The Happenings Biography
The Happenings were a vocal harmony group from Paterson, New Jersey, USA that specialized in reviving classic songs. They comprised Bob Miranda (lead), Ralph DiVito (baritone; replaced by Bernie LaPorta in 1968), David Libert (bass) and Thomas Giuliano (tenor). They met while in military service at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and after leaving formed the Four Graduates. In addition to their roles as session singers, the quartet recorded a couple of singles for Crystal Ball Records and Rust, the latter being produced in 1963 by members of the successful group the Tokens. When the Tokens formed their own B.T. Puppy label in 1965 they signed the group, now called the Happenings, and their second release, a revival of the Tempos' 1959 hit, "See You In September", reached US number 3 in July 1966. Despite the fact that their distinctively dated yet somehow contemporary style seemed out of place with other 60s groups, they strung together an enviable nine US chart entries between 1966 and 1969. The biggest of these were their revivals of Steve Lawrence's "Go Away Little Girl" (number 12, October 1966), George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" (number 3, April 1967) and Al Jolson's "My Mammy" (number 13, July 1967). They later recorded for Jubilee, Big Tree and Midland International, before Miranda and Giuliano established a new line-up of the group to tour the oldies circuit. The former was still leading the Happenings in the new millennium, joined by long standing members Bob Kulik and George Rizzi.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
|
