I cannot recall the one and only time I saw myself perform on television with my singing group even though it was one of the highlights of my life.
I sang bass for a Doo Wop group in the late 1960s as we appeared on the Super Lou Dance Show. We sang two songs which were recorded by a film crew. The performance was taped in front of a live audience for Channel 29, a UHF Station with its studio at Old York Road in the Philadelphia suburb of Jenkintown. (Philadelphia had three UHF stations – Channels 17, 29, and 48.)
We auditioned for the show’s emcee at his Northeast Philadelphia home and he agreed to performance a few weeks later. We purchased matching shirts like the one Seinfeld wore for his television appearance and we practiced two songs from our “Golden Oldies” repertoire.
Five Jaunts on the Super Lou Show
I remember walking onto the dance floor and staring at the bright lights that lit us up for the camera. My voice was the first one heard because I opened with a bass sound to start the Rock & Roll beat. I was advised later to remove my glasses because the lights shined too brightly and the reflection was distracted.
All went well with the show and I’ll never forget Super Lou speaking to us at the end, stating my name as the “boom, boom” man! I couldn’t smile any brighter than I did at that wonderful moment. We sounded good and I can tell you there is nothing more divine sounding than harmonizing in a group!
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We called ourselves The Five Jaunts. The night of our television appearance, we also “appeared” at a party held by Bob Palumbo in his mom’s house in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia. I remember how a cute little redhead kept giving me the eye. I got my very own “groupie” I thought but failed to get her more interested in a more intimate relationship with me.
The problem is, however, I cannot remember seeing us sing on television. I have no memory whatsoever and I wonder today if I’m experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. I simply can’t recall the television viewing even though I can remember the performance.
I do have lots of memories of singing together and I am so grateful that someone made a copy of our television appearance while you can’t see us perform, you can at least listen to The Five Jaunts. Give a listen here:
(Only the second selection above works. Sorry about that . . .)
(For another story of the Five Jaunts, check this out: The Five Jaunts.)
Contoveros 
Believe it or not, I’m the guy who drove some of you guys to the Channel 29 studio that night, and once or twice the group practiced in my basement. Went to high school with Joe Cleary, and hung out with Hub (Jim Hubmaster) and Buzz (Bob Richmond) in Parkwood, so I was blessed with a lot of spontaneous doo-wop back in the day. Fortunately I got to see Joe perform with the Balladeers many years later, and occasionally hear the Balladeers and the Ecstacies (featuring Joe and Hub) on the radio. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
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Unbelievable!
We’re talking more than 50 years ago. I’ll never forget those times singing in practice and then the highlight of my Doo Wop career which was being taped for a television show before a live audience.
And to come to think that someone like you could read my blog and comment on it is just wonderful. Still in contact with Joe Cleary and Jim Hubmaster. I have seen Buzz (Bobby Richmond) at a few Brwerytown reunions, but have lost contact with the two best singers of the old Five Jaunts.
Joe and I both ended up going to law school. He became a labor lawyer while I worked with poor criminals as a public defender in Philadelphia.
How many people even remember there was a Channel 29? High school with Joe Cleary? How about first through eighth grade with him?
Great to hear from you and the memories you have brought up with your comment!
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I used to see Buzz once a year at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society 10k run along Delaware Av. until they shut it down around 2008. I was in the Air Force 1967-71, all stateside.
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I salute you and Buzz. I got drafted in 1968. Ended up in Vietnam in 1970 as a combat infantry platoon leader.
My favorite song then was by the Animals: “We Gotta Get Out of This Place. . . !”
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Larry Serviolo says: 11/28/2022 at 10:53
I was lucky. Spent most of my time at Cape Canaveral.
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Holy moly, Michael… Did I know you way back at St. Ludwig’s??? I would have graduated from there in 1961 if my family hadn’t moved to Olney at the beginning of my 7th grade. I had Sister Josephine Francis in both 4th and 6th grades… and she was my favorite teacher of all time.And one of your postings mentioned Howard Brown…
I got in trouble in Sister Theresa Marie’s 2nd grade class because I talked out of turn to Howard when we were sharing one of those old double desks. Had to stay after school to help clean Sister St. Leonard’s classroom as punishment. I was terrified of her!
I ended up at St. Helena’s in Olney and then at Cardinal Dougherty High School instead of Hallahan. In Brewerytown, we lived at 2937 W. Master Street, diagonally across the street from the infamous Acme Warehouse where my father worked for 42 years. He was a Brewerytown native… born and bred.
Your doo-wop reminds me of the hot summer nights when the windows had to be open to catch whatever breeze might happen and I occasionally could hear guys harmonizing on some nearby street corner. Those were the days.
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It is great to hear from another youngster who grew up in the old neighborhood. I graduated from St. Ludwig’s elementary school in 1962 along with Bill Brown, Bobby Richmond and Joe Cleary. My favorite teacher was also Sister Josephine Francis. My least favorite was Sister St. Clair who knocked me down a flight of steps when I refused to tell her who I had played hooky with while in seventh grade.
I went to Bishop Neumann High School but left after one year. I got caught playing hooky again and was supposed to go to summer school for religion. I transferred and later graduated from Dobbins Technical School in North Philadelphia.
Twice a year those of us who grew up in Brewerytown have been meeting in Northeast Philadelphia. It’s a great time to recall our misadventures and what it took to survive into adulthood. Hope to hear from you again soon Diane!
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This was great! You are a Renaissance man, Michael J. It was nice to see this side of you. I could see you, didn’t need the television. Just might have to request a doo wop tune or two at our next Tuesday meeting.
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We will have to harmonize together my dear. Will make beautiful music!
Thanks a bunch…
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