Ricky & The Vacels (Long Island, N.Y.)

Personnel :

Richard Mango (Lead)

Bobby Russo

Pete Gutowski

Vinny Gutowski

Discography :
 

Ricky & The Vacels
1962 - Bublle Gum / Lorraine ( Express 711)
1963 - His Girl / Don't Want Your Love No More (Fargo 1050)

The Vacels
1965 - You're My Baby / Hey Girl, Stop Leading Me On (Kama Sutra 200)
1965 - Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window / I'm Just A Poor Boy  (Kama Sutra 204)   

Biography :

It all started in 1958 when 12 year old Richard Mango moved to Valle Stream, Long Island from Brooklyn, New York. Ric wasted no time becoming very popular in his fifth grade class. He received a Valentine Day's card from almost every young girl in the school, every girl but one. So he wrote her a song "Lorraine" and told that he would perform it for her at the school's local dance.

  
Ricky & The Vacels With Tony Orlando                       Ricky & The Vacels With The Ronnie & The Hi-Lites

Not so popular with the guys, a trio of Bobby Russo and Brothers Pete and Vinny Gorman (Real name Gutowski) had invited him to perform his song with their band, planning to dump him when it was over. Unfortunately for the trio the crowd loved them and Ricky and the Vacels were born.

 Ricky & The Vacels With Frankie Avalon                                                                                               

 The Name Vacels was chosen by the original group because it's meaning is "servant's to the King". After winning a local talent contest they came the attention of Lou Fargo who record them on his  Express label the songs "Bublle Gumv" b/w "Lorraine" in 1962 and the next year on The fargo label "His Girl" b/w "Don't Want Your Love No More".

  
                                                                       The Vacels

They would eventually be managed by Sandy Yogoda of Jay & The Americans who got them a recording contract with Kama Sutra Records. The band dropped the 'Ricky &' and cut two singles in 1965  ."You're My Baby" b/w "Hey Girl, Stop Leading Me On" was the first single for the new label followed a few months later by "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window" b/w "I'm Just A Poor Boy".

It was Ric's connection with Sandy that got him into Jay & The Americans replacing Howie who left for the Army. His group The Vacels now went through another name change to the "Shaggy Boys".
"The Ric Mango Story"

Songs :

Ricky & The Vacels

      
Lorraine                                 Bublle Gum                            His Girl


Don't Wan't Your Love No More

The Vacels

      
I'm Just A Poor Boy          You're My Baby            Hey Girl, Stop Leading Me On


Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window

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