The Chapelaires - 2007 - Best of @320

 

The Chapelaires (Pittsburgh) (aka The Softwinds)   

                  

Personnel :

Tony Rausch

Bob Bubarth

Ross Melodia

Fred Ferketic

Biography : 

It all started back in 1955 when a large group of eighth graders from the Mount Troy / Troy Hill District of Pittsburgh were attending

Saint Anthony's Church. The Group of 12-20 boys would pass the chapel along side St. Anthony's every week on their way to church.

One day someone suggested they start a singing group and all agreed. Whithin three weeks when the smoke cleared only four remained with a serious

commitment to singing Tony Rausch, Paul Young, Ross Melodia and Fred Ferketic who were now the "Chapel Boys".

The group would perform at local hops and by 1957 Paul was replaced by Bob Bubarth. The group made some demos of original tunes they had written,

"A Tear", Scarlet Scarf", "Swing Loose" and "Walla Walla Bong Bong". They would acquire amanager in 1958,

Bob Ross, who was working with several other groups at the time (i.e. - Mario & the Satellites).

A name change also developed and the group became "The Chapelaires".

Soon a management change would have the boys under the direction of DJ Mark Flanagan (Bob Pappas) of Weep. He got the group a contract with

HAC Records named after the three song writing partners, Hal-Al-Chuck. Fred was a few years older than the rest of the group and in 1959 elected to go to college.

He was replaced with bill Schmidt. So the recordings on HAC in 1961 were Bill, Tony, Ross and Bob.

Bill would soon be drafted (1962?) and the group picked up John Lajzo and Wayne Goldie, Both former members of a local acappella group the Suburbans.

The groups sound had now changed so they felt a new name should match their sound, "The Softwinds".

Hac Records only had four releases on the label before they closed their doors after less than two years of operation. 

The final release by "The Softwinds" were by the boys themselves. After a lack of succes the group would loose

Wayne and go back to the name the "Chapelaires". Elmer Willett heard them and had them do some

background vocals for Gateway Records, the label he was affiliated with.

Ed Angel (Crystal Ball Records)

Tracks;

01  I'm Still In Love With You.mp3

02  Rose Mary (acappella).mp3

03  Huckelbuckle Bean Stork.mp3

04  Moonlight.mp3

05  Not Good Enough.mp3

06  A Tear.mp3

07  Swing Loose.mp3

08  Lonely Star.mp3

09  Happy Memories.mp3

10  Scarlet Scarf.mp3

11  Wall Walla Bong Bong.mp3

12  My Biggest Dream.mp3

13  Forever Is A Long, Long Time.mp3

14  Goodnight Irene.mp3

15  Flip Flip.mp3

16  Dance Dance Dance.mp3

17  Gloria.mp3

18  Under Hawaiian Skies.mp3

19  There's Nothing Sacred Now.mp3

20  Close Your Eyes (acappella).mp3

21  Count Every Star (acappella).mp3

22  Vacation Time.mp3

23  It's Impossible - Why Try.mp3

24  Cross My Heart (acappella).mp3

25  I Just Love Her So.mp3

26  Happy Anniversary (acappella).mp3

27  Oh Baby.mp3

28  Cross My Heart.mp3

29  I Love You So.mp3

With covers.

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