Biography
Formed in South Florida during 1986 by vocalist Frank Iovino, the Five Boroughs set out to revive the close-harmony style of 1950s and 1960s vocal ensembles. Several transplanted New Yorkers made up the roster, most of them seasoned performers from the doo wop scene. The initial roster featured Iovino alongside Charlie Notabartolo, once a member of the Casual-Aires, Bruce Goldie from the Dreamers, Dave Strum of the Excellents, and Geno Radicello, previously with the Bowery Boys. That configuration cut an EP for Telemedia Records in 1986 that introduced synthesizers and drum machines to the doo wop sound, then supplied Avenue D Records with the a cappella sides “Sunday Kind of Love” and “For Your Precious Love/For Your Love” the following year and a reading of the Cleftones’ “See You Next Year” in 1988.
Classic Artists Records signed the group in 1990, resulting in quick single releases of “Apart” and the Flamingos’ “A Kiss from Your Lips,” followed by the full-length Count Every Star on the same imprint in 1991. Starlight Records later issued the second album, Heart’s Desire, in 2000. The current seven-member lineup adds Steve Ward, Johnny Sorrentino, and Jimmy DellaRosa to the core of Iovino, Strum, Goldie, and Notabartolo. As a frequent concert attraction, the Five Boroughs appear backed by their own Five Boroughs Band, whose personnel includes guitarist Vic Giardino, bassist Tim Myer, drummer Joe Costadura, saxophonist Earl Catron, and keyboardist Wayne Muscarella. Collectables issued the 2005 anthology Doo Wop Under the Palms as a compact survey of the group’s catalog.
Classic Artists Records signed the group in 1990, resulting in quick single releases of “Apart” and the Flamingos’ “A Kiss from Your Lips,” followed by the full-length Count Every Star on the same imprint in 1991. Starlight Records later issued the second album, Heart’s Desire, in 2000. The current seven-member lineup adds Steve Ward, Johnny Sorrentino, and Jimmy DellaRosa to the core of Iovino, Strum, Goldie, and Notabartolo. As a frequent concert attraction, the Five Boroughs appear backed by their own Five Boroughs Band, whose personnel includes guitarist Vic Giardino, bassist Tim Myer, drummer Joe Costadura, saxophonist Earl Catron, and keyboardist Wayne Muscarella. Collectables issued the 2005 anthology Doo Wop Under the Palms as a compact survey of the group’s catalog.