Their sweet, romantic ballads have filled the airwaves for ages. "Have You Heard?" and "My Own True Love" are legendary love songs, but "You Belong To Me," is one of the most popular songs in the history of recorded music.
The Duprees are coming to Weehawken Wednesday night as part of the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center's "Summer Concerts on the Hudson" series. The show, which is free of charge and will be held in Lincoln Harbor Park on Harbor Boulevard near the Chart House Restaurant, is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The Duprees, who originate from Jersey City in the early 1960s and have been performing and recording ever since, are known the world over for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
The incredible vocal harmonies of current Duprees members Tommy Petillo, Tony Testa, Phil Granito and Jimmy Spinelli have stood the test of time through generations and remain just as popular today as they did when they were dominating the Top 40 charts in the early 1960s.
"It's amazing, but some 40 years later, you see the same looks on the people's faces," said Testa, who first played guitar with the group in the early days, but has become a regular member and singer for the last 17 years. "Our music differentiates the Duprees over anyone else. It is a combination of an honest street sound with wonderful arrangements making bona fide hits. It's different from any other contemporary music. Some songs lose their power after 40 years, but not these songs. People hear these songs and it takes them back."
The Duprees came from Jersey City and were discovered in 1962 by George Paxton, the president of Coed Records and former Big Band leader from the 1940s.
Impressed with their smooth vocal quality, he had them record Jo Stafford's 1950s ballad "You Belong To Me" with big band arrangements. While it was a minor hit for Stafford, the Duprees' version became a monster smash and was the group's first million record seller. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 40 chart in 1962, sending the local group on its way to international stardom.
From there, the hits just kept on rolling on, with songs like "My Own True Love," which is done to "Tara's Theme" from the 1939 classic movie, "Gone With the Wind."
Incredibly, the Duprees later released another single entitled "Gone With the Wind," although it had nothing to do with the other song or the movie.
Some other hits include: "Ginny," "Take Me As I Am," "Why Don't You Believe Me?," "Love Eyes," "It's No Sin," "The Sand and The Sea," "Where Are You?," "It Isn't Fair," "I'm Yours," "Let Them Talk," "Exodus," "I Understand," "Goodnight My Love," and "Two Different Worlds."
Over the years, they've sold more than 40 million records and albums.
"The group has endured," Testa said. "In this day and age, people want to remember the importance of original members and want to know the lineage. Although two of the original members have passed on, there is some originality. But it's the honesty of our voice captivates audiences then and now."
Testa said that the group performs close to 100 dates each year and is fortunate enough that many of the dates are in the New York metropolitan area.
"We've been very fortunate," Testa said. "As opposed to other groups, who have to travel all over, we could stay in the Tri-State area forever. We choose to go to Florida for one month each year to perform [25 dates at 20 different venues in March], but that's it. If we travel, it's because we want to."
Testa said that the Duprees are happy to be performing in Weehawken, because it's almost like a homecoming. "We're all Jerseyites and love the area," said Testa, who calls Neshanic Station home now. "We have our origin in Jersey City and have so many fans in the Jersey City, Newark, Hudson County area. It's going to be a great show, with the Manhattan skyline in the backdrop. It really is a homecoming for the group. We're excited about coming. And I've received so many e-mails from people through our website who said they're coming to the show. It's going to be nothing short of phenomenal."
Residents happy
Susan Jennings is a Weehawken mother who has been volunteering her time for the HRPAC. She is especially excited to have the Duprees performing in her own backyard.
"I talk about culture with my kids, and I've opened up the discussion of the music that I grew up with as a youngster," Jennings said. "That music includes the Duprees. They're ideal for families to come together, for grandparents to enjoy with their grandchildren, giving them a way to connect. This is the music that started it all. I'm going to bring my children and it will bring home a message. It's like the circle of life."
Jennings is equally impressed with the work of the HRPAC (and especially executive director Bruce Sherman) in bringing top-quality performing acts to the Weehawken waterfront.
"If you think of the music of the early '60s, you think of the Duprees," Jennings said. "What they're able to give us for free is incredible. These performers are the real deal. It's also great to see your neighbors come out and enjoy the music. The setting is gorgeous. It's a great night."
Testa said that the Duprees have a new 2 CD set out, entitled "Duprees: Live at the Sands," recorded in October, 2003, from a concert at the Sands in Atlantic City. Another CD, called "Duprees Go to the Movies," a collection of movie hits and themes, will be available soon and can be purchased at www.duprees.com.
"We have a great following of fans," Testa said. "We hope that everyone can come out and see us in Weehawken."
So how do the Duprees keep kicking after 42 years together?
"When we come on to the stage, we hold hands with one another, as a sign of unity," Testa said. "We trust in each other and the great part of it all is that we have great camaraderie. We have respect for each other, respect for our fans and respect for the music. That's what it's all about."
So perhaps there won't be any pyramids along the Nile Wednesday or the sun rising on a tropic isle Wednesday, but one thing is for sure. The Duprees belong to Weehawken for that one special night.
The Duprees concert will take place at Lincoln Harbor Park, on the Weehawken waterfront, just north of the Chart House pier on Wednesday, Aug. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will be rescheduled. There will be some chairs set up, but spectators are asked to bring a blanket or lawn chair if you can. For more information on the Summer Concerts on the Hudson series, visit HRPAC's website at www.HRPAC.org or call the concert info line at (201) 716-4540.
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