Biography
ST4 Band Beginnings
In 1962 a band was formed called the Silvertones, mostly top forty repetoire..they performed at bowling alleys, teen clubs for example the Silver Key and White Brick Inn..also High School dances. Within two years, members of the band had changed plus the name which became the ST4.
Originally the four members were:
- Richie Petrucco - Bass and lead singer
- Charlie Brucia - Drums
- Roger Jennison - Keyboards and vocals
- Bob DeSantis - Lead singer and guitar
The ST4 got their first steady gig at a small club in Garden City, called the Ski Inn. This was were they achieved their tightness along with a good feel and good harmonies, also a vast repetoire was now becoming their trade mark. This was the start of the ST4 following.
In 1966, Richie Petrucco was replaced by Vinnie Fiorillo (Vinnie had a good R&B voice and began to add adrenaline plus excitement to the band) thus bringing it to a new level. By this time also they had moved to a new club, the Tiger's Tail in Hicksville this venue was much larger thus helping to increase ST4's following.
They held special "Bully Wooly" dances on Monday nights which drew in well in excess of a 1000 people in the summer season. On Fridays and Saturdays.. even more were attending.
By 1968, ST4's popularity increased, their mailing list was exceeding 6000.. They started to run ski trips, picnics and pool parties; plus dances at a variety of catering halls on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. These included the Holiday Manor in Hicksville, Americana Country Club in Plainview, the Woodbury Country Club plus later the Sons of Italy in Farmingdale were also added to their Tuesday and Wednesday night venues.
In 1970, music started to get more heavier and the ST4 also went through another change to their lineup. Charlie Brucia who was their drummer, left and was replaced by Joe Orlando. Orlando added a far more heavier input to the ST4 which also helped them to adapt to the heavier sounds that were being developed around that time.
After four years, ST4 left the Tiger's Tail in Hicksville and moved on to become the house band at a new club in Queens called the HONKA MONKA. Amongst the line up at this new venue were the likes of Three Dog Night, James Gang, Ike & Tina Turner, Brooklyn Bridge, Jay & The Americans, The Shirelles, Tito Puente along with many others.
In 1972 after being with the band for eight years, keyboard player Roger Jennison left and was replace by another keyboard player and vocalist, Michael Kenny. Michael Kenny and an excellent voice which added a further lead vocal to ST4.
Having now played at the HONKA MONKA for two years, the band would start to hang out at after-hours clubs in the city.. During this period they were exposed to a new style of music which later became known as Disco.
They started to emilate this new style and brought it to Long Island every Tuesday night at the Sons of Italy in Farmingdale. There the band ran disco dances which drew in excess of a thousand people each week. Because of the success of these dances this lead to the ST4 opening their own club which was named the BIJOU.
The BIJOU was the first disco on Long Island and later inspired others such as Uncle Sams, Rum Bottoms, Penrods, amongst many others.
In 1973, ST4 signed with Sceptor Records to record "Funky" and " "Black Skinned Blue Eye Boys"
By 1977 they did of course dissolve.. and although were finished they did a few reunion gigs in around 2003 and 2004.
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