The Regents
Guy Villari (lead), Sal Cuomo (first tenor), Ernie Maresca (baritone), and Chuck Fassert (second tenor) formed in the Bronx, NY, in 1958 as the Montereys. Signing with Seville Records, they cut two Maresca songs that went unreleased, and soon Donnie Jacobucci replaced a disappointed Maresca. They recorded their demonstration records at the Regents Sound Studios, prompting a name change to the Regents, but their first release didn't happen until 1961, three years after they started.
"Barbara Ann" was recorded in 1958, but more than 50 recording companies said "no," causing them to disband before 1959 rolled around. Jacobucci's younger brother Eddie revived the Regents by accident. His group, the Consorts, lacked original songs for an audition so they cut a version of "Barbara Ann" from an old demo Eddie found around the house. When the owner of Cousins Records heard the song, he decided to put it out, not by the Consorts, but by the Regents. With Eddie replacing Guy, the original group reunited, and Cousins released "Barbara Ann" in March of 1961. The stuttering doo wop became a number one record in New York; the demand was overwhelming and Cousins leased it to Roulette/Gee for worldwide distribution and saw it soared to number 13 pop and number seven R&B.
A second single, "Runaround," charted at number 28 pop and number 30 R&B; a third single, "Liar," didn't chart, and neither did a fourth, "Oh Baby." They disbanded but emerged in 1964 as the Runarounds, waxing and releasing five singles on as many labels. The Runarounds were Villari, Fassert, Ronnie Lapinsky, and Sal Corrente; their first single, "Unbelievable," on Nat King Cole's short-lived KC label in 1963 didn't sell nor did their last, "You Lied," on MGM in 1967. Again they separated but reunited as the Regents in 1973 to play the oldie circuit. A copy of "Barbara Ann" on the Cousin label fetches around 1,200 dollars; the same recording on Gee sells for 25 dollars or less.
© Andrew Hamilton /TiVo
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A Sunday Kind Of Love
R&B - Released by Synergie OMP on 13 mrt. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Regents (Vintage Charm)
Jazz - Released by Don't stop the music on 3 apr. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Regents (AKA) The Runarounds Vol 2
Pop - Released by Ling Music Group on 27 jun. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Titanium Hits
Pop - Released by Black & Partner Licenses LLC on 30 mrt. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I'd Like To Know
Pop - Released by Regent Records on 12 jan. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Barbara Ann
Jazz - Released by Stars and Stripes on 17 okt. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Presenting The Regents
Blues - Released by Universal Digital Enterprises on 15 apr. 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Buddy Britten & the Regents
Pop - Released by Hoogan Records on 6 mrt. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Barbara-Ann
Rock - Released by Milestones Records on 19 nov. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -