Somethin' Cool-The Academics-1958-Elmont..wmv

Dave Fisher on lead. New Haven, Connecticut, is known for its great R&B harmony groups, including the Five Satins, Nutmegs, Four Haven Knights and Starlarks. In the early fifties, most New Haven R&B groups were black. In 1956, a white group called the Academics changed all that.

The Academics began singing as teenagers. Ron Marone (baritone), Marty Ganter (second tenor), Richie "Goose" Greenberg (bass), Billy Greenberg (tenor), and Dave Fisher (tenor) all went to Hillhouse High School in New Haven. They took their name from their high school nickname. The Academics practiced songs like "I'm Yours" by the Flamingos, "At My Front Door" by the El Dorados and "Darla My Darlin" by the G-Clefs.

New Haven attorney, Joel Alderman, who was also a news reporter at radio station WELI-AM in New Haven liked their sound and agreed to manage them. Alderman also managed the Starlarks and had recorded that group on his own Elm label. Alderman brought the Academics to WELI disc jockey Carl Loucks who was impressed with their sound and encouraged them to record. They were taken in to the studios of WELI to record two songs that Marty Ganter had written -- "Too Good to be True" b/w "Heavenly Love" The songs were released on a new label Joel Alderman formed called Anchor Records. (The label name was later changed to Ancho to avoid trademark infringement with another label). Thanks to Carl Loucks and Jim Gallant, host of a daily TV show called Connecticut Bandstand, "Too Good to be True" became the #1 record in New Haven.



After "Too Good To Be True," was released, Charlie Luth replaced Goose Greenberg in the group. The Academics' second record on Ancho was "Darla My Darlin" [led by Ronnie Marone] b/w "At My Front Door" [led by Dave Fisher]. The Academics' final release was "Something Cool" [led by Dave Fisher] b/w "Drive in Movie" [led by Marty Ganter], released on the Elmont label in mid August 1958. All the Academics records did well in the Connecticut area but failed to chart nationally. Following the release of the Academics third record, Vinnie Giardina replaced Dave Fisher, who left to attend Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. At Wesleyan, Fisher formed the folk group, the Highwaymen who recorded "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" and "Cotton Fields." Dave Fisher passed away on Mat 7, 2010.

In 1989, two unreleased Academics' masters from 1960 ("I Often Wonder" b/w "Girl That I Love") were located and issued. The Academics continued singing over the years, appearing with many well-known performers including Connie Francis, the Five Satins, the Platters, and Paul Anka. The Academics today consist of original members Marty Ganter (lead and songwriter) and Ron Marone (baritones and arranger) as well as Vinny Giardina who joined in 1958 and John Roddy a former member of Roger Koob and the Premiers, another great Connecticut group. The Academics still sound great and have been making appearances in Connecticut and the tri-state area ever since their inception fifty years ago. On October 4, 2008, the Academics performed on the Black Swan Concert and sounded fabulous singing "Something Cool," "Drive-In Movie" and "To Good To Be True."

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