1964 - School Bells To Chapel Bells / I Love You For Sentimental Reasons (Josie 920)
Biography :
The group first began on the lower east side of New York City in
1958, when 4 young men, ranging in age from 13 to 15 and attending
Junior High School 22, first harmonized on street corners, hallways and
subway stations perfecting their own unique style. This perfection
earned the group invitations to perform at block parties, school
functions and becoming the wishful entertainment for everyone’s house
parties. This first group was called The Financials with Ruben Mangual,
Orvin Baptiste, Rick Pettignano & Gene Serina. Soon after, Ruben
introduced George West (a high school friend) to the group, rounding out
The Financials to a full 5 man vocal group. In 1961 the group decided to change the group name from it's wall street sounding Financials to something shorter and slicker and they came up with “The Vels”. In late 1962, the group's manager, Rick Pettignano Sr. (father of group member Rick Pettignano Jr.), landed a recording contract for The Vels with Amy Records (1650 Broadway, NY) and their first record was released in 1963 (Amy #881) “Do The Walk” / “In Laws”, produced by Jerry Landis AKA Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel Fame).
Jerry Landis AKA Paul Simon Vinny Catalano
One year later the group was approached by singer, song writer and
producer Vinny Catalano and his partner Pete Alonso for a project he
felt was perfect for our group. Before the recording date Gene Serina
was inducted into the US Army and was replaced by neighborhood friend
Tony Duran.The
group then recorded "School Bells To Chapel Bells" & "I Love You
For Sentimental Reasons". Producer Catalano shopped the recordings to
Josie Records (a subsidiary of Jubilee Records) and the group was singed
to the label. Executives at Josie Records did not like the groups name
"The Vels", they changed it to The Styles and released the recordings in
1964 (Josie Records Catalog #920). The Trademark for the name The
Styles was granted to another entity in 2014 which now prohibits us from
using the name professionally.
The Vels / Styles (2014) Top : George West, Gene Serina & Ruben Mangual - Bottom Rick Pettignano
Gene
Serina returned from the Army and was brought back into the group.
There were a few personnel changes within the group. The group lost
Ruben Mangual, Tony Duran & George West leaving Rick Pettignano,
Orvin Baptiste & Gene Serina. They added neighborhood friend Eddie
Lebron bringing the group to 4 members. In late 1965 record producer,
Joe Webb (who was the manager of the original Bobbettes) asked Eddie
Lebron & Gene Serina, (formerly with the The Styles vocal group
whose name we can no longer use due to US Trademark issues) if they
would be interested in meeting with 2 members of a Long Island group
called The Lost Souls who had recorded "Little Eva" as The Locomotions
for Gone Records.
