LEAD SINGER NICK SANTO R.I.P IN DOO WOP HEAVEN

Nick Santo (Santamaria), lead singer of the Capris, lost his battle with cancer Thursday (December 30). He was 69. Nick had retired from performing and disbanded the group over three years ago to battle the disease. The Capris were formed in 1957 by teenagers in Queens, New York. Answering an ad placed by fledgling record producers, they cut "There's A Moon Out Tonight" in 1958, which was bought and released by Planet Records. The song went nowhere and the group disbanded. That is, until a New York City disk jockey played it two years later. Released again on Lost Nite Records (and then picked up for national distribution by Old Town Records), the song spenta week in the #3 position on the Billboard charts in early 1961. The group re-assembled and hit the charts three more times, with "Where I Fell In Love" (#74-1961), "Girl In My Dreams" (#82-1961) and "Limbo" (#98-1962). By the latter release, though, Nick had left for a solo career and ended up with the New York City Police Department. He rejoined the Capris in 1982 and continued with the group until its dissolution. His composition, "Morse Code Of Love," though it never charted, is still considered a doo-wop standard. The Capris were named to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.

 

Comments

[Terry Currier]

Thanks for the clip!

[JOE COOK]

JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE MORSE CODE OF LOVE DID CHART IN FEB OF 1985, ALTHOUGH RISING ONLY TO #83, IT WAS A CATCHY TUNE DONE BY THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER AND DEDICATEED TO THE CAPRIS.

[tom shaughnessy]

I remember seeing the capris sing there's a moon out tonite on dick clark show on a b&w tv screen.
in the summer time either 58 or 59.
a few years later it became a very big hit.
i purchased other 45s by them and loved them all.
my sis anne told me he would see the capris on the beach in ny she lives in flora park long island
and there were other groups but she loved the capris the best.
rip peace nick santo
doo wop has lost another great voice to heavens choir.
tom/tjdoowop

[Martin L. Scruggs]

Sweet group. Nick Santamaria was at the level of Frankie Valle. Only the Italians can equal the Blacks in signing doo wop ability. Follow (black) police officer (age 63). Mr. Nick Santamaria RIP.