Hey Let's Twist-Joey Dee & Starliters-'62-Roulette LP.wmv

Joey Dee and The Starliters have been a part of American popular music for nearly half a century, and the group is still going strong today with two of its original members in front. Best known for their 1961 hit recording "Peppermint Twist," the group was founded by Joey Dee, born Joseph DiNicola in Passaic, New Jersey on June 11, 1940. With lead singer Rogers Freeman, Joey Dee and The Starliters' first single was "Lorraine," backed with "The Girl I Walk To School," in 1958 on the Little label. That same year, Joey Dee recruited David Brigati (b. October 29, 1940 in Passaic, NJ) for the group after meeting him during a gig at Garfield (New Jersey) High School. David and Joey would subsequently share lead vocal honors for The Starliters, with Joey ultimately becoming the primary lead singer. Another early single for the group was "Face of an Angel," with David on lead vocals, released on Scepter Records; the flipside was "Shimmy Baby." An album entitled The Peppermint Twisters and credited to "Joey Dee and The Starlighters" was subsequently released on Scepter as well.

Various members of The Starliters, such as vocalist Freeman and drummer Don Martin, came and went over the next few years; the most famous lineup of Joey Dee and The Starliters is considered to be Joey Dee, David Brigati, Larry Vernieri (vocals), Carlton Lattimore (organ), and Willie Davis (drums). Later members of the touring group would include Eddie Brigati (David's brother), Gene Cornish, and Felix Cavaliere - three-quarters of The Young Rascals - as well as guitarist Jimmy James (later known as Jimi Hendrix) and Charles Neville of The Neville Brothers.

In 1960, The Starliters were discovered by agent Don Davis while performing at a Lodi, New Jersey nightclub called Oliveri's. The group was booked at an intimate venue on 45th Street in New York City called the Peppermint Lounge for what was supposed to be a one-time weekend gig. Joey Dee and company made such a smash that they ended up becoming the house band for the Peppermint Lounge, remaining onboard for more than a year. Joey penned "Peppermint Twist," along with producer Henry Glover, as a tribute to the lounge and the group took the song all the way to the top spot on the U.S. charts in late 1961. By this time the group had signed with Roulette Records. The Lounge became world famous during The Starliters' tenure, attracting celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy, Truman Capote, and Judy Garland.

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• Starliters-'62-Roulette
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[djdavemick]

Love it.