The Duprees

The Duprees are an American musical group of doo-wop style who had a series of top-ten singles in the early 1960s.

The group was founded in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey, by William L. Dickinson High School students Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow and lead singer Joey Canzano (later known as Joey Vann).

[1] One night while the Utopians sang at Hamilton Park, Arnone, Santollo, and Salvato came to hear Canzano.

Early in their run, Joey Vann got into a dispute with Joe Santollo causing him to leave the group.

Forgetting to leave a phone number, the group waited two months for a response before finally returning to check in.

After their first release The Duprees became stars, touring the United States performing at concert venues such as the Apollo Theatre and for radio disc jockeys.

The group continued to record thereafter, but turned in a more pop/rock direction with soul and funk influences, releasing an album under the name "The Italian Asphalt & Pavement Company" in 1970.

The last live performance of original group members John Salvato, Mike Arnone and Joe Santollo (with Larry Casanova on vocals and Tommy Petillo on lead) was New Year's 1979.

In 1981 the active performing group consisted of original member Mike Arnone, Mike Schiavo on lead, Bob Leszczak on tenor, Al Latta on 2nd tenor, Bobby Wells on keyboards and Duane O'Hara on drums.

In 1982, Schiavo was replaced by the returning Richie Rosato on lead vocals and this group can be seen on YouTube in a doo wop concert held at NYC's famous Studio 54.