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Arts & Entertainment

Vocal Group, The Devotions Share Their History

Veteran doo-wop group and one-hit wonder tell their tale of musical devotion.

Doo-wop vocal group, The Devotions have performed several times at the , and recently returned to a warm welcome for their first ever question and answer session, and to tell the group's unique story of luck and dedication spanning from their roots in 1960 Astoria, Queens to today.

The Devotions are an original doo-wop, "oldies" vocal group and band, most recognized for their claim to fame, 1964 #3 Billboard Hit, "Rip Van Winkle."

The novelty tune was based on the classic tale of a man who slept for twenty years.  Ironically, this proved to be a prophetic analogy for the group's own disappearance and resurgence over the years.

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While none of the original members of The Devotions are still in the ensemble, the current members:  Al Vieco (baritone); Neil Keefe (second tenor), originally from Astoria; John Williams (first tenor), from Ridgewood, Queens; and Joe Spano (principle lead), from the Bronx round out the group today, keeping the singular spirit of a simpler time alive.  They continue to enjoy a "devoted" following.

"In a sense we're like direct descendants," said Keefe of the current cast of crooners.

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The group in the '60s consisted of Ray Sanchez (bass vocalist), Bob Hovorka, Bob Weinbrod and brothers, Frank and Joe Pardo.  After half a year of diligent rehearsals, virtually seven days a week, record promoter, Joe Petralia discovered the group.  He introduced them to Bernie Zimming, owner of the small Delta label in New York City.  They auditioned with doo-wop classics such as "Sunday Kind of Love", and "Life is but a Dream."  Zimming liked the group, but was looking for something more gimmicky that would appeal to teens.  This was the catalyst for Sanchez's penning of the quirky and endearing, "Rip Van Winkle."

"In '64 DJ Porky Chadwick in Pittsburgh boasted he could make any song a hit and picked "Rip Van Winkle" out of a pile," explained Vieco.

By that time The Devotions were no longer together, with Sanchez in the military and original lead, Weinbrod no longer with them, that's when Vieco, the only present member who was with the group in the mid '60s, joined the already revolving and evolving lineup.

"We tried to do a follow-up, "Snow White," by then it was dead," said Vieco.  "When I came on it was dying; I said let's get one last breath out of it."

After the musical landscape changed drastically due to the British Invasion in the late '60s, the group disbanded.  In the '70s when oldies started making a comeback The Devotions regrouped under a new name, The Oasis.

Vieco said, "I did some recordings with the group in the late'80s and wanted to get The Oasis back together.  One of the members said, 'I have Ray Sanchez's mother's number.'  So Ray came down and joined as bass.  That's how we started."

Recently Sanchez, the last original member, retired to Florida, but the doo-wop dynamos remain an unstoppable force.

The dedicated musicians have continuously performed throughout the New York area over the past five decades, at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Atlantic City casinos, Westbury Music Fair and in PBS-TV music specials.

The Devotions have a new CD out called Everyone Sings.  It includes original tracks "Everyone Sings", "Snow White" and "How Do You Speak to an Angel", as well as standards like Johnny Maestro's "Gee (But I'd Give the World)" and The Velvets' "Tonight ( Could Be the Night.)"

After Sanchez retired he encouraged the remaining members to keep the name and sound alive.

When an audience member inquired about what the future of doo-wop will be.

"I think it will end up that real aficionados of the music will still play it, but it will be a very narrow part of the musical spectrum," Keefe replied.

Williams, a Holbrook resident, articulated the appeal of their retro musical niche in today's world.  "We lived in a special time.  We were really blessed to live when we did.  I don't think we'll have a time like that again that's what's so special about that music.  It makes you remember that time," he said wistfully.  "I think the mid '50s was the greatest time in America."

Williams has found solace in his faith and in his music since his son, , 39, was shot to death outside their Holbrook Home in October.

He believes doo-wop music will be brought back because of the beauty of the society we had at the height of the genres popularity.  "You could leave your doors open.  When singing, when I close my eyes, I'm going back to when I was 16; I'm remembering those times," said Williams.

The girlfriend of his son at the time of the tragedy, Liz Durney, has started the John Williams Foundation Family Night with the Ducks.  The foundation will raise money for students in the Sachem School District who want to play a musical instrument, but can't afford the cost.  The Long Island Ducks game will be on Friday, May 6 at 7:05 p.m.  Contact Ms. Durney at thejohnwilliamsfoundation@gmail.com.  R.S.V.P. by Friday, March 18.  Tickets are $12.

The Devotions also treated the audience to a few songs such as "Gloria" by The Cadillacs, and ended their conversational, witty and informative presentation with, "Rip Van Winkle."

Roberta Goin of Medford has seen The Devotions perform at least a dozen times.  "It reminds you of when you were younger.  It was a different kind of life, a slower pace," she said.  "Some things get lost.  They remind us of how it was."

If you're jonesing for a heaping helping of nostalgia, The Devotions next local show is on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Massapequa High School.

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