The Impaks (Ozone Park, Queens, New York)
Personnel :
Charlie Mollica (Lead)
Artie Riccio
Louie Forte
Dominic "Dickie" Agate
Dennis Bounagura
Discography :
1962 - Climb Up On Your Rockin Chair / Make Up Your Mind (Express 716)
Biography :
The
Impaks originated from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. They met at a
Friday night Confraternity (dance) at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. There were two singing groups that night, the Imaginations and a
no name group (Louie Forte's). Charlie left the Imaginations to become
lead singer of the newly formed Impaks. Pictured above is the original
five, circa late 1961/Early 1962, Top left; Artie Riccio, middle;
Charlie Mollica, right; Louie Forte, Bottom left; Dominic "Dickie"
Agate, bottom right; Dennis Bounagura. Singing on neighborhood street
corners, and the famous Boyd Avenue train station (for the echo) with
other groups, happened all the time. A number of those groups were good
but never recorded. According to the guys. it was because "That's What
You Did" to stay out of trouble.
Their career was launched at Leone's restaurant in Long Beach, owned
by John Linde. He liked them so much, he became their manager and
arranged for them to cut a record for the Express label - which was a
subsidiary of Fargo. The Impaks then recorded Climb Upon Your Rockin'
Chair and flip side Make Up Your Mind in 1963. They had local airplay
for both sides, depending on which DJ was playing it. The disc also
picked up some spins in California. The Impaks appeared at many venues
with other local groups including the Earls, Johnny Maestro & the
Crests, Jive Five, the Dubs, Ronettes, Vito and the Salutations, and
others. The Impaks actually recorded other songs, but were never
released.
http://www.colorradio.com/impaks.htm
Songs :
Make Up Your Mind Climb Up On Your Rockin Chair