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 singers from Long Island - Tony Amato (lead), Roy Marchesano (1st tenor), Tommy Ronca (second tenor), Nick Salvato (baritone) and Richard Messina (bass). Tommy, Roy and Richie went to Farmingdale High School on Long Island, Tony Amato was from Deer Park and Nick Salvato was from Bethpage. As Tommy Ronca remembers, the group was started by Nick and him . The group had a couple of different names prior to the Chaperones including the Sharptones and Fairlanes. The name "Chaperones" was given to us by Jubilee records because dances and proms were popular at the time and the term was in vogue.

In 1959, the group was invited to record for the famous Josie label because Nick went to college with Steve Blain head of the Josie record label and a dear friend. The song was "Cruise To the Moon." (actually written by Roy Machesano and shared with all the Chaperones members) It was produced by Steve Blaine and Mickey Eichner. "We go into the studio," recalls Tommy Ronca, "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 Lou Jordon's "Paradice for Two" and "Close your Eyes" . Off the success of Cruise to the Moon, the group became, what Tommy Ronca 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, shows with Larry Chance & The Earls, The Teenagers and two memorable shows when they appeared with the Five Satins and they backed Paul Anka. They also appeared on the Clay Cole show at least six times.

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 then released their last record on Josie a remake of Blueberry Sweet by the Chandeliers b/w Man From the Moon - the follow up from their early success.

Tommy left for Las Vegas with his new group bringing the Perpermint Twist Show from The Perpermint Lounge on 45th Street in Manhattan NY to the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas where he performed for many years and later produced Vegas Shows. Nick Salvato still had the Chaperones group and kept it going all the way to today. Tony Amato passed away in 1990 and Roy in 1999.

"The Chaperones" - Waiting to be nominated for induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame - Click Here