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The Boptones
The Boptones (Brooklyn, New York)
Personnel :
Nick Lampirello (Lead)
John Ench (Second Tenor)
David Antebi (Bass)
Kenny Pollack (First Tenor)
Discography :
Singles :
1958 - I Had A Love / (Be My) Pussy Cat (Ember 1043)
Unreleased :
1958- Running After You (Ember)
1958- Betty Jean (Ember)
Biography :
The Boptones were a group from Brooklyn, they were from Bensonhurst Brooklyn around the 75th street 19th ave area and they all went to Lafayette High School. The Group was known as Nicky-Bop and the Boptones early on. They auditioned for Ted Mack's Amateur Hour in 1958.
The Boptones in the wings
During the audition they asked the group what we wanted most. David Antebi said « to sing with Alan Freeds rock and roll show at the Brooklyn Paramount theatre ». Unbeknownst to The Boptones, the show arranged for Freed to take the group on tour with his show. They were on the same bill with Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Danny and the Juniors, Buddy Holly, and many others.
The original members of the Boptones were John Ench (Second Tenor), who sang the lead on At the Hop, Nick Lampirello (Lead), who sang the lead on At My Front Door, Kenny Pollack (First Tenor) and David Antebi (Bass), the kid with the glasses. They were introduced to Ember through Alan Freed.
Dave Antebi with Chuck Berry in the wings
On their recordings, Bob Kutner, replaced Kenny Pollack. They Recorded four songs for Herald Ember records, and came their unique single : « I Had A Love » (an original by the four group members) with the B-side « (Be My) Pussy Cat ». Nick Continued his musical career, recording as Nick Lampe for Atlantic in the sixties, while Bob Kutner joined the Vocal-Airs who did « Dance, Dance » For Herald in 1962.
Thanks to David Antebi
Videos :
At The Hop (On Amateur Hour March 8, 1958)
At My Front Door (On The Amateur Hour March 15, 1958)
Songs :
I Had A Love (Be My) Pussy Cat Betty Jean
Running After You
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