Personnel :
Johnny Angelillo (Baritone)
Joe Patriarca (Second Tenor)
Don Cruz (Lead & First Tenor)
Joe Garcia (Lead & First Tenor)
Jesus "Joe" Carillo (Bass)
Discography :
Biography :
The Original Crystals came from Columbus High School. They are Joe Patriarca, Richie Sozzi, ,Joe Garcia, John Angelillo and Joe Premonts. . The Group changed their name to the Delmonicos and recorded a demo Cynthia b/w Baby Sitter in 1957/1958. Premont and Sozzi were soon replaced by Joe "Bassi" Carillo and Don Cruz respectively. John's brother Louis "Chubby" became the group's co-manager along with Louis Carbonetti. Chubby Angelillo got the group an audition with Moe Gale . Moe Gale changed the group's name to the Metro's and they recorded 2 sides released by Just Record "All of My Life" b/w "Lookin'" .
Moe then formed his own agency (Moe Gale Agency) and took the guys to see Ray Ellis (yes, the band leader) at MGM where they auditioned for him. Some acetate demo 78s were done and sent to different publishing agencies. Ray wanted to record them, but only if they changed their name. The group got together and chose the name Crystals (back then, there were no well- known groups with this name, although hard-core followers of early rhythm and blues know there were several earlier groups with this name).
with Frank Beltran of the Young
Tones