The Raindrops (4) (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
ref The Jumpin'Tones
Personnel :
Joe Nunez (Tenor)
Pat Zito (Bass)
Lou Beneveto
Jimmy Beneveto
Discography :
Singles :
1961 - In The Still Of The Night / Sweetheart Song (Imperial 5785)
1989 - Jingle Bell Stomp / Even Now (The Jumpin'Tones)(Avenue D 16)
Unreleased :
1961 - Japanese Sandman (Imperial)
1961 - Come On Home (Imperial)
1961 - I See A Star (Imperial)
1961 - You're My Love (Imperial)
Biography :
Pat Zito, Joe Nunez, Lou and Jimmy Beneveto from Williamsburg section
of Brooklyn, formed a vocal group. Night after night, they would
harmonize on the street corners with each other or with friends such as
Eugene Pitt and his group, the Jive Five. Sam Hawkins (Who had a hit of
his own "king Of Fool) introduced the group to Goldie Goldmark, Vice
president of Imperial records. They auditioned a song they had written
"The Sweetheart Song" and were told that someone from Imperial would get
in touch with them soon.
Pat Zito & Joe Nunez
In
the meantime, the group needed a name, At first the name Tear drops
appealed to them, but they soon rejected it, believing that it sounded
too similar to the name of another group. By chance, Joe quickly
suggested they change Tear Drops to Rain Drops. It was not long before
they were contacted by bandleader and arranger, Leroy Kirkland , who was
then worked for Imperial. Kirkland had refashioned the Five Satins hit
"In The Still Of The Night". The group went into the Beltone studios
and cut Four sides. two remain unreleased and the other pair, "In The
Still Of The Night" coupled with their own "Sweetheart Song" were issued
but the record was a commercial failure, and the dischanted Rain Drops
broke up. Joe Nunez & Pat Zito then decided to form another group the Jumpin Tones.
Songs :
In The Still Of The Night Jingle Bell Stomp Come On Home