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The Vogues are an American vocal rock and roll group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.[1] The original lineup consisted of Bill Burkette (lead baritone), Don Miller (baritone), Hugh Geyer (first tenor), and Chuck Blasko (second tenor).[2]
The Vogues | |
|---|---|
 The Vogues in 1968 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock and roll, vocal pop, blue-eyed soul |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Labels | Co & Ce, Reprise |
| Members | Royce Taylor Troy Elich Artie Deleonardis Tom Lamb Rich Gooch J.R. Wright Elliott McCoy |
| Past members | Chuck Blasko Bill Burkette Don Miller Jim Campagna Stan Elich Terry Brightbill Hugh Geyer Gary Racan Sean Moran* Bo Wagner Pete Garofalo |
They are best known for their chart-topping singles "You're the One", "Five O'Clock World", "Magic Town", and "Turn Around, Look at Me". In addition to touring the world, the group appeared on American Bandstand, The Tonight Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
Career
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2018) |
The group, originally named the Val-Aires, formed in 1958 at Turtle Creek High School.[1] They signed with Pittsburgh manager Elmer Willet, who produced their first recording release "Which One Will It Be/Launie My Love". DJ Porky Chedwick became a supporter booking the group for his rock and roll shows and record hops. Chedwick put them on bills with the Drifters, the Platters, and the Dells. Clark Race of KDKA radio promoted the group on his KDKA-TV dance show. Having strong regional sales, the single was picked up for national distribution by Coral Records.
After high school, members of the group variously joined the Army or went to college. After their enlistments and college degrees were completed, they decided to record again. Each member paid $100 towards the fee to record a demo tape. They hired Nick Cenci, who had helped bring Lou Christie mainstream success, to produce the recording. In 1965, Cenci produced recording sessions for the Val-Aires at Gateway Studios in Pittsburgh, including vocals for a cover of the Petula Clark song "You're the One",[1] which was released on the band's own Blue Star label. Cenci then persuaded John Rook, program director of KQV, to play the single. With local airplay and sales Cenci signed them to the Co & Ce label as the "Vogues" and secured national distribution.[1] The song soon became a national hit reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Later in 1965, Cenci produced another Vogues recording session, which resulted in the No. 4 Billboard hit, "Five O'Clock World".[1]
In 1966, Co & Ce Records released the singles "Magic Town", which reached no. 21 in April of that year, and the no. 29 "The Land of Milk and Honey". The singles "Summer Afternoon" and "Lovers of the World Unite" were released on Co & Ce in 1967. Co & Ce leased the Vogues to Reprise Records (distributed by Warner Bros.) where they found success with cover versions of "Turn Around, Look at Me" (No. 7),[1] "My Special Angel" (No. 7), "Till" (No. 27), "No, Not Much" (No. 34), "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (No. 42), "Moments to Remember" (No. 47), and "Green Fields" (No. 92).[3] Dick Glasser also produced several unreleased singles by The Vogues for Reprise, including Paul Levinson's "Unbelievable (Inconceivable) You".[4] The original group appeared on popular TV shows in the 1960s, including The Tonight Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, Shindig, The Red Skelton Show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, and The Mike Douglas Show.
In 1971, the Vogues signed a recording contract with Bell Records and recorded three singles ("Love Song", "Take Time to Tell Her", and "American Family"). In 1972, the group released one single on Mainstream Records ("Need You" b/w "Greatest Show on Earth"). By 1973, Geyer had left the group. Now recording for 20th Century Records, the group released three singles ("My Prayer", "Wonderful Summer", and "Prisoner of Love"), which were commercially unsuccessful and represented the last singles released by The Vogues.
Miller left the group in 1974 and was replaced by a succession of other vocalists. By the 1980s, the group had stopped touring and were concentrating on Western Pennsylvania venues. Burkette left the group in 1983, leaving Chuck Blasko as the only original member of The Vogues. Vocalist Gary Racan joined Chuck Blasko & The Vogues and performed with them for 16 years, departing to start his own band. In 2022 Racan filled in several shows with the Troy Elich led Vogues. During one show Racan was reunited with Bo Wagner, his former bandmate from Chuck Blasko's Vogues.
At some point during the late 1970s or early 1980s, the group's manager trademarked the name and assets of the Vogues. He later sold the trademark to Bengar Inc (Pete Garofalo), who starting booking other quartets as the Vogues. Pete Garofalo was a baritone who was with The Vogues from 1973 through the early 1990s. While owner of the trademark, he performed with them as well as having a group touring on the road. Pete Garofalo died in 1997, which led to the sale of the trademark. The trademark was sold several times, resulting in a variety of unrelated groups of singers claiming to be the Vogues. In 2000, the trademark was purchased by vocalist and Pittsburgh area native Stan Elich. During these years Blasko continued to perform as the Vogues, clashed with the "trademark" group, and eventually testified in front of Congress on the Truth in Music Act. A lawsuit filed by Blasko ended with the Pennsylvania court permitting Blasko's Vogues to perform in 14 Western Pennsylvania counties and the "trademark" group to perform everywhere else in the world as The Vogues.
From 2004 until 2006, Geyer joined Blasko's Vogues in the 14 Western Pennsylvania counties that Blasko's group was permitted to tour in. After creative differences with Blasko, Geyer left Blasko's group at the end of 2006. In March 2007, Geyer joined the nationally touring "trademark" group of The Vogues of trademark owner Elich. Geyer continued to perform with this group until his retirement in December 2012. Upon his retirement he was replaced by Royce Taylor, who had previously been a member of The Vogues from 1983 to 1997. In May 2008, original lead vocalist Bill Burkette also joined Geyer in touring the US with the "trademark" Vogues. The members of this group included Burkette, Geyer, Elich, Elich's son Troy, and Jim Campagna. Stan Elich died in December 2010. Troy Elich now owns the trademark "The Vogues".
In 2010, the Stan Elich-owned Vogues released a live album, The Vogues Sings the Hits Live, on the Desert Trax Music label. This marked the first time in 38 years that Burkette and Geyer recorded together.
After Bill Burkette's death in March, 2018, he was replaced by Bo Wagner, who had been filling in during Burkette's illness. Wagner had been a member of Blasko's Vogues from 1983 to 1997. Wagner left the Vogues in 2023 due to health issues. Bo (Robert H. Bogesdorfer) Wagner died on July 13, 2024 at the age of 78. Tennessee native Elliott McCoy replaced Wagner in 2023. McCoy previously had been the owner and vocalist of the gospel group Three Bridges.
The Vogues' lineup as of March, 2024 are Troy Elich, Royce Taylor, and Elliott McCoy.[5]
In 2020 it was announced that The Vogues would for the first time be a part of The Turtles "Happy Together Tour". But due to the COVID-19 pandemic most of the tour was cancelled. The Vogues were again scheduled to be in the tour in 2021, but like 2020, many dates were cancelled due to COVID-19. When 2022 rolled around The Vogues were ready to go head on in the Happy Together Tour. Bo Wagner made the decision to sit out the rigorous tour. He was replaced on tour by Shawn Stevens, who at one time had performed as a member of The Diamonds. The Vogues were once again a part of the Happy Together Tour in 2023, with Shawn Stevens filling in again for Bo Wagner. In the fall of 2023 it was announced that Shawn Stevens had joined The Duprees as a fulltime member.
The Vogues will again be a part of the Happy Together tour in 2024, with the line up of Elich, Taylor and Sean Moran (another former member of Blasko's Pittsburgh group) filling for McCoy.
Also in 2022, The Vogues released the album "Still Tickin'", featuring all new recordings of the top ten favorite hits.
The original group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.[6]
Bill Burkette (born William W. Burkette III on September 17, 1942) died of lymphoma on March 1, 2018, at the age of 75.[7]
Don Miller died on January 11, 2021, reportedly of COVID-19,[8] at age 80.[9][10]
Members
edit| Original members | Current members |
|---|---|
|
Vocal members:
The "5 O'Clock World" band (instrumental backing band)
|
Studio albums
edit- Meet the Vogues (1965)
- Five O'Clock World (1966)
- Turn Around, Look at Me (1968) (No. 29 Billboard 200)
- Till (1969) (No. 30 Billboard 200)
- Memories (1969)[1]
- The Vogues' Greatest Hits (1970)
- The Vogues Sing the Good Old Songs (1970)
Singles
edit| Year | A-side | B-side From same album as A-side except where indicated |
Record Catalog Number | Notes | US | US AC | AUS | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | "Launie, My Love" | "Which One Will It Be?" | Willett 114 | as the Valaires | - | - | - | Non-album tracks |
| 1960 | "Launie, My Love" | "Which One Will It Be" | Coral 62177 | Re-release, as the Val-aires | - | - | - | |
| 1965 | "You're the One" | "Some Words" (Non-album track) | Blue Star B-229 | - | - | - | - | Meet The Vogues |
| 1965 | "You're the One" | "Some Words" (Non-album track) | Co & Ce 229 | Re-release | 4 | - | 55 | |
| 1965 | "Five O'Clock World" | "Nothing to Offer You" (from Meet The Vogues) | Co & Ce 232 | - | 4 | - | 64 | Five O'Clock World |
| 1966 | "Magic Town" | "Humpty Dumpty" (from Five O'Clock World) | Co & Ce 234 | - | 21 | - | - | The Vogues' Greatest Hits |
| 1966 | "The Land of Milk and Honey" | "True Lovers" | Co & Ce 238 | - | 29 | - | - | Non-album tracks |
| 1966 | "Please Mr. Sun" | "Don't Blame the Rain" | Co & Ce 240 | - | 48 | - | - | |
| 1966 | "That's the Tune" | "Midnight Dreams" | Co & Ce 242 | - | 99 | - | - | |
| 1967 | "Summer Afternoon" | "Take A Chance on Me Baby" | Co & Ce 244 | - | - | - | - | |
| 1967 | "Lovers of the World Unite" | "Brighter Days" | Co & Ce 246 | - | - | - | - | |
| 1967 | "Lovers of the World Unite" | "Brighter Days" | MGM 13813 | Leased by MGM | - | - | - | |
| 1968 | "Just What I've Been Lookin' For | "I've Got You On My Mind" (Non-album track) | Reprise 0663 | - | - | - | - | The Vogues Sing The Good Old Songs and Other Hits |
| 1968 | "Turn Around, Look at Me" | "Then" | Reprise 0686 | - | 7 | 3 | 43 | Turn Around, Look At Me |
| 1968 | "My Special Angel" | "I Keep It Hid" | Reprise 0766 | - | 7 | 1 | 36 | |
| 1968 | "Till" | "I Will" | Reprise 0788 | - | 27 | 5 | - | Till |
| 1969 | "Woman Helping Man" | "I'll Know My Love (By The Way She Talks)" | Reprise 0803 | - | - | - | - | |
| 1969 | "Woman Helping Man" | "No, Not Much" | Reprise 0803 | Re-release | 47/34 | 6/6 | - | |
| 1969 | "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" | "P.S. I Love You" | Reprise 0820 | - | 42 | 7 | - | Memories |
| 1969 | "Moments to Remember" | "Once in a While" | Reprise 0831 | - | 47 | 17 | 97 | |
| 1969 | "Green Fields" | "Easy to Say" (From The Vogues Sing The Good Old Songs and Other Hits) | Reprise 0844 | - | 92 | 19 | - | The Vogues' Greatest Hits |
| 1969 | "See That Girl" | "We Only Have Love" (Non-album track) | Reprise 0856 | - | - | 13 | - | |
| 1970 | "God Only Knows" | "Moody" | Reprise 0887 | - | 101 | 21 | - | The Vogues Sing The Good Old Songs and Other Hits |
| 1970 | "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" | "Over the Rainbow" (Non-album track) | Reprise 0909 | - | 101 | 18 | - | |
| 1970 | "Theme (The Good Old Songs)" | "Come Into My Arms" (From Turn Around, Look At Me) | Reprise 0931 | - | - | 27 | - | |
| 1970 | "Since I Don't Have You" | "I Know You as a Woman" | Reprise 0969 | - | - | 8 | - | |
| 1971 | "Love Song" | "We're on Our Way" | Bell 991X | - | 118 | 23 | - | Non-album tracks |
| 1971 | "Take Time to Tell Her" | "I'll Be with You" | Bell 45,127 | - | - | 38 | - | |
| 1971 | "An American Family" | "Gotta Have You Back" | Bell 45,158 | - | - | - | - | |
| 1973 | "My Prayer" | "I've Got to Learn to Live Without You" | 20th Century 2041 | - | - | 31 | - | |
| 1973 | "Wonderful Summer" | "Guess Who" | 20th Century 2060 | - | - | 47 | - | |
| 1974 | "As Time Goes By" | "Prisoner of Love" | 20th Century 2085 | - | - | -/37 | - |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 462. ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 251. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ "The Vogues - Pittsburgh Music History". Archived from the original on 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
- ^ Breznikar, Klemen (January 30, 2016). "Paul Levinson Interview". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ "The Vogues | HuckabeeTV". Huckabee.tv. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
- ^ "Inductees - The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation". Vocalgroup.org. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
- ^ William W. Burkette III - SEPTEMBER 17, 1942 ~ MARCH 1, 2018 (AGE 75), Jobefuneralhome.com
- ^ @hitmanhalley (January 13, 2021). "Don Miller, the original baritone for '60s pop group THE VOGUES,..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-13 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Don Miller of '60s Singing Group, The Vogues, Dies at 80". Best Classic Bands. 3 August 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Donald Miller". The Morehead News. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The Vogues - About". vogues.com. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ "Lynn Royce Taylor - About Royce". lynnroycetaylor.com. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ grentertainment@mlive.com, Terry DeBoer | (2014-05-27). "The Vogues bringing sounds of the 1960s to Real Oldies Classic Car Show". mlive. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
