Mardi Gras was an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
based,
rock and roll
Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from Africa ...
group. They released several
singles
Singles are people not in a committed relationship.
Singles may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series
* ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe
* ''Singles'' ...
which were
hits
Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* ''H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block
* ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998
* ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014 - a British compilation album se ...
throughout Europe from 1970 to 1972, followed by an eponymous
album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
in 1972, on
Peter Anders and
Vini Poncia
Vincent "Vini" Poncia Jr. (born April 29, 1942) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer.
Life and career The 1960s
In the 1960s, Poncia formed a songwriting team with Peter Anders (née Peter Andreoli). An album of songs co-writt ...
's Map City Records
label
A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed dir ...
. The core of the group was three friends, Lou Burgio, Bob Azzara, and Flip Cesario, who had performed in other bands, including the
Royal Teens
The Royal Teens were an American rock and roll band that formed in New Jersey in 1956 and originally consisted of Bob Gaudio on piano, Tom Austin on drums, Billy Dalton on guitar, and Billy Crandall on saxophone. The group is best known for its ...
and
Joey and the Twisters
Joey and the Twisters was an American Twist (dance), twist group, formed from remnants of the original Royal Teens around 1961. The group was led by Teens vocalist Joey Villa (aka Joe Francovilla), along with several other members from the local ...
in the early 1960s.
Their first release, a
cover
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of "Girl, I've Got News for You," reached number 1 in
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, and moved high up the charts in
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, the
Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
, and elsewhere in Europe. They followed this with a cover of "
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" is a Motown song written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Janie Bradford. The song was first recorded by The Temptations as a track on their 1966 album '' Gettin' Ready''. Eddie Kendricks sings lead on th ...
," which again charted highly across Europe, including peaking at number 19 in the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
in 1972.
They released two other singles, "Every Day I Have to Cry Some" (1971), and "Paris Sunshine" (1972), soon after issuing their only album.
They recorded one more record, backing the French singer,
Michel Laurent
Michel Laurent (born 10 August 1953) is a French former professional road racing cyclist.
Major results
;1975
:GP de la Liberté Fribourg
;1976
:Commentry
:Paris–Nice
:Promotion Pernod
:Tour de Corse
:Vernon
;1977
:Le Creusot
:Chateau-Chinon
...
, on "Sing Sing Barbara"
which reached number 1 across parts of Europe, staying at the top of the charts in Italy for six consecutive months.
Members
* Lou Burgio - Vocals, drums
* Bob Azzara - Farfisa organ, vocals
* Flip Cesario - Guitar, vocals
* Noel Koward - Vibes, vocals
Discography
Albums
*''Mardi Gras'' (1970)
** "Girl, I've Got News For You"
** "Everyday I Have To Cry Some"
** "Come Along"
** "Letter Of Recommendation"
** "I Just Can't Help Believing"
** "
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" is a Motown song written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Janie Bradford. The song was first recorded by The Temptations as a track on their 1966 album '' Gettin' Ready''. Eddie Kendricks sings lead on th ...
"
** "Hold Me"
** "The Days"
** "I Was Born Again"
Singles
*"Girl, I've Got News For You" / "If I Can't Have You" (1970)
*"
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" is a Motown song written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, and Janie Bradford. The song was first recorded by The Temptations as a track on their 1966 album '' Gettin' Ready''. Eddie Kendricks sings lead on th ...
" / "Letter of Recommendation" (1970)
*"Every Day I Have to Cry Some" / "The Days" (1971)
*"Paris Sunshine" / "Give Me A Little Sign" (1972)
*Laurent et Mardi Gras: "Sing Sing Barbara" (1972) (Issued in English, French and Italian versions. Note the B-side was "Le Temple Bleu" by Laurent only)
See also
*
List of French number-one hits of 1970
References
{{Authority control
Rock music groups from New York (state)
Musical groups from New York City