1963 - Rocket Ride / Why Don't You Love Me (Pageant 602)
Johnny Maestro (bb Rick & the Masters)
1963 - Over The Weekend / I'll Be True (not them) (Cameo 256)
Don Covay (bb Rick & the Masters)
1963 - Popeye Waddle / One Little Boy Had Money (not them) (Cameo 239)
Biography :
In the early '60s, Mike "Teardrops" Silenzio needed a lead singer for
the doo-wop group he was putting together. Mike attended South
Philadelphia High School and he was chums with Fabian Forte, Chubby
Checker, Bobby Rydell and other kids who would go on to stellar singing
careers, and he knew what he was looking for. His group, the Masters,
consisted of Mike himself as second tenor, baritone Richie Finizio
(Richie was a cousin to South Philly Legend Bob Finizio of the 4 J's.),
his cousin Frank "Tweetie" Condo as first tenor, and a clutch of others
who were semi-members and hangers-on. But he didn't have a true lead
singer. It wasn't until after a stint in the Navy that Mike found who he
was looking for - Tony "Rick" Trombetta.
Rick originally had a solo act where he used his mother's maiden name
"Rigiano", so he called himself Rick Rigiano and decided to stick with
Rick. And the Masters became Rick & the Masters. The group had to
make a record to further its career, and it was Billy DiMuro who gave it
the opportunity when he started Taba Records. Jim Cunningham and Billy
DiMuro wrote "Flame Of Love". Billy also recorded with the group doing
back-up vocals on several releases under the name Billy Lynn and Billy
Lane.
In actuality, Billy's real name was Trombetta, one of the Tony's
Brothers. "Flame of Love' emerged from Taba's portals in 1962, and was
immediately scooped up by Cameo Records when it showed sales potential.
Another release by the group under the name Bobby young, was actually
Tony's younger Brother Bobby Tombetta. On " To Each His Own", Bobby
shared the lead with older brother Tony. Jack "Rocky" McKnight of the
Four Epics arranged this. The group's next effort as Rick and the
Masters came out on the Haral Label. Jack "Rocky" McKnight again
arranged "Bewitched Bothered And Bewildered ".
The
Group's final release under their name came on the Cameo Label. Cameo
really liked the Guys using them several times to do back-up for such
artists as : Bobby Rydell, Johnny Greco, don covey, Johnny Maestro and
Lee Andrews.
Songs :
Rick & The Masters (5)
Let It Please Be You / I Don't Want Your Love Here Comes Nancy / Flame Of Love
