Jump to content

Joey Dee and the Starliters: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(34 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Short description|American musical group}}
{{Short description|American musical group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{multiple issues|
{{multiple issues|
{{COI|date=June 2016}}
{{COI|date=June 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2010}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2010}}
{{Update|documentation|date=November 2021}}
⚫
}}


}}{{Infobox musical artist
⚫
'''Joey Dee and the Starliters''' (also credited as '''Joey Dee and the Starlighters''') is an American [[popular music]] [[musical ensemble|group]]. The group is best known for their million-selling recording "[[Peppermint Twist]]" (1961).<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=356}}</ref>
| name = Joey Dee and the Starliters
⚫
The group's most notable lineup is considered to be Joey Dee, [[David Brigati]], Larry Vernieri (vocals), Carlton Lattimore (organ), [[Sam Taylor (blues musician)|Sam Taylor]] (guitar) and Willie Davis (drums).<ref name="Larkin"/> Actor [[Joe Pesci]] played guitar with the group for a time in the 1960s.
| genre = [[Rock and roll]]
| years_active = 1958–present
| label = [[Scepter Records|Scepter]], [[Roulette Records|Roulette]]
| current_members = Joey Dee<br>[[David Brigati]]
| past_members = Larry Vernieri<br>Carlton Lattimore<br>Sam Taylor<br>Willie Davis<br>Bill Callanan
⚫
}}
⚫
'''Joey Dee and the Starliters''' (also credited as '''Joey Dee and the Starlighters''') is an American [[popular music]] group. The group is best known for their million-selling recording "[[Peppermint Twist]]" (1961).<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=356}}</ref>
⚫
The group's most notable lineup is considered to be Joey Dee, [[David Brigati]], Larry Vernieri (vocals), Carlton Lattimore (organ), [[Sam Taylor (blues musician)|Sam Taylor]] (guitar) and Willie Davis (drums).<ref name="Larkin"/>
[[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Joe Pesci]] played guitar with the group at different times in the 1960s.


==Early singles==
==Early singles==
Line 13: Line 23:


==The 1960s==
==The 1960s==
In 1960, the Starliters were noticed by agent Don Davis while performing at a [[Lodi, New Jersey]], nightclub called Oliveri's. The group was booked at an intimate venue on 45th Street in [[New York City]] called the [[Peppermint Lounge]] for what was supposed to be a one-time weekend gig. During their initial appearance at the nightclub, actress [[Merle Oberon]] and Prince Serge Oblinski were dancing much of the night there, which was reported the next morning by columnists [[Earl Wilson (columnist)|Earl Wilson]] and [[Igor Cassini|Cholly Knickerbocker]]. The next night, it took barricades and mounted police to keep the crowds in line, which had backed to Broadway, and for several months thereafter, the craze continued at the Lounge. Celebrity visitors, such as [[Judy Garland]], [[John Wayne]], [[Jackie Kennedy]], [[Nat "King" Cole]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], [[Tennessee Williams]], [[Truman Capote]], and [[Liberace]], continued to make an appearance. Dee and company were such a sensation that they became the [[house band]] for the Peppermint Lounge for over a year.<ref name="Larkin"/> Dee wrote "Peppermint Twist," along with producer [[Henry Glover]], as a tribute to the lounge and the song scored #1 on the U.S. [[Record chart|charts]] in early 1962. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
In 1960, the Starliters were noticed by agent Don Davis while performing at a [[Lodi, New Jersey]], nightclub called Oliveri's. The group was booked at an intimate venue on 45th Street in New York City called the [[Peppermint Lounge]] for what was supposed to be a one-time weekend gig. During their initial appearance at the nightclub, actress [[Merle Oberon]] and Prince Serge Oblinski were dancing much of the night there, which was reported the next morning by columnists [[Earl Wilson (columnist)|Earl Wilson]] and [[Igor Cassini|Cholly Knickerbocker]]. The next night, it took barricades and mounted police to keep the crowds in line, which had backed to Broadway, and for several months thereafter, the craze continued at the Lounge. Celebrity visitors, such as [[Judy Garland]], [[John Wayne]], [[Jackie Kennedy]], [[Nat "King" Cole]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], [[Tennessee Williams]], [[Truman Capote]], and [[Liberace]], continued to make an appearance. Dee and company were such a sensation that they became the [[house band]] for the Peppermint Lounge for over a year.<ref name="Larkin"/> Dee wrote "Peppermint Twist," along with producer [[Henry Glover]], as a tribute to the lounge and the song scored #1 on the U.S. [[Record chart|charts]] in early 1962. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
| first= Joseph
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| last= Murrells
Line 28: Line 38:
[[File:Joey Dee 1962.jpg|thumb|Dee in 1962]]
[[File:Joey Dee 1962.jpg|thumb|Dee in 1962]]


In 1961, Joey Dee and the Starliters filmed the movie ''[[Hey, Let's Twist]]'', starring [[Jo Ann Campbell]] and [[Teddy Randazzo]], for [[Paramount Pictures]].<ref name="Larkin"/> ''Hey, Let's Twist'' was a fictional story of Joey Dee (Randazzo and Dino DiLuca played the parts of Joey's brother and father, respectively) and the Peppermint Lounge; its release capitalized on the current [[Twist (dance)|twist]] craze and made the once-obscure Lounge famous. The movie and [[soundtrack album]] did their part in making the Peppermint Lounge a world-famous venue. Successful singles spawned from ''Hey, Let's Twist'' were the title track and "Shout, Part I",<ref name="Larkin"/> which became the group's second-biggest selling record, reaching #6 on the U.S. charts. It also sold a million copies, giving the group their second gold disc.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs 2">{{cite book
In 1961, Joey Dee and the Starliters filmed the movie ''[[Hey, Let's Twist]]'', starring [[Jo Ann Campbell]] and [[Teddy Randazzo]], for [[Paramount Pictures]].<ref name="Larkin"/> ''Hey, Let's Twist'' was a fictional story of Joey Dee (Randazzo and Dino DiLuca played the parts of Joey's brother and father, respectively) and the Peppermint Lounge; its release capitalized on the current [[Twist (dance)|twist]] craze and made the once-obscure Lounge famous. The movie and soundtrack album did their part in making the Peppermint Lounge a world-famous venue. Successful singles spawned from ''Hey, Let's Twist'' were the title track and "[[Shout (Isley Brothers song)|Shout, Part I]]",<ref name="Larkin"/> which became the group's second-biggest selling record, reaching #6 on the U.S. charts. It also sold a million copies, giving the group their second gold disc.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs 2">{{cite book
| first= Joseph
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| last= Murrells
Line 41: Line 51:
}}</ref> Other albums released during this time were ''Doin' The Twist at the Peppermint Lounge'', which was recorded live at the venue, and ''All The World's Twistin' With Joey Dee & the Starliters'' (1961).<ref name="Larkin"/>
}}</ref> Other albums released during this time were ''Doin' The Twist at the Peppermint Lounge'', which was recorded live at the venue, and ''All The World's Twistin' With Joey Dee & the Starliters'' (1961).<ref name="Larkin"/>


In 1962, Joey Dee and the Starliters starred in their second motion picture, ''[[Two Tickets to Paris]]'',<ref name="Larkin"/> along with [[Gary Crosby (actor)|Gary Crosby]], [[Jeri Lynne Fraser]] and [[Kay Medford]]. One of the songs from this film, "What Kind Of Love Is This," written by [[Johnny Nash]], was released in September of that year and scored Top Twenty.<ref name="Larkin"/> In December 1962, the original Starliters did their final recording session as a group, producing "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces," also composed by Nash, and "Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy," written by Joey Dee and Henry Glover. In 1963, Joey Dee recorded an album entitled ''Dance, Dance, Dance'', with the Ronettes as his backup group. During spring of that year, Roulette released the track "Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes", from the previously issued live album, as a two-part single; the record made the U.S. [[Top Forty]]. Roulette later released "[[Ya Ya]]" and "Fannie Mae" from the same album. Also in 1963, former [[Mersey Beat]] editor [[Bill Harry]] quotes in his Sleeve notes for the 2004 CD [[The Early Tapes of the Beatles|The Early Tapes Of The Beatles]] that the group were the backing Band on the [[Tony Sheridan]] track [[Ruby Baby]], though this has not been verified by any members. The track has been widely reissued on Various versions of the Beatles Hamburg Recordings. During October and November 1963, the Starliters toured Europe, performing one extraordinary night in Stockholm with [[The Beatles]] (already the biggest band in Northern Europe) as their opening act. In 1964, Joey Dee toured with various Starliters, including future Young Rascals [[Gene Cornish]], [[Felix Cavaliere]], and David's brother, [[Eddie Brigati]].<ref name="Larkin"/>
In 1962, Joey Dee and the Starliters starred in their second motion picture, ''[[Two Tickets to Paris]]'',<ref name="Larkin"/> along with [[Gary Crosby (actor)|Gary Crosby]], [[Jeri Lynne Fraser]] and [[Kay Medford]]. One of the songs from this film, "What Kind Of Love Is This," written by [[Johnny Nash]], was released in September of that year and scored Top Twenty.<ref name="Larkin"/> In December 1962, the original Starliters did their final recording session as a group, producing "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces," also composed by Nash, and "Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy," written by Joey Dee and Henry Glover. In 1963, Joey Dee recorded an album entitled ''Dance, Dance, Dance'', with [[the Ronettes]] as his backup group. During spring of that year, Roulette released the track "Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes", from the previously issued live album, as a two-part single; the record made the U.S. [[Top Forty]]. Roulette later released "Ya Ya" and "Fannie Mae" from the same album. Also in 1963, former [[Mersey Beat]] editor [[Bill Harry]] quotes in his Sleeve notes for the 2004 CD [[The Early Tapes of the Beatles|The Early Tapes Of The Beatles]] that the group were the backing Band on the [[Tony Sheridan]] track [[Ruby Baby]], though this has not been verified by any members. The track has been widely reissued on Various versions of the Beatles Hamburg Recordings. During October and November 1963, the Starliters toured Europe, performing one extraordinary night in Stockholm with [[The Beatles]] (already the biggest band in Northern Europe) as their opening act. In 1964, Joey Dee toured with various Starliters, including future Young Rascals [[Gene Cornish]], [[Felix Cavaliere]], and David's brother, [[Eddie Brigati]].<ref name="Larkin"/>

[[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Joe Pesci]] played guitar with the group at different times in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Goldmine|url=https://www.goldminemag.com/interviews/joey-dee-of-the-starliters-remembers-the-peppermint-lounge-the-beatles-as-opening-act-and-a-young-hendrix|first=Mike|last=Greenblatt|date=June 11, 2022|title=Joey Dee of the Starliters remembers The Peppermint Lounge, The Beatles as opening act and a young Hendrix|access-date=July 29, 2022}}</ref>


==Later history==
==Later history==
Dee continued to record and issue solo recordings from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, including a song he wrote with original Starliters, David Brigati and Larry Vernieri, entitled "How Can I Forget" in the late 1960s, which was released under the name Joey Dee and the New Starliters.<ref name="Larkin"/> He continued to travel and make personal appearances with various Starliters.
Dee continued to record and issue solo recordings from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, including a song he wrote with original Starliters David Brigati and Larry Vernieri entitled "How Can I Forget", which was released under the name Joey Dee and the New Starliters.<ref name="Larkin"/> He continued to travel and make personal appearances with various Starliters.


In 2001 the group was featured on a [[PBS]] special, ''Rock, Rhythm and Doo-Wop'', and in 2005 they appeared on the [[Jerry Lewis]] [[telethon]] for [[Muscular Dystrophy Association|muscular dystrophy]].
In 2001 the group was featured on a [[PBS]] special, ''Rock, Rhythm and Doo-Wop'', and in 2005 they appeared on the [[Jerry Lewis]] [[telethon]] for [[Muscular Dystrophy Association|muscular dystrophy]].


As of 2009 Joey Dee and the Starliters consists of Dee sometimes performing with Bob Valli (brother of [[Frankie Valli]]) and original Starliter David Brigati and at other times with the original [[The Soul Survivors|Soul Survivors]] Charlie and Richie Ingui, with the three singers taking the lead and performing their own hits as well as covers. Joey's son Ronnie DiNicola often plays saxophone and sings backup vocals for his father. Ronnie's band Dee Force served as the Starlighters in the '90s, which also included Manfredo Fest's son Phil Fest on guitar.
As of 2009 Joey Dee and the Starliters consists of Dee sometimes performing with Bobby Valli (brother of [[Frankie Valli]]) and original Starliter David Brigati and at other times with the original [[The Soul Survivors|Soul Survivors]] Charlie and Richie Ingui, with the three singers taking the lead and performing their own hits as well as covers. Joey's son Ronnie DiNicola often plays saxophone and sings backup vocals for his father.


Dee has been a long time resident of [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]] in Florida.
⚫
On Sunday September 19, 2010, a street corner was dedicated to the band in their home town of Passaic, NJ. The street signing took place on the corner of Washington Place and Columbia Ave.

⚫
On September 19, 2010, a street corner was dedicated to the band in their home town of Passaic, NJ. The street signing took place on the corner of Washington Place and Columbia Ave.

In 2021, Joey Dee released his autobiography, entitled ''Peppermint Twist Chronicles: My True Story of Sex, Rock n’ Roll, Jimi Hendrix, Fighting Racism, and the Mob''. Dee’s memoirs were co-written by J. Kevin Morris.


==Members==
==Members==
Line 62: Line 78:
|-
|-
| Joey Dee (b. Joseph DiNicola)
| Joey Dee (b. Joseph DiNicola)
| vocals
| vocals and saxophone
| June 11, 1940
| June 11, 1937
| Passaic NJ
| Passaic, N.J.
|
|
|-
|-
Line 70: Line 86:
| vocals
| vocals
| October 29, 1940
| October 29, 1940
| Garfield NJ
| Garfield, N.J.
|
|
|-
|-
Line 76: Line 92:
| vocals
| vocals
| October 9, 1941
| October 9, 1941
| Newark NJ
| Newark, N.J.
| December 7, 1999<ref>{{cite news |title='60s pop group member dies Tuesday at age 58 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113309682/60s-pop-group-member-dies-tuesday-at/ |access-date=November 19, 2022 |publisher=The Tampa Tribune |date=December 11, 1999 |pages=73}}</ref>
| December 7, 1999{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}


|-
|-
| Carlton Lattimore
| Carlton Lattimore
| organ
| organ
| c. 1939
| 1939
| Passaic NJ
| Passaic, N.J.
|
|
|-
|-
| Willie Davis
| Willie Davis
| drums
| drums
| c. 1940
| 1940
| Passaic NJ
| Passaic, N.J.
|
|
|}
|}
Line 97: Line 113:
===Albums===
===Albums===


* ''Doin' The Twist At The Peppermint Lounge'' (Roulette, 1961)
* ''Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge'' (Roulette, 1961)
* ''Hey Let's Twist'' (Roulette, 1961)
* ''Hey Let's Twist'' (Roulette, 1961)
* ''All The World Is Twistin'!'' (Roulette, 1962)
* ''All The World Is Twistin'!'' (Roulette, 1962)
Line 111: Line 127:
! style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"|A-side/B-side<br /><small>Both sides from same album except where indicated</small>
! style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"|A-side/B-side<br /><small>Both sides from same album except where indicated</small>
! style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"|Label & number
! style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"|Label & number
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="1" colspan=2|U.S. Charts
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="1" colspan=2|U.S. chart
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Album
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Album
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|Billboard]]</small>
! style="text-align:center;"|<small>''[[Billboard Hot 100|Billboard]]''</small>
! style="text-align:center;"|<small>[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]</small>
! style="text-align:center;"|<small>''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]''</small>
|-
|-
|1960
|1960
|"Shimmy Baby"<br /><small>b/w "Face Of An Angel"</small>
|"Shimmy Baby"<br /><small>b/w "Face of an Angel"</small>
|align=center|Scepter 1210
|align=center|Scepter 1210
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
Line 134: Line 150:
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|align=center|2
|align=center|2
|''Doin' The Twist At The Peppermint Lounge''
|''Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge''
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"|1962
|rowspan="5"|1962
Line 143: Line 159:
|''Hey, Let's Twist!'' (Soundtrack)
|''Hey, Let's Twist!'' (Soundtrack)
|-
|-
|"Shout" Part I"<br /><small>b/w Part II</small>
|"[[Shout (Isley Brothers song)|Shout" Part I]]"<br /><small>b/w Part II</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4416
|align=center|Roulette 4416
|align=center|6
|align=center|6
|align=center|9
|align=center|9
|''Doin' The Twist At The Peppermint Lounge''
|''Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge''
|-
|-
|"Everytime (I Think About You)" – Part One"<br /><small>b/w Part Two</small>
|"Everytime (I Think About You)" – Part One"<br /><small>b/w Part Two</small>
Line 153: Line 169:
|align=center|105
|align=center|105
|align=center|80
|align=center|80
|rowspan="2"|''Two Tickets To Paris'' (Soundtrack)
|rowspan="2"|''Two Tickets to Paris'' (Soundtrack)
|-
|-
|"What Kind of Love is This"<br /><small>b/w "Wing Ding" (from ''All The World is Twistin'!'')</small>
|"What Kind of Love Is This"<br /><small>b/w "Wing Ding" (from ''All the World Is Twistin'!'')</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4438
|align=center|Roulette 4438
|align=center|18
|align=center|18
|align=center|17
|align=center|17
|-
|-
|"I Lost My Baby"<br /><small>b/w "Keep Your Mind On What You're Doin'"</small>
|"I Lost My Baby"<br /><small>b/w "Keep Your Mind on What You're Doin'"</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4456
|align=center|Roulette 4456
|align=center|61
|align=center|61
Line 173: Line 189:
|rowspan="3"|Non-album tracks
|rowspan="3"|Non-album tracks
|-
|-
|"Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy"<br /><small>b/w "Help Me Pick Up The Pieces"</small>
|"Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy"<br /><small>b/w "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces"</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4467
|align=center|Roulette 4467
|align=center|100
|align=center|100
Line 183: Line 199:
|align=center|40
|align=center|40
|-
|-
|"Dance, Dance, Dance"<br /><small>b/w "Let's Have A Party"</small>
|"Dance, Dance, Dance"<br /><small>b/w "Let's Have a Party"</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4503
|align=center|Roulette 4503
|align=center|89
|align=center|89
Line 193: Line 209:
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|''Doin' The Twist At The Peppermint Lounge''
|''Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge''
|-
|-
|"Getting Nearer"<br /><small>b/w "Down By The Riveside"</small>
|"Getting Nearer"<br /><small>b/w "Down by the Riverside"</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4539
|align=center|Roulette 4539
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
Line 202: Line 218:
|-
|-
|1965
|1965
|"Cry a Little Sometime"<br /><small>b/w "Wing Ding" (from ''All The World Is Twistin'!'')</small>
|"Cry a Little Sometime"<br /><small>b/w "Wing Ding" (from ''All the World Is Twistin'!'')</small>
|align=center|Roulette 4617
|align=center|Roulette 4617
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
Line 220: Line 236:
|Non-album tracks
|Non-album tracks
|-
|-
|"It's Got You"<br /><small>b/w "She's So Exceptional" (Non-album track)</small>
|"It's Got You"<br /><small>b/w "She's So Exceptional" (non-album track)</small>
|align=center|Jubilee 5554
|align=center|Jubilee 5554
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
Line 227: Line 243:
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|1967
|rowspan="2"|1967
|"Can't Sit Down"<br /><small>b/w "Put Your Heart In It"</small>
|"Can't Sit Down"<br /><small>b/w "Put Your Heart in It"</small>
|align=center|Jubilee 5566
|align=center|Jubilee 5566
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
Line 240: Line 256:
|1970
|1970
|"Roses and Candy Kisses"<br /><small>b/w "Roses and Candy Kisses"</small>
|"Roses and Candy Kisses"<br /><small>b/w "Roses and Candy Kisses"</small>
|align=center|Tonsil 0003 (Promo only)
|align=center|Tonsil 0003 (promo only)
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-

Latest revision as of 01:33, 10 December 2024

Joey Dee and the Starliters
GenresRock and roll
Years active1958–present
LabelsScepter, Roulette
MembersJoey Dee
David Brigati
Past membersLarry Vernieri
Carlton Lattimore
Sam Taylor
Willie Davis
Bill Callanan

Joey Dee and the Starliters (also credited as Joey Dee and the Starlighters) is an American popular music group. The group is best known for their million-selling recording "Peppermint Twist" (1961).[1] The group's most notable lineup is considered to be Joey Dee, David Brigati, Larry Vernieri (vocals), Carlton Lattimore (organ), Sam Taylor (guitar) and Willie Davis (drums).[1] Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pesci played guitar with the group at different times in the 1960s.

Early singles

[edit]

With lead singer Rogers Freeman, Joey Dee and the Starliters' first single was "Lorraine," backed with "The Girl I Walk To School," in 1958, distributed by the company Little. That same year, Joey Dee recruited David Brigati for the team after meeting him during a gig at Garfield High School in New Jersey. David and Joey would subsequently share lead vocal honors for the Starliters, with Joey ultimately becoming the primary lead singer. Another early single for the group was "Face of an Angel," with David as lead vocal, released on Scepter Records; the flipside was "Shimmy Baby." An album entitled The Peppermint Twisters and credited to "Joey Dee and the Starlighters" was subsequently released by the company Scepter as well.

The 1960s

[edit]

In 1960, the Starliters were noticed by agent Don Davis while performing at a Lodi, New Jersey, nightclub called Oliveri's. The group was booked at an intimate venue on 45th Street in New York City called the Peppermint Lounge for what was supposed to be a one-time weekend gig. During their initial appearance at the nightclub, actress Merle Oberon and Prince Serge Oblinski were dancing much of the night there, which was reported the next morning by columnists Earl Wilson and Cholly Knickerbocker. The next night, it took barricades and mounted police to keep the crowds in line, which had backed to Broadway, and for several months thereafter, the craze continued at the Lounge. Celebrity visitors, such as Judy Garland, John Wayne, Jackie Kennedy, Nat "King" Cole, Shirley MacLaine, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Liberace, continued to make an appearance. Dee and company were such a sensation that they became the house band for the Peppermint Lounge for over a year.[1] Dee wrote "Peppermint Twist," along with producer Henry Glover, as a tribute to the lounge and the song scored #1 on the U.S. charts in early 1962. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[2] By this time the team had contracted with Roulette Records.

Dee in 1962

In 1961, Joey Dee and the Starliters filmed the movie Hey, Let's Twist, starring Jo Ann Campbell and Teddy Randazzo, for Paramount Pictures.[1] Hey, Let's Twist was a fictional story of Joey Dee (Randazzo and Dino DiLuca played the parts of Joey's brother and father, respectively) and the Peppermint Lounge; its release capitalized on the current twist craze and made the once-obscure Lounge famous. The movie and soundtrack album did their part in making the Peppermint Lounge a world-famous venue. Successful singles spawned from Hey, Let's Twist were the title track and "Shout, Part I",[1] which became the group's second-biggest selling record, reaching #6 on the U.S. charts. It also sold a million copies, giving the group their second gold disc.[3] Other albums released during this time were Doin' The Twist at the Peppermint Lounge, which was recorded live at the venue, and All The World's Twistin' With Joey Dee & the Starliters (1961).[1]

In 1962, Joey Dee and the Starliters starred in their second motion picture, Two Tickets to Paris,[1] along with Gary Crosby, Jeri Lynne Fraser and Kay Medford. One of the songs from this film, "What Kind Of Love Is This," written by Johnny Nash, was released in September of that year and scored Top Twenty.[1] In December 1962, the original Starliters did their final recording session as a group, producing "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces," also composed by Nash, and "Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy," written by Joey Dee and Henry Glover. In 1963, Joey Dee recorded an album entitled Dance, Dance, Dance, with the Ronettes as his backup group. During spring of that year, Roulette released the track "Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes", from the previously issued live album, as a two-part single; the record made the U.S. Top Forty. Roulette later released "Ya Ya" and "Fannie Mae" from the same album. Also in 1963, former Mersey Beat editor Bill Harry quotes in his Sleeve notes for the 2004 CD The Early Tapes Of The Beatles that the group were the backing Band on the Tony Sheridan track Ruby Baby, though this has not been verified by any members. The track has been widely reissued on Various versions of the Beatles Hamburg Recordings. During October and November 1963, the Starliters toured Europe, performing one extraordinary night in Stockholm with The Beatles (already the biggest band in Northern Europe) as their opening act. In 1964, Joey Dee toured with various Starliters, including future Young Rascals Gene Cornish, Felix Cavaliere, and David's brother, Eddie Brigati.[1]

Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pesci played guitar with the group at different times in the 1960s.[4]

Later history

[edit]

Dee continued to record and issue solo recordings from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, including a song he wrote with original Starliters David Brigati and Larry Vernieri entitled "How Can I Forget", which was released under the name Joey Dee and the New Starliters.[1] He continued to travel and make personal appearances with various Starliters.

In 2001 the group was featured on a PBS special, Rock, Rhythm and Doo-Wop, and in 2005 they appeared on the Jerry Lewis telethon for muscular dystrophy.

As of 2009 Joey Dee and the Starliters consists of Dee sometimes performing with Bobby Valli (brother of Frankie Valli) and original Starliter David Brigati and at other times with the original Soul Survivors Charlie and Richie Ingui, with the three singers taking the lead and performing their own hits as well as covers. Joey's son Ronnie DiNicola often plays saxophone and sings backup vocals for his father.

Dee has been a long time resident of Pinellas County in Florida.

On September 19, 2010, a street corner was dedicated to the band in their home town of Passaic, NJ. The street signing took place on the corner of Washington Place and Columbia Ave.

In 2021, Joey Dee released his autobiography, entitled Peppermint Twist Chronicles: My True Story of Sex, Rock n’ Roll, Jimi Hendrix, Fighting Racism, and the Mob. Dee’s memoirs were co-written by J. Kevin Morris.

Members

[edit]
Name Instruments Born Place of birth Died
Joey Dee (b. Joseph DiNicola) vocals and saxophone June 11, 1937 Passaic, N.J.
David Brigati vocals October 29, 1940 Garfield, N.J.
Larry Vernieri vocals October 9, 1941 Newark, N.J. December 7, 1999[5]
Carlton Lattimore organ 1939 Passaic, N.J.
Willie Davis drums 1940 Passaic, N.J.

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge (Roulette, 1961)
  • Hey Let's Twist (Roulette, 1961)
  • All The World Is Twistin'! (Roulette, 1962)
  • Two Tickets To Paris (Roulette, 1962)
  • Back At The Peppermint Lounge (Roulette, 1962)
  • Hey Let's Twist!: The Best Of Joey Dee & The Starliters (Rhino, 1990)

Singles

[edit]
Year A-side/B-side
Both sides from same album except where indicated 		Label & number U.S. chart Album
Billboard Cashbox
1960 "Shimmy Baby"
b/w "Face of an Angel" 		Scepter 1210 - - The Peppermint Twisters
1961 "These Memories"
b/w "(Bad) Bulldog" 		Scepter 1225 - -
"Peppermint Twist" – Part I
b/w Part II 		Roulette 4401 1 2 Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge
1962 "Hey, Let's Twist" /
"Roly Poly" 		Roulette 4408 20
74 		37
100 		Hey, Let's Twist! (Soundtrack)
"Shout" Part I"
b/w Part II 		Roulette 4416 6 9 Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge
"Everytime (I Think About You)" – Part One"
b/w Part Two 		Roulette 4431 105 80 Two Tickets to Paris (Soundtrack)
"What Kind of Love Is This"
b/w "Wing Ding" (from All the World Is Twistin'!) 		Roulette 4438 18 17
"I Lost My Baby"
b/w "Keep Your Mind on What You're Doin'" 		Roulette 4456 61 61 Joey Dee
1963 "The Girl I Walk to School"
b/w "Lorraine" 		Bonus 7009 - - Non-album tracks
"Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy"
b/w "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces" 		Roulette 4467 100 -
"Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes" – Part I
b/w Part II 		Roulette 4488 36 40
"Dance, Dance, Dance"
b/w "Let's Have a Party" 		Roulette 4503 89 90 Dance, Dance, Dance
"Ya Ya"
b/w "Fanny Mae" 		Roulette 4525 - - Doin' the Twist at the Peppermint Lounge
"Getting Nearer"
b/w "Down by the Riverside" 		Roulette 4539 - - Non-album tracks
1965 "Cry a Little Sometime"
b/w "Wing Ding" (from All the World Is Twistin'!) 		Roulette 4617 - -
1966 "Feel Good About It" – Part I
b/w Part II 		Jubilee 5532 - - Hitsville!
"Dancing on the Beach"
b/w "Good Little You" 		Jubilee 5539 - - Non-album tracks
"It's Got You"
b/w "She's So Exceptional" (non-album track) 		Jubilee 5554 - - Hitsville!
1967 "Can't Sit Down"
b/w "Put Your Heart in It" 		Jubilee 5566 - - Non-album tracks
"How Can I Forget"
b/w "How Can I Forget" (Instrumental) 		Caneil 100 - -
1970 "Roses and Candy Kisses"
b/w "Roses and Candy Kisses" 		Tonsil 0003 (promo only) - -

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 356. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 134. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 145. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. ^ Greenblatt, Mike (June 11, 2022). "Joey Dee of the Starliters remembers The Peppermint Lounge, The Beatles as opening act and a young Hendrix". Goldmine. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "'60s pop group member dies Tuesday at age 58". The Tampa Tribune. December 11, 1999. p. 73. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Joey_Dee_and_the_Starliters&oldid=1262185390"