In 1960 this vocal group practiced

in Downtown Jersey City’s Hamilton Park

and went on  to become

THE DUPREES

Joseph Canzano 1st row center (April 3, 1943 – February 28, 1984)
Joseph Santollo 2nd row top (July 23, 1943 – June 4, 1981)
John Salvato 2nd row middle (July 19, 1940)
Michael Arnone 1st row right (September 19, 1943-  2006)
Tom Bialoglow 1st row left (November 5, 1940)
Michael Kelly (April 19, 1943) not pictured

Unfortunately, not much has been written about The Duprees, but their musical contribution to Rock ‘N’ Roll history is reflected in their songs and their unique style. While many vocal groups performed standards from the ’40s and ’50s, only The Duprees could pull them off the way they did, and were one of the first to do so. In their early years, they were able to impressively blend the best from the sounds of the Swing Era, with the distinctive soul and infectious beat of the groups identified with rock and roll. In all they would register nine Top 100 entries nationally.  In their home state of New Jersey, and also in New York, the Duprees were phenomenally popular, with virtually all of their records making the Top 10.

But still, they were a fine, yet totally underrated group, whose recorded legacy indicates that they were far more versatile than their early more successful issues showed. When listened to as a whole, their library of recordings from 1962 to 1975 clearly demonstrates that they were easily the equals of many of their more commercially successful contemporaries. The later years showed their ability to adapt to new styles, as they searched for the right new sound and proved to be a very talented and diverse group. It was the genuine love of music and performing that kept the group together for so many years after their initial success.

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