The classic "doo-wop" group The Duprees formed in the early 1960s in Jersey City, NJ. Its members, Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow and Mike Kelly, were students at William L. Dickinson High School. In 1962 'George Paxton . In 1963 Tom Bialoglow left the group, and the next year Mike Kelly replaced lead singer Joey Vann. Joe Santollo passed away in 1981 and Vann in 1984. Mike Arnone died in 2005. Although The Duprees were still performing as late as 2008, when the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, none of the surviving original members were among them.
A group formed in 1960 in Union City, NJ. They combined a big-band sound with "doo-wop" harmonies. They scored their first top 10 hit in 1962 with "You Belong To Me".
Members have included Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, Mike Kelly, Joey Vann, Tommy Petillo, Joey Spinelli, Phil Granito, Tony Testa.
Joe Santollo died of a heart attack on June 3, 1981, at age 41. Joey Vann died on Feb. 28, 1984, at age 40. Mike Arnone died in 2005. Mike Kelly died in 2012 of cancer.
