Biography
Formed in Queens, New York, in 1974, the quintet brought together Louis De Carlo on lead and first tenor, Tony Millone on lead and second tenor, Jack Scandura on lead and second tenor, Bobby Thomas on lead and baritone, and Ken Mewes on lead and bass. The singers pulled members from earlier local ensembles such as Ricky And The Hallmarks for Scandura, the Devotions along with Mr. Bassman and Symbols for De Carlo, Jordan And The Fascinations and Boulevards for Thomas, and Fulton Fish Market for Millone. After beginning rehearsals focused on a cappella and doo-wop harmonies, Millone stepped away and was succeeded by Larry Galvin, previously of the Velvet Five. During their debut year the group issued three singles on the regional Arcade Records label, each a cover of an established doo-wop number: the Channels’ “My Love Will Never Die,” the Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and the Heartbeats’ “Your Way.” The lineup soon disbanded, after which Galvin, Scandura, and Mewes joined forces with Eddie Conway in the more R&B-leaning Blendairs, where they provided backing for Johnny “Ace” Acuino. By 1976 Mewes had given way to Sam Wood, the onetime bass singer with the Sparrows Quartette, and the Blendairs prepared to enter the studio. Although Acuino was summoned back to his former collaborator Elvin Bishop at that moment, the Crows cover “Sweet Sue” still appeared as a single. Conway departed in 1977, yet the remaining members chose the next year to return to their original emphasis on doo-wop and vocal harmony. Beverly Warren, another alum of Ricky And The Hallmarks, came aboard alongside Al Vieco, who had earlier teamed with Galvin in the side project Oasis. Their initial release under the revised roster was the 1978 single “He’s Gone” on Story Untold Records. Two additional singles, “Gee Whiz” and “Don’t Leave Me,” followed before Wood exited and the Blendairs dissolved. Reactivation occurred in 1983 under the original name Blue Stars, with Jay Ortsman on bass and Bix Boyle on second tenor rounding out the returning Anthony Millone on first tenor, Bobby Thomas now solely on baritone, and Jack Scandura on lead. The ensemble performed regularly throughout the New York region, although the roster later shifted to include Rick Wakeman, distinct from the British keyboardist of the same name, and Don Raphael alongside Scandura, Galvin, and Millone. Recording activity remained sparse, yet the group sustained itself by opening for acts such as Little Caesar and the Medallions on the oldies circuit. Another breakup arrived in 1990, shortly before the well-received Blue Velvet A Cappella anthology reached stores. Numerous former participants have stayed active in modest live ensembles, leaving open the possibility of future reunions.
Albums
