Бельмонты: История американского ду-вопа 1950-х

American doo wop group
the 1950s musical ensemble

The Belmonts were an American doo wop group from the Bronx, New York, that originated in the mid 1950s. The original group consisted of Angelo D'Aleo (born February 3, 1940), Carlo Mastrangelo (October 5, 1937 – April 4, 2016), and Fred Milano (August 26, 1939 – January 1, 2012). They took their name from Belmont, the Bronx street in which Mastrangelo lived, known as the Little Italy of the Bronx. From 1958–60 the group performed with Dion DiMucci (born July 18, 1939) as Dion and the Belmonts. At this time Mastrangelo sang the bass parts, Milano the second tenor, D'Aleo the falsetto (first tenor), and DiMucci did lead vocals. Mastrangelo was replaced in 1962 by Frank Lyndon and Warren Gradus, but the original group reunited in 1966, and thereafter performed together in numerous reunions over the years. They occasionally recorded new singles into the 1980s and performed live until the death of Milano in 2011. Gradus continued, performing live under the moniker until his death in October 2023.

Due to musical differences between DiMucci and the Belmonts, Dion decided to leave the group. "They wanted to get into their harmony thing, and I wanted to rock and roll," said Dion. "The label wanted me doing standards. I got bored with it quickly. I said, 'I can't do this. I gotta play my guitar'. So we split up and I did 'Runaround Sue', 'The Wanderer' and 'Ruby Baby'". At the height of the group's success his drug dependency worsened. When "Where or When" peaked, he was in a hospital detoxifying. Now a trio, they continued as "The Belmonts", with Mastrangelo singing lead. In January 1961, before leaving the Laurie label, they released their own rendition of "We Belong Together" (Laurie 3080) covering the Robert and Johnny classic. The song bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100, charting at number 108. Although not a hit, it is still valued today by record collectors. After leaving Laurie Records The Belmonts continued to record throughout the 1960s on the Sabina, United Artists and Dot labels. The trio had six songs on the US Top 100 between 1961 and 1963. Their greatest, "Tell Me Why", released in May 1961 on the Sabrina (aka Sabina) label, reached #18. Subsequent Billboard charted songs included "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (number 57), "I Need Someone" (number 75), "Come On Little Angel" (number 28), "Diddle Dee Dum" (number 53) and "Ann Marie" (number 86). While not charting nationally, other singles receiving airplay included, "Such A Long Way" (4 surveys), "I Confess" (4), "More Important Things To Do" (3), "Hombre" (2), "Ac Cent Tchu Ate The Positive" (2), "Walk On Boy" (1), "Let's Call It A Day" (1), "I Don't Know Why, I Just Do" (1), and the medley: "Have You Heard/The Worst That Could Happen" (1). The song "C'mon Everybody (Do You Wanna Dance)" received enough airplay on NYC radio station WINS that it was re recorded and used as the sound bite introduction for deejay Murray the K's "Triple Play" segments. Overall, including Billboard Hot 100 singles, The Belmonts charted 518 radio station surveys across the US during the 1960s. He was replaced by Frank Lyndon on lead and Warren Gradus doing Carlo's vocal parts and playing guitar. Mastrangelo attempted a solo career on Laurie Records, releasing four singles under the name "Carlo". He was backed vocally by the uncredited Tremonts (aka The Demilles). His first single, "Baby Doll", received considerable airplay in Florida, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, but didn't make the national charts. It was followed by an up tempo rock 'n' roll version of the classic "Mairzy Doats", which was very different from the original. His final Laurie recording, "Stranger in My Arms", was written especially for him by hit maker Ernie Maresca ("The Wanderer", "Runaround Sue"). However, the flip, "Ring A Ling", was a favorite of New York disc jockey Murray Kaufman, aka "Murray the K". He featured it on his weekly "Record Review Board Contest" and it clearly won as the best new release. It received airplay on New York radio stations WINS and WENE, but also failed to chart nationally. After leaving Laurie Records Mastrangelo became DiMucci's occasional songwriting partner, backup vocalist and drummer in the group "Dion and the Wanderers", which also featured John Falbo on guitar and Pete Baron on bass. Between 1964 and 1966 they released three uncharted singles for Columbia Records, making national appearances on Dick Clark's Where The Action Is and The Lloyd Thaxton Show. In late 1966 the three original Belmonts—Mastrangelo, Milano and D'Aleo—reunited with DiMucci and recorded the album Dion & The Belmonts "Together Again", for ABC Records. Produced by "DiMont Music", Mastrangelo played drums and DiMucci contributed guitar to reduce the need for additional session musicians. Two singles were released from the LP, "My Girl The Month of May" / "Berimbau" and "Movin' Man" / "For Bobbie". Neither charted in the US but fared better in England. "My Girl The Month Of May" broke the "Radio London Fab 40" top ten at number 9 the week of December 25, 1966. One reviewer stated, "Some British radio DJ's gave it a lot of airplay at the time." The follow up, "Movin Man", reached number 17 on the Radio London charts on March 26, 1967. "My Girl The Month Of May", was later covered by English artists Alan Bown in 1967 and The Bunch (featuring Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention) in April 1972. During their brief mid '60s reunion, Dion and the Belmonts appeared on the popular The Clay Cole Show performing "Berimbau" and "My Girl The Month of May" and occasionally performed at local New York City clubs such as The Mardi Gras on Staten Island (April 29, 1967) before disbanding. After DiMucci left the Belmonts, Frank Lyndon returned. Lyndon continued as lead singer for the next five years. When Frank Lyndon left they became a quartet with Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Dan Elliott (née Rubado, ex The Monterays, Glenn Miller Orchestra) who joined in 1974. In 1968 D'Aleo and Milano composed the lyrics for a vocal version of the instrumental theme to the Mission:Impossible TV series, which was recorded by the Kane Triplets and released on United Artists Records.

Mastrangelo, D'Aleo, Milano, Gradus and DiMucci reunited on June 2, 1972, at the Felt Forum in New York, for a Richard Nader "Rock and Roll Revival" concert. Nader said, "From our very first rock ‘n’ roll revival I must have received 100, 200, 300 letters at every single show asking, ‘Can’t you get Dion and the Belmonts back together?’ It took three years, but in 1972 we got both Dion and the Belmonts to say 'yes'." With only one brief rehearsal behind them, the eagerness with which the audience awaited their arrival on stage could be gauged from both Nader’s ecstatic introduction and the booming audience reaction that greeted it. Singer Billy Vera recalled the moment: "It was like an earthquake; you could literally feel the stage shake." album, Cigars, Acappella, Candy, for Buddah Records. It was distinguished for its medley of 13 doo wop tracks called "Street Corner Symphony". Mastrangelo and Lyndon, their two former lead singers from the 1960s, contributed backing vocals. Mastrangelo also sang lead vocals on the songs, "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" and "We Belong Together". Concurrently, Mastrangelo released a progressive jazz rock album on Thimble Records titled Pulse featuring Carlo Mastrangelo. It received a small amount of airplay on New York rock stations WPLJ and WLIR, but overall was unsuccessful. In 1975 the Belmonts (Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Elliott) released one single on Laurie, followed by the album Cheek to Cheek for Strawberry Records. Gradus and Elliott also moonlighted on Laurie Records in the late 1970s under the alias Foreign Intrigue, releasing three singles. In 1981 the Belmonts (Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Elliott) recorded a single with Freddy Cannon titled, "Let's Put the Fun Back in Rock and Roll", for MiaSound Records. The song charted for four weeks, peaking at number 81 on Billboard. With their newly charted record, The Belmonts and Cannon appeared on Solid Gold and The Mike Douglas Show to promote the single. Later in 1981 The Belmonts and Cannon joined forces in New York with Bo Diddley on guitar. Together they recorded the track "Shake It Sally", released in 1982 on the Rock 'n Roll Traveling Show album (Downtown D 20001). They also had a musical role in H. B. Halicki's 1982 movie The Junkman. In the mid '80s DiMucci also recorded with a group, consisting of Mastrangelo, Louis Colletti and Tommy Moran. Colletti and Moran were backing vocalists on DiMucci's 1992 album Dream On Fire. Meanwhile, D'Aleo temporarily left the group, leaving the trio of Milano, Gradus and Elliott. D'Aleo said, "There was a time when I got mentally fatigued and tired. I actually left the group for four years. Maybe you want to call it 'burnt out.' Then Fred, my buddy, called me, and said, 'Ang what are you doing? Come on.' I've been back ever since". The other original members of the Belmonts (Mastrangelo, Milano and D'Aleo) were not inducted, and as of 2023, have yet to be.

In 1994, a lawsuit was filed by Fred Milano and Warren Gradus claiming trademark infringement against DiMucci, Mastrangelo, and D'Aleo. In May 1991, Milano and DiMucci entered into an agreement in which DiMucci agreed to appear with Milano and others, performing concerts under the name Dion and the Belmonts, but only if certain conditions were met. Milano claimed he negotiated arrangements for as many as five concerts, but DiMucci refused to honor the agreement. The suit alleged that while DiMucci had agreed to reunite with Milano, he had also simultaneously agreed to take part in a reunion with Mastrangelo and D'Aleo. Milano and Gradus won the lawsuit. In 2000, Dion and the Belmonts were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2003 The Belmonts created an internet radio station called "The Belmonts Internet Radio" playing all 50's and 60's and featuring Don K. Reed's original Doo Wopp Shop on Sunday evenings. In December 2009, the Belmonts released the Christmas single "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle". In 2009 The Belmonts also released the CD The Belmonts Anthology Vol.1 Featuring A Hundred Pounds of Clay. "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" was released as a CD single in 2010. That year former member Art Loria, died from an accident at his home in Naples, Florida.

The Belmonts, featuring Milano, D'Aleo, Gradus and Elliott, performed 50 to 100 shows each year until 2011. Milano, who had participated in every one of the Belmonts' recording sessions dating back 54 years, died on January 1, 2012, at the age of 72. DiMucci said of his passing: "I was shocked, obviously, because it was so sudden. It hit hard because a relationship like we had, it’s ingrained in you. We knew each other from our teenage boyhoods; even though we weren’t close and didn’t talk in later years, what we went through together made us like family. He and the Belmonts—they were the very best. Freddie was almost like a genius with vocal harmony. I was humbled to sing with Freddie, Carlo and Angelo." In October 2012, the Belmonts (D'Aleo and Gradus) joined former New York City disc jockey Don K. Reed as featured guests on Vito Picone's (The Elegants) long running, Staten Island based cable TV show Let The Good Times Roll. Mastrangelo died on April 4, 2016. In 2016 The Belmonts released a single called "Welcome Me Back Home" written by Warren Gradus. It was Blitz Magazines #1 single of that year. Former member Bob Coleman died in 2020. Dan Elliott died on June 23, 2019. Warren Gradus continued to perform as the Belmonts with other individuals until shortly before his death on October 29, 2023 at the age of 78.

Their sound is analogist very distinct, and has been analogist with the New York City Doo Wop – Bronx "sound". A more recent example of using a song to set the time frame of for a movie is using "I Wonder Why" for the opening in the major motion picture A Bronx Tale. The song once heard is linked along with on screen visual that sets a direct correlation to 1950s Americana. In 2016, the Belmonts released a recording entitled "Welcome Me Back Home" that has become a standard among the 1950s and 1960s crowd garnering hundreds of thousands streams.

YearSingleU. S. labelBillboard Hot 100UK Singles ChartAustralian Singles ChartMay 1958"I Wonder Why" / "Teen Angel"Laurie 301322–68Aug 1958"No One Knows" / "I Can't Go On (Rosalie)"Laurie 301519–100Dec 1958"Don't Pity Me" / "Just You"Laurie 302140––Mar 1959"A Teenager in Love" / "I've Cried Before"Laurie 302752812Aug 1959"Every Little Thing I Do" / "A Lover's Prayer"Laurie 303548–57Nov 1959"Where or When" / "That's My Desire"Laurie 30443–77Apr 1960"When You Wish Upon a Star" / "Wonderful Girl"Laurie 305230–70Jun 1960"In the Still of the Night" / "A Funny Feeling"Laurie 305938–60Oct 1966"My Girl The Month of May" / "Berimbau"ABC 10868–9–Jan 1967"Movin' Man" / "For Bobbie"ABC 10896–17–

YearSingleU. S. labelBillboard Hot 100Weeks On ChartsMay 1961"Tell Me Why"Sabrina 5001811Sep 1961"Don't Get Around Much Anymore"Sabrina 501579Dec 1961"I Need Someone"Sabina 502754Aug 1962"Come On Little Angel"Sabina 5052814Nov 1962"Diddle Dee Dum"Sabina 507536Apr 1963"Ann Marie"Sabina 509863Sep 1981"Let's Put The Fun Back In Rock N Roll" Freddy CannonMiaSound 1002814