. Their members
are Joe Cleary, Courtney Bailey, Dave Moore, Harold Leither, and John Paloney.
Again, a group made up of veteran singers. They sang a very long set with Joe
Cleary singing most of the leads. His voice has not changed; it’s still
distinctive and clear. Some of the songs they sang were: “ Why Do You Cry”,
“In Each Corner of My Heart”, “Don’t Say You’re Sorry”, and “Count Every Star”
with Courtney Bailey on lead. The Balladeers are known for their
repertoire of obscure but great tunes.
As usual, our friend King Arthur was the
DJ and MC for the first part of the evening. King Arthur has a long
history of being on the air, beginning on WCAM (Camden) in the late 1960's.
He now can be heard on WNJC (1360 AM) in the Philly area and on the Internet
on Destination Doo-Wop. We were also happy to see the King's wife, Janet
(The Queen). She also does a great radio program on Destination Doo-Wop.
Long time Philadelphia radio personality Jim “Cannonball” Parsons was a guest
DJ for part of the early evening. Jimmy DePre took over the mike and was
the DJ later in the night.
We again thank Eddie Natale and Bobby
Buerklin for their hard work and dedication to vocal group harmony. They
are keeping the music alive in Philadelphia! To see photos and a write
up from a previous visit as well as details about this Acappella-fest, click
Acappella &
Doo Wop at the South Philly String Band Club.
Memory Lane, (left to right) Frankie Lafaro,
John Paloney, Richard Booker, Frank Pescatori
DJ King Arthur spinning dance tunes
Charlie, Internet radio dj The Skipper &
Smitty of Quiet Storm
Charlie, Pam & Val Shively
Steve Applebaum & Charlie
Memory Lanes' Frank Pescatori (Dean Randolph)
& Charlie
Frank Pescatore (Dean Randolph) in the early
1960's
(Photo from the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
The Balladeers, (left to right) John Paloney,
Harold Leiter,
Dave Moore, Courtney Bailey, Joe Cleary
The Balladeers
Crowd watching the Balladeers
The Balladeers and other celebrities: (left
to right) Harold Leiter
Dave Moore, dj King Arthur, Courtney Bailey, Joe Cleary,
Congressman Bob Brady, radio personality Jim "Cannonball" Parsons
Eddie Natale & Pam
Courtney Bailey, Pam & Joe Cleary
Dave Moore, Tom Rowell & Pam
Richard Booker & Charlie.
For our photos of our earlier (May 2009) visit
to the South Philly String Band, click
Acappella &
Doo Wop at the South Philly String Band Club.
For more details on this Acappella-fest, email
Eddie Natale at his new email address,
eddie7792@gmail.com
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2009. All
Rights Reserved.
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