Biography
Peter DeAngelis established Chancellor Records in partnership with Robert Marcucci, thereby constituting one half of a leading management and production team throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Working jointly with Marcucci, he wrote in excess of 100 compositions that became hits for Dean Martin, Eddie Fisher, Mike Douglas, and Bobby Rydell. Their association with Frankie Avalon and Fabian from the late 1950s into the early 1960s generated numerous successes, notably Avalon's chart-topping "Venus" and Fabian's popular single "Young and Wonderful."
Raised in south Philadelphia, DeAngelis displayed equal facility in crafting expansive symphonic compositions and works for chamber orchestras. He and Marcucci started the Chancellor label in 1957 with capital borrowed from Marcucci's father. Dick Clark's American Bandstand furnished essential support that delivered national visibility to the label's artists.
The commercial peak for Chancellor coincided with the strong sales of Avalon and Fabian recordings. The label's performance deteriorated after those performers redirected their efforts toward acting roles in youth-oriented films. Its final chart entry came in 1962 when Claudine Clark's "Party Lights" reached the Top Ten. DeAngelis earned recognition as a consummate talent scout and provided the inspiration for the lead character in the 1980 film Idolmaker.
Raised in south Philadelphia, DeAngelis displayed equal facility in crafting expansive symphonic compositions and works for chamber orchestras. He and Marcucci started the Chancellor label in 1957 with capital borrowed from Marcucci's father. Dick Clark's American Bandstand furnished essential support that delivered national visibility to the label's artists.
The commercial peak for Chancellor coincided with the strong sales of Avalon and Fabian recordings. The label's performance deteriorated after those performers redirected their efforts toward acting roles in youth-oriented films. Its final chart entry came in 1962 when Claudine Clark's "Party Lights" reached the Top Ten. DeAngelis earned recognition as a consummate talent scout and provided the inspiration for the lead character in the 1980 film Idolmaker.