Nick Santo of Doo Wop Group the Capris Dies



From Oldies Music:

Nick Santo (Santamaria), lead singer of the Capris, lost his battle with cancer Thursday (December 30). He was 69. Nick had retired from performing and disbanded the group over three years ago to battle the disease.

The Capris were formed in 1957 by teenagers in Queens, New York. Answering an ad placed by fledgling record producers, they cut "There's A Moon Out Tonight" in 1958, which was bought and released by Planet Records. The song went nowhere and the group disbanded. That is, until a New York City disk jockey played it two years later.

Released again on Lost Nite Records (and then picked up for national distribution by Old Town Records), the song spent a week in the #3 position on the Billboard charts in early 1961.

The group re-assembled and hit the charts three more times, with "Where I Fell In Love" (#74-1961), "Girl In My Dreams" (#82-1961) and "Limbo" (#98-1962). By the latter release, though, Nick had left for a solo career and ended up with the New York City Police Department.

He rejoined the Capris in 1982 and continued with the group until its dissolution. His composition, "Morse Code Of Love," though it never charted, is still considered a doo-wop standard. The Capris were named to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.

15 comments:

  1. I am terribly sorry to hear about this. He was always one of my favorite singers. He will live on through his music.

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  2. He had a great voice and was a wonderfully talented man.

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  3. Nick was a great guy, and although Morse Code of Love never charted, it was a classic. RIP Nick.

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  4. I'm an old doo woper with a large collection . I still collect the music of the 50's and early 60's.I't sad to hear of another singer pasing away. I have seen Nick Santo and the Capris countless times. What a talented group. he will be greatly missed. Johnny Meastro , Pookie Hudson ,on and on, the performers are leaving us.Must be having great concerts up there in heaven.How can someone not love this music.? Many great performers and DJ's still keeping the music alive, Thank God . I go back to Alan Freed. I loved that man . it's so sad that most of todays youth don't know what they are missing. God bless and keep you Nick .

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  5. iT'S A SAD DAY FOR DOO WOP....

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  6. The Capris and I performed many times together and I will truly miss Nicky not just for his music but the lessons he taught me about the business and professionalism...RIP Nick....

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  7. Nick Santo, one of the best voices in all doo wop his singing of moon out tonight is specacular I'm lucky i got to see them a few times RIP Nick Santo...

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  8. very sad, rip Nick you were definitely an asset to the music industry and your music will live on forever

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  9. thanks for the great harmony...rip

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  10. I worked with Nick in the NYPD 112 Pct. The prisoners he escorted from central booking to court always requested a tune on their way to court. Nick was a respected police officer and fantastic singer and performer on and off stage.
    The Oldies will surly miss him ...
    Robert Schruhl

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  11. R.I.P. You will be missed. I guess that big Doo-Wop Group in Heaven need another singer. :(

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  12. One of the best lead voices, and top doo wop songs, There's a Moon Out Tonight, RIP.

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  13. Very sad.
    Condolences to the Santamaria family and their friends.
    A beautiful voice has been silenced.
    Rest in Peace Nick Santamaria

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  14. the best voice to come out of south ozone park queens ny

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  15. He and the Capris sang at my daughter's wedding in 2003. They were wonderful and Nick was so gracious and kind to us. I am so sad to hear of this.

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