The Chaperones

When ya think of great love songs from the early 60's, the song "Cruise to the Moon" by the Chaperones comes to mind. Its a one of those memorable tunes from a memorable era sung by a group with a special sound.

The Chaperones were five guys from Long Island - Tony Amato (lead), Roy Marchesano (1st tenor), Tommy Ronca (second tenor), Nick Salvato (Baritone) Richard Messina. Tommy, Roy, and Richie went to Farmingdale High School on Long Island, Tony Amato was from Deer Park and Nick was from Bethpage. The group had a couple of different names prior to the Chaperones including the Sharptones and Fairlanes. The name "Chaperones" was chosen because dances and proms were popular at the time and the term was in Vogue and given to us by the Josie Label an affiliate of Jubilee Records.

In 1959, the group was invited to record for the famous Josie label. The song was "Cruise To the Moon." (written by Roy Marchesano and shared by all the Chaperone members). It was produced by Steve Blaine (Nick's College Friend) and Mickey Eichner for the Josie label. "We go into the studio," recalls Tommy, "and there is this big band. It was just terrific - the most exciting time. We never dreamed it would do anything. All of a sudden you start hearing it on the radio. I'm in my 1955 Chevy my Dad's car and I'm listening to my song on the radio. It was a wonderful time of life."

While the group was waiting for "Cruise to the Moon" to be released (it was recorded in May 1959 but not released until the summer of 1960), they backed up Lee Adrian on Barbara, Let's Go Steady and So Lonely (Richcraft Records). Off the success of Cruise to the Moon, the group became, what Tommy calls, the "Kings of Supermarket Grand Openings" as they played their share of the same. "We used to go in a limo, our record was really cooking then," recalls Tommy. Other memorable shows included Murray the K gigs at Frontierland and Freedomland and shows with the Earls and one memorable show when they appeared with the Five Satins on the Clay Cole Show at Palisades Park.

The group's follow up record Shining Star (1961) was an attempt to play on the success of Little Star by the Elegants and Hushabye by the Mystics.

They backed Lou Jordan on Paradise for Two and Close Your Eyes (1961) on Josie. They then released their last record on Josie a remake of Blueberry Sweet by the Chandeliers and Man From the Moon the follow up from their early success.

Following "Man from The Moon", Tommy left for Las Vegas where he performed for many years as The Brothers" and produced Vegas shows. Johnny Contino took Tommy's place at that time.

Tony Amato and Nick were the two Chaperones that kept the group going all through the years in New York until Tony's death in 1990. Tommy was still in Las Vegas. Nick moved to Las Vegas where Tommy and Nick continued the group and today and The Chaperones have been playing all over the world. With the loss of Tony and Roy they will be missed...

"The Chaperones" are waiting to be nominated for induction into the

Vocal Group Hall of Fame -Click Here