The Elegants is a doo-wop band that was started in 1958 by Vito Picone, Art… Read Full Bio ↴The Elegants is a doo-wop band that was started in 1958 by Vito Picone, Arthur Venosa, Frank Tardogano, Carmen Romano and James Mochella in South Beach, Staten Island Before their nursery-rhyme-inspired song, "Little Star", became a number one hit, the band usually performed informally under the boardwalk by their homes.
Vito Picone (lead singer), born 17 March, 1940
Carman Romano (baritone), born 17 August, 1939
James Moschella (bass), born 10 May, 1938
Arthur Venosa (first tenor), born 3 September, 1939
Frank Tardogano (second tenor), born 18 September, 1941
After Little Star dominated the radio, the band, still in their teens, toured with artists such as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. However, none of their subsequent singles reached the success of Little Star and eventually the band fizzled out.
In the late 1960s, lead singer Vito Picone restarted the group, this time with three new vocalists Fred Redmond, Nino Amato and Bruce Copp. The core of this group is still together and to this date have not stopped touring around country. They can be seen annually performing at the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy, Manhattan.
Mention The Elegants and you will say "Little Star". I doubt if many of you can think of any other title by the group. Like the Silhouettes and the Hollywood Argyles (not to mention Kyu Sakamoto and the Singing Nun), the Elegants have the dubious distinction of hitting the number one spot on the pop charts and then dropping out of sight completely.
The Elegants were formed in 1957, but two of the founding members, Vito Picone and Carman Romano, had previously sung (and recorded one single, "Darling Come Back") with a short-lived quartet called Pat Cordel and the Crescents. Pat Cordel (real name Patti Croccitto) was the 15-year old female lead singer of the group and the three male members were not much older. Picone and Romano were not about to give up and recruited James Moschella, Frank Tardogno and Arthur Venosa to form a new group. All five members came from Staten Island, New York. While practicing and playing local talent shows and dances, they picked up a 19-year old manager, Kathy Watts, who schooled them choreographically and musically.
In late 1957, Picone and Venosa wrote "Little Star", based on the nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (the melody of which was NOT originally composed by Mozart, in spite of what many sources will have us believe). It went down very well at their performances, but as they did not yet have a recording contract, they could not record it. When the Elegants learned that another Staten Island group called The Secrets were about to record "Little Star" for Decca, they feverishly set about the task of finding a record deal. Enter Blanche Kaslin. In 1955, Blanche (Bea) Kaslin, comptroller for Al Silver's Herald label in New York, had formed her own label, Hull (and later Mascot). Working from two rooms at 1595 Broadway, Kaslin produced a number of vocal group classics such as "A Thousand Miles Away" by the Heartbeats, "Been So Long" by the Pastels, "Book Of Love" by the Monotones, and, later, "Daddy's Home" by Shep and the Limelites. Kaslin recognized the hit potential of "Little Star" immediately. She signed the Elegants to Hull and recorded the song in April 1958, along with its B-side, the quite different "Gettin' Dizzy", a straightforward rocker. But the record would not come out on Hull. From past experience, Kaslin knew that she could not bring home a hit on her own small label. So, to avoid distribution problems, she leased the master directly to ABC-Paramount without ever releasing it on Hull. "Little Star" was one of five inaugural releases on Apt Records, a subsidiary launched by ABC-Paramount in May 1958. By July the record was selling 80,000 copies a day and on August 25th it hit # 1 (for 1 week), a tremendous achievement for a debuting group. The importance of "Little Star" went beyond the record's own success : the sound influenced many young white groups of the late 1950s and early 60s, such as The Capris, the Mystics, Randy and the Rainbows and the Passions.
The follow-up Apt single, "Please Believe Me"/"Goodnight" was issued in October 1958, in the style of Dion and the Belmonts. Although it had widespread intial airplay, it never even touched the Top 100. After another flop in the shape of "True Love Affair", ABC dropped the group. Kaslin held on to the quintet for one more release on Hull, "Little Boy Blue", another nursery rhyme, but this made no impact either, nor did two United Artists singles in 1960. When Vito Picone was injured in an accident in 1961, the remaning group members decided to go it alone, prompting Vito to pursue a solo career when he recovered. In 1965 he was signed to Laurie Records and recorded a few singles with a new group as Vito and the Elegants. After a period of musical inactivity, Picone reformed the Elegants in the late 1970s and recorded an LP with them (their only album) called "A Knight With the Elegants". Since then, Picone has reassembled various groups, called them The Elegants and played the oldies circuit. They are still based on Staten Island.
Along with Dion and the Belmonts, the Elegants were one of the best and most influential white doo-wop groups. But the records they released all tended to sound like "Little Star" and the group never regained their momentum after that colossal hit.
"Little Star" was the only million seller for the group, and was written by Venosa and Picone. It spent 19 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, earning gold disc status.
The song reached number 25 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1958.
After "Little Star" dominated the radio, the band, still in their teens, toured with artists such as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. However, none of their subsequent singles reached the charts at all making them a prime example of one-hit wonders.
In early 1970s, lead singer Picone returned to the group replacing Tardogno as the lead singer. That group comprising Vito Picone, Freddie Redmond, Nino Amato and Bruce Copp have been together ever since and to this date, have not stopped touring. They can be seen annually performing at the San Gennaro Festival, in Little Italy, Manhattan, New York.
According to the Elegants website, Freddie Redmond died of emphysema in 2006, and was replaced by original member, James Moschella. As of 2012, the Elegants are still performing at concerts and events throughout the United States, under the name "Vito Picone & The Elegants". They still perform "Little Star", as well as their interpretations of many golden oldies. The Elegants band consists of Mike Catalano on bass guitar, Joe Lucenti on lead guitar, Mark Garni on keyboards and Sal Albanese on drums.
Moschella performed with The Charts in the 1980s.
Vito Picone (lead singer), born 17 March, 1940
Carman Romano (baritone), born 17 August, 1939
James Moschella (bass), born 10 May, 1938
Arthur Venosa (first tenor), born 3 September, 1939
Frank Tardogano (second tenor), born 18 September, 1941
After Little Star dominated the radio, the band, still in their teens, toured with artists such as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. However, none of their subsequent singles reached the success of Little Star and eventually the band fizzled out.
In the late 1960s, lead singer Vito Picone restarted the group, this time with three new vocalists Fred Redmond, Nino Amato and Bruce Copp. The core of this group is still together and to this date have not stopped touring around country. They can be seen annually performing at the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy, Manhattan.
Mention The Elegants and you will say "Little Star". I doubt if many of you can think of any other title by the group. Like the Silhouettes and the Hollywood Argyles (not to mention Kyu Sakamoto and the Singing Nun), the Elegants have the dubious distinction of hitting the number one spot on the pop charts and then dropping out of sight completely.
The Elegants were formed in 1957, but two of the founding members, Vito Picone and Carman Romano, had previously sung (and recorded one single, "Darling Come Back") with a short-lived quartet called Pat Cordel and the Crescents. Pat Cordel (real name Patti Croccitto) was the 15-year old female lead singer of the group and the three male members were not much older. Picone and Romano were not about to give up and recruited James Moschella, Frank Tardogno and Arthur Venosa to form a new group. All five members came from Staten Island, New York. While practicing and playing local talent shows and dances, they picked up a 19-year old manager, Kathy Watts, who schooled them choreographically and musically.
In late 1957, Picone and Venosa wrote "Little Star", based on the nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (the melody of which was NOT originally composed by Mozart, in spite of what many sources will have us believe). It went down very well at their performances, but as they did not yet have a recording contract, they could not record it. When the Elegants learned that another Staten Island group called The Secrets were about to record "Little Star" for Decca, they feverishly set about the task of finding a record deal. Enter Blanche Kaslin. In 1955, Blanche (Bea) Kaslin, comptroller for Al Silver's Herald label in New York, had formed her own label, Hull (and later Mascot). Working from two rooms at 1595 Broadway, Kaslin produced a number of vocal group classics such as "A Thousand Miles Away" by the Heartbeats, "Been So Long" by the Pastels, "Book Of Love" by the Monotones, and, later, "Daddy's Home" by Shep and the Limelites. Kaslin recognized the hit potential of "Little Star" immediately. She signed the Elegants to Hull and recorded the song in April 1958, along with its B-side, the quite different "Gettin' Dizzy", a straightforward rocker. But the record would not come out on Hull. From past experience, Kaslin knew that she could not bring home a hit on her own small label. So, to avoid distribution problems, she leased the master directly to ABC-Paramount without ever releasing it on Hull. "Little Star" was one of five inaugural releases on Apt Records, a subsidiary launched by ABC-Paramount in May 1958. By July the record was selling 80,000 copies a day and on August 25th it hit # 1 (for 1 week), a tremendous achievement for a debuting group. The importance of "Little Star" went beyond the record's own success : the sound influenced many young white groups of the late 1950s and early 60s, such as The Capris, the Mystics, Randy and the Rainbows and the Passions.
The follow-up Apt single, "Please Believe Me"/"Goodnight" was issued in October 1958, in the style of Dion and the Belmonts. Although it had widespread intial airplay, it never even touched the Top 100. After another flop in the shape of "True Love Affair", ABC dropped the group. Kaslin held on to the quintet for one more release on Hull, "Little Boy Blue", another nursery rhyme, but this made no impact either, nor did two United Artists singles in 1960. When Vito Picone was injured in an accident in 1961, the remaning group members decided to go it alone, prompting Vito to pursue a solo career when he recovered. In 1965 he was signed to Laurie Records and recorded a few singles with a new group as Vito and the Elegants. After a period of musical inactivity, Picone reformed the Elegants in the late 1970s and recorded an LP with them (their only album) called "A Knight With the Elegants". Since then, Picone has reassembled various groups, called them The Elegants and played the oldies circuit. They are still based on Staten Island.
Along with Dion and the Belmonts, the Elegants were one of the best and most influential white doo-wop groups. But the records they released all tended to sound like "Little Star" and the group never regained their momentum after that colossal hit.
"Little Star" was the only million seller for the group, and was written by Venosa and Picone. It spent 19 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, earning gold disc status.
The song reached number 25 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1958.
After "Little Star" dominated the radio, the band, still in their teens, toured with artists such as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. However, none of their subsequent singles reached the charts at all making them a prime example of one-hit wonders.
In early 1970s, lead singer Picone returned to the group replacing Tardogno as the lead singer. That group comprising Vito Picone, Freddie Redmond, Nino Amato and Bruce Copp have been together ever since and to this date, have not stopped touring. They can be seen annually performing at the San Gennaro Festival, in Little Italy, Manhattan, New York.
According to the Elegants website, Freddie Redmond died of emphysema in 2006, and was replaced by original member, James Moschella. As of 2012, the Elegants are still performing at concerts and events throughout the United States, under the name "Vito Picone & The Elegants". They still perform "Little Star", as well as their interpretations of many golden oldies. The Elegants band consists of Mike Catalano on bass guitar, Joe Lucenti on lead guitar, Mark Garni on keyboards and Sal Albanese on drums.
Moschella performed with The Charts in the 1980s.
Little Boy Blue
The Elegants Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Little Boy Blue' by these artists:
Ambrose and His Orchestra Christmas comes but once a year for every girl and…
Angel And when I get there imma send you a postcard I've…
B.Aishwarya Just a little story How could you do this to me I'm…
Bang Oh! Little Boy Blue, now where you going to Your eyes…
Bert Ambrose Christmas comes but once a year for every girl and…
Big Walter Horton Little Boy Blue Come blow your horn The dish ran away with…
Billy Vaughn The little toy dog is covered with dust But sturdy and…
Bobby When I thought I was so high above you You were…
Bobby "Blue" Bland When I thought I was so high above you You were…
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Well, I'm knocking on the door of your heart my…
Carl Perkins One more time Just a little thing they call they poor…
Charlie Daniels Out on the desert when the wind blows the sand…
Chicago Blues All-Stars Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Cole Holly Little Boy Blue come blow your horn The dish ran away…
Countdown Kids Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Crystal Gayle Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Crystal Gayle/Tom Waits Little boy blue Come blow your horn The dish ran away with…
David I imagine I can see you But I can’t see you…
George Jones Well, I'm knocking on the door of your heart, my…
H. Lynn Kitchens The little boys The little girls They choose a side Oh no O…
Holly Cole Little Boy Blue come blow your horn The dish ran away…
Huelyn Duvall [Chorus:] Little boy blue Come blow your horn The sheep's in…
Ian A. Anderson Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Kidzone Little Boy Blue Come blow your horn The sheep's in the meado…
Les Chalimon & Friends Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Lightnin' Hopkins Baby, you mistreated me all the time Baby, you mistreated me…
Louis Voss And His Orchestra Christmas comes but once a year for every girl and…
Mr. Ray & The Little Sunshine Kids Singers Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum Our newborn…
Otis Spann Little boy blue, please come blow your horn Little boy blue,…
Pat Kelly You're cryin', little boy blue Are you unhappy, little boy b…
Rober Jr Lockwood Little boy blue, please come blow your horn Little boy blue,…
Rufus Time comes down You got to take it on yourself You got…
Rufus & Chaka Khan Time comes down You got to take it on yourself You got…
Scrapper Blackwell ...Boy Blue, come blow your horn Sheep′s in the meadow and…
TaliasVan & The Bright & Morning Star Band Come they told me Pa rum, pum, pum, pum A new born…
The Browns Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn king…
The Hit Crew Little boy blue, come blow your horn, The sheep's in the…
The Impressions You're cryin', little boy blue Are you unhappy little boy b…
The Kiboomers 1 little, 2 little, 3 little pilgrims 4 little, 5…
The Rifles There maybe wars, there maybe fights Things I believed in, …
Tom Waits Little boy blue Come blow your horn The dish ran away with…
Tom Waits / Crystal Gayle Little boy blue Come blow your horn The dish ran away with…
Tom Waits w. Crystal Gayle Little boy blue Come blow your horn The dish ran away with…
Tom Waits/Crystal Gayle Little boy blue Come blow your horn The dish ran away with…
Various Artists kau bunga surgawi isinkan aku memujamu engkau bagai bunga da…
Vera Lynn and Kenneth McKellar Christmas comes but once a year for every girl and…
Vern & Son Ho boy I heard a lot of noise But I can't…
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah Sit there and count your fingers What can you do Old girl…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Elegants:
Dressin' Up Saucer of milk, table for 2 You wanna pet my kitty, You're…
Get Well Soon Each night under this moon I sit alone Hoping you′ll get wel…
Goodnight There's a nail in the door And there's glass on the…
Little Star Oh Denise, shooby doo I'm in love with you, Denise shooby…
Littles Star Oh Denise, shooby doo I'm in love with you, Denise shooby…
Please Believe Me Oh, believe me I love no one else My full heart for…
Rain Rain You should know the way I feel It's not easy to…
Tiny Cloud Tiny, tiny, tiny cloud Drifting oh so high Won't you show me…
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Where are you little star? (Where are you?) Whoah oh, oh, o…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@williambowe4670
YES! The Elegants from the South Beach section of Staten Island, New York. My hometown.
@williamhighfill539
Love the song....I have worked with Vito Picone in the past and, what a great guy....wrote his top songs based on nursery rhymes....
@garyspring5981
The elegant s sure had a great sound love them
@1940limited
I have a copy of this record I bought many years ago after searching all over the place for it. I thought I was the only guy in the world who knew this song. Thanks for posting!
@1940limited
Thanks for the post. I'm still listening!
@williamhighfill539
Oh heck...anyone growing up then knew this
@anthonydigregorio7912
Oh my god...I am 80 years old and have been looking for this song. The reverse side of Little Star. I used to play it in the juke box .
@1940limited
Sometimes flip sides are better than the hit! But there was an individual release of it on a rare label, Hull.
@theodorelisa2462
i have a copy of this song on roulette records, anthony go on ebay vintage 45 records, put in "little boy blue" or "little star" and you will see the records come up for sale, you mite pay more money for a original record with the correct songs on both sides by the Elegants, good luck.
@theodorelisa2462
great song very catchy melody.