Formed at Edsel High in Dearborn, MI, the Larados turned the building’s staircases, hallways, and restrooms into natural echo chambers for their vocal blends. The quintet stayed together only from 1955 through 1960, managing a solitary 45, the classic doo wop “Now the Parting Beguin” backed with “Bad Bad Guitar Man,” issued by Fox Records in 1957. Over those years the lineup at one time or another included Tommy Hust, Rick Benko, Bob Broderick, Gary Banovetz, Don Davenport, Bernie Turnbull, and Ron Morris. After the initial run ended, the members scattered for two decades to finish school, build careers, and raise families.
They reconvened in 1977 and, the following year, joined forces with the Reflections (“Just Like Romeo and Juliet”) and the Seminoles so that doo wop could reach audiences throughout the Midwest. The merged ensemble featured Bernie Turnbull and Gary Banovetz from the Larados, Tony Micale and John Dean from the Reflections, and Joey Finazzo from the Seminoles. Under the Larados name the refreshed lineup cut a second single, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” coupled with “You Didn’t Care,” for Madog Records in 1980; sales proved modest, yet the act welcomed the chance to record once more. Madog also released the two-record set Gone But Not Forgotten that same year, still credited to the Larados.
Backed in concert by the Deuce Coupe Band, the group’s strength lies in energetic performances supported by professional-grade sound and lighting. Turnbull, the lead voice, brought a gospel foundation and both wrote and sang “Bad Bad Guitar Man.” Tony Micale, another lead, started performing at thirteen, first with the Parisians and the Captives, then as front man for the Reflections. Baritone Gary Banovetz functions for the Larados the way Otis Williams functions for the Temptations—he holds everything together—and he spearheaded the 1977 reunion. First tenor Joey Finazzo had previously sung lead with the Seminoles, whose scattered singles appeared on several labels. Bass John Dean had worked with the Del Prados before entering the Reflections in 1961. Their voices surface on Motor City Memories, Vol. 1, The Larados Lost Tapes, and The Larados Most Requested, and footage of the act survives on the video The Legendary Reflections Live.
