The Del Satins (Manhattan, New York)
Personnel :
Stan Ziska (Lead)
Fred Ferrara (Baritone)
Tom Ferrara (Bass)
Leslie Cauchi (First Tenor)
Keith Koestner (Second Tenor)
Discography :
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Biography :
The Del-Satins were one of the finest white male doo wop groups of all time. Though not as well known as The Earls, Jay & The Ameicans, or The Four Seasons, in their own style (which was rhythm and blues and rock and roll) they were every bit as good. Unfortunately, they received no credit on any of their 13 hit records, although they did have the chance to make a few excellent singles under their own name.
The Del-Satins first time on stage as professional entertainers (Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, April 23, 1958
Formed in 1958 in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, the quintet consisted of Stan Ziska (lead), Leslie Cauchi (first tenor), Bobby Fiela (second tenor), Fred Ferrara (baritone), and his brother Tom Ferrara (bass). Les attended Power Memorial while Fred and Tom went to Machine and Metals Trade School. Influenced by R&B groups like The Heartbats, The Dubs, and The Flamingos, the Del-Satins, aged 15 to 17, would practice on Tom and Fred’s stoop on 69th Street when they weren't searching for a good overpass or bathroom to provide that perfect echo.
November 1958
Early on they were called the Jokers, not as a singing group but rather as a basketball team playing in a house league for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. They decided on the name Del-Satins by putting together two of their favorite groups, The Dells and The Five Satins. They then made their own first break by participating in a talent show at the Empire Hotel on New York’s West Side. The first prize, which they won, was a record deal with George Goldner’'s End Records, and s0 it was that the Del-Satins’ first single, “I'll Pray for You,” was released in 1961.
The Del Satins with DJ Alan Fredriks
The
record received good local response, especially from WADO disc jockey
Alan Fredericks, leading to some shows for Fredericks at the Levittown
Arena.Around this time Jim Gribble, manager for other New York-area
harmony groups like The Passions, took on the Del-Satins. He brought the
quintet to Bob and Gene Schwartz at Laurie Records when he heard Dion
was looking for a new backup group.The Del-Satins were instantly sent to
work on his new song, "Runaround Sue", which then rose to number 1 in
the Billboard charts.
Anthony LaRosa avec Richie Greejn, Stan Zizka, Tom Ferrara, Fred Ferrara, Joe Ferrara et Leslie Cauchi.
Although their contribution to the hit was substantial, the Del-Satins received no credit. They also sang on Dion's later solo hits, "The Wanderer", "Lovers Who Wander", "Little Diane", "Love Came To Me", "Ruby Baby", "Donna the Prima Donna" and "Drip Drop", as well as on records by Len Barry and Jan and Dean.
They released a number of singles under their own name, but had little success until "Teardrops Follow Me" in 1962, after which they found regular work on television and radio. They then moved to Columbia Records as part of Dion's new contract. Still frustrated by their lack of recognition, in 1963 they auditioned for Phil Spector but declined his subsequent invitation to record with him. As Dion's solo career ran into the commercial doldrums in the mid-1960s, the group moved on to Mala Records and then B.T. Puppy Records where they released an album, Out to Lunch.
Ziska left in the mid-1960s and Cauchi and Tom Ferrara were drafted. The remaining members of the Del-Satins continued to play live with the addition of Johnny Maestro (former lead singer of The Crests), Richard Green, and Mike Gregorio. When Cauchi returned, they changed the group's name to Brooklyn Bridge. In 1991 the Del-Satins, led by Stan Ziska, re-formed for nostalgia shows and issued an album, Still Wandering
Songs :
The Dell Satins
I Remember The Night / I'll Pray For You
The Del Satins
Remember / Counting Tear Drops Teardrops Follow Me / Best Wishes, Good...
Does My Love Stand A Chance Ballad Of A Dee-Jay
Feelin´ No Pain Naturally
I Don't Care Who Cares
Believe In Me Two Broken Hearts
Hang Around / My Candy Apple Vette Sweets For My Sweet / A Girl Named Arlene
Relief The Throwaway Song
Love, Hate, Revenge (If I Want You To Cry) Read Between The Lines / I'll Never Know